Just plain slick, the new XMG 50 Bass Rod from
Lamiglas
|
Date: |
5/06/07 |
|
Tackle Type: |
Reels |
|
Manufacturer: |
Lamiglas |
|
Reviewer: |
Zander |
Total Score: 9.00 + ULTIMATE ENTHUSIAST AWARD!
Introduction:
A few companies are
breaking the mold of a traditional cork and graphite rod and attempting to
introduce something truly unique in a effort to both improve and differentiate
their offering. Lamiglas is one such company, and has a very robust offering
covering everything from ultralight freshwater rods to heavy saltwater sticks,
and is now targeting enthusiast bass anglers head on with the introduction of
their radically styled XMG 50 Bass rod series.
|
Lamiglas
EXC722 Specifications
|
| Material |
Lamiglas XMG50 Graphite |
| Length |
7'-2" |
| Length from Back of Reel Seat to Base |
8.5" |
| Line Wt. |
8 - 15 lb |
| Lure Rating |
1/4 - 5/8oz |
| Pieces |
one |
| Guides |
10 guides + tip (Fuji Alconite) |
| Power Rating |
Medium |
| Taper |
Fast |
| Rod Weight |
5.2 ounces |
| Manufacturing Country |
USA |
| MSRP |
$264.00 |
Impressions: The
first XMG 50 we had
an opportunity to
test is the EXC 722,
a 7’2” casting model
which features a
fast action coupled
with a relatively
low power rating.
The XMG 50 rods
immediately separate
themselves from the
common bass stick
with their woven
carbon fiber grip.
The
Lamiglas XMG50 series features a carbon fiber handle
The grip was originally
designed for boat rods in Lamiglas’s Certified Pro lineup for their ease of use
in rod holders, but the company realized that there were other benefits to the
handle, including improved sensitivity, enhanced durability, and easier
maintenance. These benefits all made sense for steelhead fishermen as well as
bass anglers.
The
rod features an American Tackle soft reel seat
The carbon fiber grip screams “pick me up,” and is probably the
boldest implementation of this material on a fishing rod we have seen to date.
Other manufacturers have implemented carbon fiber designs in the past, but
Lamiglas does so with a very custom rod feel on the new XMG 50 series.
No
foregrip here, instead anglers will find a tapered edge that intersects the reel
seat
Gone is the foregrip, instead the blank features a
conically shaped treatment that brings the blank up to the front of the reel
seat. The angled transition is quite different than traditional rods which rely
on a check to cap off the reel seat.
Only
the base of this rod is coated with gloss
The incorporation of an American Tackle Soft Touch reel seat
further increases comfort on the rod, and blends in well with the look of the
handle.
The
rod features a stealthy foam butt
While the base of the blank is
coated with gloss the remaining part of the entire blank is unfinished, and
liberally shows off the raw graphite construction. This is a plus in my book, as
gloss typically increases weight and can even reduce sensitivity. While gloss
does improve durability I haven’t personally had problems with unfinished blanks
throughout all the years that I have been fishing or field testing tackle.
Rate of Deflection (RoD): When we tested
the Lamiglas EXC722 it fell right in the middle of other similar rods we tested.
While the Lamiglas deflects similarly to the Kistler He69APC it is a bit more
stout throughout the entire blank.
Lab Tests:
|
Lab Results for Lamiglas XMG 50 EXC722
|
|
Model
|
Avg RoD (2-32 oz)
|
Rated Action
|
Spine
|
Measured Weight
|
Balance Point
|
| EXC722 |
2.55
|
M
|
Top
|
5.2 oz
|
6"
|
| Loomis CBR783 |
2.93*
|
M
|
Bottom
|
3.8 oz
|
5.5"
|
| Loomis CB843 (custom) |
2.76*
|
M
|
Bottom
|
5.3 oz
|
3.5"
|
| Kistler He69APC |
2.27
|
MH
|
Top
|
3.4 oz
|
9.5"
|
| * Data points for last two load levels (28 & 32 ounces) are extrapolated data, not measured. |
Spine, Weight, and Balance Point:
The spine of the
Lamiglas EXC722 came out
on the top, and the rod
weighed in at exactly
5oz. Even with the
carbon fiber handle the
rod balances out
reasonably well and the
balance point was 6
inches, measured from
the center of the reel
seat. When loaded up
with 8.1oz the line
comes in contact with
the blank.
Next Section: Cast it already!...
