Five years after the release of the first high-end rod series from Adams, Luxembourg designer Bob Schmitz returns with an updated version of the XTZ rods, featuring a completely new and unique grip concept. Here are all the details about these four particularly distinctive new models.
ADAMS XTZ ADIXION 10' #1
ADAMS XTZ ADIXION 10' #2
ADAMS XTZ ADIXION 10'6 #2
ADAMS XTZ ADIXION 11' #2
Discussion of the measurements
The Common Cents System protocol was used to characterize the power and action of these four rods.
Power
Regarding power, 22 and 28 cents were required to bend the two 10' rods to one third of their length (30 cents for the 10'6 and the 11').
After conversion, this corresponds to ERN values of:
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2.23 for the 10' #1
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3.12 for the 10' #2
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3.42 for the 10'6 and the 11'
The powers are therefore slightly underestimated:
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the first 10' is effectively a #1/2
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the second a #2/3
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the 10'6 and 11' are true #3 rods.
Action
Looking at the AA (Action Angle) values that characterize rod action, all rods are very consistent: Bob chose a moderate-fast action for the entire range.
Build and comfort
Let’s look at several key aspects of the rod construction.
First, the distance between the stripper guide and the grip is well suited for rods mainly designed for Euro-nymphing. When fishing with a high rod tip, the line may form a slack above the handle if the stripper guide is too far from the angler’s hand.
A distance below 40 cm is recommended to limit this effect, which is the case here with distances between 25 and 31 cm.
Special attention has also been paid to the choice and placement of guides:
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the two stripping guides are titanium, minimizing friction when the line enters the rod,
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the remaining guides are fine, lightweight single-foot guides (the same used on the Native Anthem rods).
As mentioned in the introduction, the most remarkable element of the build is the grip of the new XTZ Adixion rods.
In practical terms, this grip allows optimal use of both manual and semi-automatic reels, whereas many modern rods use a down-locking reel seat combined with a long grip (over 170mm), which prevents easy access to the trigger of semi-automatic reels.
Another advantage: anglers who like to place their index finger directly on the blank will no longer need to move their hand to the very end of the grip to do so. This effectively gives them a few extra centimeters of usable rod length.
Of course, such a short grip (more than 3 cm shorter than most competitors) combined with an up-locking reel seat slightly penalizes balance.
In practice, however, these Adams rods still perform quite well, and the BTW values remain in line with rods of similar length and power using traditional reel seats.
A set of three 9-gram counterweights is supplied to fine-tune the balance of your rod-and-reel setup.
Note: the BRW were measured without counterweights.
To calculate the ideal reel weight when using counterweights, simply subtract 9 g per weight added at the butt.
Example:
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without counterweights the BRW of the 10'6 is 195 g,
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with three counterweights it becomes about 170 g, though the rod gains about 30 g in total weight.
The BTW remains unchanged regardless of the configuration.
Word from the designer Bob Schmitz:
"The main innovation of this grip concept lies in its integration with the reel seat. Both components were designed as a single unit, consisting of a front section made of high-density EVA and a rear section made of hand-braided carbon.
The debate between semi-automatic reels and traditional reels has existed for a long time. Each system has advantages and disadvantages depending on the fishing situation.
For this reason, it was essential not to design a grip that favors only one type of reel. The goal was to create a grip concept that works optimally with both systems, without compromising ergonomics, accessibility, or comfort, while preserving the sensitivity and feedback transmitted through the blank.
The chosen geometry allows a natural grip whether using a semi-automatic reel or a traditional reel, adapting easily to the different movements required by each mechanism.
This desire for versatility also influenced the choice of materials.
Another more recent debate concerns grip design itself, traditionally opposing cork grips and full-carbon grips. Again, the objective was not to choose sides but to create a functional compromise.
This new grip concept offers several practical advantages on the water:
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optimized handling regardless of reel type
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increased effective reach thanks to the rearward hand position
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an overall feeling of lightness and improved control.
This adaptive approach is further enhanced by the Variable Balance System, which integrates adjustable counterweights.
This system allows anglers to fine-tune the rod balance depending on the reel used, hand position, and personal preferences. This micro-adjustment can improve comfort and overall feel during fishing without altering the intrinsic characteristics of the blank.
The grip ultimately offers three distinct hand positions:
- Attack position : Prioritizes sensitivity and responsiveness. The thumb sits in a dedicated cutout, the index finger rests directly on the blank, and the palm supports the EVA section. This configuration favors precise casting and drift control.
- Relaxed position : Designed for prospecting or longer casts. The palm rests on the carbon reel seat while the thumb remains in the EVA cutout, providing stability and comfort over long sessions.
- Maximum reach position : Allows the angler to fully exploit the increased effective reach. The palm remains mostly on the carbon reel seat while the index finger rests in the EVA cutout, increasing reach without changing the rod’s actual length while maintaining excellent control.
Editorial opinion
As the Euro-nymphing rod market becomes increasingly saturated with very similar products, any real innovation deserves recognition. That is precisely why we wanted to present Bob Schmitz’s XTZ Adixion rods.
We have already described in detail the distinctive grip that defines them, along with the other key ingredients of a well-designed Euro-nymphing rod:
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moderate-fast action that limits break-offs and lost fish,
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lightweight guides in limited numbers to preserve blank responsiveness,
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length/power combinations adapted to different fishing situations.
Let’s look at the intended uses of each model.
- 10' #1
Probably the most specialized rod in this test, with a nearly unique length/power combination on the market. It belongs to the category of 10' #1/2 moderate-fast rods.
It is designed for ultra-fine fishing approaches in small waters — throwing tungsten beads larger than 3 mm would almost be sacrilege! It’s ideal if you want a very delicate rod that provides incredible sensations on modest fish or for presenting micro-nymphs during low-water conditions.
- 10' #2
With its real power of #2/3, it is more versatile. This is an ideal rod for fine technical fishing in small rivers, especially for Euro-nymphing with recommended bead sizes between 2 and 3.2 mm.
- 10'6 and 11'
Like the previous XTZ models, these rods are extremely versatile. The #3 / moderate-fast combination is probably the most all-round setup for Euro-nymphing, especially in terms of the weight of nymphs used and the size of fish targeted.
The choice between the two mainly depends on the width of the rivers you fish (under 10 m wide → the 10'6 is ideal, larger rivers → the 11' offers better drift control).
Good choice!
