One component of fishing that can make a huge difference in everything from angler fatigue to hook up ratio, having the ability to present a bait properly, casting distance and accuracy as well as myriad other concerns is a good, balanced rod.
Yes, the stick you’re using can, depending on which one you’re throwing, either help to elevate your time on the water or make it much more of a chore than it should be.
The Daiwa Kage Details
We obtained the new Daiwa Kage casting rod, the KAG711MXB “Light Jig & Texas”, to be precise. This stick is a 7’1” medium power, extra-fast action rated for lures from 1/4-3/4. We got this model to handle much more than jigs and Texas rigged plastics.
We intended it to be used as an all purpose rod for everything and anything within its stated weight rating. Whether we were throwing crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, topwater plugs or whatever else the situation of the day called for, we wanted to see how the Kage would handle a plethora of baits.
Before we get into that, you may want to know that Kage is Japanese for “Shadow”. The cosmetics of this stick couldn’t be more in line with its name. From the matte black finish of the blank, guide wraps, reel seat and fore-grip to the brushed pewter guide frames and clean full grip cork handle, everything is spartan, utilitarian and stealthy. There is no unnecessary bling to take away from its ultra-clean appearance. This rod was built for one purpose, to be an effective fishing tool.
The Kage Guides, Handle and Blank
Daiwa uses their proprietary SVF blanks with nanoplus technology to create a rod that is equally responsive, sensitive, light weight and balanced while having an abundance of strength to move fish to you with surprising efficiency.
The tangle free K guides with Alconite inserts fit the rods perfectly and provide excellent line management. The guide train features the stripper guide and the next two guides double footed while the rest are single footed. The full cork handle uses AAA Portuguese cork that is both comfortable and in our opinion, transmits vibration better than some of the newer materials that are used on a lot of current rods. The butt is a composite cork that finishes it seamlessly while giving it a little added protection against accidental user error like dropping it on the pavement or other stupidity.
Heavy On Performance
We paired this with the new Tatula 100 spooled with #10 copolymer to start. We started by using it for light jigs & texas rigs as per manufacturers recommendation.
Its responsiveness was evident immediately. It handled those baits effortlessly. Casting was a breeze with the rods smooth delivery always a joy to feel. The first bite highlighted just how sensitive the Kage is and how, seemingly instantaneously, that vibration is delivered to your hands so that you can set the hook.
Fighting fish is a non issue as this rod has handled some hefty bass without ever feeling over matched in any way. Some rods you have to apply so much muscle to coax the blank into helping with the fight but not the Kage. The action of the blank is intuitive and absorbs the headshakes or runs of big fish amazingly well.
We have thrown everything within the stated rating as well as several things both above and below those numbers. While going down to a 1/16 didn’t work out well because the rod was too stiff for that, going up to a little over an ounce didn’t overburden this stick. Rather it just started to feel a little bit mushy so that’s where we stopped.
It handled everything from 1/8 – 1 very well without sacrificing its excellent feel for what the bait was doing in the water. Within this range, the Kage is one of the most well balanced rods we’ve ever thrown. Never feeling tip heavy on the high side or too stiff and un-wielding on the low side.
Daiwa produces 13 different models of the casting version of the Kage ranging from 7’1” to 8’6” in powers from medium to extra-heavy with applications for any number of techniques. They also have 5 spinning models for bass. Since its introduction the Kage line has grown beyond bass to include Walleye specific models of which there are 12 ranging from ultra-light to medium and a series of ultra-light rods for panfish which includes another 12 models.
Across the line, the blank construction is consistent as well as the high end components. We have not fished with any of the other models but considering our experience with the bass sticks, we will not hesitate to add more Kage rods to our collection as the need or opportunity arises to pursue other species.
Local Tackle Shop Exclusive
One more feature of note concerning the Kage series, you will not find them at e-tailers or in big box stores. This series is reserved for good ole mom and pop, local retailers. While that may seem a little outlandish to some folks these days, it is in our humble opinion, a fantastic way to distribute these sticks.
For one, you get the chance to go in and get them in your hand before buying them. You get to look closely at them, turn em over in your hands, feel how light they are, all while supporting a local small business. We’ve got a few of those family owned tackle shops that we frequent because within those walls is a sense of community. People who share the love and addiction to this wonderful pastime of fishing with us. They can be an invaluable resource as well as a place to learn or in some cases teach. Both as fulfilling as the other. We hope that Daiwa will continue this practice with these rods.
The Kage is a complete product. From design to execution to where they can be purchased. Everything is top notch. All of this for an extremely reasonable retail price of about $189.
On the MVF rating scale, the Daiwa Kage earns 5 stars.
See ya’ on the water …