Daiwa Seiryu X
The Daiwa Seiryu X rods are surprisingly nice and surprisingly inexpensive rods for trout, panfish and larger micros. As their name suggests, the rods are seiryu rods, which in Japan are generally used to catch several species of relatively small fish that living at elevations too low for trout. However, some Japanese anglers do use seiryu rods for tenkara fishing.
When casting, the Daiwa Seiryu X rods feel much more like Japanese mid flex tenkara rods than many other seiryu rods do. You get a similar action in a much lighter rod - and at a much lower price because all the money goes into the blank, not an expensive cork grip.
As with
other seiryu rods, they are light weight, relatively soft rods (the 45
measures just 13.5 pennies). However, there is one big difference. The
Daiwa Seiryu X rods are rated for 5X tippets - roughly 50% stronger than
the 6.5X tippets that are the maximum recommended for either the
Suntech Kurenai. Please see my note at the bottom of the page concerning tippet strength, though.
Daiwa Seiryu X 45That doesn't make them big fish rods, but you can certainly catch bigger fish with 5X than you can with 6.5X. I know for a fact the rods are capable of catching fish larger than the chubs and dace that seiryu anglers catch in Japan. (That said, if you know a stream that has some nice creek chubs, these rods would be ideal.) Still, I wouldn't target large fish with any seiryu rod.
I think the Seiryu X could prove to be an excellent choice for tenkara anglers who like the added sensitivity of a corkless grip and the light weight of a seiryu rod, but who wish that seiryu rods were mid flex (like a tenkara rod) rather than tip flex (like the Suntech Kurenai). The Seiryu X rods have much wider grips than the Suntech Kurenai, so even those people who generally add tennis racquet grip tape may not need to.
The Seiryu X would be an excellent rod for Ultralight Worm Fishing.
Daiwa Seiryu X Features
The Daiwa Seiryu X grip is corkless and has an effective nonslip finish. The X's formed by spiral-wrapped graphite tape are clearly visible on the grip area.
They are also visible on the rest of the grip section. The X-wraps, which Daiwa calls "Braiding X," stiffen the grip section and help prevent twisting. In addition to the Braiding X, Daiwa uses a proprietary 45 degree bias-weave cloth to further reduce rod twist and thereby improve power, stability and performance.
Daiwa also machines rings into the butt end of the rod sections. These rings greatly reduce the chance of getting a stuck section and are found only on Daiwa rods.
The grip screw cap is knurled for easy removal or tightening and has a hole for ventilation. The tip plug is wooden, with a hard rubber extension that is inserted into the rod tip. The rubber is fluted, which allows you to insert the plug and still keep the line attached. The plug fits extremely tightly - too tightly, really - so I would not force it all the way in or you may have a hard time removing it. If you would like to replace the tip plug with a Fuji KTC rod cap, the KTC-16 fits the Seiryu x 45.
These rods - and especially at these prices - are likely to shake up the US tenkara market a bit. Light weight, mid flex "tenkara" action, 5X tippet capability and low prices. Daiwa has a winner in this one!
Model
Length
Collapsed
Wt oz*
Sections
Tip mm
Butt mm
Carbon %
Tippet
Pennies
Seiryu X 45
14' 8 1/2"
23 3/8"
2.3
9
0.7
20.9
98%
9X-5X
13.5
Made in Vietnam
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Col. Robert Venables 1662
As age slows my pace, I will become more like the heron.
Warning:
The hooks are sharp.
The coffee's hot.
The fish are slippery when wet.
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This is the most beautiful rod! And sooooooooooo light for a 3.5m!!! Anybody thinking about the new Seiryu X, DOOOOO IT!!!!
Chris L, Alabama
Very nice. Its actually pretty similar to a Japanese tenkara rod in action, so I think it makes a great rod for Tenkara fishing.
Adam K, New York
Thank you again for suggesting the Daiwa Seiryu X rods; they have been a blast! I am learning more about lines and how to fish these lightweight, nimble rods.
Zane D, Idaho
I really enjoy the Daiwa Seiryu X 35. It’s great for 10-13” stocker ‘bows.
Bill P, New Mexico
Got the Daiwa Seiryu X 35 out today for some line testing, cast long #2 fluoro and #3 nylon level lines with the best of em. The rod feels similar while casting to the Oni Itoshiro, maybe an inch or so longer and the penny rating is pretty close. Fit and finish is excellent as always.
Paul N, Washington
I’m happy to report that the rod is more than capable of handling 14” largemouth bass. I’ve been catching largemouth on this rod since I purchased it, usually in the 9-10” range, and caught a 14” largemouth on it while fishing a tributary of the Potomac River earlier this month. When I was landing the fish, I didn’t have any concern about the rod breaking, maybe because I didn’t know better, haha. I have a lot confidence in this rod’s ability to handle all types of fish and have used it virtually everywhere I fish, including for saltwater micros.
Nataline VF, Washington DC