I was at the local Academy and they had this rod. I am looking at the 6'6" MH/F, which feels more like a M/M in my estimation. It would be sort of an in between rod between my Abu Black Max 6'6" M/M and my Lew's Hank Park 6'10" M/F. I could see it becoming my favorite rod.

 

Anyone have experience with this specific model? They also had the 7' of the same ilk, and it was a bit heavier powered, and the tip not quite as flexible.

 

https://daiwa.us/collections/freshwater-rods/products/laguna-rods-icast-release

Ignore the Laguna rods - I got one, used it for a bit, then got rid of it as fast as I could.

 

Spend a little more and get the Aird-X...MUCH better rod.

I like the last gen 7' M "fast" as a trebble hook baitcasting rod.  It has a regular taper and fished a lot like a poverty spec Orochi xXx Black Elsiel II.  

https://jdmtackleheaven.com/products/megabass-orochi-xxx-baitcasting-f4-610k-black-elseil-ii

I had the 7’3” MH and I liked it. Little lighter than it’s rated, and kind of soggy in the tip would’ve made it great for treble hooks and spinnerbaits. Unfortunately, I bought it with the intention of a dedicated spider jig setup, and it was way too loose feeling. I gave it to my neighbor and he’s still slinging cranks on it. 

Sounds like it might suit my purpose.

3 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Ignore the Laguna rods - I got one, used it for a bit, then got rid of it as fast as I could.

 

Spend a little more and get the Aird-X...MUCH better rod.

this in a nutshell....

I bought one for a buddy of mine last year as a Christmas gift. It was the 7' M Fast Spinning. He snapped the tip, about 2in down, bringing in a crappie. He replaced the tip and it broke again about half way down bringing in a small bass.  I would pass. 

1 hour ago, FishTank said:

I bought one for a buddy of mine last year as a Christmas gift. It was the 7' M Fast Spinning. He snapped the tip, about 2in down, bringing in a crappie. He replaced the tip and it broke again about half way down bringing in a small bass.  I would pass. 

Surely it had to have been some issue other than a general quality issue. I flexed several of the rods in the store and there were no issues.

There was a rod, of a different brand that had a broken tip in the store. Another of the Diawa Laguna rods was missing a guide insert. Makes ya wonder what rods go through before they are purchased. 

12 minutes ago, Bazoo said:

Surely it had to have been some issue other than a general quality issue. I flexed several of the rods in the store and there were no issues.

There was a rod, of a different brand that had a broken tip in the store. Another of the Diawa Laguna rods was missing a guide insert. Makes ya wonder what rods go through before they are purchased. 

Nope. I did the same thing before I bought it. In store and on the water use are two different things. 

On 8/22/2025 at 8:38 AM, MN Fisher said:

Ignore the Laguna rods - I got one, used it for a bit, then got rid of it as fast as I could.

 

Spend a little more and get the Aird-X...MUCH better rod.

Yes, this 100%. The Laguna is the budget rod, maybe if I didn’t have a rod and wanted to fish I’d buy one for a one time use and give it to some kid, but the Aird C is basically the gateway into Daiwa rods, they’re decent without breaking the bank.

 

If you want a cheap rod to keep in back of your car that you don’t care if it gets stolen, the Cabela’s Whoopin Stick or Ugly Sticks are the way to go and they make them to take a beating too.

I don't necessarily want a cheap rod. I want a rod that has some flex to the tip. I want a rod that is in-between moderate and fast action. Bending rods in the store, this rod feels like it suits me for action. The more expensive rods I checked, including some other Diawa rods, and a few other brands, all seemed to be too fast of an action.

 

I am also considering how it fits with the 2 rods I currently use as my daily rods, a Black Max 3 M/M and a Lew's Hank Parker M/F.

9 minutes ago, Bazoo said:

I want a rod that is in-between moderate and fast action.

Aird-X again....they say it's a Fast, but I rank it as a Mod-Fast....which is why I use my Aird-X MH/F casting rod for spinners/chatters...just the right flex for those.

11 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Aird-X again....they say it's a Fast, but I rank it as a Mod-Fast....which is why I use my Aird-X MH/F casting rod for spinners/chatters...just the right flex for those.

Thanks. I don't think I checked that model. I'll have to look for one in town somewhere.

On 8/22/2025 at 9:45 AM, Bigbox99 said:

I like the last gen 7' M "fast" as a trebble hook baitcasting rod.  It has a regular taper and fished a lot like a poverty spec Orochi xXx Black Elsiel II.  

https://jdmtackleheaven.com/products/megabass-orochi-xxx-baitcasting-f4-610k-black-elseil-ii

The Laguna I looked at in the store didn't look the same. It was maroon in color and didn't have tapered foregrips like that. The butt was different too,  not as long and more rounded I think.

Never did like the Laguna. I had a Procyon years ago I loved. And the tatula xt are a great $99 rod. But in almost positive you will think the tips too fast. 
 

Why are you looking for such a moderate rod though? 

18 minutes ago, Joedodge said:

Never did like the Laguna. I had a Procyon years ago I loved. And the tatula xt are a great $99 rod. But in almost positive you will think the tips too fast. 
 

Why are you looking for such a moderate rod though? 

One, I'm just trying something new. I like the way a moderate rod casts and feels, but I recognise you don't have the hook setting power of a fast action rod.

 

I could use another moderate rod though because I am using the same rod for crankbaits, flukes, and topwater, which makes it inconvenient sometimes if I want to switch between them.

6 minutes ago, Bazoo said:

One, I'm just trying something new. I like the way a moderate rod casts and feels, but I recognise you don't have the hook setting power of a fast action rod.

 

I could use another moderate rod though because I am using the same rod for crankbaits, flukes, and topwater, which makes it inconvenient sometimes if I want to switch between them.

Nice. Nothing wrong with that. If ya ever get to try any falcon rods toys like them. I have a couple low riders and they are moderate fast. And true to it. Not a moderate. Not a fast. Right in the middle and I do like them a lot. 

28 minutes ago, Joedodge said:

Nice. Nothing wrong with that. If ya ever get to try any falcon rods toys like them. I have a couple low riders and they are moderate fast. And true to it. Not a moderate. Not a fast. Right in the middle and I do like them a lot. 

I believe I've handled a Falcon rod in store. I think Walmart has them. I'll have to give them another look. Thanks.

5 minutes ago, Bazoo said:

I believe I've handled a Falcon rod in store. I think Walmart has them. I'll have to give them another look. Thanks.

Some Walmarts carry the entry level falcons. The lowrider is a great rod at a great price point. Shimano slx rods aren’t bad either. 

On 8/21/2025 at 11:38 PM, Bazoo said:

I was at the local Academy and they had this rod. I am looking at the 6'6" MH/F, which feels more like a M/M in my estimation.

I've had the 7' MH version(701MHFS) for about 6 years. Got it specifically for wading out under overhanging trees in a few lakes where it was otherwise impossible to swing correctly with a baitcaster. 30lb Daiwa J8 on a BG. It would be fair to say that this rod has taken abuse. In the above-described scenario whacking branches in the dark will happen occasionally. I'm also winding in fish through dense lily pad fields and weeds.

 

The rod still looks new. Obviously, no breaks or lost inserts. That said, where others have experienced failures, I've had weird good fortune when it comes to gear not being defective in some way or breaking.

 

Anyway, I wouldn't exactly call it a moderate. Maybe in the way a Dobyn's 3 Power MHF is somewhat moderate in comparison to most MHF rods. No problem launching 5" stick baits though or keeping trebles pinned. Spinning reel drag helps with that.

On 8/23/2025 at 9:20 PM, Bazoo said:

I don't necessarily want a cheap rod. I want a rod that has some flex to the tip. I want a rod that is in-between moderate and fast action.

Daiwa rods have different action across every single line, and for the most part (at least once you get to the Aird-X and up) they are pretty consistent. Daiwa's fast isn't as "fast" as some brands, or as moderate fast as Dobyns, but what you probably want is a Daiwa rod with a R (they call regular I guess) which is basically moderate fast.

On 8/23/2025 at 10:30 PM, Bazoo said:

I could use another moderate rod though because I am using the same rod for crankbaits, flukes, and topwater, which makes it inconvenient sometimes if I want to switch between them.

I would recommend a rod that is medium power and cast action for this.  The Aird-X M/F would be perfect and should cast really well too.

 

Little more tip but less power in the backbone.

 

If not out of your budget, the St Croix Mojo Bass has two rods that would be great for this.

 

The first that comes to mind is the 7'1" M/F model. This is a great all around medium rod, great for crankbaits, topwater, flukes, jerkbaits but is also a really great soft plastics rod at least in the absence of heavier cover

 

The other option that you might consider for a more purpose rod is the 6'8" M/XF rod. It's not as great of a crankbait rod, but it's great for flukes and light topwater but also makes a great jerkbait rod. It runs a little bit lighter in power but has an extra fast tip so it basically bends throughout. What makes it particularly good for jerkbaits is when you get bit on a twitch, you can really feel it but since it's not as stuff as the other St Croix mediums, it still offers plenty of flex to keep them pinned.

I haven't picked up a Laguna yet. I have fondled them in the store a few times though. They are $45 in my local store, and the Aird-X is $60 in store.

 

I did however purchase a 2 piece Aird-X to keep in the car to satisfy that need.

As I've already alluded to - skip the Laguna....it's not worth the cost. Save up a bit more and just get Aird-X rods for low-cost + high performance.

Could you elaborate as to what about them is not worth the cost? When I look at them in the store, I don't see any obvious thing that say "cheap" or "not worth it".

 

I do have high expectations for the Aird-X rod that I have coming. I am already thinking of another.

My experience with the single Laguna I bought was

 - Felt like a broomstick, almost no sensitivity in the tip.

 - Heavy and unbalanced.

 - Seat felt cheap, like it'd break if a crappie breathed on it wrong.

 

Want a rod at a lower price than an Aird-X that still performs well?

 

Okuma Celilo 'B' series. I have the 702L and the 762UL... the former is my main bobber/jig rod for panfish, but I've also used it for Drop-Shot, Shakey and Wackey effectively...the latter is definitely a panfish rig and I toss 1/64oz Trout Magnets on it for bluegill and crappie. Much better rod than the Laguna. And they're 2-piece rods.

 

Oh - the 702L is rated to 5/8oz, so is more in line with a Medium power than an actual Light.

I did get a Daiwa Laguna rod and I like it pretty good. I’ve caught fish up to 4 pounds on it. It is more of a moderate action. I got the 7 foot MH/F version. It’s great for rattle traps, but I feel a little bit of everything on it. It doesn’t seem to be perfect for anyone thing, but it does well with a lot of different things. It is my go to rattle crap rod now.