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I recently picked up a Daiwa D Shock because it was super inexpensive and I wanted to give it a try. In this post, I’m going to be reviewing the D Shock spinning combo and talking about whether or not it’s worth picking up.
Long story short, if you’re just getting into fishing or don’t want to spend a fortune on a rod then the D Shock could be the perfect option for you. It’s not the smoothest or strongest fishing rod out there but for the price, it can’t be beaten. I’ve beaten it up pretty good and landed some good fish on it and it’s still going strong. Overall, pretty impressed with it so far.
If that’s all you were looking for then great but if you want a more detailed review or to know the cheapest place to pick it up then continue reading.
My First Impressions
I didn’t really have the highest hopes coming in simply because of the price of the rod. I bought it mainly because I was curious to see if it was actually decent or not (I got the 6’6″ medium version). At first glance, I had a few mixed feelings about it.
The reel actually seemed pretty decent at first look. It didn’t feel like the smoothest thing in the world and it didn’t seem as sturdy as other brands but it seemed like something that could last a while (as long as it was taken care of).
On the other hand, the rod didn’t seem to be that great and it didn’t seem to be something that was good enough to land a decent fish. The cork grips on it seemed really nice but the section between the grips (where you attach your reel) felt like cheap plastic. The rod also didn’t feel very strong and I thought for sure it wouldn’t be able to bring in anything over 5 pounds.
That’s my impression before ever using it. Let’s talk about what I thought after giving it a try.
Quality
The good news is that the quality was much better than I first thought. I used the rod anytime I was in an area I knew would be rough so it got banged around and dropped quite a bit. It’s been left out in the rain and everything and I’m happy to say it’s still going strong.
There is no rust or cracks on the reel and even though it’s not the smoothest thing, it still works and brings the fish home. The rod has held up extremely well, considering everything it’s gone through and all the times it’s been heaved on when stuck in the weeds.
Overall, the quality has been much better than I thought it would be. I still use it as one of my main rods and has been used in lakes, rivers, and the ocean. I wouldn’t want to hook a large laker on it but for the normal-sized fish, it’s been perfect.
Performance
When I’m talking about performance I’m referring to how well it casts, how sensitive the rod is, and how good it is at reeling in fish. Even though it’s not the best, I’d say it performed better than some of the rods I’ve used in the past.
I put a 20 lb Suffix 832 braided line on it (same diameter as a 6 lb fluoro) with a 12 lb Seaguar Red Label fluorocarbon leader (same as my baitcaster). I was actually able to cast a longer distance compared to the baitcaster which was pretty surprising. I know spinning reels are usually better at casting but I didn’t really think a cheap little rod like this would do that.
The rod with normal fishing line wasn’t the best when it comes to sensitivity. That’s why I put a braided line on it (and for the increased strength). Normal fishing line stretches and takes some of the feeling away but with a braided line (doesn’t stretch) it’s almost like having a rod that costs a couple of hundred bucks.
In terms of reeling in fish, it was perfectly fine for smaller fish. Like I said before, I wouldn’t want to catch a 20 lb lake trout on it but for the normal-sized rainbow, kokanee, or bass, it worked just fine.
Pros
- The price can’t be beaten.
- The reel is smoother than some (of the same price).
- The cork grips are pretty nice.
Cons
- The guides aren’t super strong.
- The rod is a little flimsy but hasn’t broken or cracked on me yet.
The Breakdown
- Quality Score: 7
- Performance Score: 8
- Value Score: 9
- Personal Score: 8.5
The Verdict
Overall, if you’re in the market for a cheap fishing rod that still offers most of what you’re looking for then the Daiwa could be perfect for you (check the price on Amazon). I picked one up just because I was curious to see how it’d perform and never planned on using it. That’s changed after a few times using it and would say it’s pretty tough to beat for the price.
Sure, there are way better options out there but it’s a rod and reel under 50 bucks. As long as you don’t expect the world out of it, treat it well, put some quality line on it, and go after smaller sized fish then it should work great for you.
I use it when I’m going into super swampy areas where I don’t want to bring my baitcaster. Or I’ll give it to someone I’m fishing with. It’s always done the job for me and I really don’t have many bad things to say about it.
Happy fishing. If you want to catch more fish, use more hooks.
Let me know your thoughts and any questions you have. Like this article? Feel free to give it a share!
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