Mystic Reaper X 8’6” #4 $299.00
George’s Comments:
We have liked the Mystic Reaper that has done well in some of our early 5-weight Shootouts. The Reaper X is an improved model of this original rod. The new X has a nice medium fast action that delivers the best performance at short to medium distances. At one point it was our “Best inexpensive rod” until the Fenwick Aetos muscled it aside.
The softer tip on this rod gave me good feel and decent accuracy at close range and the amount of butt and mid-section power seems about right for a 4-weight rod. Swing weight is on the heavier side and this hurt the performance to some degree.
The one thing that I have never liked much on the Reaper is the shape of the handle. It has a larger swell than most rods, and the swell is set closer to the top of the grip, than most rods – well forward of the center of the grip. The quality of the cork is not too good either and it used a lot of filler.
The blank itself is a deep burgundy color, with dark gray wraps. Epoxy coatings on the wraps were a bit too heavy, adding unnecessary weight. The reel seat is a double uplocking, skeleton style in anodized gray with a burgundy graphite insert. The two locking rings are large and easy to grip and tighten. Guides start with a hook keeper, then two SiC stripping guides followed with fairly large diameter hard chrome snake guides.
The perfect line: SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity in WF-4-F
George’s casting notes:
Performance at 25 feet: 18.5 points out of 20
I was getting decent feel in close but accuracy was not that great. The DXF was significantly better.
Performance at 40 feet: 18.5 points out of 20
Pretty good loop control but the feel and accuracy were not as good as what I was getting with the DXF or the St. Croix Imperial.
Performance at 60 feet: 7.5 points out of 10
The lack of butt power made it difficult for me to get the delivery or accuracy I was getting with the Zone or DXF. The JXP was also better.
James’ Comments:
The Mystic Reaper X has a good all-around medium fast action for the money. The swing weight isn’t the lightest, but it’s light enough to still feel and cast pleasantly, (especially in close). Casting the Reaper X head to head with the Shadow, Aetos, DXF, and Imperial, it was clear that the other rods had the performance edge.
1st impressions:
Huge cork handle. The action feels pretty good however, and this rod is nice enough to cast. Cheaper looking reel seat with squeaky locking rings. Large chrome snake guides with no alignment dots.
Performance at 25 feet: 18.5 points out of 20
Light in hand, pleasant feel, easy to cast off the tip.
Performance at 40 feet: 18.5 points out of 20
A nice action, with a good blend of power and feel. A decent amount of reserve power. Not bad at all!
Performance at 60 feet: 8 points out of 10
Not a rod you can punch easily without tailing, and your timing must be very good when throwing long. Not quite as accurate as the stiffer rods.
Logan’s Comments: 43.5 out of 50
The Mystic Reaper X is the updated version of one of my favorite low-priced rods, the Mystic Reaper. The Reaper X is a nice looking rod and the new cosmetic updates are an improvement over the original Reaper. It performed best at closer distances for me.
Performance at 25 feet: 18.5 out of 20
At 25 feet the Mystic Reaper X had good feel and was a fun rod to cast at closer distances.
Performance at 40 feet: 18 out of 20
The Mystic Reaper X lacked some power and I could feel its inconsistences when I was casting at the middle distance.
Performance at 60 feet: 7 out of 10
The lack of power in the butt section hurt the Reaper X’s performance at 60 feet.
Francis’ Comments:
The newly redesigned Reaper X is another one of those rods that ended up in the middle of the pack. It felt decent in close with its nice soft tip, but lacked the strength in the butt and midsections it needed to produce a good performance at the longer distances.
Performance at 25 feet: 18/20
The Reaper X felt best at short distance where I was getting pretty good feel and accuracy.
Performance at 40 feet: 17.5/20
This rod does not track as well as others, and my accuracy suffered.
Performance at 60 feet: 7.5/10
A little sluggish at longer distances. Most other rods were better.
Chloe’s Comments:
The Reaper X has a stiffer mid and butt section with a softer tip. It’s light in hand, and feels a little more responsive than the original Reaper.
Performance at 25 feet: 16.5 out of 20
Not bad in close, but did feel a little inconsistent and had less feel than some of the better rods. I liked how the tip flexed and felt that it would protect light tippets.
Performance at 40 feet: 17 out of 20
This distance is the sweet spot for the Reaper X. At 40 feet I felt like it fully utilized the rod’s action, and allowed me to form nice loops.
Performance at 60 feet: 6.5 out of 10
For some reason, I felt a bit of a loss at 60 feet. Though I could get the distance easily enough, I was losing accuracy and feel.