The Ill-Matched Couple
Two perfectly tuned combos for covering the upper and lower end of the scale
It’s been a while since the last blog, but several things happened and took shape behind the scenes. After putting together two rod & reel combos for ‘mid range’ applications a few weeks back, I just finalized another beautyful double set-up for ultra-light rigs as well as big-bait fishing. While the first pair consists of two Megabass Destroyer rods, the 2nd is featuring Evergreen’s Temujin series.
The ultra-light combo melts Evergreen’s TXFC-66L ‘Quad Twister’ and Daiwa’s Steez 103HL to create a stunning ligh-weight combo of compelling beauty and functionality. With only ~284g of total weight, this well tuned combination is predestined for fishing lures and t-rigs from 4 to 10g, but is also suitable for fishing ultra light jigs. For rod & reel specs - see the following post: Light, Lighter, Ultra-light (2008-03-04).
Here’s a rough overview of lures and rigs that worked well after first test fishing.
Hard-baits:
• Evergreen Ultra Sledge
• Imakatsu Wind & Super Killer Bill
• Jackall Bros. Water Moccasin
• Megabass Pop-X
• Megabass Griffon Zero + Griffon SR-X
• Zip Baits B-Switcher 1.0
• Jackall Bros Bone Cherry
• a.o.
Soft-baits:
• Keitech’s light-weight Guard, Mono Spin & Tungsten Super Football Jigs with weights from 2-7g (covered by various platsics and trailers from 2 - 3.5 inch)
• weightless rigged worms like Deps’ Deathadder Curly and Keitech’s Live Impact
• Light T-rigged plastics and crayfish variations up to 10g
• a.o.
The 2nd combo of this ‘Ill-matched couple’ is a true heavy weight, but well balanced piece fo Japanese rod & reel manufacturing. Supposed to be an allround-weapon for lures and plastic rigs from 3/4 to 1.5oz - Evergreens TMJC-70XH ‘Amazon Flip’ is covered by a tuned T.D. Zillion 100HL. Instead of going for the Zillion HLC model (for my taste a real ‘design faux pas’ by Daiwa), I decided to go for the standard 100HL version and adding some useful upgrades myself.
Currently the reel is equipped with I’ZEs HLC (hyper long cast) spool and the 80mm carbon handle (same size of the Steez’ handle) which I found really handy after first hours of intensive fishing. Besides the overall improved look and feel, the bearing supported knobs of the I’ZE handle lead to a more smooth and direct feel while cranking.
There are already bearing upgrades (ABEC) on my list, but I like to see how the standard bearings perform first, before adding 3rd party ones.
First test fishing of this combo is sheduled for the weekend, when the following lures and rigs ‘ll get a first try:
Hard-baits:
• Deps Buzzjet
• Imakatsu Buzz Bill Magnum
• Imakatsu Kazilla
• Jackall Bros. Mikey
• a.o.
Soft-baits:
• Keitech’s Rubber Jig Model I - 1/2oz (covered by various platsics and trailers from 3.5 - 4 inch)
• heavy T-rigged plastics and crayfish variations (4 - 6 inch)
• a.o.
At all both Combos are feeling just brillinatly balanced/tuned and I’m sure they ‘ll have a real impact on the just started season. In May they ‘ll also have to pass an examination in the tough conditons of southern Spain, but they ‘ll do a great job for sure…
Posted: April 11th, 2008 at 1:30 am
Great rods and reels.. love that combos!
Good job on the Zillion upgrades as well…. seems to match the AMAZON FLIP perfectly.Keep it up! Steven
Posted: April 11th, 2008 at 2:47 am
Very nice combos Christian, sharp! Slick upgrade too. I must get my hands on one of those Amazon Flip sticks…Now go get those rods scuffed up battling pigs in Spain! Chris
Posted: April 11th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Hey guys,
thanks for the flattering feedback.
Chris, you really have to get the “Flip”. Even if I didn’t test it in detail yet, it feels like a great allround rod for lures and rigs >1/2oz. As I know from a ‘user’, the real potential of this powerful stick lays between 3/4 and 1.5oz.
Like other rods from the Temujin series, the first 1/4 of the blank feels more soft than one would expect. This might sound a bit ineligible for fishing heavy jigs, but also offers other scopes like fishing deep-diving/big cranks. I’m really looking forward to cast and fish wake-baits like the Buzjet (which I really adore after getting hands on a few of this rattling beasts) with this rod.
The X-Heavy power rating and it’s length of 7ft. should ensure perfect casting performance as well. Now I just hope that the weather ‘ll clear up over the weekend, so that I can try to take this rods virginity with a king-size pike or perch-pike. Fingers crossed.
Take care…
Christian
Posted: April 12th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Hi Christian
Congratulations for beautiful combo. Go catch them all big mamas in Germany!!
I will post an image of EG Royal Flash when they are released in May.
Talk to you later
Tsuyoshi
Posted: September 1st, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Excellent presentation on the website. Are you getting good increases in distance from the standard Zillion spool with the HLC upgrade?
Posted: September 2nd, 2008 at 12:28 am
Hi,
glad you like this little showcase.
I using the tuned Zillion mostly paired with the Amazon Flip, therefore I can only share the experiences I made with baits from 1/2 oz and up (mostly jigs and big-baits). As I can say for now (subjectively), the HLC spool brings a noticeable enhancement over the one that is built in by default, but the true potential seems to lay at the lower range of the scale as the Magforce-Z tuning clearly makes the difference when it comes to more light-weight baits.
Overall the Zillion featured above feels more light-weight and smooth-running than the standard version, which is mainly down to the lighter spool and additional bearings that come along with the I’ZE handle.
Even if the import costs of the upgrades are close to the price of the reel itself, I would truly recommend both of them.
Hope these comments are useful in any way.
Take care…
Christian
Posted: January 10th, 2009 at 3:45 am
Simply stunning! Great set-ups!
Posted: January 10th, 2009 at 11:57 am
HI Llloyd,
glad you like them. To be honest I just sold the Quad Twister as the Shot Gun 601 seems to be a good replacement. The Gun Rod feels as versatile as the QT and simply provides that extra touch to make it something special.
I’m just referring to yesterdays tweet about the BBS and thought I might mention the tuned Zillion. It’s areal performace wonder and not only has the power to handle big baits and deep running cranks with ease, but also provides you with that extra distance when it comes to more light-weight rigs.
At all the upgrades are really worth it and should suit your 100SHA well. The slightly bent drag star fits perfectly to I’ZE Factory’s curved carbon crank handle and it’s bearings just improve the overall feel.
Take care… Christian