An experienced team and renewed dedication to creating top-notch tackle breathes new life into the Quantum brand.
We anglers have been hearing the name Quantum for four decades, but be prepared to have your old expectations shattered. The company has corralled a new team of cream-of-the-crop industry veterans and set out to redefine its top-tier offerings, while focusing on the saltwater market with new rods and reels that will soon have the fish quaking in their boots.
“Quantum turns 40 years old this year, and over the years, the brand has had success in salt water but always pulled back for one reason or another,” says Quantum SVP Mike Rice. “We wanted the industry to see that we are bringing a totally new playbook on this one, that there’s no pulling back this time. New branding, new naming, new headquarters, new products and tooling, and most importantly, a new team.
“Assembling the team was easy,” he continues. “We knew who the rock stars were, we pitched the plan, and they joined the team. There were no job postings or interviews—the folks on this team were all hand-selected and brought into the plan from the start. They’ve worked for most of the major brands, and cumulatively represent over 150 years of experience in the industry.”
The net result? The first new Quantum spinning reels to hit the bays and bayous are the Strive and the Benchmark. Available in 2500 to 8000 sizes, these are designed to take on heavy-hitting saltwater species from north to south spanning from stripers to snook. Their bodies are fully sealed to IPX6 standards via Quantum’s SEALOQ 6 design, locking out the brine and locking in their Hot Sauce lubrication. Drags incorporate the CFX200 carbon-fiber system to deliver buttery-slick power—and lots of it. Even the smallest Strive (the SV2500) can crank out 20 pounds of max drag, and the SV8000 maxes out at a tarpon-stopping 40 pounds. Frames and side plates are aluminum, and four stainless-steel bearings ensure smooth operation. The Benchmark brings Quantum’s GearTEQ machined gears into the mix, with precision-cut aluminum and brass plus a fifth ball bearing.
Quantum chose to develop these reels with new tooling and individual parts. While many reel companies do a lot of parts sharing between reels to save on manufacturing costs, by designing and building specifically to each individual model, Quantum can deliver the highest levels of precision and performance. Despite this extra effort, however, they’ve still managed to keep cost in check, and you might be surprised at just how reasonable the pricing is. The Strive’s price range is $99.95 to $139.95, and the Benchmark starts at $149.95 and goes to $189.95. Note, however, that both are also available in a rod-and-reel combo form to deliver maximum value. The Strive series combos range from $129.99 to $169.99 and Benchmark combos from $189.99 to $229.99.
In the rod department, get ready to meet the Myth. Also focusing on the inshore saltwater domain (and matching up beautifully with the Strive and Benchmark reels), Myth rods are built with proprietary HSX30 high-modulus graphite for intense sensitivity. They’re built to last too, with Seaguide stainless-steel frames that will hold up to the brine for the long term. Handles are real cork, and reel seats are the top-notch Fuji DPS variety. There are 10 rods in the lineup—a mix of 7-foot, 7-foot-6-inch, and 7-foot-9-inch lengths from light to extra-heavy action. Line ratings run from 6- to 65-pound-test, with lure ratings from a quarter-ounce to 6 ounces. Pricing for the Myth rods ranges from $129.95 to $169.95.
While a new team, new designs, high-quality components, and a dose of the latest fishing tackle tech is great, that’s not even the biggest story behind the Strive, the Benchmark and the Myth. Critically, Quantum has put this new gear through the wringer both in the lab and out in the real world. They like to say it’s “tested beyond limits,” which makes a lot of sense considering that most serious saltwater anglers push the limits of their gear each and every time they shove off the dock.
“We’ve tested these rods and reels beyond anything I’ve ever seen before,” Rice says. “Whether we meet our goals is still to be determined, and like any high-performance team, we’ll never be 100 percent satisfied. But when our customers tell us they’re happy with the products and they start recommending Quantum to their buddies, we’ll know we’ve hit the mark.”
