I have two of the Aldebarans. Both had the level wind line guides fall out on both reels after one month of use. I'm thinking it was the Texas heat that got to them. I JB welded the things back in.

I will not buy another one that's for sure.

Shoot, my Steez collection is all form 2013 and below. They are by far the best reels I own, with one exception, I have 2 show piece reels that stay hidden. :-)

Daiwa Alpha Type-R & Daiwa Pixy Yellow

holy cow clean your dang computer wthhhhhhh

I have a Chinese made BFS rod/reel that casts a 1/16th ounce Panther Martin on 6# test like no spinning rod can do. I use it for trout fishing in lakes/streams. I'd like to get a nicer/more expensive one but wonder if I'd be happy with it.

That computer is almost as old and wore out as my Steez!

For light weight lures on a budget get the Daiwa CR 80
The one I use the most for light weight baits is the Daiwa Tatula Elite. I have a bunch of them.
For the best anti backlash reel is the Daiwa Tatula SV TW or the Steez SV TW depending on how much you want to spend. I used to have a Curado DC and the Tatula SV TW is easier to set up. The DC was good but I liked the SV TW better.
If you want to go with Shimano check out the SLX. It is smooth and not expensive.
Curado MGL is a good one also.
The older Curado B, D, and E reels were bullet proof. Great reels.
The oler Chronarchs were awesome also but for heavier baits. You could cast a Carolina rig with an older Chronarch D, and eat a sandwich before it hit the water. LOL
The older white Chronarch was awesome. I still have a brand new one, never used.
Shimano also had some small profile reels that were from Japan that were awesome, Shimano Scorpion. They were fantastic reels. I should have kept a few instead of trading them in on newer reels.

Thanks ..... I just bought a Shimano Metanium 6.2 ...... I will see how it does.

LOL,,,,, so why did you bother to ask for advice????

I had the reel recommended in this topic .... kinda sorta!

The Metanium seems to be more popular!

that Shimano juice is hard to spit out for a lot of these folks. they have their place, for sure, but for lighter lures daiwa has many reels that are excellent.i use the tatula SV TW for 1/8oz baits with ease, and I have to imagine the Steez and zillion models would be just that much better

I tried to like the SV TW's but it has its quirks too, mostly sounding like a box of rocks after a few months of use.

I have 7 of em, and 1 is just like you say. really rough. the other 6 are phenomenal. I've taken it down to the bare parts and cannot figure out how to make it better. my first two curado's were worse, however, so that is why I went daiwa to start. ive since picked up two more curado reels and they have been a bit better

+1

I tried out a Metanium and it could not throw a light bait as far as I can with a Daiwa reel that is half the price of the Metanium, so I sold it. I thought the Metanium would be a good reel as much as it is hyped on here but it was disappointing for me. I do own a bunch of other Shimano reels that I do like.

I just bought one and love it’s a great reel and cast great into the wind

Little tip for you. Buy Shimano made in Japan. I am a shade tree mechanic in reel servicing, and I have rebuilt a few Shimano reels. Recently found a Shimano mgl and rod that someone lost on my home lake. Rebuilt it and it's a solid reel. I have serviced many older Shimano reels (made in Japan) and they are hard to beat. I'm not a fan boy, I'm using 20yr old Shimano reels along side todays models and they are bulletproof and the bees knees. I fish a little bit, and can guarantee I can torture a reel. If you can't get parts, your going to be in trouble.

Here is a before and after pic of a Shimano & Diawa serviced. Caught fish on both after the service. Have video proof.



Shimano






Diawa