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The
Samurai Sword of Frog Rods, the Daiwa Steez XBD
(continued)
 
Price & Applications:
Before we explore just how much this rod and a total combo will set you back
let's flash to Kill Bill Volume 2 when two of the villains, Budd and Elle Driver,
converse about the Bride’s Hattori Hanzo sword which Budd has taken possession
of and is now looking to sell:
Budd: …guess what I'm holding in my hand right now.
Elle Driver: What?
Budd: A brand spankin' new Hattori Hanzo sword. And I'm here to tell you,
Elle... that's what I call sharp.
Elle Driver: How much?
Budd: Well, that's hard to say, being that it's priceless and all.
Elle Driver: What's the terms?
Budd: Get your bony a** down here in the morning, with a million dollars
in folding cash, and I'll give you the greatest sword ever made by man. How do
you like the sound of that?
Elle Driver: Sounds like we got a deal…
The XBD rod also proved to be a
decent light swimbait stick
While the Steez XBD rod
won’t set you back a million bones it won’t come cheap either. While most frog
rods retail between 150-250 dollars on average the XBD rod costs a whopping $445
dollars. Add a Steez reel to pair with the rod and you are up to $923 dollars
pre tax and let’s not forget the Samurai braid you probably want to spool up
with and we are nearing a grand…ouch.
The rod has plenty of backbone to
cast those big baits
At that price the XBD rods
are definitely not flying off the shelves, instead this premium frogging stick
has become one of the more exclusive rods on the market. You have to be pretty
darn serious about bass fishing first of all, and then secondly you must really
like frog fishing to want to invest a grand for a single fishing combo. Most
other anglers will call you insane, we call you an enthusiast.
The rod loads quickly, here I
missed a strike but hey...sets are free
While the Steez XBD rod is
designed primarily for frog fishing it can be used as a light swimbait rod and
even a punch rod in a pinch. The rod’s extreme sensitivity and ability to handle
great shock make it a more rounded rod than we originally expected.
The Type-R makes for a slightly
cheaper reel option that works well on this rod, the high speed retrieve is
great for topwater fishing
Ratings:
(We've
re-calibrated our
ratings standard for
2008 and have
included a key at
the bottom of the
following matrix as
a guide):
|
Daiwa
Steez
XBD
(STZ741XHFBA-XBD)
Frog
Rod
Ratings
(?/10)
|
|
Construction/Quality |
Excellent
construction
throughout,
this rod
is built
with the
same
level of
precision
you
would
expect
from a
finely
honed
blade |
9 |
|
Performance |
Light
and
powerful,
this
frog rod
is the
most
refined
frog rod
we have
tested
to date
and is
an
absolute
pleasure
to fish.
It isn't
the most
powerful
frog rod
but it
is no
slouch
either,
it is
however
the most
sensitive
frog rod
we have
tested |
9 |
|
Price |
Ouch,
with a
445
dollar
price
tag this
is the
most
expensive
frog rod
available
domestically
from the
major
brands,
add a
Steez
rod to
the
combo
and your
talking
over 1
thousand
dollars
after
tax....
did I
say
ouch? |
5 |
|
Features |
Features
include
extreme
light
weight,
excellent
sensitivity,
top end
components
including
machined
elements
and Fuji
SIC
guide
inserts...
but true
to its
JDM
roots
there is
no hook
hanger
on this
rod |
8.5 |
|
Design
(Ergonomics) |
Extremely
lightweight
and easy
to fish
all day
long. It
has
never
been
easier
to walk
a frog |
9 |
|
Application |
Though
designed
primarily
for
frogging
this rod
can be
used for
smaller
and
lighter
swimbaits
and
punching |
9 |
|
Total
Score
|
8.25 |
Ratings
Key:
1 =
terrible
: 2 =
poor : 3
=
lacking
: 4 =
sub par
: 5 =
mediocre
: 6 =
fair : 7
= good :
8 =
great :
9 =
excellent
: 10 =
unbelievable!
For More
Details
of the
updated
rating
system
visit
our
explanation
here |
Pluses and Minuses:
|
Plus
Minus
|
|
J
Beautiful
construction
and
extremely
refined |
L
Expensive
on its
own and
extremely
expensive
when
paired
with a
Steez
reel |
|
J
Extremely
light
and
crisp
feel |
L
While
well
balanced
this is
not the
most
powerful
frog rod
if you
are
looking
for
sheer
muscle |
|
J
Excellent
sensitivity |
|
|
J
Can be
used for
more
than
just
frog
fishing |
|
Conclusion: Seconds
after the Bride delivers the death blow to “Bill” in Kill Bill Vol2. He says
“How do I look?” to which the Bride calmly responds “You look ready.” That is
the question… are you ready to invest in the Daiwa XBD rod? This stick
transcends what a frog rod should be and for most anglers it is downright
overkill. But for those that are seeking the ultimate in precision and
refinement in a topwater rod the XBD is a fishable work of art that cuts through
the competition when it comes to both sensitivity and sophistication.
Are you ready? While this rod is
overkill for most it truly is the Samurai sword of frog rods and is the most
refined froggin stick I have ever fished to date
After fishing the XBD rod
most (but not all) other frog rods feel heavy
and sloppy in comparison. This rod is not for
everyone, and the price tag
alone is a huge barrier to entry, yet there is no doubt that Daiwa fans or
fanatic froggers will absolutely adore this rod, pair it with a premium Zillion
or Steez reel and it truly is the samurai sword of frog combos. Looking for the
right weapon to take on those “huge rats?” Frog rods just don’t come much
sharper than the Steez XBD.
Looking
for the Daiwa Steez XBD rod? Try
Tackle Warehouse.
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