Reviews & Where To Buy
The Daiwa Emblem carp rod is pitched as a mid-tier carp rod in terms of price point, however, there is a noticeable difference between its performance compared to more budget options.
The rod is better suited for carp anglers that are perhaps ready to start investing a bit in their carp gear but don’t want to stretch to the price extremes of the more premium rods out there.
The Emblem also comes in a 10-foot version and I found this to be a great option for those that prefer a shorter rod for their carp fishing or for carp anglers looking for a decent stalking rod to complement their current arsenal.
The handle
The handle on the Emblem Carp Rods comes in a comfortable shrink-wrap material with a flared butt and black cap made from aluminium.
It’s a simple, but effective handle which I felt was comfortable to hold and grip even with cold and wet hands.
The reel seat
The reel seat is pretty bog standard being a Seaguide DBS style. It’s capable of housing all reel sizes including big pits.
It has a pretty understated look about it being all matte black with a slight grey tone to it.
On testing, I never experienced any movement of my reel and it held rock solid for the entire session.
The eyes/guides
The black theme on the rod continues into the eyes with these too being all black. They are lightweight and made from stainless steel so are hardy and robust.
Again, I found the eyes simple but effective allowing me to cast a 4oz lead effectively at approx 100 yards.
The blank
Yes, you’ve guessed, the blank is all black. It really is an understated and simple-looking rod but this simplistic appearance gives the rod an air of sophistication about it.
Even the logo blends into the whole black theme with the gloss finish being hardly noticeable against the matt black coating in some lights.
The blank is made from Daiwa’s famous high-volume fibre materials that alongside the V-joint technology ensure the rod feels good in the hands when casting and playing fish.
I’ll be honest. When I first laid my hands on the Daiwa Emblem Carp Rods, I really didn’t know what to expect.
After reading the features and specifications, I saw some great Daiwa technology, such as HVF (high volume fibre) and the impressive V-joint technology.
But at the price point Daiwa was pitching the Emblem at, I thought there would surely be some compromises. I have to say, though, I was pleasantly surprised.
Okay, so they don’t perform as well as the Elite Daiwa Infinity X45, not many rods do, but they offer a well-balanced, powerful yet subtle product that handles the key fundamentals of carp fishing really well.
In my assessment of the rod, it scored an overall rating of 8.5. This is close (albeit slightly lower) than the much more expensive Longbow X45 M and significantly higher than similar models from other brands, such as the Nash X Series and Sonik Insurgent.
As I mentioned earlier, the Daiwa Emblem is a really well-balanced rod. It scores highly when assessed for its casting ability and how well it plays fish.
Out of the two test curves available, I preferred the 3lb option. However, I was only fishing up to 100 yards. If I needed to go further, I would opt for the 3.5lb option, but I’ll admit I’m a distinctly average caster at best.
One of my biggest criticisms of the rod is that it doesn’t come in a 3.25lb test curve option. I feel the jump from 3lb to 3.5lb is too great, and a 3.25lb option would provide more versatility across the range.
The 3lb test curve feels great when playing fish, although I’d feel more comfortable with a bit more power, especially when fishing near weed or snags.
The 10-foot length is just as well-balanced as the 12- and 13-foot versions, which is great for anglers who prefer shorter rods. I didn’t go stalking when I tested it, but I can tell it would be fantastic for roaming if needed.
And finally, the rod’s appearance…
This seems to divide the carp angling community, mostly because of its simplistic design. Personally, I love it. The understated finish gives the rod a degree of sophistication, as if to say, “Try me; you won’t regret it.”
If you don’t like the colour black, however, this rod isn’t for you as it’s entirely black from tip to toe.
Overall, I really enjoyed testing the Daiwa Emblem Carp Rod, and this is reflected in its high score, especially when paired with its affordable price point.
Well done, Daiwa.
Here is how the Daiwa Emblem Carp Rod compares against other products in its category.
| Name | Overall Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nash X Series Carp Rod | 7.8 | £39.99 |
| Sonik Insurgent | 7.8 | £89.96 |
| ESP Onyx Quickdraw Carp Rod | 7.7 | £84.95 |
| Daiwa Longbow X45 | 8.7 | £269.99 |
| Shimano TX7 Carp Rod | 8.9 | £224.99 |
| Daiwa Emblem Carp Rod | 8.5 | £133.65 |
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