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Rod Review


CB Rod Wars Part #3 : New Kid on the Block Damiki
 

Date: 4/15/09
Tackle type: Rod
Manufacturer: Damiki
Reviewer: Cal






Total Score: 7.67
- GOOD

 

Introduction: Perhaps no other manufacturer in recent history has garnered as much attention following one of our ICAST reports as new kid on the block, Damiki from Korea. They made a big splash at ICAST 2008 with a very large booth showcasing some high quality, moderately priced gear exciting enough to be considered Enthusiast. And of course, nothing excites our TackleTour readership more than new enthusiast level tackle. When we came to the decision that 2009 would be the Year of the Crank here on TackleTour, this new manufacturer was one of the first we contacted to see if they wanted to take part in our Crankbait Rod Wars. We’re happy to report, their response was an overwhelming yes, and here is our report on the Damiki Dark Angel C761M-CR Medium Cranking Stick

Damiki C761M-CR Specifications

Material Graphite
Length 7'-6"
Length from Back of Reel Seat to Base 10 3/4"
Line Wt. 8-20 lb test
Lure Wt. 3/8 - 1 oz
Pieces 1
Guides 9 + tip (Fuji Alconite)
Power Rating Medium
Taper Moderate
Rod Weight 5.6 oz
Manufacturing Country Korea
MSRP $189


Impressions: The C761M-CR cranking rod from Damiki is a modestly detailed stick possessing a full rear grip and very small foregrip both made of eva foam. Most of the other sticks in the Dark Angel lineup possess the split rear grip design giving them a more contemporary feel, but for some reason, the cranking stick is an exception to this rule. As such, it is a tad less exciting in hand. It’s a long stick at seven feet six inches and a one-piece, moderate tapered, graphite blank.

 


Our first in-depth look at the product from Damiki

Lab Tests: On our RoD WRACK, the C761M-CR reveals an average rate of deflection (RoD) that falls pretty much right smack in the middle of our medium crankers inferring this should be a good general purpose cranker.

Lab Results for Medium Cranking Sticks

Model
Avg RoD (2-32 oz)
Taper
Measured Weight (oz)
Balance Point (inches)
Balancing Torque (ftlbs)
Powell 703CB
2.04
Mod Fast
6.6
9.5
.34
G.Loomis CBR845
2.30
Mod Fast
4.4
9.5
.19
G.Loomis CBR855C GLX
2.26
Mod Fast
4.4
8.5
.20
Fenwick ECC70M-MF
2.28
Mod Fast
5.4
11.5
.30
Falcon Cara CCB-5-173DR
2.25
Mod Fast
4.7
5.5
.12
Airrus WL701M
2.14
Mod
3.9
11.5
.23
E21 CLTX691P-C (proto)
2.05
Mod
3.4
8"
--
E21 21CRG701M-M-C
2.30
Mod
5.1
10.75
.26
Damiki C761M-CR
2.17
Mod
5.6
7.5
.20
Jackall Light Pluggin' HC-65ML
2.22
Fast
4.6
6
.14
Lucky Craft 701MF Fat Mini Magic
2.06
Fast
5.9
9.5
.23
Daiko BRSC-70MG
2.20
Mod Fast
6.3
9
.31
Gancraft KB-003-68M Scarface
2.30
Mod Fast
7
3
.14
MB F4-610GT3 Shiryu
2.22
Fast
5.3
8.5
.27
Quantum TKVD74M
2.15
Fast
5.3
12
.36
Dobyns 684CB
2.26
Mod Fast
4.7
5
.15
Dobyns 705CBMF Glass
2.03
Mod Fast
5
6.75
.19
Dobyns 804CB
2.19
Mod Fast
5.7
8
.26

The weight and balance point of the C761M-CR also falls somewhere in the middle reinforcing the in-hand feel that this stick is neither really light or really heavy nor is it perfectly balanced or excessively tip heavy. For a single piece, 7'6" rod, this balance in "feel" is a good accomplishment.


Fig. 1 : This RoD Deflection Chart shows the deflection characteristics of our Damiki C761M-CR against the averages from each category within our CrankBait Rod Wars.

Real World Test: Approaching the field tests of the C761M-CR from the perspective this should be a good general purpose cranker, the search commenced for the appropriate reel with which to pair this latest entry into the CrankBait Rod Wars. When it comes to cranking, I tend to prefer the round baitcasters. Something about the old school feel of these reels paired with the similarly old school technique of cranking just makes it all seem appropriate for me.


Introducing the Damiki Dark Angel C761M-CR

 

So with the field narrowed thanks to that one qualification, the question was, just which round baitcaster from my arsenal to place on the C761M-CR? Well, the decision really was not that difficult given the rod's red highlights. Really, only one reel is appropriate and that's the 2005 SuperCast Shootout runner-up, Daiwa I'ZE Light 103L.

 


This stick features attractive detailing like an understated JDM stick

I was thrilled to pull this reel out of my vault, dust it off, dab some Yellow Label Rocket Fuel on the spool and sideplate bearings, and spool it with a fresh supply of 14lb Sunline Shooter FC. Once mounted on the C761M-CR it was hard to imagine this rod with any other reel. Obsessive you say? What right minded tackle enthusiast would approach the serious business of matching rod to reel any other way?


Curious enough, while the other rods in Damiki's Dark Angel lineup appear to come with exposed blank reel seat, the C761M-CR does not, and this despite the fact its blank is not overly thick.

 

Next Section: Cast and Crank Away with the Dark Angel

 

   

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