Didn’t see too many reviews on this since its new so I thought I’d do a quick write up just to give people an idea if they’re on the fence about picking one up.

 

Ordered the 7’ M Spinning model to use as an all around finesse rod. Got a chance to take it out today..I currently have it paired with a Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 2500 (Shimano on Daiwa I know, blasphemy lol). I was mainly throwing around a 1/8 Okashira Screwhead with a Hazedong Shad, balance wise, it balances at the end of the foregrip, very comfortable to hold. The tip on this particular model is pretty stiff, probably could’ve done with the ML and be fine but I have no issue with it. Rod loads on a cast quite well and especially on a hookset, backbone is great, had no issue bringing in 2lb Spots and even a 5lb Channel Cat (who knew they eat Okashira Screwheads lol). Sensitivity wise, if I had to compare it to a rod I own casting or spinning, I would say its on par if not better than my Megabass Levante DSR.

 

Now what I don’t like..I don’t like that it doesn’t have a hook keeper, minor issue I know but its just an inconvenience. I’m also having issue with the locking nut on the reel seat Which is on the bottom coming loose everytime I go to hook a fish. Now, I’m not sure if thats because its new But I’m hoping with more time it’ll break in and stay still.

 

All in all I’m pretty happy it, its aesthetically pleasing to look at, has that JDM look and feel to it.

Just when I thought things couldn't get worse, world health crisis, no baseball, and now someone is fishing a Diawa Shimano combo right out in the open.  Even writing a review about it.  I know it is a free country,do what you want, and  I do have to admire your courage, but, you might consider keeping that combo in the rod locker. LoL

On 5/13/2020 at 10:58 PM, king fisher said:

now someone is fishing a Diawa Shimano combo right out in the open

For far too long we have let corruption in the bass fishing world go unchecked and this is the final straw. Where are my crusaders?! We will retake Lake Guntersville!!

When I first read the title, I thought this was going to be a thread on hard core Daiwa fans jumping ship and swimming ? toward Shimano.  Now that would be a day and a half.

 

Thanks for the review. I used to demand that rods I buy have hookkeepers but long ago I changed 180 to prefer no keeper. Last thing I want are scratches on my rod blank and I don’t have super high end rods. I think that is why I think many “higher end” rods don’t have keepers because something that expensive probably shouldn’t be marred with such scratches. I suppose one is that uptight about scratches on a blank like someone whose awesome sports car got keyed by a jealous X, lol. 

32 minutes ago, islandbass said:

When I first read the title, I thought this was going to be a thread on hard core Daiwa fans jumping ship and swimming ? toward Shimano.  Now that would be a day and a half.

 

Thanks for the review. I used to demand that rods I buy have hookkeepers but long ago I changed 180 to prefer no keeper. Last thing I want are scratches on my rod blank and I don’t have super high end rods. I think that is why I think many “higher end” rods don’t have keepers because something that expensive probably shouldn’t be marred with such scratches. I suppose one is that uptight about scratches on a blank like someone whose awesome sports car got keyed by a jealous X, lol. 

I prefer no keeper so I can add a Fuji EzKeeper. It extends further from the blank and I can place it anywhere I want. Half the time the manufacturers put them in ridiculous spots.

I'm not spending bucco bucks on rods, so I'm not that concerned with using the supplied keepers.

 

I'd like Diawa to use the one that my Laguna has more often. It's like the EZ-Keeper in that it flips down when not in use and sits out further from the rod when in use...now that one I like.

 

2 hours ago, Tywithay said:

Half the time the manufacturers put them in ridiculous spots.

Like behind the reel seat? That's where my Dobyns Fury 702SF, Diawa Arid-X 661MFS and Okuma Stratus VI S-702MH spinning rods have them.

 

Wait...what?!

 

Put Fuji EZ-Keepers on those three.

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

 

 

Like behind the reel seat? That's where my Dobyns Fury 702SF, Diawa Arid-X 661MFS and Okuma Stratus VI S-702MH spinning rods have them.

 

Wait...what?!

 

Put Fuji EZ-Keepers on those three.

I don't get that either, I never want the hooks behind my hand when I am hiking along with a rod.  

4 hours ago, Tywithay said:

I prefer no keeper so I can add a Fuji EzKeeper. It extends further from the blank and I can place it anywhere I want. Half the time the manufacturers put them in ridiculous spots.

I like and use those too. No doubt on those ridiculous spots. Both of these also pushed me toward the preference of no keeper. 
 

 

17 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

It is a JDM thing.  They use the 1st guide as a hook keeper and look at us weird for insisting that there be a hook keeper on the rod.  

Funny, I remember when I was a kid, we always used the first guide as a hook keeper. as far as I remember that's how everyone did it. That would have been in the 1960's. I wonder when hook keepers became a thing?

1 hour ago, NOC 1 said:

Funny, I remember when I was a kid, we always used the first guide as a hook keeper. as far as I remember that's how everyone did it. That would have been in the 1960's. I wonder when hook keepers became a thing?

I think it had to do with the invention of the fancy ceramic guide inserts. People were probably cracking them with sinkers, then calling them junk even though it was their fault.