For several years I have been using a zbone 2 power rod to throw a 4” kut tail worm on a 1/8 oz spyder head. That rod has the NFC blank and a x-fast action. I have a 2012 Aldebaran BFS mounted on it and I have been happy with it.
I just got a 2021 2 power zbone with their new blank. It is listed as a fast action. Between the two rods one will be used with the worm setup and the other will be used for small jigs and creatures that will probably weigh a little more than the worm. I have a Steez SV TW to use for the rig that the Alde is not on.
Which rod would you use for which application?
Action and baits
Re: Action and baits
I had a chance to test half of the equation and it turned out as I would have guessed. I threw the worm rig in the driveway with the current setup (XF action) and noted the distance. Then I put that reel on the new rod with the fast action with the same bait. Between the worm and the spyder head I was throwing around 6 grams. The fast action loaded better and I got better distance with it.
Next I will try the heavier setups (8 to 11 grams) on the XF rod, but I suspect I know what I will find. That is going to work well.
Next I will try the heavier setups (8 to 11 grams) on the XF rod, but I suspect I know what I will find. That is going to work well.
Re: Action and baits
You might be the best source of information on this topic, not sure if anybody else has those two rods 
I have the Xray 733 LMH Zbone and the new-blank 703 LMH Helium (which seems to have the same blank as the new Zbone), and I find the new blank to be noticeably heavier and stiffer than the Xray. That 703 is rated 1/8-5/8, but I feel that it could easily throw 3/4+. Maybe thats because that rod has no tip - it's super stiff and under load, the blank barely bends between the tip top guide and the first tip guide next to it. (Almost feels like the tip broke 6 inches in and the tip top guide got put onto the shortened blank.)
If the 2-power rods are anything like that, I'd expect to throw heavier baits on the new Zbone, and lighter ones on the old one.
I have the Xray 733 LMH Zbone and the new-blank 703 LMH Helium (which seems to have the same blank as the new Zbone), and I find the new blank to be noticeably heavier and stiffer than the Xray. That 703 is rated 1/8-5/8, but I feel that it could easily throw 3/4+. Maybe thats because that rod has no tip - it's super stiff and under load, the blank barely bends between the tip top guide and the first tip guide next to it. (Almost feels like the tip broke 6 inches in and the tip top guide got put onto the shortened blank.)If the 2-power rods are anything like that, I'd expect to throw heavier baits on the new Zbone, and lighter ones on the old one.
Re: Action and baits
That is probably correct.
I got to test the other half of the equation in my driveway. I put a 1/4 oz micro jig and a small trailer on a scale and it came in at 10 oz. I then put a bolt on the end of the line that weighed 10 oz and started working on getting the brake dialed in on the SVTW.
The weight felt great on the XF 2 power rod and when I got the brake set right I was getting about 40 yards per cast. Granted the bolt has a bit less air resistance that the jig but I am happy with it. I'll be able to try it on the water tomorrow.