Daiwa Jupiter, T Series

[BASSclary]

Well, I was strolling through the fishing section at Walmart and noticed a snazzy lookin' Daiwa called the Jupiter. It felt really nice and balanced in hand, and the components seemed great for only $70. Was wondering if anybody has used one? I'm thinking about picking up a 7' MH for some lighter texas rigs, sniper spinnerbaits, and maybe some finesse jigs. The tip had a really nice flex to it, and there was definately some good backbone in there.

I was thinking about picking on up along with another budget reel from walmart, which I would normally probably never do, but money is extremely tight with bills for me. $250 for insurance, gas, and phone. I swear i'm over-worked and underpaid. End of that mini-rant though.

But anyways I was thinking of getting that, paired with maybe a Caenan, Kinetic, or something else around the 100 dollar range. However I was also looking at the Daiwa T-Rods. There a few bucks more and the specs are basically the same, except for color and more availability. My dad has a medium spinning rod, which I have used, and was decent for the price. Has anyone used both and can compare?

But anyways, the Jupiters feel really good in hand, and I almost can't say no for 70$. But I want some opinion from the #1 site I visit.

Also, my Wal-Mart carries the Lew's that goes for 70 I think. Is it worth anything? I new everybody raves about the 100 and above ones, but havent heard much on the bottom reel.

I figure i'll pair it with some 8# flouro.

Man, I wish Powells were only $70, I'd have just about each one.

Oh and wait, does anyone know if the Carbonlite reels are better? Thanks!

[smalljaw67]

First of all go with a rod that Diawa officially recognizes like the T series, actually the T series has got some really good reviews so that is where I would go. Second thing is don't get a Caenan or the $79.99 Lew Laser MG, both of those reels are graphite framed budget reels that will be ok for a while but once the graphite frame flex, and they will eventually flex, the gears will go out of alignment and you'll be left with a coffee grinder. Get a Kinetic, Citica, or the 99 dollar Lews Speed Spool, all of those can be had for under a hundred bucks and all have an aluminum frame that will last.

[nwmike]

the Powell diesel rods are 70.00 at tackle warehouse they have a 7 foot 2 inch and a 7 foot 6 inch in casting models.

[new2BC4bass]

There is at least one review of the Jupiter on here. The guy was so impressed with the rod that he said he was going to sell his Zillion rods and buy more Jupiters. I don't think I would go that far unless I had to for financial reasons.

I picked up the very rod you are thinking of when visiting Florida this spring. Got to use it one day before heading home (left it there for next time). When I stopped at the Walmart, the salesmen had me try a Bucoo/Curado 50E first. Didn't look, but pretty sure it was a medium power rod...6'6" with micro guides. BTW, that is a nice light combo.

Then he put the Curado on the 7' MH Jupiter for me to try. First cast with the Jupiter had the lure dropping just in front of the chain link fence across the parking lot, and I had eased up on the cast since I had another 6" of lever.

Unfortunately all I caught were a few dinks at the new lake we were trying. I threw a little bit of everything with it...toad, 1/2 oz. spinnerbait, a couple cranks and 10 inch weightless worms. Had a baby alligator following my lure a couple times, but I wasn't interested in hooking that baby!

I liked the rod well enough that I would like a couple more to try at home. Got 6 more reels than rods. Like you I have to watch my money. Make $600 month less than 4 years ago, and paying $350 more a month in gas. Steal from Peter to pay Paul...as the saying goes.

[BASSclary]

First of all go with a rod that Diawa officially recognizes like the T series, actually the T series has got some really good reviews so that is where I would go. Second thing is don't get a Caenan or the $79.99 Lew Laser MG, both of those reels are graphite framed budget reels that will be ok for a while but once the graphite frame flex, and they will eventually flex, the gears will go out of alignment and you'll be left with a coffee grinder. Get a Kinetic, Citica, or the 99 dollar Lews Speed Spool, all of those can be had for under a hundred bucks and all have an aluminum frame that will last.

Will Daiwa not warranty a Wal-mart exclusive?

[BASSclary]

There is at least one review of the Jupiter on here. The guy was so impressed with the rod that he said he was going to sell his Zillion rods and buy more Jupiters. I don't think I would go that far unless I had to for financial reasons.

I picked up the very rod you are thinking of when visiting Florida this spring. Got to use it one day before heading home (left it there for next time). When I stopped at the Walmart, the salesmen had me try a Bucoo/Curado 50E first. Didn't look, but pretty sure it was a medium power rod...6'6" with micro guides. BTW, that is a nice light combo.

Then he put the Curado on the 7' MH Jupiter for me to try. First cast with the Jupiter had the lure dropping just in front of the chain link fence across the parking lot, and I had eased up on the cast since I had another 6" of lever.

Unfortunately all I caught were a few dinks at the new lake we were trying. I threw a little bit of everything with it...toad, 1/2 oz. spinnerbait, a couple cranks and 10 inch weightless worms. Had a baby alligator following my lure a couple times, but I wasn't interested in hooking that baby!

I liked the rod well enough that I would like a couple more to try at home. Got 6 more reels than rods. Like you I have to watch my money. Make $600 month less than 4 years ago, and paying $350 more a month in gas. Steal from Peter to pay Paul...as the saying goes.

Glad to hear someone has used it, and I really like the Bucoo's, but 140 is more than I can spend right now. Maybe if they didn't have the darn micro guide versions.

Basically it's between the T-Series and the Jupiter. I might send Daiwa an email to get the scoop on the Jupiter rods.

[Fishwhittler]

I own a 6'6" M Team Daiwa T, and after fishing it for a couple months I have absolutely no complaints. I don't have any more expensive rods to compare it with, but the rod has plenty of sensitivity. I've been using it with #10 Yo-Zuri Ultra-Soft, and as a plastics rod it does a very good job. I've also used it for throwing paddle-tail swimbaits, cranks, topwaters, spinnerbaits, and even frogs. It handles all of those applications pretty well; admittedly it's a bit on the light side for frogs and it also feels slightly overpowered with big spinnerbaits, but for a medium-power rod that's hardly surprising. Overall, I'd say the TDT is a very good value for the $$, especially when you consider that it comes with a 5-year limited warranty.

As far as durability goes, the TDT should be fine as long as you take care of it. That's one reason why I'd steer clear of rods in Wal Mart: a lot of people handle those rods, and in the process they can get banged around. They might not show any damage, but graphite rods can be compromised without any visible cracks and then break at most inopportune times. I'm sure a lot of people buy rods from Wal Mart that last for a long time, but I'd rather not take the chance.

I've handled the Jupiter rods in Wal Mart, and it feels fairly decent just from handling it. Going solely by how the Jupiter feels without a reel or line, I'd stick with my TDT. I'm not real big on the telescopic handle on the Jupiter (which is strictly personal preference), but the whole rod just doesn't seem quite as nice as the TDT.

The TDT also looks better than the Jupiter.

[new2BC4bass]

I own a 6'6" M Team Daiwa T, and after fishing it for a couple months I have absolutely no complaints. I don't have any more expensive rods to compare it with, but the rod has plenty of sensitivity. I've been using it with #10 Yo-Zuri Ultra-Soft, and as a plastics rod it does a very good job. I've also used it for throwing paddle-tail swimbaits, cranks, topwaters, spinnerbaits, and even frogs. It handles all of those applications pretty well; admittedly it's a bit on the light side for frogs and it also feels slightly overpowered with big spinnerbaits, but for a medium-power rod that's hardly surprising. Overall, I'd say the TDT is a very good value for the $$, especially when you consider that it comes with a 5-year limited warranty.

As far as durability goes, the TDT should be fine as long as you take care of it. That's one reason why I'd steer clear of rods in Wal Mart: a lot of people handle those rods, and in the process they can get banged around. They might not show any damage, but graphite rods can be compromised without any visible cracks and then break at most inopportune times. I'm sure a lot of people buy rods from Wal Mart that last for a long time, but I'd rather not take the chance.

I've handled the Jupiter rods in Wal Mart, and it feels fairly decent just from handling it. Going solely by how the Jupiter feels without a reel or line, I'd stick with my TDT. I'm not real big on the telescopic handle on the Jupiter (which is strictly personal preference), but the whole rod just doesn't seem quite as nice as the TDT.

The TDT also looks better than the Jupiter.

I was checking the Jupiters and Bucoos out again tonight. You bring up a very good point. Rods (including the most expensive they carry) are all placed in an area designed to hold one rod, yet in some spots as many as 3 are jammed into the space. The set up in Florida wasn't much better.

I haven't seen a T-series rod. Will see what I can find out about them. I'm fond of the Daiwa equipment I have.

[Fishwhittler]

I was checking the Jupiters and Bucoos out again tonight. You bring up a very good point. Rods (including the most expensive they carry) are all placed in an area designed to hold one rod, yet in some spots as many as 3 are jammed into the space. The set up in Florida wasn't much better.

I haven't seen a T-series rod. Will see what I can find out about them. I'm fond of the Daiwa equipment I have.

Not only that, but the Wal Mart rod racks are also very difficult to remove rods from without knocking the rods against each other. At least they put the racks high enough that little kids can't fence with the rods.

I wasn't able to find out much about the TDT when I was looking at purchasing one. No site that carries the T has more than a few reviews at most, and the searches I tried on this forum and others for info on the TDT turned up virtually nothing. The T-series seems to be very much under the radar, which I find a bit surprising considering the TDT is slightly cheaper than the Abu Garcia Vendetta and has a 5-year warranty.

[BASSclary]

Haven't got an email from Daiwa yet, but I think I might make the trip to bps to try out a t-rod with a carbonlite on it.

[outdoorsman110]

First of all go with a rod that Diawa officially recognizes like the T series, actually the T series has got some really good reviews so that is where I would go. Second thing is don't get a Caenan or the $79.99 Lew Laser MG, both of those reels are graphite framed budget reels that will be ok for a while but once the graphite frame flex, and they will eventually flex, the gears will go out of alignment and you'll be left with a coffee grinder. Get a Kinetic, Citica, or the 99 dollar Lews Speed Spool, all of those can be had for under a hundred bucks and all have an aluminum frame that will last.

the t series blue and black, one of my favorites.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

From what I have read the t series rod is a redesigned Tierra rod. If that's te case then it's a good rod as I have 3 Tierra's with no complaints. It seems the t series is a im7 vs im6 for the Jupiter. As others have mentioned be careful if you get one from Wally world.

[BASSHUNTER1961]

I just picked up a Diawa Jupiter today at Walmart. It is the 7'6" H with telescopic handle, and the thing is darn light and sensitive. Oh, it was in the clearance bin for $19.99...... If it breaks who cares?

[Scorcher214]

Glad to hear somebody somebody has something good to say about the Daiwa T rod. Just snapped a veritas and I need a new rod

[BASSHUNTER1961]

I pulled a nice one out of some heavy slop with it today, and it performed perfectly. It throws a hollow frog and a Senko a long way. I am very happy to say the least. If they had a few more I would go back and buy them all, but it was the only one left.

[BASSclary]

Glad to hear somebody somebody has something good to say about the Daiwa T rod. Just snapped a veritas and I need a new rod

I never updated the thread, but I got the T-Series 7' MH/XF. I love the rods, the balance fine, sensitivity is pretty good, (Its only 75$, definately not a loomis), and I love the ACS reel seats (Why I got it, LOL)

But anyways, these rods run pretty stiff, so my MH is somewhere inbetween MH and H