Shopping for a new Daiwa fishing rod like a surf rod or a jigging rod? Getting a rod that’s compatible with your other tackle as well as appropriate for the discipline you intend to pursue is critical to success.
And, fortunately, you will be able to apply these principles to your purchase of other fishing rods as well, so take notes.
Rod Material
The majority of Daiwa fishing rods today are made of graphite, which is a lightweight, high-strength, highly flexible material. Chances are any Daiwa you come across will be made of this.
However, there are some other manufacturers that still make rods from fiberglass, a material that is comparable in strength and flexibility to graphite, but which is much, much tougher even though it is heavier. Therefore, some surf rods, fly rods, and jigging rods are still made of fiberglass (sometimes simply referred to as glass).
Rod Action
Action and weight are two specifications that some anglers get confused about, so it is important to know the difference.
Action refers to how readily the rod bends when pressure is applied to the tip. A very light action (also called a slow rod) will bend very easily. You can get quite a parabolic bend in a slow rod.
On the other end of the spectrum, a rod with a fast action rod will be quite stiff and will not readily bend. The faster the rod, the more sensitive, so they’re good for fishing for species that don’t bite aggressively, so you can detect the strikes.
Rod Weight
Rod weight, on the other hand, refers to the actual strength of the rod. Therefore, a rod with a heavy weight is better for fishing for larger, stronger fish (and for throwing heavier lures) than a rod with a lighter weight.
Think of it this way – the lighter the rod weight, the lighter the line and the lures and (generally) the smaller the species of fish you’ll be targeting.
Rod Length
The key reason you should care about rod length is that with a longer rod, you can cast further. This makes long rods necessary where extra leverage is needed, such as when centerpin fishing, or more commonly, when surfcasting or fly fishing.
The tradeoff with a longer rod is that it is harder to work a longer rod for a greater duration of time. This is why many heavy action rods and jigging rods are so short.
Suggested Line Weight
A Daiwa fishing rod will also be stamped with a recommended line weight. This is not a hard or fast rule but given as a suggestion for a good pairing between their respective sensitivities. For instance, spooling up the reel on your ultralight rod with 25-pound test is going to deaden the sensitivity, not to mention compromise capacity.
So, for what it’s worth, try to stay within the recommended line weight. Err on the lighter side if you care more about sensitivity and casting distance, and on the heavier side if you are worried about break-offs.
Suggested Lure Weight
Like line weight, suggested lure weight is just that – a suggestion. There is no hard or fast rule here. However, you will struggle to cast a 1 ounce lure with an ultralight Daiwa fishing rod, so keep that in mind. The suggestions are there for a reason and it benefits you to keep to them.
Re-Outfit with a New Daiwa Fishing Rod Today
Looking for a new Daiwa fishing rod for one of the reels that lying fallow in your collection? Just want to replace one that’s recently broken?
Check out what’s in store over at No Bad Days Kayak. They carry a wide range of Daiwa fishing rods and reels and represent other brands, too. Take a look through their collection and if you’re looking for recommendations, get in touch with them.
