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Last Updated on 11 September 2024 by James Bevan
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.
| Name | Overall Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nash X Series Carp Rod | 7.8 | from £69.99 |
| Sonik Insurgent | 7.8 | from £79.99 |
| ESP Onyx Quickdraw Carp Rod | 7.7 | from £84.95 |
| Daiwa Longbow X45 | 8.7 | from £239.99 |
| Shimano TX7 Carp Rod | 8.9 | from £178.97 |
| Daiwa Emblem Carp Rod | 8.5 | from £74.99 |
“Amazing, strong, reliable and the price was unbeatable” (1)
“Great rod. Very happy with it” (1)
“Excellent for the money, lots of power and accuracy would highly recommend.” (2)
Review Source:
| Length | Test Curve | Ideal For | Max Cast Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 ft | 3lb | Small to medium sized venues. Good all-round rod | 80 yds |
| 12 ft | 3lb | Medium sized venues. Good all-round rod | 110 yds |
| 12 ft | 3.5lb | Medium to Larger venue where a little more distance is required and when larger fish are being targeted | 150yds |
| 13 ft | 3.5lb | Large waters where distance casting and fishing for specimens is the scenario | 165 yds |
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.
Advantages
Disadvantages
I’ll be honest. When I first laid my hands on the Daiwa Emblem Carp Rods I really didnt know what to expect.
After reading the features and specifications, I saw some great Daiwa technology such as HVF (high volume fibre) and the great v-joint technology.
But at the price point Daiwa were pitching the Emblem at, I thought surely there will be some compromises. I have to say though, I was pleasantly surprised.
Okay, so they dont perform as well as the Elite Daiwa Infinty X45, not many rods do, but they do offer a well-balanced, powerful yet subtle product that deals with 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 previously mentioned, the Daiwa Emblem is a really well-balanced rod. As such, it scores highly when assessing against its ability to cast and play fish.
Out of the two test curves available, I preferred the 3lb option however I was only fishing up to 100yards. If I needed to go further I would opt for the 3.5lb option but having said that I am a distinctivly average caster at best.
One of my biggest criticisms of the rod is that it doesnt come in a 3.25lb test curve option. I feel the jump from 3lb to 3.5lb test curve is too great and 3.25lb would offer more versatility across the whole range.
The 3lb test curve feels great when playing fish although I would feel more comfortable if I had a little bit extra power, especially if fishing next to weed or snags.
The 10 foot length is equally as well balanced as the 12 and 13 foot versions which is great for those anglers who prefer a shorter rod. I didnt go stalking when I tested it but I can just tell it would be a great for roaming if needed.
And finally, the rods appearance…
This seems to divide the carp angling community, mostly because the rods look is very simplistic.
Personally I love it and I feel the understated finish in the rod offers a degree of sophistication, as if ito say ‘try me, you wont regret it’.
If you dont like the colour black, however, this rod isnt for you as it literally is black from tip to toe.
Overall I really enjoyed testing the Daiwa Emblem Carp Rod and this is shown in its very high score, especially when married up with its affordable price-point. Well done Daiwa.
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