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Megabass Tomahawk F4-72GTZ ICBM BGS
Specifications |
|
Material |
Hi-10x Graphite |
|
Length |
7'-2" |
|
Length of Rear Handle |
10.5" |
|
Line Rating |
8-20lb |
|
Lure Rating |
1/4-3/4 oz |
|
Pieces |
One |
|
Guides |
9 + tip, Fuji Ti/SiC |
| Power Rating |
Medium |
| Taper |
Moderate Fast |
| Rod Weight |
5.5 oz |
| Manufacturing Country |
Unknown |
| MSRP |
$657 |
Impressions: Japanese rod manufacturers, it seems, have never been shy about trying new, exotic materials in their blanks. Boron, kevlar and titanium, materials abandoned by most US manufacturers due to the overwhelming costs associated blending these items into graphite blanks, are among the materials used by one or more rod manufacturers in Japan.
The F4-72GTZ is rated with a mod-fast taper, typical of most cranking rods.
Megabass, a company that’s not shy about marketing their three different series of titanium infused graphite blanks is at it again with a new synthetic material that has seen use in such applications as the fabric in bullet proof vests, in tethers to keep the wheels of Formula One Race cars from flying off the cars and into crowds during an accident, securing lines on racing yachts, and even parachute bridles on NASA spacecraft. What is this “new” material?
Despite this slower taper, the rod takes little adjustment in casting technique to dial in.
Zylon is a synthetic similar to Kevlar manufactured by Toyobo Corporation in Japan. In its most common form, it is woven into a web-like fabric and used in any of a variety of applications as already mentioned. Here, in Megabass’s new GTZ series of cranking sticks it is used to deliver a bit of flexibility to the blank while maintaining strength and sensitivity. Does it work? Let’s find out.
Fig. 1: This RoD Deflection Chart illustrates the deflection characteristics of the F4-72GTZ (yellow curve) versus the overall average for all our Crankbait Rod Wars participants per category. You can see by the curve the F4-72GTZ follows right along with the medium cranking rod average (red curve), showing this rod is likely a very good general purpose cranking stick.
Lab Tests: First up, of course, is a trip to the lab where the ICBM BGS had a date with our RoD WRACK. Looking at the RoD Deflection Chart, you can see the ICBM BGS graphs out pretty much right in line with our Medium Crankbait Rod average coming in with a RoD value of 2.26 taken between load ranges of two to thirty two ounces (2-32oz).
Lab Results for Megabass F4-72GTZ ICBM BGS |
Model |
Avg Rod (2-32 oz) |
Taper |
Measured Weight (oz) |
Balance Point (inches) |
Balancing Torque (ftlbs) |
F4-72GTZ |
2.26 |
Mod-Fast |
5.5 |
5 |
.15 |
G.Loomis CBR855C GLX |
2.26 |
Mod-Fast |
4.4 |
8.5 |
.20 |
Fenwick ECC70M-MF |
2.28 |
Mod-Fast |
5.4 |
11.5 |
.3 |
Falcon Cara CCB-5-173DR |
2.25 |
Mod-Fast |
4.7 |
5.5 |
.12 |
Gancraft KB-003-68M Scarface |
2.3 |
Mod-Fast |
7 |
3 |
.14 |
In the “Other Stats” department, we see the ICBM BGS is among the heavier rods that share RoD values close to 2.26, yet it compares favorably when it comes to balance and balancing torque. Indeed, in hand, the ICBM BGS feels relatively light and crisp.
First stop for the ICBM BGS was Pyramid Lake in Nevada to do battle with some
Lahontan Cutthroat Trout!
Field Tests: So where do we take the ICBM BGS on its first outing during our Crankbait Rod Wars? Why trout fishing of course! Paired with a Conquest 101DC spooled with 14lb Sunline Shooter FC, the ICBM BGS joined us on one of several trips to Pyramid Lake in Nevada earlier this year. I also fished this stick with a Conquest 51, and the new Daiwa Megabass Ito Monoblock Bespoke Topaz reel.
The GTZ series of cranking sticks within Megabass's Tomahawk line were created to replace the GTC series and feature Zylon reinforced blanks.
