I am very conflicted in many ways concerning just how far down this JDM Rabbit hole I want to venture.
In no way will I say that the cheaper Pflueger reels are of an equal quality to a top of the line Diawa reel but I will say that for what those reels cost they are very well made, are very smooth and for that money level probably some of the best on the market.
Also I do not fish with anywhere near the frequency that you fish as I generally fish maybe 6-7 times a month from mid March until early November so perhaps that as well has a bearing on the cheaper gear lasting well for me.
I would like to try to get out a little more often this year.
I do like sampling some of this better gear for sure but my mindset has always been to buy gear that in ways fishes above its price point as compared to the overall market and gives good to great value for the dollars spent.
I have not totally convinced myself yet that I want to abandon that philosophy and although I may well pursue more JDM options that same mindset may well be in play even on the JDM gear.
There is always a point that the improvement increases reach a minimal level as compared to the amount of additional dollars spent. I always try to stay on the plus side of the value to dollars spent.
I would tend to make a guess that the lack of shallow spool options in the American market probably has more than a little to do with Americans in general having a mindset that more is better attitude.
Seems that so many seem to approach it as that even a 2-3 lb fish is going to pull 80 yards off the spool against the drag or even they are going to cast a 1/4 ounce lure 80 yards so they need to be able to spool up 200 yards of line to have some in reserve!
I am looking forward to giving that Exist a try and I am hoping I like it but at the same time I am hoping that it will have a place in my arsenal it will not make it to the point I will not want to use any of my other reels. My plans is to use the Exist in a manner that when I want to use a small ultra light reel with very light lures and want to get maximum casting distance is to take advantage of the shallow wide spool.
I will be the first to admit that the Exist is really above my pay grade and realistically the Luvias is probably going to be my "top end" level normally when buying the shallow spool JDM versions of a reel.
But again it is nice that we have so many levels of gear at such a varied price ranges that all work well so those of all budgets can enjoy getting out to fish!