Alpha Angler Zilla Vaader

[Longsticker]

Anyone handled or used one of these rods?  Just curious about the weight, sensitivity and action of these rods!  Torn between a Vaader or a Falcon Cara for a new jig/pitching rod.  Thanks in advance!

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Got three of their rods, but not that model.  

 

They got some real magic in them, not the most aesthetically pleasing, but they keep fish pinned better than any other rods I've used.  

[Big_Easy_Bassin]

1 hour ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Got three of their rods, but not that model.  

 

They got some real magic in them, not the most aesthetically pleasing, but they keep fish pinned better than any other rods I've used.  

What models do you have? I have basically narrowed my arsenal down to two rod manufacturers… Dobyns and Powell. But there are a few companies I haven’t tried yet, and Alpha Angler is at the top of the list. My favorite lure and the one I have the most confidence in is a bladed jig so I’ve been eying the Chatterbound for a while. The Clutch also has my attention for flipping and pitching lighter/finesse jigs around docks. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

2 minutes ago, Big_Easy_Bassin said:

What models do you have? I have basically narrowed my arsenal down to two rod manufacturers… Dobyns and Powell. But there are a few companies I haven’t tried yet, and Alpha Angler is at the top of the list. My favorite lure and the one I have the most confidence in is a bladed jig so I’ve been eying the Chatterbound for a while. The Clutch also has my attention for flipping and pitching lighter/finesse jigs around docks. 

Ironic you mention the Chatterbound, it's easily my favorite rod I've ever owned and I've only owned it since late summer last year.    If only every big fish I hooked was on this rod.     It took one of the hardest baits for me to hookup with, and made it ridiculously easy, like the first day I went out with it, it flipped a switch.   

 

I try to throw anything that is moving on that rod until I get another one, or try the Rebound rods.    Chatterbaits, but Blade baits, Spinnerbaits, Tail Spinners, bigger squarebills.   The rod is incredible on moving baits.

 

Second rod is the Wide Glide.    This rod has that same magic in it's parabolic action for big swimbaits and A-Rigs as the Chatterbound does for moving baits.  Used this rod all winter long with A-Rigs, and in the Fall and now Spring with big swimbaits in the 2-4oz range.  

 

Third rod is the Wrench and it's very true to it's name, it's the only spinning rod I take.    Super sensitive, very light, and has some really unique things like the guides and the graphite blank which the only other company that uses this proprietary blend is Boeing IIrc.  

 

Jake Boomer the owner is the real deal, he is totally committed to making the customer happy.     

[Big_Easy_Bassin]

23 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Ironic you mention the Chatterbound, it's easily my favorite rod I've ever owned and I've only owned it since late summer last year.    If only every big fish I hooked was on this rod.     It took one of the hardest baits for me to hookup with, and made it ridiculously easy, like the first day I went out with it, it flipped a switch.   

 

I try to throw anything that is moving on that rod until I get another one, or try the Rebound rods.    Chatterbaits, but Blade baits, Spinnerbaits, Tail Spinners, bigger squarebills.   The rod is incredible on moving baits.

 

Second rod is the Wide Glide.    This rod has that same magic in it's parabolic action for big swimbaits and A-Rigs as the Chatterbound does for moving baits.  Used this rod all winter long with A-Rigs, and in the Fall and now Spring with big swimbaits in the 2-4oz range.  

 

Third rod is the Wrench and it's very true to it's name, it's the only spinning rod I take.    Super sensitive, very light, and has some really unique things like the guides and the graphite blank which the only other company that uses this proprietary blend is Boeing IIrc.  

 

Jake Boomer the owner is the real deal, he is totally committed to making the customer happy.     

Oh yeah. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Boomer and the AA products. I went through a bunch of brands and models trying to find the “right” bladed jig rod for me. Currently using a Powell Max 755 CB Glass and it’s kept me pretty happy so far. Recently tried the Brent Ehrler Daiwa Tatula Elite rod. Used it a few times and sold it. Didn’t like it at all. I think I’m going to order at least the Chatterbound right now lol. 

 

Any chance you know how much the Chatterbound weighs? Weight is one reason I love the Powell. That Max 755 CB Glass only weighs 3.3oz

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Great thing about the Chatterbound is that it's got that glass tip but graphite bottom section.  Perfect balance b/t weight and forgiveness.   Also quite sensitive, you can feel MiniMaxs as well as Jackhammers.  

 

Knowing that if I buy a rod and don't like it, Jake will honor it is a big deal for me and why I'll buy at least one more rod from AA.   

[Big_Easy_Bassin]

6 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Great thing about the Chatterbound is that it's got that glass tip but graphite bottom section.  Perfect balance b/t weight and forgiveness.   Also quite sensitive, you can feel MiniMaxs as well as Jackhammers.  

 

Knowing that if I buy a rod and don't like it, Jake will honor it is a big deal for me and why I'll buy at least one more rod from AA.   

How does the Chatterbound do around vegetation? I’m normally throwing Jackhammers in 3-5ft over grass so having that backbone to pop it free from the grass and get the fish out is my main concern. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

9 minutes ago, Big_Easy_Bassin said:

How does the Chatterbound do around vegetation? I’m normally throwing Jackhammers in 3-5ft over grass so having that backbone to pop it free from the grass and get the fish out is my main concern. 

It's perfect because that tip allows you to rip it free......but not too much because as you know many bites come when that Chatterbait either deflects off cover or is ripped free from it.   

 

That blended blank gives you the best of both worlds, forgiveness on the top end, and lots of beef on the bottom half.   

 

 

[Big_Easy_Bassin]

23 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

It's perfect because that tip allows you to rip it free......but not too much because as you know many bites come when that Chatterbait either deflects off cover or is ripped free from it.   

 

That blended blank gives you the best of both worlds, forgiveness on the top end, and lots of beef on the bottom half.   

 

 

Thanks for the info. I think you just convinced me to pick one up and give it a shot. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

14 minutes ago, Big_Easy_Bassin said:

Thanks for the info. I think you just convinced me to pick one up and give it a shot. 

Happy to help!  

[Columbia Craw]

Alpha Angler rods are build on North Fork Composite blanks.  I looked at the NFC S2 blank and matched it with my Mag Rebound and rebound. Edge does not provide a finish rod with those two blanks as of yet.    I have an EFX Pro mbr735C-1.  This is the Zilla.  The Zilla Vader is the Black widow MBR735C1. 
The Chatter  Bound is the EVX Pro Hybrid in 706.   AA rods are the simplist builds out there but they fish well.  I found it easier to buy Edge rods directly.

[rangerjockey]

I fished Zilla for several years and liked it. It looked like it should cost 89 bucks but it fishes well.

I've heard the NFC blank deal too and I've heard Sage the fly rod builder.

AA ain't talking that I've ever heard from

 the horses mouth.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

8 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

Alpha Angler rods are build on North Fork Composite blanks.  I looked at the NFC S2 blank and matched it with my Mag Rebound and rebound. Edge does not provide a finish rod with those two blanks as of yet.    I have an EFX Pro mbr735C-1.  This is the Zilla.  The Zilla Vader is the Black widow MBR735C1. 
The Chatter  Bound is the EVX Pro Hybrid in 706.   AA rods are the simplist builds out there but they fish well.  I found it easier to buy Edge rods directly.

Interesting info, the S2 blanks are the ones that have the magic in them big time to me.   Thought the Chatterbound is a S2 blank.  

 

They are the opposite of my MegaBass or Steez rods, but they produce as many if not more fish than those.  

6 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

I fished Zilla for several years and liked it. It looked like it should cost 89 bucks but it fishes well.

I've heard the NFC blank deal too and I've heard Sage the fly rod builder.

AA ain't talking that I've ever heard from

 the horses mouth.

Haha, the $89 comment is true and something that only the big fish caught on these rods could cure.    

 

They are boring, cosmetically neutral rods at best.....as I said above, the exact opposite of a MB rod in terms of looks.   

[Columbia Craw]

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not trash talking AA product. It appears to me Boomer cherry picked the best blank options for his rod options and chose a minimalist build.  Nothing wrong with that.