Daiwa Super Kenzaki Boat Rod Review

OVERALL RATING
8.4
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Top Line

A very popular, mid-priced boat rod made from the reputable Daiwa

A great option for both newcomers and experienced anglers looking for a well-balanced, quality boat rod that is affordable

Featured in our guide on the best sea fishing rods

Features & Specifications With Explanation

Feature What This Means
Powerful Carbon Blank The rod is built using high-grade carbon fibre material, making it both lightweight and extremely strong. This provides excellent power for fighting larger fish while keeping the rod manageable to use.
V-Joint Technology A specialised connection system between the rod sections that creates a smoother bend and more even power distribution throughout the entire rod length, reducing weak points where sections meet.
Fuji ‘O’ Ring Guides Premium quality line guides with Zirconium ceramic inserts, designed to work smoothly with both monofilament and braided fishing lines. The ‘O’ ring design helps prevent line tangles and reduces friction.
Fuji DPS Reel Seat A high-end reel mounting system with aluminium hoods that securely holds your fishing reel in place. The DPS design ensures maximum stability during heavy fishing.
Fuji GRC Gimbal Butt Cup Designed to be comfortable when pressed against your body for leverage. It eliminates the need for removable push-on butt caps
EVA Handle with Power-Lift Fore-grip The handle is made from durable EVA foam for comfort, with a specially shaped triangular front grip that gives you better control and leverage when fighting powerful fish.
Two Equal Sections The rod breaks down into two pieces of the same length.
Line Class 12-20lb Designed to work best with fishing lines rated between 12 and 20 pounds breaking strain, suitable for targeting medium to large sized fish species.

The Different Models Available

Model Length Weight
7’0″ 6-12lb 7’0″ / 213cm 225g
7’0″ 12-20lb 7’0″ / 213cm 230g
7’0″ 20-30lb 7’0″ / 213cm 245g
7’0″ 30-50lb 7’0″ / 213cm 260g
8’0″ 6-15lb 8’0″ / 244cm 290g
8’0″ 15-25lb 8’0″ / 244cm 310g
6’6″ 60lb 6’6″ / 201cm 310g
6’6″ 80lb 6’6″ / 201cm 345g

 

Manufacturers Description

“Whilst the original Super Kenzaki rods were the first ever equal length, two section boat rods, the product has evolved and the choice diversified over time. The conventional ‘down tide’ line up offers two length options of 7′, across four line classes and longer 8′ editions in two lighter classes. However, in the heavier classes of 60lb and 80lb, two shorter ‘power’ editions at 6’6″ are offered.”

eTackle’s Review

Here’s how the rod performed in testing and/or from experience and feedback from other anglers. 

How It Scores

OVERALL RATING
8.4
8.5
BUILD QUALITY
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What Does This Mean?

When rating the build quality of a rod, consideration has been given to the basic components.

These include the materials used in the blank, handle, reel seat, and line guides.

We also take into account any additional features that make life on the bank easier for anglers.

8.0
CASTING ABILITY
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What Does This Mean?

How a rod casts is one of the key fundamentals that determine a great rod from a mediocre one.

Easy, frictionless casting that provides accuracy and distance is all rated in this category.

8.5
PLAYING FISH
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What Does This Mean?

The ability to play fish effectively is an important feature of any fishing rod.

Fishing is a sport, and as part of this sport, feeling the pulls, lunges, and the fight of a fish is an exhilarating experience.

This is all taken into account when rating fishing rods.

8.5
VALUE FOR MONEY
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What Does This Mean?

How much any fishing rod costs is always a key factor in an angler's final choice.

A rod can have all the bells and whistles under the sun, but if it is unaffordable, it may not be the best choice for some anglers.

This rating considers how the rod performs in all the other categories versus its price point.

Thoughts & Experiences

The Daiwa Super Kenzaki boat rods, pioneers of the equal-length two-section design, have evolved into a superb range of rods suited to all manner of UK boat fishing situations. Here are our thoughts on the rods from recent testing.

Build Quality & Design

To start with, I love the subtle unground carbon finish on the Kenzaki with its snazzy blue and silver graphics, it really is unmistakably Daiwa. The oversized EVA foregrips are particularly impressive, they’re slightly formed to give a rounded feel and sit really well in the hand either side of the reel seat.

When it comes to fittings, Daiwa never skimps, using only the best Fuji products. I really like the innovative Fuji GRC butt caps that feature a gimbal fitting, particularly as it eliminates those pesky push-on butt caps we all end up losing after a couple of trips afloat while remaining comfortable when you need to jam the butt into your groin for leverage.

Performance On The Water

The V-joints on these rods add real strength without making them too stiff, something I’ve really come to appreciate when playing larger fish.

Having spent considerable time with the 12/20lb class model, I’ve found it particularly well suited to working larger lures over reefs and wrecks for pollack, cod and big bass. It’s also proven itself perfectly capable when downtiding for rays, tope and smaller conger eels.

The push-in style V-joint makes assembling the two halves straightforward, with lining up eyes correctly, a breeze.

Versatility & Value

Sitting in the mid-price bracket, these rods offer exceptional value considering their build quality and versatility.

The range is comprehensive, from the lighter 6/12lb class that’s perfect for working lures for bass and pollack or fishing at anchor for bream, through to the serious 20/30lb class that I’m planning to take to Norway soon for halibut.

At just 270g, this heavier model still maintains excellent balance, and when matched with suitable tackle, it has no trouble handling big blue shark or hefty conger eels.

In summary, scoring a credible 8.4 in our testing, the Super Kenzaki range continues to impress with its blend of performance and practicality.

The combination of premium components and thoughtful design features creates a rod that’s both versatile and dependable.

While they represent a significant investment for those looking for a budget option, the quality of construction and real-world performance make them excellent value for both beginners and regular boat anglers who demand reliability from their tackle.

What Anglers Like (Pros)

V-joint technology provides genuine strength advantages
Premium Fuji components throughout the range
Excellent balance between power and sensitivity
Innovative gimbal butt cap design that actually works

What Anglers Dislike (Cons)

Would be good to see a 10 foot version
Equal length sections might not suit all storage situations

How It Compares

Here is how the Daiwa Super Kenzaki Boat Rod compares against other products in its category. This table shows the overall rating based on the average of the key attributes that go into making a great sea fishing rod.

There are four key attributes that form the basis of our reviews on sea fishing rods. These include the following:

Build Quality: – When assessing the build quality of a fishing rod we focus on the raw materials used to build the rod and how they knit together to output the rod’s overall performance.

Casting Ability: – Without stating the obvious here, we test how the rod casts both short distances and longer distances. We are examining how smooth the cast is and how much effort is required to gain the desired distance.

Playing Fish: – Here, we are looking at how a rod can dictate a fight, i.e. its power, how subtle it is and most importantly how enjoyable it is to play fish on. 

Value for Money: – Under the ‘value for money’ review, we value and score the rod for its price-point against its quality and actual worth. 

Here is how the Daiwa Super Kenzaki Boat Rod performed against is peers in each of these important attributes:

If you would like to see more fishing tackle check out our full list of featured products below.Â