snakeheader357's Full Review: Daiwa Heartland Spinning Rods
I first got my Daiwa Heartland spin rod about two years. It is a 2-piece medium action spin rod, rated for lines from 6 - 14 pound, recommended for lures ranging from 1/4 - 3/4 oz weight. Here's my opinion of it.
1. Build quality:
The Heartland is built on an IM6 graphite blank. IM basically is an industrial grading of graphite based on tensile modulus. Tensile modulus, in layman's terms, is a measure of calculating how much longer a material will elongate under a certain load, the units being in pounds per square inch (PSI). In the tackle industry, the higher IM number means that it does not elongate as much compared to a lower IM number under equal tensile loading conditions.
Therefore, one IM8 rod will resist elongation better than an IM6 rod under equal tensile loading.
Transfering this to rod building, it means that you can use a smaller diameter blank which is comparably strong or better to make fishing rods.
The finishing is of high quality, using Fuji Silicon Carbide single foot guides which are very tough and resistant to abrasion even when using the modern gelspun. Fuji reel seats are used and the cork handles feel comfortable for long casting sessions. It is finished in a brown color creating that classic look of fiberglass rods.
2. Functionality
I was quite skeptical at the new Fuji concept of having 9 rings on a spin rod, compared to the usual 6 rings on a 7 footer rod. But a week after using it, I noticed it casts further. And two years down the road, I have used a 20x handlens and inspected the guides for abrasion (I used Fireline 10 and 20 lb exclusively during this time) and was pleased to know that the guides are still in good shape.
The guides are also well positioned in spreading the load evenly and preventing the lines from rubbing the blank, evident when I loaded the road to the max hooking up 8 to 14 lb fish several times. The only downside is that the extra guides are also more susceptible to bending and breaking during packing ( I replaced the guides twice plus the tiptop once) so extra care is needed when backpacking this rod.
The two piece rod plus the IM6 blank makes for a light rod to carry on extended pack trips and easy to maneuver in thick foliage of the rain forest surrounding the Malaysian rivers. The hook keeper near the handle makes for an extra nice touch.
The rod slightly lack backbone when it comes to steering fish out of snags but the extra length gives you some comfort in cushioning the sudden runs. I have fished for stream trout up to 3 lbs in Utah and Idaho and think that this rod would suit well for such purpose. However, I wouldn't recommend it for casting soft plastic lures in estuaries in Malaysia where you might encounter dirty fighting fish like mangrove jacks or barramundi.
3. Value:
For about 60 US dollars, you get a high tech blank with high tech well-placed guides and other nice touches, would you complain?
Daiwas Heartland spinning rods boast quality IM6 construction and sensitivity, yet they dont carry a huge price tag. The Daiwa X-treme Guide placement...More at eBay
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