The new Daiwa Heartland

[Captain]

Has anyone seen the new Daiwa Heartland, I can't remember if it's z or V.
I'm looking to upgrade my outfit I think I'll get the Daiwa Team S reel but am tossing up between the New Heartland, which I won't see till march or the G loomis Dropshot.

The dropshot I have looked at, and like very much, but for $559 it ain't cheap. I've been told the heartland is probably the best rod under the dropshot.

Also does anyone have any opinions on how the Bream Buster compares to the Dropshot?
Cause if I'm not impressed with the Heartland these two are my next choices.

Any comments on either rods?
Cheers
Captain

[Richo]

Mate, try and find yourself a look at the BreamReapers, they are also a great feeling and looking rod. With a couple of variations.

cheers

richo

[Captain]

Thanks Richo I did I quick search to find out a bit more about them, they sound like a nice rod, I'm a bit concerned that they aren't so much suited to casting 1/16 heads, although i see they are looking into building one that will.
Are there any dealers in the Brisbane area that carry these bream reapers so I can check them out.

Cheers
Captain

[Richo]

I think Matty Fraser might be the man for QLD, pop him a PM and see what he can tell you. There is already a fair bit of info on here, from the designers themselves (cindy) also bear has a plethra of info on them, and I know the lighter model down from the one we have seen would be perfect for 1/16th jigs. Ive just selected the model I like specifically for hard bodies. I will also be gearing different model up for softs down the track. I like m that much.

cheers

richo

[Davo]

It's also worth having a look at the Strudwick range of rod's.

I've recently purchased a 6ft 1-3kg TPS model and I'm stoked with it.
It's a great rod and it's ideal for casting light-weight jigsheads around.
Quite a few people I've spoken to rate these rods up there with the Loomis range.
The prices aren't too bad either.

Worth looking at anyways.

After checking out the Breamreaper Bear had on loan at Walpole I'll be getting one for flicking around hardbodies.....very nice rod also.

Cheers,
Dave

[Captain]

Thanks guys.
Davo I saw your earlier posts about the strudwick TPS and am keeping an eye out, but can't seem to find one to look at.
There seem to be so many really good rods around at the moment it's hard to find shops that stock them.

Cheers
Captain

[Bear]

Cap,
There are some 6' rods from Black diamond that I would be happy to send you info of if you drop me an e-mail.

HTH.

[Big Muddie]

Captain,

Tackle Warehouse at Coorparoo have some of the Black Diamond range, and I think there is a Bream Reaper there.

[Captain]

Thanks Bear I've sent you an email I hope it worked.

Thanks Michael I'm heading down the Coast on the weekend and am planing on dropping in at Springwood marine and now the Tackle warehouse.

Cheers
Captain

[Tambo]

There were 2 of the Black Diamond rods sitting with the Daiwa Heartlands at 'The Tackle Warehouse'.
I don't think you could go wrong with either. They've a Heartland combo with Regal 1500 reel which is nice to play around with. Their prices aren't cheap but they were busy enough.

[Bassifier]

I think this post has been what is commonly described as Hijacked!

As for the original post:
The high end Daiwa range of rods were once available in Australia namely Heartland X and Heartland Z.
Both were available in either Tubular or Solid slim models.
Solid slim is by far the better of the two blanks in both the X and the Z.
Unfortunately due to bad repping or whatever, these lines were discontinued for sale in Australia.
as a matter of fact I don't think they were ever meant to be here..
A real Pity....
Daiwa now have a new range called the T.D.Battler.
Awesome rods by my inspection of stats, but as yet unfelt.
If the X and the Z are rods to measure by, then these will be amazing.
Now these rods, especially in the solid slim range could not ever be compared to the Black Diamond range.
Completely different load deflection curves and design, very innovative reel seat designs etc.
Black diamond are class rods, as I have just seen a selection from the new range but....
If you can locate a solid slim in either the X or the Z then I would highly recommend you purchase, not because I am sponsored, but because I am a genuine fan.
Maybe Daiwa can pull there finger out and import the top quality Daiwas again....
There is a market, unfortunately when some rep in his limited knowledge of the market assumes they wont sell, then inevitably we don't get to see them..... :(

[pw-bream]

I think there must be something wrong with Daiwa representation in Victoria, one prominent local tackle shop reckons they haven't seen a rep in months and stuff is hard to get.

[Cindy]

Hi guys,

I would like to confirm that our rods are in Tackle Warehouse. Among them are the Bream Reaper 6'6 spoken of here, as well as a 6ft Bass Predator Lite Spin which handles 1/16 easy. This 6ft version is well loved by guide and competitor, writer of QFM, Jason Medcalf at Bundaberg.

Also, as noted, there is a new upcoming baby Bream Reaper (lighter version of 6'6) in the works. Our US manufacturer is currently building us a special blank. So that will be added to the system in due time. But for now, the 6 ft Bass Predator Lite Spin handles the lighter 1/16 easy.

There is also a 7ft 2piece Bream Reaper which handles 1/16 (but it has a moderate action as compared to the fast actioned 6'6 ). It is currently out of stock but I am expecting more blanks in a couple weeks so we'll be able to build up more of those. It is comparable to the Loomis SR842-2 IMX.

Cheers,
Cindy

[Bassifier]

Cindy, when you say comparable to the IMX, do you also mean in Butt diameter, tip diameter also, as the rods I have seen of yours are very thick through the butt.
Ie bream reaper,flats ranger etc...
As for the IMX, it is rather thin which is a great aid in repeated casting especially in wind.
One of the reasons I like the solid slim Daiwa's so much is because of the thin diameter of the blanks.
Ta.
I wasnt having a go at all, just this guys question has turned into a black diamond post.
Richard.

[Cindy]

Hi bassifier,

You haven't seen the 7 ft Bream Reaper. It is very different from the rods you saw yesterday. The butt diameter is much smaller on this rod. The 6'6 is .45 inches and the 7 ft is .35 inches leading to a much more moderate action rod.
Cheers,
Cindy

[Mick]

I fully agree with Richards comments in relation to the heartlands they are excellent rods. Both the X and the Z are exceptional rods and if any one can find one buy it.

Neither rod was intended for the Aus market, they were rods made for the japanese market and their exceptional quality of finish reflect this. The ones that we see in Australia are the excess that were not sold on the japanese market when newer models were introduced.

The Z's carry Fuji Sic Ti guides and if you were to purchase a similar set you would not get any change out of $200. My Z cost a total of $230 so it's not hard to do the maths.

The range when it was available looked as though it had been designed for bream. With very light fineese rods capable of launching 1/32 heads a mile. To heavier rods that are capable of dragging the biggest bream off the nastiest rack.

Both the X' and Z are like the proverbial hen's teeth but if you are lucky enough the find one and you like its feel grab it ,as I assure you it will to the job.

Just for the record I have no association with Diawa and I payed full retail for my three heartlands.

[Bassifier]

The reason I ask is, Daiwa's range have that ultra thin blank but have very fast actions.
This seems to be the only blank I have seen with these characteristics.

[Captain]

Thanks everyone for the info.
Mick and Bassifier thanks for the specific info on the Daiwa rods.

Mick I have one of those Excess Japanese Baitcasters, a very nice rod and once I saw it and felt it I knew I had to have it.
I am begining to really like these daiwa rods they seem to encompass everything I think a rod should be feel and look.

I just wish I could get some more comprehensive detail on the ranges and what the new models of the heartland or like are going to be.
I saw a Heartland Z at Springwood Marine on the weekend but I don't think it was the Japanese model.
The guy there said that there wasn't a new model of the heartland coming out till next year, but the guy at my local Takle shop says he'll get the new Heartlands in March.

Who's telling the right story.

Should I try and secure a current H Z or is there a new one just round the corner?

Thanks again.
Captain

[Tambo]

I've heard April from a guy who deals with a Daiwa rep, I assume the Daiwa reps know what they're talking about.
Try the Tackle Warehouse, think they had both the X and Z rods. Was tempted, but settled for the IM6 HL662LFS.
Great rod.

[chris_lemess]

Yes the HL-Z Sti is an awesome rod, I still have not found a blank more suited to both plasticing and hardbodying. The thin profile is great for casting with some balls down below as it's a solid blank as you guys have said.

Brad Sissins at Compleat Angler *had* 2 left (HL-Z 601LFS-Sti) if anyone's interested. Definately in the same league as an off the shelf GL3 or a Tradition+ Struddie, but I actually prefer the ruggedness of a HL-Z. (Yeah that was after I blew up a $430 Struddie... :rolleyes: )

As for the NEW HLs - I haven't seen them other than on the website, but my guess is they'll come fitted with crappy O-Rings or possibly Hardloys, and on a blank nowhere in the league of the Jap. Z. For that reason, I'd probably go a BreamReaper, Bream Buster or Strudwick Tradition+ 1-3kg over the new HL. All those come with the lightweight Alconites or so I believe which does affect the casting significantly... (try a low end struddie with O-Rings and feel how floppy they are).

Chris

[Duncan M]

Chris,
Can you tell us what you did to the Struddie that caused it to blow up? I'm looking into getting one and I'd be interested to know if you were really flogging it or whether they are a bit fragile. I've gotten into some bad habits with my GL2 that may not tranfer so well to a higher modulus rod hehe.
PM me if it is too controversial haha!

Duncan

[Bassifier]

The Daiwa rep tends to tell everybody different stories about when they will get here.
I wish I could know.... then I would put of the next purchase till he gets them in.

I want the sparrow!!!!!!

[chris_lemess]

Bassifier - How awesome does the Sparrow look?!?! It looks absolutely perfect in every respect! What is it - 661LFS? I think so... niiiiiiice...

Chris

[Bassifier]

mmmmmmmm...............

[Captain]

Okay what's The "Sparrow"!

Is this a new model?
Where can I see one?

Cheers
Captain

[Captain]

Dang!
Did some searching, yes please!
Okay guys are these going to come to Australia I want one.
Please let me know if you here anything about these.
I'm going to my local tackle store tommorrow to see if he can chase up some info on availability dates.
Thanks again

Cheers
Captain

[pw-bream]

I was snooping around the info about those Battler rods yesterday and I saw that "Missile" series, some of them look good, they all seem to be long in the butt though, looks like 150 mm.