I know, these rods a hardly comparable being that one costs almost 2x more than the other, but I still want to compare them. I’m basically looking for a $300 power pitch being that I can’t bring myself to buy one for $550, and I don’t want to buy used. I also don’t love the idea of AGS guides even though it would probably be fine with an FG knot. (Knowing myself I would always be worried about braid to a leader wrecking that rod.)  

Ive heard great things about the exprides sensitivity and balance but I’m wondering if its overall action is similar to the Steez.
1/2oz jigs, swimjigs, t-rigs, up to 3/4oz jigs and t-rigs would be what was tie on to that rod most of the time. Maybe 3/8oz every once in a while. I know this is towards the bottom of this rods rating so I’m also wondering how it will handle those lighter weights. 

I guess the 7’2 heavy zillion is also an option but ive never heard anything about this rod so Ive got no clue about it’s sensitivity is or how it feels to fish. 

I've been interested in the phenix feather 7'3XH as a 7'2 H expride comparison.  The feathers in MH/ML are very sensitive with similar tips but softer mids compared to my exprides.  Just to muddy your waters.

 

scott

 

Also the Okuma X 7'3H has tons of love here and on TW reviews

 

That Okuma definitely looks good. I guess we could also throw the 7’4 heavy exprides in here too. It’s a modfast but I’m not sure exactly how slow it feels. 

This is copied directly from @Kevhead19 on his post on the new zillion rods thread. 

“I'm no savvy reviewer but I bought the 7'2 Heavy/Fast. I have been using it for 5/8oz spinner baits, 6 inch magdrafts, heavier plastics to pitch, etc. I have been more than impressed. It has power, a fast tip but sneakily becomes more moderate under load.

 

I bought mine to directly compare to a Steez power pitch (7'2 Heavy/fast). In my hands they are incredibly close in performance and I would happily buy the Zillion again.”

This is the only review I’ve seen on this rod but that is looking very promising. His description is very similar to how Ive heard people Describe the power pitch. After reading this I am leaning towards the zillion. 

3 hours ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

This is copied directly from @Kevhead19 on his post on the new zillion rods thread. 

“I'm no savvy reviewer but I bought the 7'2 Heavy/Fast. I have been using it for 5/8oz spinner baits, 6 inch magdrafts, heavier plastics to pitch, etc. I have been more than impressed. It has power, a fast tip but sneakily becomes more moderate under load.

 

I bought mine to directly compare to a Steez power pitch (7'2 Heavy/fast). In my hands they are incredibly close in performance and I would happily buy the Zillion again.”

This is the only review I’ve seen on this rod but that is looking very promising. His description is very similar to how Ive heard people Describe the power pitch. After reading this I am leaning towards the zillion. 

There's a good chance that the diawa peeps tried to make a zillion blank with the same action as the power pitch.  That review might tell you everything.

 

scott

1 minute ago, softwateronly said:

There's a good chance that the diawa peeps tried to make a zillion blank with the same action as the power pitch.  That review might tell you everything.

 

scott

That’s what I’m hoping! I also like the wide rating range on it. 1/2-3/4oz jigs might be the sweet spot. 

I have no experience with the Expride. I do have a Steez Power Pitch and a Zillion MH. I am really impressed with Zillion. It has a great feel and sensitivity. I would definitely buy the 7’2 Heavy Zillion.

Thanks guys! I’m going to go with the zillion! 

 

16 minutes ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

Thanks guys! I’m going to go with the zillion! 

Sweet!

  If you fish it when it's cold out, the cork foregrip on the zillion is a huge bonus to me.  The Steez metal locknut sucks the blood right out of my ring finger.  Too much surface contact, the MB P5's have a better design imo for also being metal.  

  The steez ags is already 4-5 years old.  I'd bet there's a lot of trickle down design/materials in the Zillion, maybe even upgrades; just "lesser" guides.  The Steez power pitch felt a little tip heavy and I wasn't sold on it with a 6oz reel.  I moved over to a bantam, high 7oz reel, and fell in love with the feel.  If you're getting a new reel for the zillion rod, maybe play around with reels you have to make sure you're not like me.

 

scott

 

@10,000 lakes Bassin I liked mine but the truck door gremlin broke it while loading up my kayak. The replacement bait monkey was tamed...for now. I hope you have a longer relationship with yours than mine. 

23 minutes ago, Kevhead19 said:

@10,000 lakes Bassin I liked mine but the truck door gremlin broke it while loading up my kayak. The replacement bait monkey was tamed...for now. I hope you have a longer relationship with yours than mine. 

That sucks to hear.
Hearing you say that there’s little to no noticeable difference between it and the  Steez makes me excited to pick one up. I really hope it’s a power pitch action for $200 less. 

@Kevhead19 I’m curious if you’ve fish any Expride rods and if so how you’d compare the sensitivity of the zillion. 

41 minutes ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

@Kevhead19 I’m curious if you’ve fish any Expride rods and if so how you’d compare the sensitivity of the zillion. 

No Expride experience here. I do currently have the 7'2 H and 7'1 H+ Zodias, along with Evergeen 7'3 Heavy. I also have a few custom Taipan blanks in 7'3 Heavy. I like 7 - 7'3 Heavies and was buying/trading often. No longer so. 

 

I am no sensitivity expert but my experience is Steez subjectively has the most sensitivity of what I have (also heaviest price tag). Do/did I catch less fish on my Zodias or Evergreen rods or Zillion? Not at all. The Steez ROI is not there anymore for me with the price differences. 

 

I can speak to the actions better. Steez is fast with ample power. Zillion was slightly slower with what I thought same power. Zodias closer to Zillion. 

 

Omnia fishing has a bend demo on Zillion 7'2 Heavy on YouTube for visuals. From last month 'Bending Texas Rig Rods' and first one they demo.

 

Hope that aids you!

There was a thread here when the Zillion first came out and it seemed like it was basically a non-ags steez. 

I was able to find the Omnia rod bending for both the Steez and the Zillion 7’2H 

From this the zillion looks a good bit softer almost to the point where I’m wondering how well it will pop jigs through grass and if it will be able to drive in a heavy wire 3/4oz jig hook on a long cast. This is pretty much on par with what I’ve heard about the Zillion line in general. Slower tapers than other Diawa lines. 

Here’s the Steez:
 

And here’s the Zillion:

 

I know that a test like this definitely isn’t perfect but from watching the videos

(Texas rig rod bending and jig rod bending part 1) I think you can get a decent idea of the action overall.
I do think it’s important to mention that 2 different guys were bending the rods, and that the guy bending the Zillion was a good bit taller do he could probably get more leverage from that angle. He was also using both hands on the rod unlike the guy bending the Steez. 
 

On 4/25/2025 at 10:54 AM, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

I was able to find the Omnia rod bending for both the Steez and the Zillion 7’2H 

From this the zillion looks a good bit softer almost to the point where I’m wondering how well it will pop jigs through grass and if it will be able to drive in a heavy wire 3/4oz jig hook on a long cast. This is pretty much on par with what I’ve heard about the Zillion line in general. Slower tapers than other Diawa lines. 

Here’s the Steez:
 

And here’s the Zillion:

 

I know that a test like this definitely isn’t perfect but from watching the videos

(Texas rig rod bending and jig rod bending part 1) I think you can get a decent idea of the action overall.
I do think it’s important to mention that 2 different guys were bending the rods, and that the guy bending the Zillion was a good bit taller do he could probably get more leverage from that angle. He was also using both hands on the rod unlike the guy bending the Steez. 
 

 

You're gonna have to get a steez if you want a steez, meaning msrp, wait for a sale, buy used.  If you want "steez like for cheaper and new" what better place than the same company, same specs, similar blank construction?  With love, you're over thinking this.  

 

scott

21 hours ago, softwateronly said:

 

You're gonna have to get a steez if you want a steez, meaning msrp, wait for a sale, buy used.  If you want "steez like for cheaper and new" what better place than the same company, same specs, similar blank construction?  With love, you're over thinking this.  

 

scott

The zillion 7’2 is in the mail. 

Nice!  Don't need more combos right now, but look forward to your review.

 

scott

23 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

Nice!  Don't need more combos right now, but look forward to your review.

 

scott

I’m excited for it too! I know it’s a crime to not put a zillion reel on it but I’ll see what it balances better with, a met 100 or a JDM zillion sv tw. Like I say it will probably have a 1/2-3/4 oz pitching jig, swim jig or t-rig on it most of the time but with its bit slower action it might open it up to some other stuff too. Curious to try a 6in magdraft. Maybe a 3/4oz bladed jig. 

I got the Zillion 7’2 yesterday. It feels really nice and it balanced about 1.5in above the locknut with an empty JDM zillion. One thing I am concerned about is the size of the guides. I noticed right away that they looked small compared to my tatula elite 7’3 multi purpose that this rod is replacing. I’m worried that they won’t be able to cast a leader knot well especially with heavy line. 40lb braid to 20lb fluoro is what I’m going to use. 

Tatula elite (non ags) 7’3 on the left and a zillion 7’2 on the right