POISON ULTIMA 170MH v. KISTLER Z-BONE ZB704MH v. OLYMPIC GVGC-611MH

[BassKat]

Guys, I'd really appreciate input from those who 1) Have two or more of these candidates or 2) Have at least one of these and another rod in the same niche they like better.

Notes: 1) I'm interested in Luxxe, but waiting on next-gen. 2) Steez RD 701MH/HFB barely missed my top three (if it fishes the lightest end of its range really well, please let me know). 3) Kaleido Inspirare "RS" would have been atop my list if a Black Raven was offered. Currently, the Stallion's the closest to my needs, but I'm concerned it's not fast enough. I wouldn't mind a Moderate-Fast, especially if it leaned toward fast. The included Olympic rod below is the closest alternative to the Kaleido Inspirare RS and is seemingly one helluva bargain.

Here are my finalists:

1)  POISON ULTIMA 170MH (7' M/H Fast - 112g,  3/8 - 1oz,  10-20lb)
http://fishing.shimano.co.jp/product/ro ... 1587043778

2)  KISTLER Z-BONE ZB704MH (7' M/H Fast,  1/4-1oz,  15-17lb). I couldn't find the weight, but the 7'3" Light Medium Heavy Cal reviewed was super light at 96.4g.

3)  OLYMPIC http://www.olympic-co-ltd.jp/fishing/products/vigore/
GVGC-611MH (6'11" M/H Fast, 111g, 3/16 - 1oz., 10-20lb)

I don't care about aesthetics or origin. All of these rods have adequate power. I'm seeking the utmost sensitivity. Versatility is a plus, but I'd gladly dedicate the rod to gain any additional performance.

I've enjoyed the countless threads that have gotten me this far! Amazing community here at TT!

[Cranky]

2020 Evergreen has a new Black Raven M40X model waiting to be released if you’re willing to wait a bit.

[BassKat]

Man, thanks Cranky...I sure appreciate that news. Yes, I'd be willing to wait. Everyone, please discuss your perception of what your owned medium to medium-heavy, fast/moderate to fast 2020 EG "RS" models likely mean for the forthcoming 2020 EG Black Raven M40X v. your owned of my three candidates.

[Cranky]

With the new Toray graphite MX family coming, which is the latest nano technology with even higher modulus than the current rod “flagship” T1100G, we are going to see some pretty amazing new updates to high end rods from multiple top brands. If you were interested in the Black Raven before this new M40X upgrade is arguably the new top dog in this rod class. So I’d advise waiting if having the latest and greatest is your goal.

[BassKat]

Cranky, many thanks for the advice. I'll likely wait on the Black Raven M40X. The Poison Ultima 170MH was my lean on the available rods. If anyone owns two or more of my candidates and has any advice, please let me know.

[jmb27]

Cranky, many thanks for the advice. I'll likely wait on the Black Raven M40X. The Poison Ultima 170MH was my lean on the available rods. If anyone owns two or more of my candidates and has any advice, please let me know.

I have the Ultima 70MH. Awesome rod. You can easily tell differences in bottom composition when throwing a jig or t-rig plastic. The sensitivity of the Ultima series is fantastic. I have no trouble with detecting light bites. The Ultimas are my favorite rods.

Also, the taper will work really well with other techniques besides just bottom contact. I have a Conquest 843c and it shares some similar characteristics as the Ultima--which isn't surprising given the Conquest is a Gloomis/Shimano collaboration. I'd give the Ultima an edge in sensitivity.

I fish bottom contact baits a lot and I'm tempted to see how the Ultimas compare to the Racing Design models. While there might be differences in sensitivity (which is often hard to quantify with the rod in hand), I'd be shocked if any current rods are head and shoulders more sensitive than an Ultima. Would love to fish one if so...

[BassKat]

jmb27, I sure appreciate your time here. It's great to hear that you give the Ultima a nod over your Conquest sensitivity-wise...that says a whole lot. The action sounds perfect for me. My favorite action is between moderate-fast and fast, but leaning a little more toward fast. I'm a whole lot more afraid of getting a rod that's more toward moderate than I am if it ends up a little too fast. Buying from overseas sure ups the ante so your input is much appreciated!

[jpmoney]

I also have the 70MH Ultima and I love that rod. It is a classic fast action much like the 843 MBR series of rods from loomis/Shimano. It does however bend progressively deep into the blank when you hook a hawg but maintains lots of power. As jmb27 stated it is a very sensitive rod, right up there with The best of the NRX. I had a conquest 843 and sold it. Sensitivity a good step down from the Ultima IMO.

Now, there’s another rod in the Ultima lineup, the 172H. This rod is NOT a true heavy and feels/fishes more like a MH. The 172H gives you some added length and has a little more backbone over the 70MH. I would strongly look at the 172H as well...it got a refresh this year, using the spiral x core tech, and full carbon MQ handle.

Too many options

[BassKat]

jpmoney, thanks for taking the time, man! With you having the same feel for its sensitivity v. super quality rods, the PU 170MH will be my top candidate v. the new Black Raven M40X.

I looked at the 172H and its low-end lure rating of 7/16ths is a bit high for my purpose on this buy. The Steez Racing Design 701MH/HFB was another very near miss, just due to my uncertainty of how well it might fish at the very bottom of its lure-weight range.

Sure appreciate everyone's input here!

[rollyourboat]

I won't hype up the poison train as I feel the Adrena is awesome but idk if I'd say it's better than nrx like the Adrena thread, but it certainly is a ton more fun to fish. I will say though that I've never handled an Ultima but I own a few poison glorious and a few conquests, and personally I think even the glorious is better so I'd be curious just how much better the Ultima is.

[Polkfish1]

jpmoney, thanks for taking the time, man! With you having the same feel for its sensitivity v. super quality rods, the PU 170MH will be my top candidate v. the new Black Raven M40X.

I looked at the 172H and its low-end lure rating of 7/16ths is a bit high for my purpose on this buy. The Steez Racing Design 701MH/HFB was another very near miss, just due to my uncertainty of how well it might fish at the very bottom of its lure-weight range.

Sure appreciate everyone's input here!

I have both the 172h and the rd 701 mh/hfb. Sensitivity wise; it’s really splitting hairs. Both are excellent. I would say it varies on the bite/situation. Love them both. This RD model fishes great throughout its suggested weight range all the way to the bottom in my opinion. The 172h ultima was my favorite end all rod until I got the RD. I find that the RD feels better to me personally in hand. Both are superb. When researching the ultima, I was looking for a MH rod. I was advised to get the H if I wanted a couple extra inches and that it would fish mh. That advice from this forum was spot on.

[BassKat]

rollyourboat, thanks! With your thoughts on the Glorious, that bodes very well for the Ultima!

And Polkfish1, that was spot on - I really appreciate your feedback on the RD 701 mh/hfb. With it adept at its lower end, it sounds like it would also work perfectly!

[jmb27]

jmb27, I sure appreciate your time here. It's great to hear that you give the Ultima a nod over your Conquest sensitivity-wise...that says a whole lot. The action sounds perfect for me. My favorite action is between moderate-fast and fast, but leaning a little more toward fast. I'm a whole lot more afraid of getting a rod that's more toward moderate than I am if it ends up a little too fast. Buying from overseas sure ups the ante so your input is much appreciated!

The fast taper of the Ultima rods is similar to the fast taper of the Gloomis MBR series, not a moderate fast.

The 70MH is a medium heavy imo, while I would rate the 72H as a a MH+.

[BassKat]

Thanks for that clarification on the taper!

[Hogsticker2]

I'd grab the Olympic