Daiwa Ninja Tele Spin Rods

How well is it built?

The Ninja Tele Spin is built on Daiwa's HVF carbon, a higher modulus grade that doesn't add weight, and it's the same carbon that goes into the Daiwa Saltist Travel. The 8ft model weighs 125g, which is very light for a telescopic rod of that length.

The fittings are solid for the money.

You get stainless steel guides with titanium oxide rings, which are smooth with braid and hard-wearing on a rod that's collapsed and extended every trip, plus an integrated lockdown reel seat with a down-locking EVA foregrip, so the grip and seat work as one piece.

The guide protector cover is the detail I like most. Telescopic guides end up stacked together when the rod is closed, and a cover stops them getting bent or knocked in a bag.

To be fair, it isn't at the level of the Saltist's Fuji hardware, but I think an 8.5 is fair for a well-specified telescopic rod.

How well does it cast and feel?

So, can a telescopic rod cast properly? The HVF blank is made to give a near seamless curve when it's loaded, which is the thing telescopics usually struggle with, because each section joins the next with an overlap.

It won't feel identical to a two-piece, but it should load smoothly enough to put a lure out accurately.

The four lengths cover a lot of ground. The 8ft 10-40g is the handiest for spinners, spoons and small soft lures on rivers and smaller waters, while the 9ft 15-50g adds a bit of reach.

The 10ft and 11ft both carry a heavy 20-60g rating, which makes them better suited to bigger lures and bigger, more open waters.

The split EVA grips keep the weight down at the handle end too, and I think an 8.5 is right for a telescopic range with this much choice of length and casting weight.

How does it perform when playing fish?

This is where the telescopic design costs a little. A tele has more joints than a two-piece, and on a five or six-section rod there are more places where the curve has to pass through an overlap.

The HVF carbon helps by keeping that curve smooth, but that's the reason it scores 8.0 rather than higher.

On the 8ft and 9ft models you've got plenty for perch, chub, trout and small pike, and the 10ft and 11ft rods have the backbone for bigger fish on heavier lures. If pike are on the cards, you'll need a wire trace whichever model you pick.

Is it a rod for big pike on heavy jerkbaits? No, and the 60g top end tells you that. For the fish most anglers will meet on a holiday or a quick session, though, it should handle them well, and the light weight should keep long spells of casting comfortable.

Is it good value for money?

For a Daiwa rod with an HVF blank, titanium oxide rings and a guide protector cover, this is a mid-priced telescopic, and that's why value scores well.

Four lengths and three casting weights also mean you can match the rod to the way you fish, rather than taking whatever single length is on offer.

Next to the Westin W2 Tele Spin, it carries heavier casting weights on the longer models, while the Westin goes lighter, down to 3-15g, for finesse lures. That makes the Ninja the better match if you want one rod for medium and heavier lures on holiday.

Overall, I'd recommend the Ninja Tele Spin to anglers who want a light, well-made lure rod that packs down small, whether it's for a holiday, a work trip or keeping a rod in the car for an evening session.

If you want one rod to cover most lure fishing, the 8ft or 9ft model is the place to start.