Good morning all,

I would like to ask if someone know how these 3 different models compare to each other? Are the upgrades indeed better than previous models?

Daiwa Longbow in following versions:
- DF
- X45
- X45 M (magnum taper)

I am looking into buying 2 sets of rods second hand and Daiwa is a brand that I can't try anywhere in shops here (the Netherlands)

I just saw a nice set of 2 DF versions, but I wonder if the x45 will be an upgrade, or even the x45 magnum taper version that should be even better (according to the blurb).

In reply to Post #1
No one can offer some insight, please?

In reply to Post #2
Yes they are all ***** get yourself harrisons or century

In reply to Post #3
Hi Jeff, thanks for your reply.

I really dislike Harrison, so that is not going to happen. I seen some video's and the longbows really seem to have the exact action I am looking for. Why do you think Daiwa rods are *****?

In reply to Post #4
Never mind if you dont like Harrison im wasting my breath

In reply to Post #5
But he's seen a video... and daiwa's own marketing blurb says it's great...

In reply to Post #6
Why such a strange comment? I never said it was a Daiwa video. If someone catches a fish on a rod, you can see the action, right? This makes you can compare it to other rods you have tried.

In reply to Post #7
Lol

In reply to Post #1
I have had a few casts with the 12' 3.75 in DF and x45 (I think the Magnum taper). I preferred the x45, but then I like the lightness of Minima rings.

A friend who used to work at Korda said they all swapped from Df to x45 (but not Basia rods) when they came out.

But when I cast them side by side I preferred the Aviator Plus over the Daiwa though. Not by a lot, but enough that I would choose them. And you can get them built with the components you want.

In reply to Post #9
Thanks for that reply Kieron. Really helpful!

In reply to Post #9
The x45's were available in df format in both longbow and infinity. The korda boys were never offered the basia rods as far as I'm aware .

In reply to Post #11
The Korda lads all loved the infinity's
With there discount they could sell them after a cpl years and still make a profit

Been after a set myself tbh

I have 4 original Longbow DF's in 12' 3.5tc that I bought about 15 years ago I was off on my first trip to Rainbow they were cheap at £150 a pop and a step up from the 3lb tc I had at the time I bought them for using there not for their casting ability I wanted a tool that could drop 12oz leads and if I needed to bend into the fish to make them come around to my way of thinking what with the snags etc... something with a bit of backbone was what I was after they were the right price at the time as in I wasn't bothered about banging them about in boats rattling them through rests etc.. they were going to do a job, those rods only ever dropped 12 ounce leads until about 4 or so years ago when I went to 10 foots for the boat work, rather than retire the DF's I actually used them on a large 50 acre pit for ****ing out 4 and 5 oz leads replacing my ESP Tectrix in 3.25tc the DF's coped with the job in hand admirably and slightly better than the ESP which were alright with leads up to 3.5oz at 4oz which was the maximum I used on the ESP's always felt a bit overloaded at that, playing fish on the Longbows is what it is but I wasn't overly bothered they were doing a job and a better replacement for the ESP Vertex the DF's were putting rigs out where I needed to be at 130/140 yards with ease and I didn't have a care if I blew one up they'd paid me back over the years.
as a comparison locally a few years ago some Joey was selling 3 of the DF X45's for £200 notes so I bought them for the same task as they had the X45 weave and lighter ring sets the old Longbows which will still do a job went into retirement I've found the X45's are slightly better at coping with the heavier leads and recovery after the cast but basically still do the same, you couldn't buy one of the X45's for £200 at the time , then not long after they brought out the X45 M.

I have some 11ft 3lb Harrison baby Ballista rods of Jeff and they're used on a small 2 acre pool with fish to 40lb a tool for a different task/experience, lovely for feeling the fish on the fight with a cushioning bend right through work like a bungee tiring the fish out but I wouldn't want to chance ****ing a 4/5oz lead out to 130/140 yards on them on the 50 acre pit.

Different tools for different fools, you can spend £1500 notes at £500 a rod on a full custom build or you can spend half that and still get a decent set that will do a job admirably.

In reply to Post #13
Hi Ian,

Thanks for your comprehensive view and experience. Lovely news! In the 15 years you had the df versions: has the spigot given you any issues (worn, loose etc)? That is my only concern as overfit is more common and less on a potential issue, possibly?

In reply to Post #14
Never been an issue for me.