Introduction: Daiwa’s Zillion reels have
become everything the company had hoped for, an ideal bridge between the
company’s mainstream and premium offerings, a product that can go head to head
with all comers at the 250 dollar price point, and a reel that has earned the
respect of both professional anglers and tackle junkies alike. It is no surprise
that this past ICAST Daiwa brought to the table a new rod series under the same
name that is designed to pair impeccably with the popular series.
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Daiwa Zillion TDZL691MHXB
Specifications
Material
Daiwa SVF Graphite
Length
6'9"
Length from Back of Reel Seat to Base
7.5"
Line Wt.
10-20 lb test
Lure Wt.
1/4 - 1oz
Pieces
1
Guides
8 Guides + Tip (Fuji Concept SiC inserts)
Power Rating
Medium Heavy
Taper
Extra-Fast
Rod Weight
4.2oz
Manufacturing Country
China
MSRP
$199.99
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Impressions:
When the Zillion debuted
Daiwa fans all over the
world finally had what they
were looking for in a
product that could go head
to head with the top
competition in terms of
ergonomics, power,
reliability, and above
all…refinement. Daiwa stuck
to what they do best, and
released a reel with the
same basic profile as their
popular, but very expensive,
TD-Z reels. The Fuego which
debuted earlier was met with
positive feedback from both
press and consumers, but
most were willing to give up
the weight savings provided
by a magnesium frame for a
more solid and powerful
reel, here the Zillion
stepped right in nicely.
The newest rod in the Daiwa
lineup, meet the Zillion series...
The
Zillion reels have been so popular that when it came time to create special 50th
anniversary special edition reel the Zillion was an easy choice. There are now
four speeds available in the Zillion series (6.3, 7.1, 7.3 Hyper Speed, and 4.9
High Power) so it is possible to stick within the series for the complete range
of baitcasting applications if anglers so choose. With so many reel choices it
was necessary to create a series of rods that could also match the diverse range
of applications.
...designed to pair perfectly with
the popular Zillion reels
Daiwa
already had a hit on their hands with the introduction of the premium Steez rods
which are about as close as US anglers come to a true enthusiast product that is
competitive with the best that the Japanese domestic brands have to offer. While
the Steez rods are everything they are cracked up to be in weight, sensitivity,
and refinement they also come with a premium price tag, a price that can illicit
some level of sticker shock from even die-hard fans. We had wondered when some
of the design and technology found in the Steez rods would trickle down through
the company’s rod lineup, and turns out we didn’t have to wait long.
The Zillion rods feature a split
grip design with attractive checks
The
Zillion rods were debuted four months ago at ICAST Las Vegas and were met with
praise from both buyers and press for the clean layout and impressive reel seat
design. The Zaion™ reel seats are unlike anything else in the Daiwa lineup and
are feature a unique exposed layout which is designed to be very comfortable,
improve sensitivity, and help reduce overall rod weight. When I first saw the
rod the first thing I thought was the reel seat resembled the mantle of a squid,
and that image has stuck with me until now.
A seat unlike any other
The
Zillion rods makes use of the company’s Bias construction HVF (High Volume
Fiber) blanks which are designed to resist twisting and deliver greater strength
and overall hook setting power. Unlike most rods on the market the Zillion rods
transition from a matte blank directly above the reel seat to gloss up to the
tip. The Zillion rods also feature a split grip design and exhibits a beautiful
carbon weave through the entire lower portion of the rod.
A close look at the main blank,
the Zillion features Bias construction HVF graphite
There are a total of nine
trigger rods, two swimbait rods, and one flipping rod in the Zillion rod series.
We decided to test the TDZL691MHXB which is a 6’9” medium heavy fast action rod
positioned right in the center of the Zillion Trigger rod lineup.
