Thanks to the frontward thinking of the engineers at Quantum, anglers will be fishing with a completely different reel. The results of this new way of thinking when it comes to fishing reels is a new, innovative construction that combines ultra-rigid aluminum alloy in load bearing areas with lightweight composite which reduces the weight in non-critical locations by 50%. In other words, Quantum engineers eliminated excess material from the reels. The reel looks like it came from the future with its exoskeletal aluminum frame, sidecovers, and other revolutionary materials from Quantum.

 
Before ICAST in July, the reel had been kept hidden and a secret from the media and even members of their pro staff. No one was going to let the cat (reel) out of the bag. Then in a radical move, Quantum did not put it in the New Product Show Case instead waiting until the press conferences on the first day of ICAST. Never before had any reel manufacture ever done this. Usually, reel manufactures will let photos “accidently” slip out to members of the media who immediately release them to the public as secret photos or exclusive photos of a new reel that is coming out at ICAST. Not Quantum. They hung in there keeping it confidential.

The press conference was a who’s who in the bass fishing industry and professional anglers. It started off with Zebco/Quantum President Jeff Pontius (www.quantumfishing.com) talking about the advancements in fishing tackle and how Quantum continues to be the frontrunner in high performance rods and reels. This was followed by members of Quantum’s pro staff talking about the new exoskeletal reels and rods. Professional bass anglers like Kevin VanDam and Gerald Swindle told the members of the media how impressed they were with the new exoskeletal technology, but it was Bill Dance who had the quote that made everyone burst out laughing. In a video tape, Quantum had taken the prototype EXO PT reel out and let their pros and a few other members of the pro staff see the new reel. Every single one of them had the same reaction. It was unbelievable. Most of them just said, “Wow!” However, Dance was suspicious at first. I guess after so many years of people pulling pranks on you it’s a natural reaction to be leery of change. “Is that a real, reel,” Dance continued, “it doesn’t weigh enough to be a real reel…are you sure it’s a real reel?”

Everyone who had a chance to touch and reel the EXO reel at ICAST was amazed. A number of media members often came back just to look, touch, and take photos of it. Professional bass anglers not sponsored by Quantum even came by the Zebco/Quantum booth to look at it. I think it would have won the Best Freshwater Reel category; in addition to Overall Best of Show if Quantum would have had it in the New Product Show Case at ICAST.

The Quantum EXO PT baitcasters come in three models. All of them have a right handed retrieve and weigh less than 6-ounces. An angler can choose from three different retrieve speeds. A super-fast 7.3:1 “Burner” to the 5.3:1 power cranking model. The Quantum EXO PT reels features aluminum EXO frame, CSC drag system, high-capacity spool, PT gears, and ported EVA handle knobs. The Quantum EXO PT spinning reel comes in two models. Each one weighs just over 7-ounces; in addition to having a solid aluminum frame. The Quantum EXO PT spinning reel features include aluminum EXO frame, C4LF carbon rotor, oversized spool, Ni-Ti bail, and Tru-balance handle.

Quantum EXO PT also has a complete line of rods for both baitcasting and spinning reels. Each one of them features an EX4 construction making them lighter and more sensitive while still being extremely durable. They have new Fuji reel seats and Fuji Alconite micro guides. The key features of the Quantum EXO PT rods are EX4 carbon blanks, Fuji micro guides, Fuji reel seats, split-grip handles, and custom actions.

It’s a new world out there now in fishing reels. Quantum EXO products have raised the bar on baitcasting, spinning, and fishing rods. The new exoskeletal aluminum frame is going to change how everyone looks at reels.