I’ll be honest, if my tackle room was on fire and I could only save one rod from my rod bag, it’d be this one. The Daiwa AIR Z AGS Match Rod isn’t just my go-to float rod. It’s the rod. If it’s a cold January session where I’m scratching around on 0.10 line and a size 20, or it’s summer and I’m fishing a pellet waggler for carp, this is the first rod I reach for every time.
Yes, it’s expensive, so I’ll get that out the way now, but after using it, you’ll stop thinking about the cost and start thinking in about how it will change your fishing for the better. When something performs this well, over this many situations, it pays for itself. Not in cash, but in confidence.
The first thing you notice is the weight, or lack of it. You’d swear Daiwa filled it with helium and the carbon blank is slim and ridiculously responsive. While many say better tackle doesn't make you a better angler, the incredibly fast line pick-up on the AGS will improve your hooking to bite ratio, which put simply, will put more fish on the bank for you.
Daiwa have given this rod all the tech, the X45X carbon helps you cast straighter and transfers every ounce of energy through the blank. When you hook something big and realise the rod just bends perfectly, cushioning the fight and hook hold. It’s got that ability of feeling delicate when you need finesse but has more than enough backbone to tame bonus fish.
Then there is the AGS carbon guides. Now, these things are a bit of a game changer. They’re about 70% lighter than regular metal guides and that gives the whole rod a crisper, more responsive feel. It recovers from a cast instantly, so every flick of the wrist feels sharper and more direct. It may amaze some how such a simple change can directly affect a fishing rod.
The ALPS Air Pad reel seat is beautifully minimal and finishes the rod off perfectly. It’s solid, you can feel the reel locking in with no slack or wobble. It’s comfortable in the hand, even after a busy pellet waggler session. The handle profile is slim too, with a mix of Duplon and cork that just feels, balanced, light, and nimble.
COUPLE A ROD OF THIS QUALITY WITH ONE OF THE BEST FISHING REELS ON THE MARKET!
Verdict
Over the past year or so, I’ve put this rod through it all, delicate fishing in cold clear water, to bagging sessions with big angry carp you name it, it does it all.
It's a pleasure to use, particularly with light wagglers and low diameter lines. It effortlessly casts a float exactly where you want it, and hits the fastest of bites.
It’s never once put a foot wrong. Some rods sit in the holdall until the conditions are just right. This one’s I will always reach for because when something feels this good to use, you don’t need an excuse to pick it up.
Granted it's an expensive piece of kit, but if you're a serious match angler or someone who simply wants the best there is, then look no further the Daiwa Air Z AGS Match rod is exactly that.
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Tech Spec
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X45X Full Shield
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HVF Nanoplus
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V-Joint Alpha
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AGS Guides
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ALPS Airpad Reel seat
Daiwa’s top-of-the-line Air Z AGS rod really shows off the brand’s commitment to top-notch design, engineering, materials, and build quality.
It’s made from premium carbon fibre with some extra nano reinforcement, plus Daiwa’s X45X carbon layering technique. The slim blank delivers amazing casting performance, and the line pick-up speed and tip recovery are just incredible. You also get exclusive Air Guide System (AGS) carbon guides.
I once asked Daiwa why they made this rod, and their answer was spot on: “Because we can.”
Honestly, it’s just a stunning rod.
Pros
- The complete waggler rod
- Light and balanced, with a great action
Cons
- One of the most expensive float rods on the market
Our pick of the alternatives
Best Commercial Float Rod (2024 National Angling Awards Winner)
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
The Drennan Acolyte Commercial is a high-performance tool designed particularly to tackle large carp on commercial fisheries, the rod is powerful yet refined that makes it a joy to use even in the most demanding situations.
The rod exudes power whilst remaining sensitive, this is in part due to the slim blank profile that enhances casting accuracy. An advancement on its popular predecessor the Acolyte Pellet Waggler, the rod benefits from larger oversized guides which also aids in casting due to vastly reduced friction action on the line.
Capable of handling the biggest pellet wagglers this rod lends its self to targeting the biggest fish in commercials.
Pros
- Oversized guide and crisp action make it a joy to cast with
- Durability, built specifically for the rigours of pellet waggler fishing
Cons
- Although a sensitive rod, may be slightly over gunned for small carp and more delicate biting F1's
The newest incarnation of the legendary range is the Daiwa Tournament S 11ft 6ins Float. It has been updated with Daiwa’s latest technologies, including HVF Nanoplus and V-Joint Alpha, but more notably, the action has been geared slightly more towards natural venue fishing.
The 11ft 6ins Float is a superb offering, brought about by the rise in winter silverfish matches on commercials, along with the need to serve anglers fishing small rivers and drains, making it already the best-selling float rod in the range. Perfect for smaller wagglers and casts of 15m to 25m.
When using this rod, before even casting it out it just felt right for the job it has been designed for. It was light, with a thin blank and a crisp action, perfect for casting light wagglers out for silverfish on commercials. The rod is punchy, and while that may surprise you, it is needed to hit those delicate bites from silverfish, it also makes it great for hitting bites on rivers too, especially in windier conditions. The slightly larger guides, really help reduce friction when casting and coupled with a 3lb mainline in testing, a small loaded 2g waggler was reaching 25m with ease and accuracy.
The rod, as you would expect from Daiwa, looks beautiful, the blue flash just adds a touch of class to a really superb rod and with all evaluated, we couldn't give any other rod our prestigious award of the Best Float Rod in our National Angling Awards 2024.
Seaguide TYG and TDG, premium skeletal guides are used throughout and perfectly complement the fast, yet forgiving action of the rod’s gorgeously thin blank.
Pros
- An awesome rod for more traditional waggler fishing techniques
- Lightning fast line pick up
Cons
- Not our first choice if big carp are the target
The Daiwa Airity X-Slim Float rod, has been designed and engineered to cope with demands of the modern angler. A rod that marries the strength and precision of X45X Full Shield technology with the slim elegance of a reduced diameter blank.
The slimmer profile of this rod helps them cut through the air, allowing you to cast further with smaller floats—perfect for targeting big, wary commercial carp that may spook at larger floats. The slim design also aids in striking, making it ideal for species like roach or situations where every bite counts. The stand out model is the 11ft model, this capable rod will handle anything a commercial fishery can throw at you.
With the V-Joint Alpha technology, the rod bends smoothly, evenly, and effortlessly which will reduce hook pulls, and allow the use of lighter mainlines. Fitted with a Tournament reel seat, stainless steel Zirconia guides, and a striking two-tone EVA handle that turns heads.
Pros
- A perfect rod for modern-day commercials
- Confidence inspiring action
Cons
- Not the best rod for silvers
Author Jonathan Longden, is an experienced angler. With over 20 years experience in the tackle trade specialising in match and coarse fishing he has an extensive practical knowledge of the latest equipment and the specific needs of anglers. He currently occupies the role of commercial content writer at Angling Times.