Daiwa Team Daiwa S TDS-701MXS Spinning Rod Product Review

Rod Review

The Search for One Spinning Rod? Daiwa's TDS-701MXS

Date:	9/24/16
Tackle Type:	Rod
Manufacturer:	Daiwa
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 7.56 - GOOD

Introduction: Earlier we saw Daiwa break the $100 price threshold in a bass rod with the TDS-701-MHXB casting rod. A stick that turned out to be a solid performer at a more than reasonable price. Today, we take a look at one of that stick's siblings, the 7' medium powered TDS-701MXS. Does Daiwa deliver the same type of performance in the spinning interpretation of this line? Let's find out.

Daiwa TDS-701MXS Spinning Rod Specifications
Material	IM-7 Graphite
Length	7'-0"
Line Wt.	6-15lb
Lure Wt.	1/4-3/4oz
Pieces	One
Guides	8+tip Fuji SS/AL Oxide
Rear Handle Length	8.5"
Power Rating	Medium
Taper	Xtra-Fast
Rod Weight	3.8oz
Origin	Made in China
MSRP	$94.99

Quality/Construction: Daiwa's TDS-701MXS Spinning Rod is a seven foot (7'-0") stick built from IM-7 graphite with a mixed white paint(at the handle) and an unsanded but gloss coated (from just above the handle on up) blank same as we saw on the TDS701MHXB casting rod reviewed last year. The rod features a well executed split rear grip of EVA foam and a relatively straight blank and guide alignment.

Quality Ratings for Daiwa TDS-701MXS Spinning Rod
Finish (1-5)	Grip (1-5)	Epoxy (1-5)	Blank (1-2)	Guides (1-2)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
4	5	4	2	2	17	19	8.95

Here's a look at Daiwa's TDS-701MXS.

Performance: For testing, I matched this rod up with a Revros 2500H and headed to Lake Berryessa, CA with Zander in pursuit of some triple crown action (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass).

It's a 7'-0" medium powered spinning rod.

Casting: The TDS-701MXS is a medium powered rod, so it's really more all purpose than it is finesse specific. Just the same, I tended to stay toward the rod's lower end lure rating of 1/4 ounce by fishing small swimbait heads tipped with a paddletail body like the Missile Baits Shockwave. Naturally the TDS-701MXS handled this bait combo just fine and as you'd expect any spinning rod to perform really.

Featuring a very minimal grip.

Sensitivity: There was a time, seemingly not to long ago, when IM-7 graphite was an indication of top-end product. Then came IM-8 and the discussion of tonnage and other designations to confuse the consumer Now we see this former top end material being used in rods retailing for under $100? It's mind boggling at times.

And an extra-fast taper.

It's also mind boggling to think how far blank technology has come because this IM-7 blank, honestly, is just average in terms of sensitivity - pretty much what I'd expect for a rod in this price category, but less than what I'd expect from graphite of this designation. So is it Daiwa's build that has this material not performing to expectations or has the newer material really surpassed IM-7 by that much? This is why we choose to fish a product and decide how it performs for us rather than make an assumption simply due to specifications.

The smallish foregrip is capped off nicely.

Next Section: Sets up quickly on a hookset