|
Low Speed Reel
Shootout: Daiwa
gets Crazy with the Zillion Cranker
| Date: |
8/30/09 |
| Tackle type: |
Rod |
| Manufacturer: |
Daiwa |
| Reviewer: |
Zander |
Total Score: 8.00 -
GREAT
Introduction:
Daiwa’s Zillion Crazy
Cranker features an extra low speed 4.9:1 gear ratio and is designed with a high
torque gearbox for powerful retrieves of the deepest diving crankbaits. This is
the most powerful reel in the high end Zillion lineup and now joins the fray in
our low speed cranking reel shootout.
|
Daiwa
Zillion Crazy Cranker
Specifications |
|
Line
Capacity (lbs / yds) |
12/150, 14/125 (Rated) |
|
Gear Ratio |
4.9:1 |
|
Measured Weight |
8.8 ounces |
|
Measured Max. Drag |
8.8 lbs measured
max drag |
|
Number of
Bearings |
6 + 1 Roller |
|
Features |
Swept handle, wet disc drag system, aluminum frame and handle side
sideplate, soft touch grips |
|
Origin |
Japan |
|
MSRP |
$269 |
Daiwa's cranking reel... The
Zillion 4.9:1 also known as the "Crazy Cranker"
Impressions:
So just what is so “crazy” about this Daiwa cranking reel? How about the ultra
low speed 4.9:1 gearing ratio that makes this reel the slowest cranking reel in
our four way shootout. Daiwa like Abu builds upon a successful platform by
introducing a cranking reel in an already existing series. The Daiwa Crazy
Cranker offers all that Daiwa fans love about the reels. The Crazy Cranker
features the recognizable swept handle which is designed for “maximum winding
leverage,” and let’s be honest… it just looks really cool. Both the frame and
handle side sideplate are constructed out of aluminum to better support the
drive train and inside the guts the Crazy Cranker has a modest bearing count of
only six plus one roller bearing, with four of these bearings being extra
corrosion resistant CRBB bearings.
This reel features a high torque
4.9:1 gear ratio
Out of the box the Zillion Crazy Cranker looked like any
other Zillion, just a little more conservative in coloration. The Crazy Cranker
features the same profile as the previous Zillion reels but has a much more
subdued look as the reel is pretty much just silver and black, there is no
anodized red, yellow or blue here. With only black colored highlights the Crazy
Cranker doesn’t look all that “crazy” at all, instead the reel looks more like a
TD-Z than any of its siblings. I got the feeling immediately that this reel was
all about business, forget all that flashy stuff let’s get to cranking!
A familiar profile
Real World Tests:
To test the Daiwa Crazy Cranker we fished the reel for a season out at Clear
Lake where we encountered a decent crankbait bite which started shallow in the
beginning of summer and dropped down to deep water as the season went on. We
fished the Crazy Cranker on a number of different rods and compared the reel
versus the competing low speed cranking reels side by side.
Early morning testing on Clear
Lake
Casting:
During testing I switched out lines once. First I fished with Trilene Big Game
12lb which is one of my regular “control” lines in which to draw comparisons
from, then I fished with Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon 12lb in the latter part of
our tests. I found that the Zillion was able to cast both lines very well, and
the cast control system did a brilliant job of keeping the stiffer fluorocarbon
lines in check.
The Zillion Crazy Cranker features
black highlights and is the most understated Zillion yet
The Magforce-Z system is good for a wide range of lure
weights and when it comes to minute adjustments between different sized and
weighted lures this system is the one to beat. While many competing reels
require anglers to adjust brake weights or aggressively alter how they address
the spool the Daiwa Magforce-z can be tuned in a split second with the rotation
of the external cast control knob.
A Clear Lake bass cranked up with
the Zillion, the air is so cold that the water steams
I found the Daiwa Zillion Crazy Cranker to be a good long
distance caster and an exceptional short to mid range caster when it came to
control and accuracy. By dialing the right settings on both the Magforce-Z and
the spool tension knob I found I could cast even undersized cranks really tight
against structure. This proper placement definitely resulted in more strikes
simply by having the confidence to aggressively position lures in the zone.
The Zillion Crazy Cranker features
a swept handle designed to reduce wobble and help deliver maximum winding
leverage
Crank it up with the powerful retrieve |
