Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

I just ordered a Dobyns Extreme 744 and would like to buy a reel soon for the rod. I have one of the new 2010 premiers on another rod and really like the reel a lot, with the exception of the appearance. The gold is a little much.

I have handled the Steez and even fished with my cousins, but did not get a great feel for the reel because he is a lefty and I am a righty. I'm willing to wait a bit to find a good deal on the Steez and willing to pay a little more if the Steez will significantly out perform the Premier.

Questions: What do you guy think. Is the Steez a major step up from the 2010 Premier? Do you think it is worth the extra money? If so...why, if not....why not? I like to have good equipment, but don't need a Steez just because it says Steez. I did buy a Steez casting rod a few months back and I have to say, the rod is awesome, which has me wondering if the reels are just as awesome.

One more...how does the new curados or chronarchs compare to the premier or the steez?

Jared If you want to try a right hand Steez you are welcome to try one of mine. In fact its on a Dobyns 744. I would also try a Zillion, very nice reel for the money. Jim

Jared, I second Jim Moulton on the Zillion. It is a little heavier than the Steez, but it's my prefered chioce. They are strong, smooth, and take abuse. They are a GREAT reel. Sorry, I have not fished a Revo, so I don't know about them.

I have 6 Revo Premier reels. They are good with heavier lures. They are terrible with overspooling with light lures (under 3/8 oz). I don't have any Daiwa's to compare.

The steez is an exceptional reel, but out of my price range. It seems nowadays a lot of things are out of my price range. I have a diawa zillion 7.3:1 100sha the aniversary model...its very nice...but heavier than the steez.I've seen Jim's reels and they definetly high end. I've also used revo stx....but not the premier..at the very least I've been happy with it durability..but it pales in comparison.so it really comes down to budget ans personal style. it will all catch fish.

Daiwa reels are pretty but they have the absolute worst drags. I've mentioned this issue to many of the reps years ago but still no changes. 8.8# of drag pressure (jerky, not smooth) is the max on most of the low profiled reels and in order to achieve that amount of pressure, you have to really crank down on the drag star and often times I worried If I may have warped any internal parts.

Needless to say, I've upgraded all my Daiwa reels with after market drag washers from smoothdrags and although the drag is now smooth, the increase in pressure is not significant.

For the reasons stated above, I will never buy another Daiwa reel. One of most important aspects of a reel is a properly functioning drag and with the amount of money these retail for, there are simply better options.

I now mainly fish Shimano (love the Curados) some Abu Garcia reels for heavier applications (incredible drag strength). As stated by Scott, Abu Reels do not cast light lures well.

If it were me, I rather purchase a Shimano Core over a Steez any day (save money too).

i have to disagree about daiwa's drags. they perform flawlessly for me(zillions&advantages). weither it be heavy stuff on the delta, or lite line on the lakes. but to each their own.
I have never used the steez or the premeir on that matter

Bird, FWIW I have two Steez 103 shas, a Zillion anniversary, two Core 50's, a Core 100 and a lot of other crap. Gary is right the Zillion is a work horse and is lightning fast on the retrieve. For my money the Core 50 is the best of the bunch. It's not quite as fast as the Steez (28 vice 30 inch), but it is noticeably smoother on the cast with heavy or lighter weights and seems stronger on the drag (Note: I have not noticed any problems with the Steez drag). With the Dobyns rod you are looking at you might be better served with the Core 100. By the way, I have always been a Daiwa man from the early Millionaires and Magforces, but I have to say the Core is a much better deal for the money (around a $100 cheaper). No experience with the other reel you mentioned.

An i have to agree with Barse an Sinjin....the new Daiwa drags have been greatly improved in the way they glide, they aren't jerky anymore...and here is where i agree with Sinjin in the fact that anymore, the Daiwa TDX were great reels for casting but their drags were crap; weak and jerky.

The Steez are extremely expensive so i'm sure they are nice reels but i could not justify paying that much for a reel. Abu Garcia's have always been nice reels, an considerably less expensive.

They will ALL be nice reels when you start getting into that expense category (Daiwa, Abu Garcia,Shimano) the biggest thing you can do is take your rod down to the local tackle warehouse an just put all your options on the rod an see which one fits YOU better. Everybody on here will always say one is better than the other like Ford/Chevy... but it comes down to which feels better to you.

Hey Jared !
U might want to take a look at the Shimano Core series. Very light like the Steez, IMO will match up with the Dobyns 744 just as well as the Steez and saves you $ 110. I was able to fish with the Steez and the Core in the same day last year ( thnk u Jim Moulton ) and while both are excellent reels I didn't see or feel a huge difference. Liked them both quite a bit, it's just that the price tag hurts !!! Talk to Jim, i'm sure he would be happy to show u both reels. And if u remember....I'm a Revo STX guy !!

Try the Zillion. It is the best reel for the money. It also fits my hand better than any other and this is a big consideration when you have it in your hand all day. The lighter reels seem to throw off the balance of most rods.

Jeff Miller wrote:Hey Jared !
U might want to take a look at the Shimano Core series. Very light like the Steez, IMO will match up with the Dobyns 744 just as well as the Steez and saves you $ 110. I was able to fish with the Steez and the Core in the same day last year ( thnk u Jim Moulton ) and while both are excellent reels I didn't see or feel a huge difference. Liked them both quite a bit, it's just that the price tag hurts !!! Talk to Jim, i'm sure he would be happy to show u both reels. And if u remember....I'm a Revo STX guy !!

whats up jeff...i remember. I got a few more weeks of work and then im off for the summer...maybe we can get together this summer.

Jared
I have The Cores also. You are welcome to take My Steez, Cores, and Zillions out and demo them. In fact I would consider selling my Cores if you like them. Jim

Jim,
I'd buy those Core's if only the handles were on the correct side !!!