The Daiwa Air Z Pro sent shockwaves through the match fishing community when it was released and for good reason. Its predecessor, the Air Z, was a statement when it first came onto the market, but it is safe to say it was surpassed as the best fishing pole available as other brands started to incorporate better carbon technology into their poles.
Daiwa aren't one to rest on their morals and since bringing out their flagship Air Z pro pole, it has definitely become one of, if not the best poles on the market once again. Despite its lightweight build, this pole is a true all-rounder and is just as comfortable catching big carp on commercials as it is landing lots of small silverfish on a natural venue.
To test the pole, I took it to a cracking little water close to home that has everything you could possibly want to fish for, meaning it could be applied to the majority of anglers out there who might be interested in this pole.
Fishing at 13m before pushing out to 16m it is difficult to believe just how stiff and light this pole is. Unlike some other lightweight poles, I never once felt it didn't have the strength required for modern day angling, which was proven with big carp after big carp being effortlessly guided to the waiting et.
With a lighter elastic in the match kit, the pole becomes even more balanced and somewhat stiffer, even at full length. While fishing for small roach and skimmers at this range isn't the norm, if you can hit the lightning bites at this distance, you know you've got something special in between your hands, and that is exactly what this pole is...special!
The verdict
One of the first things I noticed was just how light the pole was, in fact I wasn't sure if I was missing some sections when I lifted the entire 14.5m tube out of the holdall. Considering this pole is only 25g heavier than the fantastic Tournament S pole and is far more capable at commercial bagging, it is quite staggering to say the least!
Setting the pole up, I didn't realise to begin with I was holding 13m in one hand as I was putting the sections together, testament to the lightness of the pole, and I am by no means a bodybuilder! The finish on the pole is also superb, which makes shipping in and out a breeze, regardless of whether your hands are wet or sticky, and when one fish can make all the difference at the top level, this pole won't let you down!
At 13m this pole is exceptional, it is so stiff and so responsive that you will hit many more bites and catch more fish because of it, it is that simple!
However, many poles are great at this length, it was only when I pushed the other joints up the back of the pole and pushed it out to the 16m limit that I could see and feel the incremental differences all adding up. To be honest, I wasn't expecting a great deal of difference between this and the Air Z, as often the hype leads to disappointment, but I'll be the first to admit this pole made me and my preconceptions look silly. Being completely honest it blew me away, the rigidity and responsiveness made me look like a better angler than I am, and bites I know I would have missed in the past I was hitting.
If you are angler that likes to fish for everything and needs a pole that can do anything you need it to, the Air Z Pro is about as complete a pole as you could hope to use, it is that good I saved up and bought one after Daiwa asked for their's back!
Tech spec
- Hyper MSG and improved nanoplus carbons
- Bias Carbon V-JOINTα
- Diamond Satin on 9, 10, & 11.
- ITS on sections 5, 6, 7 of 13m Version
- Section Alignment System
- All kits cut and fitted with PTFE bushes
- All No3 sections fitted with PTFE nose cone
- Interlastic side puller on power kits
- Choose between More Power and More Match kit packages; featuring Pro Kits
- Super Light PHEX911 reversible extension with foam nose cones
- Protective EVA end caps
- Holdall supplied
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
The Daiwa Air Z Pro is the flagship of all flagship poles and performs as good if not better than everything on the market.
Pros
- Light, stiff, responsive - everything you want in a pole.
- Spares are readily available in the UK.
Cons
- More expensive than other flagship poles.
Our pick of the alternatives
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
The G60 is the new flagship pole from the MAP stable and it is impressive to say the least! Designed to be both tough and balanced, it's comfortable to use at its full 16m length, remaining stiff and responsive, making it a superb choice for any angler at any venue!
The G60 isn’t just a match pole, power pole, or finesse tool, it’s all of them combined. If we had to list our top flagship poles for any style of fishing, the G60 would be on each one. While we won’t call it the best pole ever made, it is undoubtedly the most complete I've ever used. My prediction is that, in a few years’ time, every pole on the market will be incorporating this incredible Graphene carbon material.
Pros
- Graphene makes pole stronger and stiffer without adding weight
- Incredibly stiff and responsive
- Rippled finish on butt section for grip and identification when shipping
Cons
- Top kits are on the long side (2.7m)
- Understated graphics make it difficult to identify the 13m, 14.5m & 16m sections at a glance
Is the Maver MV-RXX the first hyper pole? It is certainly Maver's best pole to date without question, it not only looks fantastic with its understated graphics, it also performs incredibly well.
The only word to describe the pole is rigid, it is incredibly stiff at its full length and superbly well balanced, it is a joy to use at 16m and everything under that too. The powerlite kits are rated to a 16's elastic and are a perfect kit for using to catch big fish at longer lengths without being detrimental to the poles performance. They also come with a clever rolling puller system, there is a flat plastic area to allow you to trap the elastic under your thumb when playing big fish, it's a great little edition.
The MV-RXX is a great competition pole, it's as at home on a commercial catching big carp as it is to catching roach on a river or a canal. It never feels out of its depth, never leaves you wincing with a big carp on the end and you know you can hit even the smallest of indications at its full length. Spares are something Maver have been critiqued for in the past but all their spares are now kept in the UK, so should need a replacement, they will be able to assist you quickly.
SEE WHAT MARK THOUGHT OF THE MAVER MV-RXX IN THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO.
Pros
- Spares held in stock in the UK.
- Top kits compatible with a lot of other options on the market.
Cons
- Package could come with two more lightweight match kits.
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
Identical to the top-spec Guru Aventus 900 but made from a lower-grade compound of Japanese carbon. This increases the strength of the Guru Aventus Zero 700 pole even further, making the pole exceptionally strong but slightly heavier than the Zero 900 in terms of weight.
Overall, it's an incredibly strong and responsive pole that will suit a lot of anglers' aggressive styles of fishing in the UK and Europe, a true commercial all-rounder!
Pros
- Loads of package options to choose from.
- Super strong with incredible stiffness at 13m.
Cons
- Loses a bit of finesse beyond 13m (try the Zero 900 at this length).
Author Aidan Bordiuk is an enthusiastic angler who enjoys all fishing disciplines from match fishing to beach casting. He is currently occupying the position of Digital Editor at Angling Times.