I'm in Love with Black Foam...

[The_Natural]

I actually did pretty well on the promise to myself that I wouldn't buy a bunch of unneccessary baits; I probably could fit the amount of baits I purchased this year in one 3700. However, the rod bug got me pretty good. I was fascinated with the Zillion rods from the first spy photos. After they were released, I bought five. I not only liked the Zillions, but really liked the foam....I didn't have to use rod wrap like I do on my Loomis rods. So when the opportunity presented itself, I purchased more black foam split grips....and then even a few more. Unfortunately these were all purchased since august .  It looks like I spent more money than I did; I got a very good deal on some, and a ridiculous deal on others.   I still love my Loomis rods, and think the GLX graphite is still the best on the market almost 20 years later, but I now have a crush on black foam.  If I could just get Loomis to make a GLX with with black foam, no foregrip, and aluminum winding checks....I'd be in  .  I hope this post doesn't seem pompous; I'm just sharing.  

[Big Tom]

Holy Crap!!!   Nice collection.  I detected no pompousness either.

[firefightn15]

Just curious which shade of black is your favorite? ;D

[flechero]

If I could just get Loomis to make a GLX with with black foam, no foregrip, and aluminum winding checks....

You can't get Loomis to do it, but you can have it done to your exact specs by any number of custom builders.  You are one of a handful of guys that I think would really get the most of the custom rod experience...  from both design and use.

[cart7t]

I'm curious as to the longevity of these new foam grips.  In years past, rods came out with EVA foam grips but they just didn't last.  The foam would mat down and lose it's "springiness" and grip.  I've got a couple old Lightning rods from the mid 80's and that was my complaint with them.  After around 4-5 years of use, the grips became somewhat slick.  

[Chris at Tech]

I detected pompousness.  In order to make amends, you must send me one of those Zillion rods.

Hehe...

[Sam]

Wow!  What a collection.

You did good.

You made the Bait Monkey happy.

Great report and super picture.  

[grimlin]

I'm a big fan of black foam grips as well...Problem is i can't afford the rods... ;D

[Grey Wolf]

You bought all those just lately , right ?  

[Chad.]

I see the 2 steez zillion and fuego but what are those other ones?

[mattm]

Wow...impressive.

[Dan:]

I have also fallen in love with the black foam and I don't even have a rod with it yet. I am looking into a custom made rod with black foam (all black rod actually) to pair with a silver Citica E

Your collection makes me jealous.

[The_Natural]

I see the 2 steez zillion and fuego but what are those other ones?

http://www.***.com/descpageRDCQUANTUM-QSCR.html

I purchased these to crank with.  Two are medium, and two are medium heavy.  Tackle Warehouse lists the medium power as a mod/fast, and the medium heavy as a fast....but I feel both are mod/fast, and they make excellent cranking sticks.  These rods weren't on my list of rods to buy, but they appeared in the bargain cave at Cabelas and I jumped on them.  My man Walt, who runs the bargain cave, always gives me the lowdown of why they are there, and they were used once by someone and then returned.  Same with the Steez rods.  $90 for the Quantums, and $150 for each of the Steez trio.  

[Redlinerobert]

Nice collection my friend.  When are you coming to Modesto to visit your bro?

[von]

Nice!

How do you like the Superlites?  I've been wondering about those too.  Don't hear much about them.

[The_Natural]

Nice collection my friend. When are you coming to Modesto to visit your bro?

I know you're just being nice  ....if you owned those rods you would use them as tomato stakes  .  You should snap a pic of your Megabass lineup  

[The_Natural]

Nice!

How do you like the Superlites? I've been wondering about those too. Don't hear much about them.

 The Superlites, like all higher-end quantum rods, use an HSX blank which is rolled for them by Lamiglas.  Lamiglas started making blanks for Quantum back in the early 90's with the release of the original Quantum Tour Edition rod.  Initial thoughts upon handling the rods was that the medium powered 7fter is light and balances well, while the MH is light as well, but a hair tip-heavy without a reel attached.  The 6-6 M and MH both are light and balance well.   The medium powered sticks are definitely mod-fast, and have proven to be exceptional crankbait rods.  The MH is a hair faster, but still not Loomis or St. Croix fast, and I'm using them for blades and large cranks.  The MH would probably make someone a good all-around rod, but it's just my preference to have very fast (stiff) rods for jigs and worms.  The rods are of good quality; the threads are nicely done and it has some pretty ornate aluminum winding checks.  I'll get some closer pics of them up for you.  

[Chad.]

Nice collection where are the cumaras?

[Redlinerobert]

Nice collection my friend. When are you coming to Modesto to visit your bro?

I know you're just being nice ....if you owned those rods you would use them as tomato stakes . You should snap a pic of your Megabass lineup

What choo talkin 'bout?  ;D

Daiwa hit one out of the park with the Zillion rods.  I really like them alot.  I will post pics of my rods when my OTM comes in.  

[FordNFishinLover]

No cumaras or carrot stixs natural? Just curouis what was the total cost for those 12 rods?

[flatbass]

Where can I buy Diawa stock? Has to be up.

[Danny1991]

WOW! You are a lucky man! They look AWSOME! :)

BTW: if I had those Id want to show em off to ;D

[farmpond1]

I hope this post doesn't seem pompous; I'm just sharing.

Pompous?  No. Mildly obsessed?... Possibly. :) ;D But my g-friend thinks I'm obsessed about fishing so that makes us even.

[The_Natural]

I hope this post doesn't seem pompous; I'm just sharing.

Pompous? No. Mildly obsessed?... Possibly. :) ;D But my g-friend thinks I'm obsessed about fishing so that makes us even.

I'm definitely OCD; I'm like with everything.  Keeping a coat of car wax on your rods and using reel covers on your reels while they aren't in use is a PITA.  I wish I didn't care as much.  FYI if you are using a rod with black foam; I use a mild degreaser like simple green to clean the foam, and them spray it down with reel magic to protect it.  The reel magic makes it look factory new.  

[Big O Tires Angler]

I own 2 Cumara rods and LOVE the black foam...it's so comfortable...and almost naughty...