If you’ve used a baitcaster before, then you’d know that it is very intimidating to use, especially if it is your first time using it. There’s always that backlash, too– which makes the experience even more intimidating. Well, leave your frustrations behind as we list two baitcasters that don’t (or won’t) backlash (*whispers* even as a beginner).
Baitcasters will backlash no matter how good they are. However, some baitcasters won’t backlash as much as others. One of the best baitcasters out there with the best anti-backlash technology is the Zillion SV TW.
In this article, we will explore the depths of two baitcasters who won’t backlash. If you are in the market of buying a baitcaster, then reading on might be entirely worth the time for you.
Daiwa Zillion SV TW
The Zillion SV TW is a product from Daiwa that’s just full of bleeding-edge technology paired with bleeding pocket prizes. This baitcaster is a monster that’s waiting to be reeled in!
Daiwa Zillion SV TW – Specifications
To further acquaint you with the Daiwa Zillion SV TW, below, we have listed the specifications.
- Line Capacity: 8/100 10/80
- Retrieve Ratio: 6.3:1 / 7.1:1 / 8.5:1
- Line Per Handle Turn: 26.3 / 29.7 / 35.7
- Max Drag: 12.3 pounds
- Weight: 6.7 oz (6.3 oz – JDM Version)
- Spool Weight: 12.7
Daiwa Zillion SV TW – Pros
- An Amazing Braking System: Sv Booster System
The Daiwa Zillion SV TW has its braking system dubbed as the SV Booster System by Daiwa. In theory, this braking system is set as a two-stage braking system allowing a refined and smooth experience with increased casting distance. However, does this hold up in real life?
The dual-stage braking system is a revolutionary innovation by Daiwa. Instead of using the single-stage braking system most commonly found on products like the Tatula series, the dual-stage braking incorporates an additional spring on top of the magnetic field brake that creates friction to prevent backlash. Moreover, the Daiwa Zillion SV TW sports an aluminum spool for its thin and light form factor that reduces inertia within the spool.
- A Better Startup: Effortless And Accurate Casts
The Daiwa Zillion SV TW is an excellent baitcaster for finesse fishing while being flexible enough to handle the big guys. This extreme versatility is fueled by the fact that the Daiwa Zillion SV TW has an awesome startup resulting from the lighter and faster reel. Daiwa’s design and hardware decisions have resulted in a baitcaster with extreme responsiveness, precision, ease of use, accuracy, and cast distance.
- Everything Is Hyper And Bleeding Edge.
The Daiwa Zillion SV TW wouldn’t be considered bleeding-edge without its bleeding edge “hyper” features. Why hyper, you say? The Zillion SV TW has incorporated a HyperDrive design, meaning it has additional features such as Hyper Armed Housing, HyperDrive Digigear, Hyper Double Support, and Hyper Tough Clutch.
What does this mean exactly, “hyper” lingo aside? First off, the HyperDrive Digigear is explicitly designed to make the teeth of the gears have a smoother and more efficient power distribution making the Daiwa Zillion SV TW a smooth baitcaster with powerhouse standards.
Now each bleeding-edge feature would, by itself, not be handy. However, with the Daiwa Zillion SV TW’s design and approach to implementing many fragments of bleeding-edge technology, the said baitcaster has the best retrieving experience out of all Zillion baitcasters to date with a bonus of smoothness and power.
The drag in the Daiwa Zillion SV TW is simply superb as it shifts its focus on sheer strength and more on delivering with its efficiency, durability, and reliability– factors most vital if you want to use the Daiwa Zillion SV TW as your driver for each of your fishing trips for years and years to come.
Related: 10 Best Fluorocarbon Fishing Lines
Daiwa Zillion SV TW – Cons
- Price
The Daiwa Zillion SV TW is an awesome baitcaster, no doubt. The team would probably recommend this baitcaster all day without a sweat, but the price that the Daiwa ZIllion SV TW comes with is no laughing matter. With a price tag starting with $349.99, this baitcaster, although incredibly awesome, is just not for everyone (especially those on a budget).
Don’t get me wrong, the Daiwa Zillion SV TW is an impressive hardware piece and competitively priced. However, a common problem with flagships and high-end devices is that their money to functionality ratio is not the best (it certainly is not better when compared to most budget and midrange choices out there in the market).
An excellent example of this is when looking at the casting abilities of the Daiwa ZIllion SV TW. We are at a point where the baitcaster industry has matured, and even budget options are now becoming extremely good baitcasters.
The Drag is smooth but not a powerhouse.
Earlier, we called the Daiwa Zillion SV TW a “powerhouse.” However, when it comes to drag, that is not indeed the case. Instead of achieving the 20-pound power standard at this price point, the Daiwa Zillion SV TW only reaches a measly 12.1 pounds of drag pressure, which is certainly not a wink but is more of a stretch, especially when we look at the price.
- Ergonomics Has Room For Improvement.
The Zillion series are not known for their great ergonomics. The Daiwa Zillion SV TW has a squared-off look that looks sharp and modern while staying unique. It is exemplary as not only can this give you an awesome-looking baitcaster with its distinct look, it also serves as subtle bragging rights (kind of like the iPhone).
However, as far as we know (just like the newest iPhone 12), just because it looks incredible doesn’t mean it feels great. The design choices for the Daiwa Zillion SV TW are certainly leaning on looks over functionality. As we already know, squared designs aren’t palm-friendly compared to rounder, more graspable corners.
- Two Different Manufacturing Sources
It is not necessarily a con for everyone, but to a specific demographic who prefer one model or the other, it certainly is. The Daiwa ZIllion SV TW is manufactured from two different countries in Asia, one from Japan and Thailand.
Indeed, one will be more commonplace in your country compared to the other. So when your preference lies in Japan or Thailand but is not available in your country, you may have to look at overseas markets to get your preferred model.
Daiwa Zillion SV TW – Where To Buy
- 8.5:1 Variant
The 8.5:1 Variant of the Daiwa Zillion SV TW is available for sale on Amazon.
- 7.3:1 Variant
The 7.3:1 Variant of the Daiwa Zillion SV TW is available for sale on Amazon. This baitcaster reel is left handed.
Kastking Spartacus Baitcasting Reel
We have talked about the bleeding edge, high-end baitcaster earlier: the Daiwa Zillion SV TW. The said baitcaster was terrific and delivered efficiently as we would assume for the price. However, that does not mean that we can’t get high-quality anti-backlash bait cast reels for a lower price.
We have searched for a budget-friendly option, and we have finally landed on the Kastking Spartacus baitcasting reel. This baitcasting reel is a cheap alternative to moderately experienced anglers.
Kastking Spartacus Baitcasting Reel – Specifications
I don’t believe in specifications, especially when compared to real-life use cases. After all, as a consumer, what matters most is not the specifications but the real-life use experience. However, we cannot deny that specifications give a birds’ eye view of what we are paying for (plus, it is a total treat for the enthusiasts).
That is why we felt the need to include specifications. Below is a short rundown on the specifications of the Kastking Spartacus baitcasting reel.
- Gear Ratio 6:3:1 / 7.2:1 (Ver 2)
- 11 + 1 Shielded Stainless Steel Corrosion Resistant Ball
- Weight 7.2 oz to 8.1 oz
- Max Drag: 17.5 pounds
- Mono Line Capacity (Lbs/Yds): 10/125 12/100 15/85
- Braid Line Capacity (Lbs/Yds): 40/125 50/100 65/85
Kastking Spartacus Baitcasting Reel – Pros
- Price
The Kastking Spartacus baitcasting reel is an awesome baitcaster for the price. Not only does this mean that it is more than suitable, if not the best for its value, it also means that it is more accessible to more anglers out there. If you want the best experience for not a lot of money, trying out the Kastking Spartacus is a good bet!
- Right and Left-handed availability
Most baitcasting reels are made for the predominantly right-handed human species, but wouldn’t it be good to feel represented once in a while (left-handed wise)? Well, the Kastking Spartacus baitcasting reel is more than enough to suit your left-handed angling needs.
- Dual-brake system
The Daiwa Zillion SV TW is an excellent baitcasting reel with a dual-brake system that is incredible and frankly quite needed for its hefty price. But guess what? The Kastking Spartacus baitcasting reel has the same option too! The second version of the Kastking Spartacus sports just one brake system that Kastking has claimed is so good that a second break is unnecessary.
- Corrosion Resistant
The Kastking Spartacus baitcasting reel is a corrosion-resistant baitcasting reel that’s highly worth it for the money. It is made using CNC machined aluminum spools with superior 11 + 1 superior shielded stainless steel.
Here comes the question: what does this mean, and how will this reflect my real-life use cases? Well, first off, the corrosion resistance will result in the Kastking Spartacus baitcasting reel being very durable and serve you well in the long run. Moreover, this could also imply that it can be used both on freshwater and saltwater on lakes, rivers, and oceans alike!
Kastking Spartacus Baitcasting Reel – Cons
- Not Friendly For Beginners
The Kastking Spartacus baitcasting reel may be perfect for moderately experienced expert anglers, but they can be a mini-nightmare for beginners. There are use cases wherein the Kastking Spartacus baitcasting reel will not spoon evenly, unlike the highly beginner-friendly and rarely backlashing Daiwa ZIllion SV TW.
2. Cast Length Limitations
Earlier, we have found trouble on the Daiwa Zillion SV TW for not having a lot of max drag, despite its very smooth performance. The same can be said to the Kastking Spartacus, but this time on its cast length.
The Kastking Spartacus is very limited in its cast length when the brakes are set to max. Moreover, the Kastking Spartacus is a brake-reliant product. There have also been reports stating that it does backlash in rare cases (even though it’s anti-backlash, although the emphasis is rare). It also has a problem sometimes with not spooling evenly as well.
Kastking Spartacus Baitcasting Reel – Where to buy
The Kastking Spartacus starts at a relatively low price and is available to buy below. We use affiliate links for you to help support our organization at no extra cost! Think of it as a way to purchase your own Kastking Spartacus while also supporting us.
KastKing Spartacus Baitcasting Reel
Right Hand Orientation
KastKing Spartacus II Baitcasting Reel
Left Hand Orientation
Honorable Mention – Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel – Specifications
An even more budget friendly option, the Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel is our pick for an honorable mention. We believe that this is the perfect baitcasting reel for beginners. Below are its specifications.
- 18lb Carbon Fiber Dra
- 7.1:1 Gear Ratio
- Japanese Hami 3604 Brass Gears
- 60S Lubricant Design
Honorable Mention – Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel – Pros
- A Monster: 30-pound Braid Capacity
If you plan on using braided lines for your Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel, then you sure won’t be disappointed! The Piscifun Torrent baitcasting reel will be well worth your money for fishing on vegetation-productive areas and extremely heavy fish.
- Budget-friendly And Perfect For Beginners
If you are a beginner at angling and want a perfect beginner’s baitcaster, then the Piscifun Torrent baitcasting reel will fulfill that need without breaking the bank. Since it starts way below $40, you can pick this one easily without overthinking about it.
- Quick Oil Port
These are some of the minute details that add up to provide you with the best experience possible. The Piscifun Torrent baitcasting reel has a quick oil port for you to lubricate your baitcasting reel easily.
Honorable Mention – Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel – Con(s)
- Not Suitable For Heavier Lures
This product has only one con, and that is it may not be suitable for heavier lures. So if you want to fish with the heaviest, biggest lures possible, then this rod may not be for you. However, if you’re going to finesse fish with this, you may be able to use this baitcasting reel comfortably. Moreover, since this is a recommended baitcasting lure for beginners, then the need for heavier lures may not be necessary.
Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel – Where to buy
The Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel is great for those watching it and is available to buy below.
Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel
Is There A Baitcaster That Won’t Backlash
Backlashes are commonplace, especially when using baitcasters, which at some point discouraged anglers to even make use of them due to their maneuvering difficulty to avoid tangled lines or “backlash.” Fishing companies have taken notice of this and introduced anti-backlash reels.
What are anti-backlash reels? And are they 100% backlash-proof?
Anti-backlash reels are baitcasters that are less likely to backlash due to their premium braking technology. So to answer the question from earlier: no, there isn’t a baitcaster that won’t backlash, as most braking technology only reduces the possibility of a backlash, not completely removing its possibility.
However, not all anti-backlash reels are made equal, as some are not significantly better at preventing backlash. In contrast, others (like the ones we recommended) are so good that they are virtually impossible to backlash.
Related: 10 Best High-Performing Spinning Reels For Under $50
Three Frequently Asked Questions About Baitcasters
- Why should I use a baitcaster?
Baitcasters allow for accurate casts while slowing down the lure while casting not to alert fish and scare them away.
- Are baitcasters suitable for beginners?
Most of the time, baitcasters are not suitable for angling beginners as backlashing is a real problem. However, anti-backlash reels have alleviated this learning curve by a lot.
- How often should I oil my baitcaster?
Do not over-lubricate your baitcaster and oil them once every two to three weeks.
Questions or comments? Leave them below. Until next time Happy Fishing!
Cory Haasnoot
Cory is a content writer-editor and founder of Tackle Box Talk. Favorite Quote: "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."