Picked one up last week and finally had a chance to sit down and study the two closely

First thing you notice is the new ones have a split ring on the line tie
Then from there there is a deck as difference in the molded eyes for hook attachments. The new ones stick out a lot further and have a heavier guage wire

The molding looks the same with all the same accent lines
Paint job was different on the flitter shad, but close enough with different sized flake and different netting over spray

But the biggest issue I saw right away was the completely different sound Not even close for be same pitch as the original. I guess they changed the plastic with the new factory and with that the sound is different

Ill try to post the pics of the visable differences later on

It's nice to have them back on the market but its defiantly not a like for like new production release

Guess ill just hold to my old ones for a while longer

You had to know they wouldn't be the same. I have kept my hoard too, didn't even bother looking at the new and don't plan to. Next time I work on Rusty's boat I'll dig his out and steal them for you Chris.

Same or not, I just wish mine would come in already! I pre-ordered them last July and only received one of them so far...last week.

Yea it was a pipe dream

I just bought 9 of the new ones. I had heard so many good things about the older ones. I hoped they would be close... The new one is a good looking bait though. I like that there are two different types of rattles in them. Now if I can just go fishing!

Glad I sold my originals on Ebay when they were in demand.

Glad u posted about this. I was wondering the differences and if it is different than Paycheck Late Payment? It is my understanding that Paycheck bought the mold for vixen.

Paycheck has different accents on the molded body
But has a still different but more similar sound to the original

Nothing can touch the original vixen!

Got mine in the mail today. Some subtle differences, but thats exactly what made the original so unique. I will be chunking this one this weekend to see what the deal is.

Tiltman, I'll let you see what the dealio is.

Hmmmmm.....still 'new'....sort of, at fishing and reading on here, first time I have seen or heard the name of Vixen (rods I'm assuming?).
From your post, they have been around a while.......good product?
What makes this a better rod than others? i.e., Dobyns/Duckett ??

Vixen's are a walking type topwater made by Reaction Innovations. They have a near "cult" like following. They were discontinued for several years and are just now making a comeback, but they are not the same as the originals. Some of the original barely legal(small) vixens sell for over $100 on ebay right now.

They are not talking about a rod. A Vixen was a top water bait made by Reaction Innovation. They stopped making them a few years back, but are bringing the top water bait back to action. Was a very good top water bait. In my opinion Reaction Innovation makes baits and soft plastics that catch fish. Give them a try.

I came home today to find 3 old Vixens in the mailbox. Compared them to the new and I agree with Chris. There are some differences. Not saying the new ones are not great baits just saying there are some differences in looks and sounds. Here are the old ones.

Those baits are worth at least $175. I would not open them.