Event Article:
2007 ICAST Rod Coverage |
ICAST Coverage Day 3 (Rods) - Let the Rod Wars Begin!
(continued)
Daiwa:
Daiwa enters the rod wars with not a new series, but rather reloads with new
additions to their ultra refined Steez lineup. If you haven't fished a Steez rod
then you are missing out. These rods exhibit amazing sensitivity, but what
strikes anglers most is what isn't there....the weight. The Steez rods are
amazingly light, and after fishing with one for just an hour everything else
feels like your flinging around a flipping stick. Speaking of which, Daiwa
introduced a brand new Compile-X flipping rod at ICAST which is the most robust
rod in the series yet, but still possesses that same light overall weight.
The Daiwa Steez family just grew
by three
While nothing cosmetically different than their
pre-existing siblings in the lineup, the new STZ701MHFBA (7’-0”, MH, one-piece,
SVF graphite casting stick), STZ701MFLSA (7’-0”, ML, one-piece, SVF graphite
spinning stick), and STZ802HFBA (8’-0”, H, two-piece, SVF Compile X graphite
casting stick) are welcome additions to the lineup.
The flipping stick is actually a
two piece rod
All of the rods
feel crisp and feature fast tapers. It remains to be seen if the Compile-X
graphite will be able to handle the demands of heavy fishing in cover, but if it
can it will likely be the lightest, most sensitive, flipping stick ever built by
Daiwa.
The heaviest most powerful Steez
rod yet still feels lighter than just about any normal rod out there
We already reported on the Shimano Cumara rods
earlier in our coverage, and while the Cumara is truly a premium offering the
Steez still stands apart as a true Japanese "Enthusiast" offering, one that can
go neck and neck with the likes of Megabass and Evergreen in many respects.
Fishing one of these rods is dangerous (at least to your bank account), as the
refinement alone suddenly makes it painfully clear just how sensitive and
lightweight a rod can really be.
The first SVF graphite spinning
rod in the Steez family
Saltiga Ballistic
Interline Surf Series: Also new from Daiwa are three very exciting surf
rods, the Saltiga Ballistic Interline Surf Series. There are three 13’ 3” rods
in this lineup ranging from heavy to extra-extra-heavy in power. Each of these
three rods feature Daiwa’s unique, raised internal spiral and Hyper-Dry
treatment that prevents water droplets inside the blank from interfering with
line flow and potentially slowing down your cast.
Who needs distance robbing guides?
The new Interline Saltiga Ballistic series is designed for more casting distance
and superior fish fighting performance
Next Section: Powell focuses on swimbaits