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Swimbait Rod Wars Installment #10: Quantum's New Superlight
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Date: |
5/24/08 |
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Tackle type: |
Rod |
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Manufacturer: |
Quantum |
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Reviewer: |
Cal |
Total Score: 6.5 - FAIR
Introduction: When we last left our Rod Wars, we were running a noticeable shortage of true, heavy hitting swimbait rods. Aside from the Okuma GS-C 711XH and to a lesser extent, Lamiglas's XC807, we had no rods worthy of the hard core big bait throwers looking to toss the biggest and baddest baits in today's market. As we dive back into battle, all is about to change. Introducing the representative from Quantum: The Superlite QTC711F.
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Quantum Superlite QTC711F Specifications
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| Material |
HSX72 Hi-Strain Graphite (72M modulus) |
| Length |
7'-11" |
| Length from Back of Reel Seat to Base |
12" |
| Line Wt. |
20 - 50lb Test |
| Lure Wt. |
1/2 oz - 2 oz |
| Pieces |
1 (telescopic blank) |
| Guides |
9 + tip (American Tackle® Titan™ guides - titanium frames with Nanolite inserts) |
| Power Rating |
Heavy |
| Taper |
Fast |
| Rod Weight |
6.2 ounces |
| Manufacturing Country |
China |
| MSRP |
$230 |
Impressions: When we contacted Quantum inquiring about their latest and greatest stick suitable for swimbaits, our focus was on their brand new Superlite series of rods which they introduced to us during ICAST 2007. The stick we finally decided upon was the QTC711F, a beast of a stick coming in at a fully extended length of seven feet eleven inches yet weighing a mere 6.2 ounces. Add to these specifications, Quantum's use of the new Fuji ACS reelseat and a contemporary split rear grip, no foregrip handle assembly, the QTC711F is an impressive stick indeed. But are stats and cosmetics enough to impress in the Swimbait Rod Wars? Of course not.
Introducing the Superlite QTC711F from Quantum
Lab Tests: To find out more about the QTC711F, we strapped it up to our RoD WRACK. Working under the assumption this rod would come in on the lighter end of our deflection measurements because of its maximum lure rating of only two ounces, what we found was quite the opposite. In fact, the QTC711F is the second most powerful stick in our group of representatives.
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Lab Results for SB Rod Wars Heavy-Hitters
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Model
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Avg RoD (2-48 oz)
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Taper
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Spine
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Measured Weight
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Balance Point
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| Deps HGC-77XR |
0.98
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Mod-Fast
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Top
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8.6 oz
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10.5"
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| St. Croix LTBC79HF |
0.96
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Fast
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Top
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5.6 oz
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13"
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| St. Croix LTBC80XHF |
0.88
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Fast
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Top
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6.5 oz
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13.5"
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| Okuma GS-C 7111XH |
0.87
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Mod-Fast
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Top
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8.9 oz
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10.5"
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| Quantum QTC711F |
0.85
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Fast
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Top
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6.2 oz
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14"
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| Dobyns Rods 807MAGH |
0.83
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Fast
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Top
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9.9 oz
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5.5"
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Rate of Deflection (RoD): The only stick in our test group that measured more powerful than the QTC711F was the Dobyns Rods 807MAGH, a rod that easily handles baits to at least nine ounces. We're still looking for heavier baits to test the upper limits of that specific rod! So, with a lure weight rating of only half an ounce to two full ounces yet a RoD rating nearly matching a rod that can comfortably handle nine ounce baits, what's the story with the QTC711F? Only one way to find out, but before we get this stick out on the water, one last area of discussion remains.
Fig. 1 : This RoD Deflection Chart shows the deflection characteristics of the QTC711F (yellow curve) against several similar sticks.
Spine, Weight, and Balance Point: The QTC711F is certainly a well executed product coming in at only 6.2 ounces, but with that low weight and the rod's overall length comes a balance point that is fourteen inches up from the centerline of the rod's reel seat. That stat is the worst in our group of eighteen rods. Lastly, for those who like to know, we found the spine of our QTC711F to be on top. So again it is a mixed bag with the QTC711F. On the one hand, it's a really nice, light stick, but on the other, will its extreme tip-heavy
characteristic translate into uncomfortable fishing ergonomics? Let's find out.
Superlite or Superlight? Take your pick. Quantum's literature spells it one way while the rod decal has it spelled another.
The QTC711F is a telescopic rod extending to 7'11" in length at full deployment
Real World Test: We paired the QTC711F up with a number of reels. First up was a Quantum Cabo PT 31PTS spooled with twenty pound Berkley Big Game - a product really designed for inshore fishing but a reel that makes a good alternative for those big bait throwers on a budget.
Cal getting ready with some test swings in the California Delta
Next up was a Daiwa Zillion 100SHL spooled with 100 yards of twenty pound test, Hi Seas Black Widow monofilament. For those who need their rods, reels, and fishing line to match, there very likely could be no better combo! Lastly, we also paired the QTC711F with a Shimano Conquest 101DC spooled with 14 pound Sunline Shooter to see how a DC reel would handle on this stick.
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Complete Field Test Set-Up for Quantum Superlite QTC711F
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| Reel(s) |
Quantum Cabo PT 31PTS
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Daiwa Zillion 100SHL
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Shimano Conquest 101DC
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| Line |
20lb Berkley Big Game
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100yds 20lb Hi Seas Black Widow
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75yds 14lb Sunline Shooter FC
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Pitching and Casting: The reason for all these different combination of reels for our QTC711F? Well, unfortunately, this stick does not load very well when casting - not even with a bait like the Spro's BBZ-1, a four and a half ounce bait that sits well above the rod's recommended lure weight range.
Mid-swing, you can see, the QTC711F's tip, barely loads to assist in the cast
A bit more distance was achieved when using the Zillion 100SHL versus the Quantum Cabo 31PTS, but that could have been the more supple line as much as the fishing reel. In either case, while somewhat passable, it became painfully obvious right here, that the QTC711F was not intended as a swimbait stick.
As a result, casting distance with big baits is marginal.
For what then, would a rod with this beefy status be best suited? Why of course, flipping and punching. It appears we were a bit overzealous in wanting to try out Quantum's new Superlite Series of rods and tried to force feed the QTC711F into an application that it's not intended support.
What a great match with a Daiwa Zillion 100SHL...
So, having little success casting big baits with this rod, we officially excused it from the Swimbait Rod Wars and switched up applications to more close quarter presentations. Just goes to show you even the TT Staff can make mistakes when trying to purchase a specific rod to fit a specific situation.
... and HiSeas's Black Widow monofilament
This is where the Conquest 101DC came in. Already spooled with a good quality Fluorocarbon line in Sunline Shooter FC, we switched reels yet again and tied on yet another product in our review queue - a half ounce black and blue football head jig by Kevkel Baits. Time to try the QTC711F as a flipping and pitching rod.
Quantum's Superlite series of rods features Fuji's new ACS reel seat.
With a half ounce jig and supported by a Conquest 101DC, the QTC711F actually pitches quite well. We were pleasantly surprised. Unfortunately, this presentation method validated another concern we had with the rod - its tip heavy character really tires out the wrist and forearm when making close quarter presentations like this. I, personally, could not continue using the combo in this way for more than ten minutes at a time before frustration set in over its ergonomics.
The Fuji ACS reel seat is as comfortable to palm as they come.
Next Section: How about Sensitivity?
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