Daiwa Basia DF X45 Rods
Grrrrrrrrrr. That is all. Thanks Daiwa, these are just… Well… Grrrrrrrrr
The Basia badge has a long, proud history dating back almost a decade now. It’s spawned a few siblings, most notably the Basiair - the world’s lightest big pit carp reel, and it’s turned from silver to matt black and now even heads up Daiwa’s DCR (Daiwa Custom Revolution) reel facility.
To cut a long story short: originally the Basia badge was only given to their reels, but last year Daiwa launched the Basia AGS - the world’s (there’s a theme emerging here) lightest carp rod thanks to featuring all carbon rings. For 2017 they’ve introduced the Basia DF X45: a new rod designed by Korda’s main man, Danny Fairbrass. Of course it’s packed with tech but more importantly than that, it’s Daiwa’s first carp rod to feature a lovely cork handle…
The Big Questions
You sure this is a Daiwa rod?
When you think Daiwa, you probably think Scottish, hand-made, matt black, Danny Fairbrass (DF). While the Basia DF might carry that same DNA heritage, until now, they’ve only produced their rod handles with either full-length duplon or abbreviated - never cork… Well, until now.
They really do look amazing.
Indeed. But the Basia DF isn’t just about looks - under those cosmetics is a rod with some serious technical spec. The rod’s blank actually dates back over a decade, to the company’s legendary Magnum Taper profile. The balance, tip speed and versatility, even in high test curves, have remained unsurpassed. Until now that is… By combining a core of ultra high modulus low resin fibre, armoured in X45 with outer layers of bias carbon, the rod geniuses at Daiwa have been able to bring a rod with astonishing power conversion combined with straight line compression and release.
So I take it that means it casts better?
Most definitely. Because the rod doesn’t flex left or right during the compression and release stages, and recovers in nano-second timing, it means where you aim that lead, is where that lead will lead! Seriously, it’s incredible. The Basia DF doesn’t just launch your hookbait a darn well either - the playing performance is stunning. It’s soft and forgiving but powerful and insanely responsive all at the same time.
Are there any other clever features?
Yes. You have to remember this is a top-end luxury rod from Daiwa - the company who brought us the legendary Amorphous rods, carbon guides and matt black styling. Furnished to the same ‘Custom’ standard as other DF rods, each model features Minima 4 Guides. These combined with the redesigned blank help reduce the weight by almost 10%.
What about the bling?
There’s plenty of bling, but just not as you know it. A 50mm butt guide comes as standard which along with the other rings are whipped and varnished into place with a silk matt low-glare finish. The Fuji DPS reel seat feels comfy in the hand, whilst the black metal butt cap and profiled NS shrink tube handle look the part.
Hang on, I thought you said they were available in cork?
Woah, chill! They are! For the first time ever, Daiwa have taken the DF option to a new place with the first ever cork handle options. Whilst the shrink tube handle option is available on all models, which are 2.75, 3, and 3.25lb TC in 12ft and 3.75lb TC in a 13ft option, the cork optional extra is in place on all 12ft model.
Impressive. So are they hand-made?
They most certainly are. Each rod goes through a production build like that of an Audi R8. Each part, from cutting and rolling the carbon to whipping and varnishing the guides on, is all carried out at Daiwa’s HQ in Wishaw, Scotland.
The attention to detail and quality control is second-to-none.
Dare I ask… How much?
They’re not cheap, that’s for sure. But then never is a Bentley Continental or a Rolls-Royce Phantom. The RRP’s start at £550.00 and top out at £599.99 for the 13ft model, but if you do some Google searches you should be able to pick them up for around £100.00 less than that. Are they worth it? Hell, yeah they are. daiwasports.co.uk