Spinning Rod Review: Daiwa Prorex X Spin
Pike Beware! The Daiwa Prorex X Spin: A Hands-On Review
The moment I hit the water, I knew it was time. Finally, I could put the Daiwa Prorex X Spin through its paces. Spoiler alert: This powerhouse absolutely blew me away!
Here’s my detailed breakdown, covering everything from casting performance to fish-fighting power and lure control.
Design and Build Quality
The Daiwa Prorex X Spin is a two-piece plug-in rod. When assembled, the rod measures 8’10” in length. The two sections are roughly equal in length, and the transport length of the rod is 4’6”.
When disassembled, the rod can easily be transported in a carrying case at least 4’7” long. The rod comes with a rod sleeve, but it is very thin and therefore not suitable for secure transport.
The rod has 8 guides, which ensure an even distribution of stress during a fight. The rod blank is slightly lighter in the lower half, and you can see the spirally wound carbon fiber mats. The upper half of the rod blank has a darker design.
The reel seat is sturdy and provides a secure hold for the attached fishing reel. A short distance above the reel seat are 2 hook keepers for attaching lures.
A little further up is the silver Prorex logo on a black background and the Daiwa logo on a light green background.
Overall, the design makes a very good and modern impression and underscores the very high-quality workmanship of this fishing rod.
Performance in Practical Testing for Pike Spin Fishing
For pike spin fishing, I chose a jetty tip on the edge of a harbor basin. I paired the rod with the Shimano Nasci 4000XG spinning reel. These lures were used during spin fishing:
- Savage Gear Da’Bush Spinnerbait, 8.7”, 1.5 oz
- Quantum Tarp Shad soft plastic lure, 7.5” with a 0.25 oz jig head
- Keitech Fat Swing Impact soft plastic lure, 6” with a 0.25 oz jig head
The desired spots could be cast very accurately and easily with the rod, and the fast action of the rod is ideal for reacting quickly to a bite.
With its weight of only 6.2 oz and combined with the Shimano Nasci 4000XG (10 oz), the rod felt good in the hand, and I was able to cast for hours without signs of fatigue.
Due to the rod’s fast action, only the tip section of the rod moves during casting, allowing for very precise casting to the desired fishing spots.
Although the rod has a lure weight range of 1.4 to 3.5 oz, the Keitech Fat Swing Impact soft plastic lure, weighing approximately 1 oz, could still be cast well, and its action could still be felt well during retrieval.
Technologies, Features, and Applications of the Daiwa Prorex X Spin
The Daiwa Prorex X Spin features the following technologies:
- Brading-X Handle Section
- HMC+ Carbon Fiber Blank with Fast Action
- Seaguide Guides
Brading-X Handle Section: Daiwa utilizes a special X-shaped winding of carbon fiber tape around the blank in the Brading-X handle section. This significantly stabilizes the rod in the handle area and enhances its resistance to twisting.
Especially when casting and fighting large pike, this is a real advantage, as you can transfer more power to the rod and it is less likely to slip out of your hand.
HMC+ Carbon Fiber Blank with Fast Action: HMC+ is a high-quality carbon fiber that Daiwa uses for its blanks. It makes the rod light, robust, and gives it a fast action. “Fast action” means that the rod primarily bends in the upper third during casting.
This ensures long and precise casts, which is particularly important for pike fishing. You also feel every twitch and can optimally guide the lure.
Seaguide Guides: Seaguide is a well-known manufacturer of high-quality rod guides. The guides of the Daiwa Prorex X Spin are robust, saltwater-resistant, and reduce line friction. This enables longer casts and protects your fishing line.
It appears the 8’10” Prorex X Spin with a 1.4-3.5 oz casting weight isn’t readily available in the US market. However, I’ve linked the 7’10” version with a 1.4-3.2 oz casting weight below for you. If it suits your needs, grab it while you can!
| Manufacturer | |
| Availability | Usually ships within 3 to 4 weeks |
| Field test rating | 5 stars |
| Length | 7'10" |
| Lure weight | 1.4-3.2 oz |
| Pieces | 2 |
| Collapsed length | 3'11" |
| Weight | 5.6 oz |
| Material | Carbon fiber |
Due to its light weight and fast action, this rod can be used very well for spin fishing with heavy lures over several hours. Thanks to the sensitive tip, you can feel the lures well and quickly set the hook when a fish bites.
This rod is also very suitable for bottom fishing and float fishing with dead bait fish due to its casting weight range of 1.4-3.5 oz. Additionally, it could also be used for bottom fishing for carp and other coarse fish.
The Daiwa Prorex X Spin combines all the features of a good spinning rod at a price of under 200 dollars and plays its strengths especially when targeting pike and zander with large lures.
Due to the Seaguide guides, it can also be used for saltwater fishing, and the rod’s backbone is strong enough to safely land medium-sized catfish.
Pros and Cons of the Daiwa Prorex X Spin
What I like:
- Very strong backbone
- Light weight of only 6.2 ounces
- Suitable for saltwater use due to the Seaguide guides
- Enables long casts with heavy lures
- Sensitive lure control
What I don’t like:
- Nothing noticed
The Daiwa Prorex X Spin really impressed me during pike fishing. What I particularly like is the incredibly strong backbone of this rod. Nevertheless, the rod is a real lightweight at 6.2 oz.
You hardly notice that you’re holding it while fishing, even after hours of casting. Another plus is the high-quality Seaguide guides. This makes the rod suitable for saltwater use, which makes it even more versatile for me.
With the Prorex X Spin, long casts can be easily achieved, even with heavy lures. At the same time, the sensitive tip enables precise lure control, and you feel every little twitch.
Honestly, I have nothing to complain about with the rod. It is simply top-quality and offers excellent value for money. Anyone looking for a reliable and versatile spinning rod should definitely take a closer look at the Daiwa Prorex X Spin.
Conclusion
The Daiwa Prorex X Spin is an absolutely top-notch rod for spin fishing! It impresses with a strong backbone, light weight, and high-quality components such as the Seaguide guides.
With it, long casts can be achieved, and even trophy-sized pike and zander can be safely played. In short: The Prorex X Spin is a real powerhouse that I can recommend to any spin angler.