Overview
The premier series from ALX Rods to date, the ALX ZOLO Series Casting Rods are built using only top tier materials and components to deliver mind blowing technique-specific performance. Incredibly balanced, sensitive and powerful, the ZOLO Series Rods are built around advanced Hydra NG rod blanks. The blanks’ aerospace quality NG Carbon and Scrimless Fiber Design (SFD) construction has allowed ALX to eliminate energy robbing, low modulus materials normally used to create axial strength in rods.
This construction process allowed ALX to replace traditional blank design with a singular carbon material wound under intense pressure, as well as, a multi-axis pattern configuration to maintain outstanding durability. The result is homogenous carbon composite blanks that waste very little energy, yielding a series of rods that are extremely crisp, powerful, and responsive.
Also equipped with top quality Kigan Zero Tangle 3D Guides for superior casting capabilities, custom trimmed reel seats offer a lightweight ergonomic base for your reel as well. And premium cork split grip handles with strategically placed trim pieces deliver long lasting, quality comfort. Thoroughly studied, tested and designed, the ALX ZOLO Series Casting Rods deliver praise worthy, tournament caliber performance.
All rod warranties must go directly through ALX.
Specifications
| Model | Length | Power | Taper | Line Wt. | Lure Wt. | Guides | Handle Length | Handle Type | |
| OBC-3-81F | 6'9" | Medium | Fast | 8-15lb | 1/4-3/4oz | 9+Tip | 13 1/4 | Cast L | Buy Now |
| OBC-3JB-81F | 6'9" | Medium + | Fast | 8-17lb | 3/8-3/4oz | 9+Tip | 13 1/4" | Cast K | Buy Now |
| OBC-3-84F | 7' | Medium | Fast | 8-15lb | 1/4-3/4oz | 10+Tip | 14 1/4" | Cast J | Buy Now |
| OBC-4-85F | 7'1" | Medium Heavy | Fast | 10-18lb | 1/4-1oz | 10+Tip | 14 1/4" | Cast J | Buy Now |
| OBC-4.5-86F | 7'2" | Medium Heavy + | Fast | 12-20lb | 3/8-1 1/8oz | 10+Tip | 14 1/4" | Cast J | Buy Now |
| OBC-5-88F | 7'4" | Heavy | Fast | 12-20lb | 3/8-1 1/2oz | 10+Tip | 14 1/4" | Cast J | Buy Now |
| OBC-7-95F | 7'11" | XX-Heavy | Moderate Fast | 15-30lb | 3/8-3oz | 11+Tip | 15 1/2" | Cast G | Buy Now |
Previous Feedback
Comments: I bought 3 toadface to use. Probably going to get sold. They are close but not quite right. If you are close quarters target casting into small pockets in tules, wood, emergent vegetation of any kind these are not accurate. There is not enough tip. Needs a little more tip but same backbone to be perfect. They would be ok for chucking in open water or over expanses of mats but not for target fishing.
From: Unknown: 7/30/23
Comments: 6'9" med+ jerkbait rod is PRIMO. Good stuff. Got it paired up with the Tatula SV103 Limited. Killer combo. Perfect action and length for a jerkbait rod.
From: Zeth: Unknown 12/10/21
Comments: I bought the 7 ft. 1 in. Zola Deputy which is an absolutely beautiful rod with the best cork handle. It has a good all-around MH action with a strong butt, nice tip, and parabolic bend. My only problem is the cork grip tends on the fat side. If you like thinner handles, as I do, you'll probably send it back.
From: Paul - Reedsburg, WI 10/13/20
Comments: I can't speak highly enough about the zolo series. The Deputy is by far the best spinnerbait rod that I've used, it's strong enough to get a strong hook set on the end of the cast but also has enough give in the tip to where you're not ripping the bait out of the fish's mouth either. Also the toad face is by far the most versatile rod I've used. It's great for traps, jigs, and 4" keitech style swimbaits. Definitely would recommend without hesitation!
From: Sean: Michigan 1/31/20
Comments: Purchased the Zolo Toadface after reading as many reviews as I could find, and I'm definitely glad I did. Very light rod with good sensitivity. The toadface is a very versatile rod. I haven't had it very long so I can't say much about the durability of the rod, but from what I've read and how much I've used it so far I don't see any issues with this rod tearing up easily. Definitely recommend this rod to anyone looking to try something new. Handcrafted in Aiken, South Carolina and the customer service is awesome
From: Scott: South Carolina 12/4/19
Comments: I snagged the 7'6" Brawler at Cabelas for $99. Insane crazy deal for this thing. It's lightweight for an XH stick and it handles fish beautifully. I have thrown 7/16-3/4oz jigs on it and thrown 1/2oz texas rigs no problem. You can feel every bottom contour with this thing. I'm loving it.
From: CaptainTJack: New Orleans 1/25/19
Comments: I have purchased 4 Zolos in the last year. I have Dream, Dragger, and (2) Toadfaces. Every single one of them I can't talk enough of about how sensitive and lightweight they are. I have been able to put all of them to work and I can fish a lot of different baits on each one. If you're looking for a super well balanced, lightweight, sensitive rod, look no further than the ZOLO! Incredible rods!
From: Sam - North Carolina 1/4/19
Comments: Absolutely love this rod. It's without a doubt the most sensitive in my collection, is lightweight and well-balanced, and the customer service is on another level. Several weeks after getting my rod I received a hand-written letter from someone working at ALX giving their thanks for purchasing one of their rods and hoping that I've been catching fish on it - which I absolutely have! I purchased the Deputy model, I've never been confident in my jig/texas rig fishing skills, but literally on my first cast I landed my second or third jig fish of my life and have caught many more on this rod since then. Fantastic rod, you won't be disappointed.
From: Unknown - 10/9/18
Comments: I usually don't write reviews but after purchasing the Zolo Toadface I figured id write one. This rod is simply amazing. I pond fish a lot in Florida and I've been looking for a rod that is strong enough to throw a frog but light enough to texas rigs and chatterbaits and after searching for what seems like forever i finally found that rod. I dont throw crank banks a lot due to the amount of grass in ponds so thats not a really what im looking for. When I received the rod I thought it was a little light to be a frog rod but i had to try it out. Before I used it for frog fishing I used 20lb floro to try out the sensitivity and it exceeded my expectations. This rod is more sensitive than any rod I own. I used it for skipping jigs, flipping, pitching, and casting jigs and texas rigs and this rod excelled at it. I than threw on 50lb fitzgerald braid and fished it for what is was made for. I went to a pond that had nothing but lily pads and was yanking fish out like i was using a 7'4 heavy rod to give you a better example. Ive also thrown everything from chatterbaits, paddle tail swim baits, swimjigs, weightless senkos and it fishing them all perfectly. To sum everything up if you were to have one rod to fish with and you pond fish like and dont throw cranks often than this the rod for you. Hope this review helps.
From: Unknown Florida 5/16/18
Comments: I love the ZOLO Dream for ripping lipless crankbaits out of vegetation. I believe it to have the perfect balance of backbone and tip for the application. Overall a great rod. Very impressed with the quality of the ALX Zolo series.
From: Gary - Oregon 10/18/17
Comments: These are the finest rods I have ever put my hands on. I have the Toadface for frogs, the Brawler for pitching into heavy cover and the Trickster for dropshot (as well as 3 rods from the IKOS series also). I'm gradually building a full quiver of ALX's. These are the lightest, most sensitive, well balanced and powerful rods in the price range. I have a 7.5 LM on the Toadface and it was no contest. The Brawler is a beast at pulling big 'uns out of the wood. And the replacement warranty service is great (please don't ask me how I know). Try them, you will be pleased.
From: Mark: Hayden, ID 2/27/17
Comments: I bought the toadface for a jig rod during the colder months and a frog rod during frog season. this rod is crisp. i haven't had a chance to use it for frogs but it feels as if the tip will be perfect for walking a frog but with the backbone to pull the fish out of cover. i paired this with a 13 fishing concept E and it feels and looks like a match made in heaven. i will be looking into more of these rods in the future. might even try the ikos.
From: Blake: Ga 12/29/16
Comments: Picked up ALX DEPUTY looking for a good skipping rod for jigs 3/8 1/2 oz. This rod has perfect tip to sling shot your jigs deep into the back of docks plus plenty of backbone to really drive a jig home and get big bass out highly recommend.
Comments: picked up the deputy for skipping 1/4 to 1/2 once jigs mainly 3/8 this rod by far has plenty of backbone to drive a big jig hook in hard ! and the tip has a nice feel to launch the jigs under docks and overhangs ! i was looking for the perfect rod for this technique for some time and finally found it! lite sensitive and strong period NO B.S.
From: J.D.: Wayne, NJ 10/30/16
Comments: I bought the 7'6" xtra heavy thunder for punching & I ended up throwing a big 3 ounce swimbait on it for a while the other day and this rod handled it like a champ!! Awesome swimbait rod! I haven't caught a fish punching on it yet but it feels like a perfect punch rod as well. It's balanced great and is very sensative! I highly recommend ALX IKOS!
From: Kevin: TN 10/28/16
Comments: I have the toadface for my dedicated from rod, paired with a revo rocket im blown away. casts a mile, amazing tip to walk the frog, rock solid hook sets & enough power to haul them out of the junk. very pleased with this rod and I will be replacing the majority of my rods with zolos
From: Travis: USA 9/28/16
Comments: really can't go wrong with one of these. got the deputy for 1/2 oz hardhead's and bottom contact baits for going after smallmouth in 20+ ft deep water. great blank, balanced well.
From: Norm: NH 8/15/16
Comments: Great reviews so I purchased 2 rods. Started with the Dream & Deputy. Used the Dream as a jerk bait rod & I can say I love it for the small mouth up here in the north. Rod is nice & loads up perfect on hook sets. Love the grips & the guides are perfectly straight. Highly recommend to serious anglers.
From: Kevin: Albany, NY 5/4/16
Comments: Bought the Toad & the Deputy. These rods really rock. Light but strong. Cast better than a Dobyns. TW needs to get these 2 models back in stock.
From: Mike: TX 5/1/16
Comments: I have several of these rods, they are extremely lightweight & sensitive with technique-specific actions required of serious tournament bass fishermen. The quality is evident when you hold one of these. Many of my friends are buying these rods & the reason is word of mouth. Try one, you won't be disappointed!
From: Bob: Spokane Valley, WA 1/12/16
Comments: Light but plenty powerful, just set the hook & turn the handle, the rod ain't gonna give.
From: Chris: USA 1/6/16
Comments: I've been using ALX for years. All quality, all the time. They Feel as light and sensitive as rods at a much higher price.
From: Brett: Timmonsville, SC 1/6/16
Comments: These are great rods for the price. Very comparable if not better than much higher priced rods. I've got 3 so far and will be getting more. The Deputy, 7'1" MH is a very versatile rod. Great with jigs to spinnerbaits. The Toadface is a great swimjig & frog rod also. Great construction & really a nice looking rod. And MADE IN THE USA! You owe it to yourself to try them!
From: David: Birmingham, AL 1/3/16
Comments: These are great rods for the price. Very comparable if not better than much higher priced rods. I've got 3 so far and will be getting more. The Deputy, 7'1" MH is a very versatile rod. Great with jigs to spinnerbaits. The Toadface is a great swimjig and frog rod also. Great construction and really a nice looking rod. And MADE IN THE USA! You owe it to yourself to try them!
From: David: Birmingham, AL 12/25/15
Comments: Ive been using these rods for 2 years now very high quality for the price, comfortable & sensitive. Each one is perfect quality cork,correct balance and actions. And each has its own serial number!
From: Scott: York, PA 12/25/15
Comments: Best Rod on the market for your dollar. The 7-2 Med Hvy + Zolo (ToadFace) is the ultimate frog rod The Maestro is the bomb for drop shot or Fluke. I have 8 of the ALXs and all are great and great customer service too.
From: Robert: Gilbert, SC 12/24/15
Comments: I recently switched to ALX rods with the ALX ZOLO Casting Rod 7' Medium (Dreamstick) being my favourite. Rods punch way above their price point and are definately competing with much higher priced rods. Rods are light, crisp, sensitive and ultra strong. I now own 5 (3 casting and 2 spinning) and will definately be adding more soon.
From: Robert: Cape Town, South Africa 12/24/15