Daiwa know-how
HD stands for Heavy Duty! Daiwa reels with the HD designation have extra strength compared to the rest of the range and their mechanics are better able to handle big lures.
With a 7-kilogram fighting brake featuring UTD technology for smooth, jerk-free action, this reel is built to take on the biggest freshwater predators! This makes it possible to catch fish like black-bass, pike, peacock bass, musky, snakehead and many others all over the world, with small lures!
In fact, it's at home with lures from 10 to 120 grams. This wide range, combined with its 6.3/1 ratio, i.e. 71 centimetres of line retrieved per turn of the crank, gives it great versatility of use. Coupled with an H or XH type rod, the result is an all-round, all-terrain, all-purpose package!
To give you an idea, I've mounted mine on a Bone BVC 704 XXH rod, rated at 14-80 grams, which makes for a perfect combo: light, easy to handle and robust. This is the set I use most for black-bass and pike fishing, with all types of lures.
This reel features most of the technologies developed by Daiwa, such as Magforce Z and TWS. The Magforce Z helps control spool speed to reduce the risk of wigging, while the TWS reduces line friction in the spool when casting to increase distance.
Getting back to the wigs, or the lack of them, this reel allows you to force your casts to reach good distances, without any risk of the spool accelerating too much. Friction and magnetic brake settings are easy, efficient and precise. As a result, wigging is very rare, and the reel is very tolerant of angler errors.
It works equally well with nylon and braid of different diameters, and remains comfortable with any of them.
In addition to these technologies common to many of the brand's reels, this Zillion benefits from more specific and cutting-edge technologies, such as Hyper Digigear, which means that the control wheel is machined with greater precision and built from a stronger alloy.
Comfort of use
This reel in size 150 is not large and its streamlined shape is well thought-out. Its grip is natural and it fits well in the hand. The double crank handle with EVA grip accentuates this comfort.
Finally, the fluidity of this reel is incredible and all these points give it a comfort of use that's hard to beat. The magnetic drag adjustment knob is a little different from what we're used to seeing. It's partly hidden by the outer flange, but this doesn't change the way it works.
My opinion
This Zillion TW HD is the replacement for the HD 100 HSL, with which I've been fishing for four seasons. The only thing I have to reproach it for is a few minor cosmetic defects, such as the paint peeling off and the trigger grip coming off. Nothing too catastrophic, especially as Daiwa seems to have been aware of the problem, as the metal part on which the paint flakes has been replaced by plastic on this new version of the Zillion.
Anyway, being satisfied with this first Zillion HD 100 HSL, I went for this new Zillion TW HD, which is even more solid than its predecessor, to build myself another combo.
I like this reel because it allows me, with just one rod, to fish a 10-gram surface stick as well as an 80-gram hard swimbait without having to change my settings!
As I mainly fish from shore and in float tubes, it allows me to bring just one rod and use a wide range of lures. It's also the reel I use most often on trips, for its comfortable size, fluidity and versatility.
It's very easy to adjust, and although its price may seem high for a beginner to casting, its ease of adjustment makes it a perfect reel for those just starting out. For the initiated, this reel is simply a joy to use.
Zillion TW HD
- Brand: Daiwa
- Capacity: 100 metres of 33/100
- Brake: 7 kilograms
- Ratio: 6.3/1
- Turn of crank: 71 centimetres
- Weight: 230 grams
- Catalogue number: ZILTWHD1520HL
- Suggested retail price: ?499
