Sensitivity: After catching decent sized fish I started to get used to the rods characteristics. It is very sensitive and Daiwa did an excellent job fusing the SVF graphite with the STT tip. The transition is seamless and I'm not sure how far down the titanium wired tip goes through the blank but the changeover is not noticeable. As I noticed in my very first fish battle the rod is a lot of fun to fish with, simply because the tip comes alive both when twitching lures to life and when there is a live fish on the line.

Telegraph tests were very affirmative and I found that I could detect even the slightest vibrations on the end of the tip. No matter how thin diameter a line you use the rod transfers vibration nicely due to premium Fuji SiC guides. These silicon carbide guides are very sensitive and durable enough to even fish with straight braid and a fluorocarbon leader if you wish.  

Power: Power is somewhat deceiving on this rod. After months of use I concluded that the rod is actually quite powerful, though the first few times you fish the rod it may not feel that way. The tip takes so much of the load that at times it feels like the main graphite blank should be doing more. After time I started placing more faith in the super thin tip, telling myself... "it won't break."

I trust titanium used in spinnerbaits but bearing all the load on my rod? No the tip never did break, in fact it never faltered. Once you reach that that comfort level you can begin horsing fish around with the same ease of mind you have when fishing a traditional Daiwa LT rod.

Durability: Durability was the area I had the most concern about when I first started fishing with this rod. The initial skepticism has been replaced with confidence after a half season of fishing with the Cielo. The titanium tip is obviously the biggest point of concern, but after deliberately stressing the tip with 3 lbs of counter pressure I was satisfied that the tip would easily address any real life applications. The Fuji SiC guides are top notch, and the exclusive custom designed tournament reel seat held my reel securely without any issues. To shield the blank from damage the durable clear coat proved to be effective at thwarting knicks and scratches. A big plus to cap it all off is that anglers don't have to take a chance with this rod, as Daiwa includes a Limited Lifetime Warranty with the package. So go ahead and stress that STT tip without trepidation!

Ergonomics: The Cielo has many features that put it right up there with import offerings in terms of quality ergonomics. Let's start with the exclusive reel seat which is painted to match the rod, and comes with that oh so sweet clicking metal reinforced clamp. Next we move on to the natural cork grips which feature Duracork reinforcement for more long term durability. The butt of the rod has a metal balancing ring, and a Daiwa insert. The front of the foregrip is topped off with a gold winding check, and yes...the rod comes with a open ended hook hanger, making it easy to secure any drop shot weight quickly and easily. We found the rod weighted and balanced better than most drop shot rods, but on the downside it is slightly heavier than some competitors with a total weigh in of 4.7oz

Price & Applications: This rod can handle other light baits for other applications like jig and worm or darter head fishing, but it doesn't shine at these secondary applications. This rod, more than any other drop shot rod we have tested, is made with a singular purpose....to be a lethal drop shot stick. If you want a rod that can do it all...this isn't it. If you like...no, love drop shotting, then the Cielo is calling for you. With the slightest of twitches this rod can work miracles. Never has it taken so little to bring so much lifelike action to your vertically rigged baits.