Daiwa Ninja X Feeder Rod Review

How It Scores

Overall Rating

8.1
Build Quality8.5
Casting Ability8.0
Playing Fish8.0
Value For Money8.0

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£59.99
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Top Line

A good performing feeder rod at a great price

Perfect for beginners

A decent option for using the method feeder

Features & Specs With An Explanation

Feature Explanation Contribution To Overall Rating
Lengths Available in 9ft, 10ft, 11ft, and 12ft lengths. Great versatility with lengths that cover most scenarios
Weight Weighs between 150g (9ft) and 225g (12ft) Slightly heavier compared to some of its competition
Construction Made with HMC+ carbon fibre blanks which is strong and durable Standard blank material
Guides Black stainless steel frame guides and titanium oxide rings which are durable Standard Guides
Handle Cork foregrip and a Hard EVA Armlock handle which is the shaved piece that fits nicely onto forearm Comfortable and well designed handle
Reel Seat Down locking DPS reel seat just above the cork foregrip. Good solid reel seat
Action Progressive action with fast recovery A good action for feeder fishing.
Casting Weight Casting weights vary: 30g (9ft), 40g (10ft), 50g (11ft), and 60g (12ft) Good options to suit different styles and waters
Additional Features Includes a hook keeper and quivertips (two carbon fibre tips and one glass fibre tip). Useful additional features

Daiwa Ninja X Feeder Rod Review

The Daiwa Ninja X feeder rod is a versatile piece of kit designed to cater to both novice and experienced anglers alike, particularly those who frequent commercial fisheries or target medium-sized carp and coarse fish.

Available in lengths ranging from 9ft to 12ft, this rod offers a good mix of performance and affordability that makes it stand out. The HMC+ carbon fibre blanks strike a nice balance between strength and sensitivity, providing a progressive action with fast recovery that’s well-suited to feeder fishing.

The rod’s casting ability is impressive for its price point, with the 12ft model capable of slinging 60g feeders to respectable distances, albeit not quite matching the range of more premium offerings.

On the bank, the Ninja X proves its mettle, handling fish up to the mid-teens with confidence and a degree of arrogance bearing in mind it’s a budget offering.

The cork foregrip and Hard EVA Armlock handle offer a comfortable grip, while the down-locking DPS reel seat will keep your reel firmly in place throughout even the most intensive of sessions.

 

Daiwa Ninja X feeder Rod Handle
The well-thought-out armlock feature on the Ninja X handle


We were particularly impressed with the larger tip eyes on the heavier models, which handled shock leaders with ease – a thoughtful touch that really helps when casting heavy feeders and playing bigger fish.

The inclusion of two carbon fibre tips and one glass fibre tip within the whole package adds to the rod’s versatility, allowing you to adapt to varying conditions and bait presentations as needed.

However, it’s not without its quirks. The rings on the lighter models felt a tad small when using heavier feeders, which might irk some users.

Additionally, at 225g for the 12ft version, it’s not the lightest rod in its class, which could be a consideration for those who prefer a more featherweight feel when fishing commercial waters. That said, this extra heft translates to a sturdy blank with plenty of backbone when you need it most.

All things considered, the Daiwa Ninja X feeder rod offers cracking value for money. It may not boast all the refinements of top-end models, but for its intended purpose and price point, it’s a solid performer that punches well above its weight.

What Anglers Like (Pros)

Larger tip eyes handle shock leaders well.

Good for casting distance with heavy feeders.

Well-built, sturdy with plenty of backbone for bigger fish.

Affordable price compared to similar models.

What Anglers Dislike (Cons)

Rings on lighter models are too small for heavy feeders.

Heavier than some users prefer for commercial fisheries.