Daiwa Aird X Spinning Rod Review

The Daiwa AIRD-X Braiding-X Spinning Rod may not quite meet the standards for high-end fishing gear, but it’s still an excellent fishing gear investment at a reasonable price.

When you consider that this rod employs a high-quality graphite blank with an included hook keeper, it easily becomes one of the better budget options on the market.

But, can a product with such a low price tag really appeal to experienced and competitive anglers, or is this package an instance of “too good to be true?”

This fishing rod review breaks down the Aird X spinning rod to figure out if you should take it on your next fishing trip or if you’re better off leaving it for someone else to use.

Pros

• Fairly budget-friendly price
• Braided carbon fiber blank
• Fairly sensitive blank

Cons

• EVA foam handle
• Not for braided line
• Only fast action options

Review

Construction (craftsmanship, make quality)

The Daiwa Aird-X rod definitely aims at punching well above its weight class with a construction process that provides a blend of strength with incredible sensitivity.

It accomplishes this feat primarily through the use of its proprietary “Braiding-X” construction for reinforcement without changing the rest of its graphite blank in any significant way.

Keep in mind that Daiwa’s Braiding-X construction employs a cross-thread manufacturing process to prevent graphite blank twist.

This is important for multiple reasons, with the obvious being improved strength and durability, but it also helps increase casting distance and casting accuracy by keeping the blank stable throughout the casting action.

Moving on from the surprisingly capable blank, this spinning fishing rod also comes with a solid guide system, though it’s not necessarily pushing the envelope here.

The Daiwa’s aluminum alloy construction ensures that you don’t have to worry about spending all of your time untangling knots in the fishing line but it comes with its own limitations.

There’s not much to celebrate when it comes to this fishing pole’s handle, which uses EVA foam.

Now, this is a fairly common material for makers to use on fishing pole handles, especially at the angler-friendly price point, but it’s almost a bit disappointing in comparison when you consider what they did with the blank.

Length

Daiwa Aird fishing rods should have your favorite size in one item model or another, regardless of your preferred size.

Though this spinning rod series doesn’t offer the widest array of different lengths for you to choose from, it still provides more than many– and definitely more than most within its price range.

Granted, none of these lengths extend beyond the most common range, but with models from 5’6″ to 7′, as well as 6′ and 6’6″, you shouldn’t have trouble finding one that’s the right size for the waters you fish.

When combined with the pole’s other specs, this approach also allows you to fine-tune exactly how much of a boost to accuracy you need.

Material

The Aird X spinning rod utilizes a quality graphite material that meets most fishermen’s expectations by blending strength with exceptional sensitivity.

It’s worth noting that the durable graphite material is made all the more so with the Braiding X build, but this approach has a couple of other effects that influence the rest of the build too.

A perfect example of this is the resin used to help hold all of the carbon fiber graphite threads together.

Where most makers need to apply a healthy amount of resin to ensure that the carbon fiber threads stay together, the Braiding X design affords this spinning rod additional strength and durability, allowing Daiwa to use less resin.

The use of aluminum oxide for the guide system is a fairly common choice that definitely focuses on how you will use this rod.

The material comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, but the biggest knock on using aluminum oxide is its durability. However, what you gain with smoothness might make up for that tradeoff.

One area that’s a bit more difficult to square is the EVA foam handle since Daiwa didn’t seem to do anything special to improve on or account for EVA foam’s limitations.

It’s worth noting that spin casting poles that cost three times as much will often use EVA foam for their handles, but they’ll also alter the build to improve on it.

However, a merely “adequate” handle material shouldn’t be a big detractor at this price.

Action

The rod action of a fishing pole is one of the two primary specs you need to choose to ensure you get the right rod for your needs (with power being the other).

However, this Daiwa spinning series takes that choice entirely out of your hands by only making this rod lineup with a fast action taper, though this decision isn’t all that unusual with a budget-friendly option.

Keep in mind that the fast action taper has numerous advantages like significantly increasing casting accuracy while also improving the spinning pole’s sensitivity.

However, that decision makes a lot more sense with longer poles where the additional accuracy may be necessary but less sense with shorter poles that are already accurate and could use the bump to their casting distance.

Power

Given its position as a durable spin caster with an angler-friendly price, it’s a bit surprising that the Aird X offers such a wide range of different power ratings to choose from.

Budget-oriented fishing poles, regardless of their casting type, sit firmly in the medium power setting with maybe a divergence above the Medium heavy range.

However, Diawa understands that different power ratings work better for fighting fish of their appropriate strength category to prevent damaging either your rod or the fish (and potentially losing it).

Because of this, the Aird X includes a medium-light option along with the expected medium and medium-heavy models but also throws in an ultra-light power rod for good measure.

Though, this spinning pole skips the light power setting altogether, which is a shame when you see how many shorter models they make.

Rod Guides

This Daiwa spin-cast rod lineup only uses aluminum oxide guides, which is decent, though the company doesn’t use any special material for the guide inserts.

Keeping with the industry trend of questionable durability, especially when casting heavier lures or using a braided fishing line, the 1st guide on this rod is the only one with consistent potential issues.

Like all aluminum oxide guides, the ones used for the Aird X offer exceptionally smooth action to help prevent tangles when casting while also reducing the line from slapping the pole.

This last bit increases the casting distance, though it’s not a great boost given the rest of this lineup’s specs, but the biggest issue with aluminum guides is their durability.

That said, these guides are no more or less durable than the numerous other aluminum oxide options available on the market.

Handle (material, shape, etc)

Rather than using the more popular premium cork, Daiwa opts instead to go with a comfortable EVA foam split-grip handle.

It’s worth noting that this handle mostly lives up to its billing as comfortable with the caveat that, depending on your reel, your front finger may actually sit on the carbon fiber graphite blank– though this can be a blessing in disguise.

A foam grip handle may be more comfortable than high-quality cork, but it doesn’t transfer vibration as well (which shouldn’t be much of an issue for this model anyway).

However, if your finger sits on the bare rod, you shouldn’t have to worry about losing any vibrations.

The built-in hook keeper is a nice touch not found on many models with this angler-friendly price.

Uses (Who is this good for)

The choice for gear is full of excellent options, but making sure that the choice is one of the superior and affordable options is a bit trickier.

Thankfully, the Daiwa Aird-X series mostly accomplishes this with solid materials and excellent manufacturing processes, making this option a no-brainer choice for an extra rod in even the most competitive angler’s bag.

Of course, likely the best use for this fishing spinning rod is as the first rod for a beginner.

Aside from the fact that the spin-cast design makes it easier for inexperienced fishermen to learn, the price means you won’t lose much if the hobby doesn’t stick.

It also doesn’t hurt that this rod can take a far heavier beating than most of its contemporaries.

That said, this fishing pole is not exactly saltwater suitable for consistent fish catching, especially when dealing with some of the larger species that put up plenty of fight.

However, it’s still worth giving a shot with such a small investment, even if you tend to fight with strong fish.

Conclusion (Wrap Up)

Daiwa AIRD-X Braiding-X Casting Rod has a graphite bar with a blend of strength that more than meets your expectations in sensitivity without having to pay crazy price tags and hope you don’t end up with a bad product.

Like many Daiwa products, you can choose your favorite size without having to worry about the build quality or genuine strength.

On top of that, this fishing pole also comes with a convenient hook keeper that’s just a cherry on top of an awesome product, further highlighting its affordable price point as nearly unprecedented.

Granted, this isn’t a fishing rod without flaws, but those are more minor inconveniences when compared to similarly-priced competitors.