Daiwa Tournament Spod X45 13′ 5lb | The Ultimate Long-Range Baiting Tool

When it comes to high-end carp angling, your baiting tool needs to be every bit as refined as your fishing rods. At Gerry’s Fishing, we are proud to stock the Daiwa Tournament Spod X45 13′ 5lb, a rod that sits at the absolute pinnacle of UK rod design. Built right here in the UK, this isn’t just a “heavy stick”—it is a precision instrument engineered for anglers who refuse to compromise on distance or accuracy.

The secret to this rod’s incredible performance lies in the HVF (High Volume Fibre) combined with X45 technology. By using a 45-degree bias carbon wrap, Daiwa has virtually eliminated blank twist, meaning every ounce of energy you put into the cast goes straight into the Spomb. After two years of rigorous testing, Daiwa identified the 5lb test curve as the “sweet spot”—providing enough backbone to punch a fully loaded large Spomb into a headwind, without being so stiff that it becomes a chore to load.

As the first-ever 13ft Tournament Spod rod produced in the UK, this model is specifically designed for those using 13ft Basiair, Basia, or Infinity setups. It ensures your casting rhythm remains consistent across all your rods, allowing for “clipped-up” accuracy at distances that were previously unreachable. Finished with ultra-light SeaGuide TDG guides and a premium Fuji DPS reel seat, this is the most capable spod rod we’ve ever put on the racks.

Technical Specifications

Pro Tip from the Gerry’s Team

The 13ft length provides a massive amount of leverage, but it requires a slightly wider casting stance than a standard 12ft rod. When casting a fully loaded Spomb at range, ensure your “drop” (the distance from the tip to the Spomb) is slightly longer—roughly level with the rod joint. This allows the X45 blank to load progressively, resulting in a much smoother release and significantly less “wobble” in flight.

Example of Where to Use

The Tournament Spod X45 13′ is the king of Big Water Carp Fishing. If you are tackling massive venues like Stanwick Lakes, Orchid Lake, or large continental reservoirs where the fish are holding at 140+ yards, this rod is essential. Because it also features 1ft and 2ft markers on the blank, it doubles as an incredible Long-Range Marker Rod, allowing you to map out underwater features at extreme distances with total confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why choose the 13ft version over the 12ft?

If you are already fishing with 13ft main rods, switching to a 12ft spod rod can mess with your “timing” and casting arc. The 13ft version provides extra tip speed and leverage, making it much easier to hit those extreme distances consistently.

Is the 5lb test curve too stiff for smaller Spombs?

While it is optimized for “fully loaded” large Spombs and Spods, the X45 technology ensures the blank is responsive. It will handle medium Spombs perfectly well, though you’ll find it really comes alive when there is some weight to push against.

What is the benefit of SeaGuide TDG guides?

These guides have no ceramic liners. This makes them incredibly light, which increases the “recovery” speed of the blank (how fast it stops wobbling after the cast). Fewer vibrations mean less friction on your line, resulting in more yards on your cast.

Can I use this as a marker rod?

Yes! Daiwa has cleverly included 1ft and 2ft depth indicators on the blank. The high-modulus HVF carbon is incredibly “talkative,” transmitting every vibration from a lead through to your hand, making it a world-class tool for finding gravel bars and weed beds.