Pure Delight From Daiwa
It’s been a while since our maiden cast with Daiwa’s Infinity X45, but here’s what we really think of them…
Unless you were buying a Nash Power Barrow, set of Basiairs, or your name has come up on the Grenville syndicate waiting list, the chances are, a set of high-end carp rods is the biggest caution-to-the-wind splurge you’re going to make. And that means you’ve got to get it right. Having used the original Infinity DF X45’s and now this new model—Infinity X45—for the past few years, we feel we’re in a position to answer your questions, queries and concerns with some authority—so ask away, please…
YOUR BIG QUESTIONS
Hang on, haven’t these been around for years?
Your knowledge serves you semi-well, dear CARPologist! So yes and no… what you’re looking at here are the new-for-2021 Infinity X45s, which are the next generation to the Infinity DF X45s—a rod which Daiwa built in collaboration with Danny Fairbrass some years back, and one which has since picked up numerous awards. This new model features many new niceties, though, such as a ALPS ARD reel seat, SeaGuide TDG Rings and their clever HVF technology.
What the hell is that?
Yeah, it’s another one of those funny acronyms you only get in product descriptions. In English it stands for High Volume Fibre. Coupling this with Daiwa’s standard-for-this range neat V-Joint, improves rigidity and reduces twist in the blank. And here’s another one: X45. In short, when the carbon is rolled at Daiwa’s Scottish manufacturing plant, they wrap the blanks so they have two sheets of fibre running at 45-degrees. This, combined with the HVF tech, practically eliminates any twist in the rod blank and this not only increases casting accuracy but gives you untouchable fish playing performance.
You always say that! Come on: really, how good are they?
“Astro-biblically astonishing”! (We pinched that phrase off Adam Penning!) Because the rod’s so thin, it’s light, because it’s light it feels more controlled, and because you have more control you have more feel. Singularly the most impressive element about this rod is the level of accuracy it offers (we say singularly, but just the look of them is equally as lust-worthy!). Yes, it casts like shit off a supersonic shovel—extreme-range casting with top-end rods is pretty much a given in today’s world—but it’s the lack of wobble, the sensational tip recovery and control that the Infinity X45s give you which really sets them apart from the competition.
What’s the luxe verdict then? I spend enough time just looking at them, so I want them to look the part too!
Same here! It ticks all the right boxes. Feature-wise, as mentioned at the start of our conversation, it now comes fitted with that hard-nosed ALPS ARD reel seat. Not only does that look a million dollars, but we feel it’s far more comfortable (and hardwearing) than the previous FUJI seat. Along with that customary flawless, smooth, black and understated finish, each one is finished with a slim-and-very-grippy Japanese Shrink Grip Handle, which just gives you the confidence when it comes to ‘giving it the big ‘un’. At the end of that handle there’s the black metal butt cap and precisionly spaced along the blank are the super lightweight SeaGuide
TDG Rings.
You mentioned those earlier—just how light are they?
Have you ever held a Basiair reel? If not, a bit like sitting in a fancy sports car that you can’t afford, just do it for the experience and to get an insight into what’s actually possible at the top-end. It’s the same with these SeaGuide TDG Rings. They make the rod feel ultralight and allow the blank to respond extremely quickly. Just like the Daiwa’s Basia AGS rods (now here’s one for our millionaire readers: combine those with a Basiair and you’re basically holding what feels like a 12ft whip!), these rings not only aid casting distances but they help in that all-important recovery—and they really do. Seriously, people will think you’re Tom Maker when using these—you’ll be hitting a dustbin lid-sized spot at 117yds
with ease!
Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard it all before! So, the big question then: how do these differ in performance and price to other top-end models?
Okay, okay! We’re just mucking around with the Maker comment, but as we all know, having the best kit will always make the job easier. And since CARPology was founded in 2004, we’ve been very fortunate to be able to hold, cast—and on some rare occasions(!)—actually play and land a carp on hundreds of different rods, ranging from £50.00 right up to £825.00 (which
