Team Daiwa Zillion fishing rod review

Rod Review

Daiwa brings “IT” with the new TD Zillion Rods (continued)

Lab Tests: First stop for our TDZL691MHXB was the RoD WRACK where we took note of the rod's deflection characteristics in comparison to all the other rods in our database so we could gain a better understanding of what to expect from it in terms of power.

A top view of the unique Zaion reel seat

Lab Results for Daiwa Zillion TDZL 691MHXB
Model	Avg RoD (2-32 oz)	Taper	Measured Weight	Balance Point	Balancing Torque (ftlbs)
TDZL691MHXB	1.41	X-Fast	4.2 oz	9.5"	.187
STZ671MHFBA	1.44	Fast	4.2 oz	7.5"	.142
STZ711HFBA	1.44	Fast	4 oz	9"	--
F5-66X Bearing Down	1.35	X-Fast	5.2 oz	7.25"	--
BCR803 GLX	1.61	X-Fast	4.3 oz	7"	--
MBR844C GLX	1.47	Fast	4.7 oz	7.5"	--

Fig. 1 : This RoD Deflection Chart shows the deflection characteristics of our TDZ691MHXB versus several similar sticks.

Rate of Deflection (RoD): What we found was this rod lined up very closely to that of an old favorite, Megabass's F5-66X Bearing Down. In fact, with load ranges below twenty ounces, the deflection data for these two sticks were almost identical. Two other very similar sticks are the TDZL691MHXB's siblings, the Steez STZ711HFBA Compile-X and STZ671MHFBA. The difference here is with load ranges above twenty ounces the two afore mentioned sticks soften up while the Zillion rod flattens out by comparison, though still not as much as the Bearing Down. The GLoomis BCR803 GLX behaves similar to this Zillion stick as the load increases. Needless to say, thanks to its extra-fast taper, the TDZL691MHXB is one powerful stick.

Reels are clamped into place with a fore-grip clamp lined with Air-Foam

Other Stats: In our "Other Stats" department, we note that the TDZL691MHXB is very light for its power at only 4.2 ounces, but a bit tip heavy balancing at 9.5 inches above the centerline of the reel seat. By comparison, the STZ671MHFBA (a rod that is 2" shorter) is the same weight, but better balanced. In an effort to quantify this "tip-heavy" feeling even more, we're introducing a new stat into our lab tests. By weighing the tip of the rod when holding it at centerline of the reel seat, and multiplying this value against the distance from this point to the rod's tip, we can calculate the approximate torque in foot pounds it takes to hold the rod horizontal.

The new Special Edition Hyper-Speed Zillion reel is also a great choice for this rod

The idea here is to develop another relative data point (Balancing Torque) to help us compare the "tip-heaviness" feel one rod has over another. In the case of the TDZL691MHXB, its Balancing Torque (BT) calculates to 0.187. The STZ671MHFBA has a BT value of 0.142. Can we discern the difference between these two rods? Not really. In hand, they feel equally balanced. It's not until we try to find the actual balance point of each rod that we can discern a difference.

The Hyper-Speed Zillion locked and loaded

Naturally, since this is a new measurement for us, the rods that are no longer in our vault will not have this datapoint for comparison, but the hope is, as our data inventory grows, these numbers will become more meaningful. With that intent in mind, we will discontinue reporting on each rod's spine as we've come to find over the past couple of years, the relative importance of his information in a real world fishing scenario is minimal at best. In other words, we could not discern any benefits one way or another in the location of a built rod's spine while fishing, so this datapoint has become immaterial to us.

The Zillion rod holds reels securely, notice how the Zaion reel seat contours to the reel perfectly

Next Sections: Time to see what the Zillion can really do