Gotta love getting a PVC tube in the Mail!

[The_Natural]

Well, I've fished the 6'9" MH X-Fast the past two nights, and have been thoroughly impressed. The first thing that got my nod of approval is this particular models power and action. I like X-Fast rods for my jig and worm fishing; The extra power offered by the X-Fast action coupled with the fact it squeezes more sensitivity out of the blank is a big benefit IMHO. The 6'9" model is VERY reminiscent of my bcr803 GLX in terms of power and action. It is surprisingly powerful, and the action borders on ultra-ridiculously fast. The senisitivity was the biggest surprise. It far surpassed my expectations...so much so I had to fish it a second night (last night) to make sure I wasn't being unrealistic, being I was excited about my new rods. As far as rods close to the Zillion in price...it is the most sensitive I have fished with (I own Avids, Carrots, Powells and Legend Tournaments). The closest thing I have in terms of middle market rods is the Powell, but the Zillion edges it out, and encroaches on IMX sensitivity (seriously). I want to fish a hard bottom to get a final opinion, but fish strikes and brush/limb detection is just outstanding. Every fish that hit my bait felt like they clobbered it. Discerning different bottom mediums and just how large of a 'thud' I get when my jig hits a rocky bottom will determine if it can hang with an IMX. Is the X-Fast action helping quite a bit? Is the new reel seat and reel seat material offering less blank dampening? Those are thoughts I have had. Not to mention the new reel seat is VERY open...I can get three fingers on the blank...no joke.

[.RM.]

You do know the real hype comes from fish on..

They must just be sensitive enough for feeling the brush, limbs and bottom makeup, but not for catching. All of this and not one mention of fish on and how they handled a fight/load....

Tight Lines!!!!  

[flechero]

Glad to hear you like the new sticks!  It would have really been a bummer to buy 5 and not love them!  

I'm almost surprised that no one has suggested you save the grand and buy a spool of braid.  ...lol  I miss those  posts...  "buy a spool of braid and your ugly stick is better than GLX...."  blah blah blah...     ;D

[mattm]

Great looking reels, man.  That reel seat is awesome.  

Glad to hear you got them from Simmons.  I know you got a deal.  Those guys are great.

[Grey Wolf]

I not trying to be a smart *** but on what did you base your decision to buy five of these rods on. Did you have inside information or something. Again I'm just curious , that's a lot of money(for me) to buy something that has never been produced before.

[mattm]

I do the same thing. I'm sure he just wanted them and trusts the brand. Worse case he uses them once hates them and sales them in the flea market. Using them only once your not going to take to bad of a bath on them.

[Raul]

I not trying to be a smart *** but on what did you base your decision to buy five of these rods on. Did you have inside information or something. Again I'm just curious , that's a lot of money(for me) to buy something that has never been produced before.

I did purchase 2 Kistler Mag TS wight after they were introduced to the market so actually they were never produced before, in what did I base to purchase them, well everybody spoke so highly for Kistler Heliums including a couple of persons who I trust and consider tackle conosseurs ( Dan - AKA "Lightning Rod" and Dennis aka " Cal" from TT who even made a review on the Mag TS ). Turns out to be that I didn 't like them and ended up selling them.

In this case The Natural had previous experience with Daiwa rods, Steez rods to be exact, not strange that he 's open minded about trying the new Zillion rods.

[Grey Wolf]

I not trying to be a smart *** but on what did you base your decision to buy five of these rods on. Did you have inside information or something. Again I'm just curious , that's a lot of money(for me) to buy something that has never been produced before.

I did purchase 2 Kistler Mag TS wight after they were introduced to the market so actually they were never produced before, in what did I base to purchase them, well everybody spoke so highly for Kistler Heliums including a couple of persons who I trust and consider tackle conosseurs ( Dan - AKA "Lightning Rod" and Dennis aka " Cal" from TT who even made a review on the Mag TS ). Turns out to be that I didn 't like them and ended up selling them.

In this case The Natural had previous experience with Daiwa rods, Steez rods to be exact, not strange that he 's open minded about trying the new Zillion rods.

I didn't say it was strange and he wasn't open minded . I just wanted to know what made him feel so strong about these rods that he would buy five of them out of the gate. I think that is a fair questtion that he can answer or if he thinks I'm being too nosey , he doesn't have to respond at all.

[mayassa]

Darn those are some serious eye candy, someone distract the BM he's on my back and I can't shake him.....

Must resist

[Raul]

Darn those are some serious eye candy, someone distract the BM he's on my back and I can't shake him.....

Must resist

Let go Maya and trust your feelings, the force is shtrooong in you.

[The_Natural]

You do know the real hype comes from fish on..

They must just be sensitive enough for feeling the brush, limbs and bottom makeup, but not for catching. All of this and not one mention of fish on and how they handled a fight/load....

Tight Lines!!!!

They are extra fast and load accordingly (hence the bcr803 comparison).  I guess I highlighted the points I find most important to a rod; I don't think I've owned a rod that didn't pull in a fish ok.  I will generally comment if the rod is surprisingly light or heavy for its power rating, and if it is slower or faster than the stated action.  This rod is rated properly.  Sensitivity is paramount to me, and the reason I upgraded to Loomis years ago.  My C-rigging and just general deep water fishing improved dramatically with the increase in sensitivity.  As far as buying 5...I was purchasing these as my workhorse rods, and figured they would at least meet standard middle rod market performance.   I wouldn't buy more than one rod if they were $300+...because they will inevitably be judged next to my GLX's.  

[burleytog]

So, does this mean there are five Citica 200E's in your future as well?  

[Chad.]

I'm jealous.

[The_Natural]

So, does this mean there are five Citica 200E's in your future as well?

I am indeed throwing Citica's on them, but plan to order 8...I've still got a few Zillions rods I want.  I am selling my Carrots and maybe my Powells....I really want to simplify things and just run GLX's and Zillions.   I already have the VXB Abec 5 ceramics I'm going to throw on my Citicas (I thought the Citicas would be out by now).  They were the cheapest abec 5 ceramics I've found; a 10-pack was $49 and should make it a sound caster.    I'm actually VERY excited about the Citica...the black spool and accents contrasting with the light silver will look shweet on the Zillions, and we all know that bass prefer to eat baits thrown on good-looking combo's   8-).  I think the Citica looks a lot hotter than the Curado, and the casting distance should be verbatim also...the Citica and Curado share the same spool (Curado's spool is actually 7075 aluminum, while the Citica is 6061, but these aluminums weigh the same...actually the 6061 is slightly lighter)

[mike bat]

your not putting zillion reels on your zillion rods .... OH COME ON ,, LOL .... forget the citicas you need the new red zillions .... just order 8 of those and youll be sitting pritty .... or maybe 8 new steez reels with the 7:1 .... if your going to do somthing you have to do it right ....  ;D

[Fishing Doug]

Natural,

I am in the market for a MH XF and this might just be the ticket for a spare TD-Z I have laying around. If I remember correctly, you have a handful of TD-Z's as well. Wanna do me a favor and throw a TD-Z on that 6'9" and tell me how well it balances??? ;D

FD

[The_Natural]

Natural,

I am in the market for a MH XF and this might just be the ticket for a spare TD-Z I have laying around. If I remember correctly, you have a handful of TD-Z's as well. Wanna do me a favor and throw a TD-Z on that 6'9" and tell me how well it balances??? ;D

FD

That is what I had on my 6'9" the past two nights; I 105H.  Sure was sweet...

[Fishing Doug]

Natural,

I am in the market for a MH XF and this might just be the ticket for a spare TD-Z I have laying around. If I remember correctly, you have a handful of TD-Z's as well. Wanna do me a favor and throw a TD-Z on that 6'9" and tell me how well it balances??? ;D

FD

That is what I had on my 6'9" the past two nights; I 105H. Sure was sweet...

Thanks for the info. My spare 105H may have just found a home...

[Chad.]

How balanced do these rods feel and how light directly compared to the carrot or Powell?

[mayassa]

All my rods r Loomis but.....

[The_Natural]

All my rods r Loomis but.....

Oh, I still love my Loomy's, but you can't drink red wine every night.  Sometimes it's nice to have a glass of chardonnay.  I still say all will be right in the world when Loomis introduces a glx with black foam split grips, aluminum trim, and a proprietary reel seat.  But until then, I will have to score some strange from someone else  

[The_Natural]

How balanced do these rods feel and how light directly compared to the carrot or Powell?

They are very comparable.  The heavy action 7' Powell feels slightly heavier than my 7' Zillion...but not by much.  Once you get down into the mid 3oz range with rods...you are splitting hairs.  The Zillions balance verrry nicely, which is equally important.  I'm ready for someone else to buy one already...I'd love a second opinion.  

[LordRiper]

your not putting zillion reels on your zillion rods .... OH COME ON ,, LOL .... forget the citicas you need the new red zillions .... just order 8 of those and youll be sitting pritty .... or maybe 8 new steez reels with the 7:1 .... if your going to do somthing you have to do it right .... ;D

x2  ;D ;D

[rfrazier]

Getting a PVC tube sure beats this legend elite broken in half in some sort of a 3 piece cardboard box I got today. Those rods look killer for the price... specially as a daiwa reel fan. Now you got me tempted.

[Chad.]

How balanced do these rods feel and how light directly compared to the carrot or Powell?

They are very comparable. The heavy action 7' Powell feels slightly heavier than my 7' Zillion...but not by much. Once you get down into the mid 3oz range with rods...you are splitting hairs. The Zillions balance verrry nicely, which is equally important. I'm ready for someone else to buy one already...I'd love a second opinion.

My b day is in a few day's, but I'm in canada we don't get anything for a while