By Tackle Warehouse | Updated September 2023
Our goal with the Tackle Warehouse Product Review is to provide customers with an honest opinion on the latest bass fishing tackle and equipment, so they can make the most informed and optimized purchase possible. The products are distributed to a team of trusted Tackle Warehouse employees who have a wide breadth of fishing knowledge and experience. Each reviewer is responsible for testing and grading the product before and after use. After we are done testing, the grades are averaged, and the reviews are compiled to highlight the most important elements, all in an effort to provide as much information as possible before you proceed to checkout.
All scores are rated from 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest score and 5 being the highest.
Redesigned with industry-leading technologies and a completely overhauled look, the Daiwa Steez AGS rods deliver sleek and aggressive styling at first glance and feel insanely lightweight in hand. Unlike previous Steez AGS generations made for the JDM market, Daiwa worked directly with U.S. tackle retailers and several pro anglers to create a lineup of Steez rods with lengths and actions geared specifically for domestic applications. Equipped with Daiwa’s proprietary Air Guide System (AGS) and Air Sensor reel seats to reduce weight and provide unmatched sensitivity, we quickly noticed how these rods offer excellent handling and afford a comfortable ergonomic grip.
Although the updated colorway, new split grip cork handles, and general appearance were well received, some of us were hoping for full grip handles on the longer model options in the lineup. Overall, the product reviewers have an exceedingly positive first impression and are very grateful for the opportunity to test and review such a high-caliber series of fishing rods. With a premium price point ranging from $549 to $599, the main question many of us began to ask ourselves was whether or not the flagship Daiwa Steez AGS rods are really worth the extra money? Do the upgraded AGS guides maximize sensitivity and live up the hype?
“I am expecting nothing but the best out of these sticks: maximum sensitivity, minimal weight, and the strength to allow me to set the hook really hard with confidence!” - Thomas
Built using Daiwa’s SVF Compile X blank, the Steez AGS series rods use a higher volume of fiber with less resin to create a more powerful, sensitive, and highly durable rod compared to standard blank constructions. Coupled with Daiwa’s X45 and Nano-plus technologies, an even distribution of resin and carbon throughout the blank ensures maximum sensitivity, and the 45-degree carbon fiber weave eliminates twist and increases hook-setting power.
The ultra-lightweight yet incredibly strong Air Guide System (AGS) is 40% lighter than previous generations, and the high rigidity of the carbon fiber frames enhance vibrations throughout the blank and transfer them directly into your hand. For some of us, the stiffness of the Air Guides took time to get used to, but after extensive testing, the consensus among the group confirmed they absolutely enhance sensitivity for just about any application.
Providing a unique feel for throwing reaction baits with minimal vibration, one reviewer noted how the Air guide system made it easy to detect if the lure was wobbling correctly or picked up grass and interpret a bite versus simply bumping off structure. The transition from ceramic to silicon carbide inserts was a popular upgrade for improving subtle bite detection, and for many of us, the Steez AGS spinning rods have become our first choice for magnifying feel with finesse techniques.
“The rod is built really well and feels very solid in your hand. I've picked up other high-end rods in the past, and they feel like they are going to explode on a hookset. The Steez AGS series feel like quality-built rods that can stand up to anything. I find myself reaching for these rods anytime I need that extra bit of sensitivity.” - Jake
After putting the Daiwa Steez AGS series through the wringer for well over a year, the TW staff was blown away by how well the rods held up during the test period. Despite above-average use from our testing team, traveling to tournaments, and storing them in rod lockers, all of us were pleased to find minimal cosmetic scratching on the rod blanks and zero strain cracks in the epoxy around the guide footings. The glossy finish on these rods proved to be highly effective at preventing scratching, and the cork handle grip maintained its shape with no damage and minimal discoloring. We are confident the Daiwa Steez AGS rods will continue to deliver next-level durability and maintain their highly responsive actions for years to come.
“I really like how crisp the action is, even after putting it through a lot of use this past year. The blank doesn’t feel like it has softened up at all like some of my other high-end rods have over time.” - Jeff
The Daiwa Steez AGS rods represent themselves well against the competition in the top-shelf price range and would be an excellent upgrade for those who are looking for a step up from the Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS series. While most of our reviewers recognized the premium price as a barrier to entry, all of them noted how the Steez exceeded performance expectations and equated the quality to other high-end flagship rods like the G. Loomis NRX+ or Megabass P5 Destroyer. For the angler on a budget, the prospect of buying two or three rods for the price instead of only one is probably more appealing, but for a tournament angler or those looking for a specialized rod for their favorite fishing applications, the Steez AGS series is a great buy.
Daiwa designed each of the flagship Steez AGS rods around a particular concept rather than a single technique to provide maximum versatility when it comes to selecting the right rod to get the job done. Including model options like Finesse Game Special, Bottom Contact, and Utility Player, each rod in the lineup is assembled with technique-specific components and features that encompass a range of tactics around a particular type of bass fishing. For example, the 7’2” medium Reaction Versatile model offers the utility to throw all kinds of moving baits like squarebills, mid-sized crankbaits, vibrating jigs, and spinnerbaits, but is also a great light powered casting rod for senkos and soft jerkbaits.
While the adjustable Daiwa original hook keeper allows anglers to customize the location above or below the foregrip, all of us have felt that these rods would benefit from a fixed high-speed metal keeper. From our experience, the banded-style hook keepers often fail with normal wear and tear, and on the Steez spinning rods we found they would twist under pressure and cause the hook or drop shot weight to pull free. One of our product reviewers chose to remove the stock hook keeper completely and replaced it with a Cal Coast Cali Clip secured by a small piece of electrical tape.
Representing the pinnacle of Daiwa’s current technology and a serious investment for any angler, the Daiwa Steez AGS rods probably won’t replace every rod in your arsenal but would be a premium option for filling the gaps in your lineup. The advanced lightweight design and superior carbon materials make the Steez AGS series the optimal choice for any application where you need to maximize sensitivity or the versatility to employ a wide range of fishing techniques. We did our best to maintain an impartial view when comparing these rods to other competitors’ flagship offerings, and despite a not-quite-perfect score, the only gripe we had was about the aftermarket hook keeper. Sporting the visual appeal of a super-car and the high performance to match, if you get the opportunity to fish one of these rods, we are convinced you will enjoy them as much as we did.
A Daiwa Steez rod sock is included with your purchase!
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