Daiwa Infinity X45 Review
Last Updated on 9 September 2024 by James Bevan
The Infinity range of rods from Daiwa should need absolutely no introduction to those in the carp-angling world.
They simply have a reputation that oozes quality throughout.
However they are classed as a premium carp rod and you will be forgiven to ask the question; are they actually worth the very expensive price tag that comes with the rod?
In this Daiwa Infinity X45 review, I put the rod through its paces and test it against all the attributes that are important in a carp rod. I combine my experiences with the rod with reviews from some carp rod experts and score it accordingly.
You can then decide if it’s worth your hard-earned cash!
Let’s get straight into how it scored and how its rating compares to similar rods on the market.
Overall Ratings
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Comparison To Similar Rods
| Name | Overall Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nash Scope Black Ops Carp Rod | 9.2 | from £345.99 |
| Nash Scope Black Ops Sawn Off | 8.6 | from £229.99 |
| Greys AirCurve Carp Rod | 9.1 | from £212.49 |
| Century C2 Mk2 Carp Rod | 9.2 | from £415.00 |
| Daiwa Infinity X45 | 9.4 | from £319.99 |
| Daiwa Basia X45X Carp Rod | 9.3 | from £494.99 |
| Century Stealth Graphene Carp Rod | 9.4 | from £459.00 |
| Harrison Torrix Carp Rod | 9.4 | from £374.00 |
| Free Spirit Hi-S Carp Rod | 9.3 | from £419.00 |
| Shimano TX-9 Carp Rod | 8.6 | from £309.99 |
| Daiwa Longbow X45 | 8.7 | from £239.99 |
| Korda Kaizen Platinum Carp Rod | 8.9 | from £409.99 |
How The Rod Compares To The Overall Rating Averages
Quick Summary
In summary, the Daiwa Infinity X45 is simply one of the best carp rods on the market today. It has an overall rating of 9.43 which is the best overall rating out of all the top rods tested and reviewed by the experts.
Pros & Cons
Getting to review a particular rod extensively allows us to ascertain the advantages and disadvantages a particular rod has. Here is a list of benefits and drawbacks I found when conducting this Daiwa Infinity X45 review…
Pros
- Uses Daiwas V-joint technology
- Casts amazing distances particularly the 3.75lb version
- Rock solid reel seat
- Beautifully sleek finish to the rod
- Extremely lightweight yet extremely powerful
- A real feel of quality in your hands
- Playing fish feels great
Cons
- It’s not cheap
- Only available in two test curves
Introducing The Daiwa Infinity X45
Daiwa has an undisputed reputation for producing quality fishing rods. The Infinity range of carp rods is one of their more famous and popular models amongst carp anglers. The X45 version is a premium rod that comes with a premium price tag, but is it worth the money?
This Daiwa Infinity X45 review will show you the results of some extensive testing by 3 experts. The rod has been put through its paces and rated against 5 key attributes that all good carp rods should contain.
To finish off I have compared it against other top, premium rods so you can gauge how well it performs. So without any further ado, let’s get started.
Who’s it ideal for
The Infinity X45 is a premium rod that is suited for more experienced anglers. It is designed and made with distance casting in mind, especially the 3.75lb test curve version. The 3.25lb test curve is a great all-round rod but is still capable of achieving casts of up to 150 yards+.
Experienced carp anglers will really appreciate the quality of the materials used in manufacturing this rod, however, you do pay a premium price for this.
If you are new to the sport, there are decent (cheaper) rods out there that will enable you to cut your teeth before moving on to more premium models.
Where Did The Daiwa Infinity X45 Come From
Officially, Daiwa launched the first Infinity rod in 1995. These were originally launched as the Infinity X and followed the very famous Amorphous Whisker and Whisker Kevlar rods which were made with the assistance of the famous Kevin Nash.
There were 4 models at launch, each rapidly forming a reputation for long-distance casting. The technology evolved in the mid-noughties with 2 distinctive blank types. These were the Magnum Taper (for long-distance casting) and the Slim Power (for mid-range work).
This technology and the quality of the rods resonated with serious carp anglers for many years until 2021 when Daiwa launched the next generation of the Infinity legacy, the Infinity X45.
Thanks to the latest technology, the X45 is superior to previous models, particularly when casting and playing fish.
The Different Versions Of The X45
There are 6 versions of the Infinity X45. Two come in 12-foot lengths with 3.25 and 3.75lb test curves, two in 13-foot lengths with the same test curve and there is a 12-foot spod and 12-foot marker rod version as well. You can check out the weight and the maximum casting distance of these rods in the following table:
| Length | Test Curve | Weight Of Rod | Max Cast Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 ft | 3.25lb | 370g | 160 yds |
| 12 ft | 3.75lb | 373g | 165 yds |
| 13 ft | 3.25lb | 432g | 170 yds |
| 13 ft | 3.75lb | 442g | 175 yds |
| 12 ft Marker | 4.25lb | 418g | 160 yds+ |
| 12 ft Spod | 4.5lb | 425g | 160 yds+ |
The 5 Attributes The Rod Was Tested Against
As mentioned previously in the article, there are 5 key elements that carp anglers look for in the best rods. These are as follows:
- Features
- Appearance
- Casting & Feel
- Playing Fish
- Value For Money
For more detail on the review process please visit the designated review explanation page that outlines how products are reviewed on eTackle.
The Daiwa Infinity X45 Review
So having set the scene with where the rod came from and what criteria the rod was tested against let’s now get into how it performed.
First off, let’s see how the experts have rated this rod…
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The Key Attributes Scrutinised
Features & Specifications
The materials used on this premium carp fishing rod are simply some of the best out there. The reason the Infinity has X45 in its name is down to how the rod is made in Daiwa’s manufacturing plant in Scotland.
Basically, they offer up 2 sheets of carbon at 45-degree angles before they are rolled. This method alongside the HVF (high volume fibre) build reduces any twist on the blank which provides the rods with numerous advantages.
In addition to the rod’s superior build, I particularly like the SeaGuide TDG rings. Combined, these 2 features form the basis of what this carp rod is well known for and that is casting ability.
The rod is available in 12 and 13 lengths with test curves of 3.25 and 3.75lb. There are also spod and marker rod versions in the range.
The handle
The handle has a Japanese shrink grip handle that is comfortable to hold even when wet. At the end of the handle is a solid black metal butt cap which helps protect the rod.
The reel seat
The ALPS ARD reel seat has double screw fittings and a unique and stylish finish. It holds the reel absolutely solid, which is crucial when playing fish and casting long distances. My opinion is that this type of reel seat is much more hardwearing than the more traditional fuji style.
The eyes/guides
The Seaguide TDG rings add to the rod’s super light makeup. Their frictionless nature allows for optimum casting distance. They also aid in the recovery of the blank which, again, is a key feature in a distance rod and a great feature for playing big fish effectively.
The blank
The blank is exceptionally thin and boasts HVF (high volume fibre) technology alongside Daiwa’s unique V-joint build. Both of these combined, massively reduce any twist in the blank and this, in turn, improves casting accuracy and the rod’s fish playing performance.
Features & Specifications Summary
- Available in 12 & 13-foot lengths
- Available in 3.25lb and 3.75lb Test Curves
- ALPS ARD Reel Seat
- Japanese Shrink Grip Handle
- Seaguide TDG Rings
- X45 Bias Carbon Technology
- HVF (High Volume Carbon)
- Unique V-Joint Technology
Here’s what the experts said about the rods features:
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Appearance
The Infinity X45 is a beautiful-looking rod with a matt black finish and black gloss whippings. The black theme continues across the whole rod including the butt cap.
Not only does the rod ooze quality through its feel, but it does so also through its looks. It’s one of the best-looking rods I have used with only the Scope Black Ops perhaps pipping it slightly.
Here’s what the experts said about the X45s appearance:
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Casting & Feel
The biggest advantage that the Infinity X45 has over its competitors is how the rod casts and feels in your hand. When partnered with a distance casting reel, it simply casts what seems like miles.
The way the rod is built, with its anti-twist, HVF technology alongside the large, frictionless rod eyes all contributes to its casting ability.
The blank is also very thin and super-light making it easy to feel the quality of the rod build as soon as you pick it up. I was hitting 150 yards with both 3.25lb test curves and 160 yds+ with 3.75lb test curve versions when testing.
This is what the experts said about how the rod casts and feels when handled:
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Playing Fish
One of the real positives of owning a Daiwa Infinity X45 rod is the responsiveness of the blank when playing fish. You really can feel every thump and turn the fish makes during the fight.
Again, the lightweight nature of the rod allows for this alongside Daiwa’s V-joint technology that contributes to the anti-twist attributes that aid the responsive feel.
The Infinity X45 is rated 2nd best for playing fish in my research, just behind the Century Stealth Graphene.
Here are some quotes from the experts on how the rod performs when playing fish:
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Value For Money
I am a firm believer of you get what you pay for, especially when it comes to fishing gear. The Daiwa Infinity X45 is an amazing carp fishing rod but you have to pay good money for it. Having said that, it isn’t the most expensive on the market!
Here’s how the experts scored the rod on value for money:
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Final Thoughts & Conclusions
Daiwa and quality are often spoken in the same breath and the Infinity range of rods is one of the main reasons why.
The Infinity X45 is quite simply the best rod on the market and performed exceptionally well in the testing. The balance of the rod is pretty much perfect with the weight-to-strength ratio being one of, if not the best out there.
It casts an absolute mile but this ability doesn’t compromise the feel of playing fish at all thanks to the build quality and advanced technology that make up the rod.
Okay, it’s not cheap, but it is an amazing rod that if you are fortunate enough to be able to afford, you should absolutely purchase.
You can see this rod as well as all the other top rods I have featured in the recommended carp rod category in our shop below.
Thanks for reading.