Travel Spinning Rod Review: Daiwa Ardito TR Rod
- By: Justin Ritchey
- on
If you travel often or need a fishing rod that’s a bit more compact and easy to store, the Daiwa Ardito TR Rod might be a good fit for you.
Multi-piece rods have severely improved over the years to prove to be viable options to catch big fish.
What should you be looking for in a multi-piece, travel spinning rod?
Check out more below!!
Travel Spinning Rod Review: Daiwa Ardito TR Rod [VIDEO]
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The model used for this review is a Medium-Heavy 7′ 6″ rod weighted 1/4-1 ounce for 8-17lb line.
Daiwa’s Ardito Travel Rod is a 3-piece model that separates and conjoins at two places.
It is on the stiff side because of the medium-heavy action it is rated for.
This is a pretty powerful and versatile setup for a travel rod.
The medium-heavy action covers more bases in terms of what you are looking for out of a travel, multi-piece rod.
It is better to have everything and not need it than to have nothing and need more in terms of travel rods.
Reel Pairings For The Ardito TR
The Daiwa Fuego 3000 is the ideal match for this rod.
Not only do the colors align, but the heavier rod will benefit from a sturdier reel.
Also, the BG MQ or original BG would pair nicely with this rod.
Most reels with a hard, aluminum body will match with this rod and balance out the setup.
If you plan on using cut-bait or live bait, an aluminum body reel will perform well with this rod.
Crash Course: How Fishing Rods Are Designed
Fishing rods are nothing more than sheets of carbon fiber bound together by layers of epoxy.
The sheets of carbon fiber are placed on a steel mandrill where they are wrapped horizontally and then vertically around the rod.
Then, the rod is baked to bind together the carbon fiber and the mandrill is removed to reveal a fishing rod.
Traditionally, when the wraps bind to each other they form a “T” shape layer by layer.
This provides you with the strength to set hooks and fight big fish.
Rod manufacturers, like Daiwa, have now begun to account for the other angles to protect the rod.
This can increase the rod’s power, rigidity, and better response in lure performance.
X45 By Daiwa
Combined with the traditional process of crafting a fishing rod, Daiwa has added a 45-degree carbon fiber wrap going up and going down the rod.
This provides more coverage within the graphite construction of the blank.
The X45 design prevents the rod from twisting and warping as you reel in a fish that is constantly pulling hard and running from side to side in front of you.
This gives greater control over the fish as you try to reel it in.
Further, with traditional rods, there is a little bit of lag time after you cast out your line where the rod bends forward and then comes back into shape.
With X45 reinforcements, the rod has a much faster response time than rods without the additional carbon fiber blends.
X45 improves the power of the rod when reeling in fish as well as helps you cast more accurately.
Daiwa has incorporated this technology into a travel rod so you won’t be sacrificing performance by going with this multi-piece rod on trips or excursions.
HVF on the side of the rod stands for “High Volume Fiber” and it works in conjunction with X45.
The carbon fiber sheets that make up the rod are impregnated with an epoxy resin that hardens and builds the strength of the rod.
HVF in a rod means that there is going to be less epoxy resin and an increased amount of carbon fiber sheets.
Some anglers may be thinking that the more carbon fiber in a rod than the more sensitive and brittle it will be.
But, this does not apply to rods with X45 construction.
The cross-section wrapping of carbon sheets combined with more fibers makes the rod lighter, stronger, and more sensitive.
Additional Features
The Ardito TR rod comes with its very own travel case included.
It is a hard body case to protect the rod pieces and there are dividers within the case to keep the rod safe and protected.
Also, there is also a foam tip protector on the lid of the case.
For those that want to carry the case over their shoulder, take on a plane, or keep out of the way, this rod is a great option for you.
Not all multi-piece travel rods come with their own carrying case.
Cons Of the Ardito TR
It has a split-grip butt system that is unfavorable to some anglers.
The 9.5-inch butt section (most rods are 8-8.5 inches) is much longer than other rods which can get in the way for some anglers.
Over time, the inside of the ferrules will smoothen out and lessen the tightness of the connection because of taking it apart and putting it back together.
Conclusion
Modern advancements in the understanding of rod building allow manufacturers to create high-end, powerful travel rods that are split into multiple pieces.
You are not sacrificing strength for convenience with this multi-piece Ardito TR setup.
The Ardito TR is a great choice for those in need of a travel rod, but it comes with its own set of pros and cons.
If you are curious about other reels that may pair with the Ardito, ask me down in the comments!
Please ask any other tackle or gear questions you may have down below!
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Can I use 8000 reels for this rod?
No, this rod is better suited for reels ranging from 2500 to 4000.
I travel to FLA from MI once a year to do some inshore/from shore fishing. I currently have a KastKing Black Hawk II 7′ Med Fast spinning set up. I would like to get a second rod and I was looking at the Ardito 7’6″. I am not sure if the Med or MH would be best. I read were the Med was more like a MH so I am thinking the MH would be too stiff and not sensitive. I mostly fish with live shrimp for Sheepshead with the KastKing and was looking for something to throw paddletails, ,moonwalker or jerk shad. I was thinking the 7’6″ to getting it further out in the surf. Can I get your thoughts?
Seems like the Medium is the better for for what you described.
Thanks Luke. I appreciate your videos and webcast. Your tips and discussions have helped better understand salt water fishing.
What are the pros/cons of the 8 guide rods vs 10 guide rods? Thanks!
More guides on a Rod provide better support as the line transitions from one guide to the next. This is helpful to ensure there aren’t any unnecessary stress points on the Rod when under a load.
I know it’s a travel rod but if I choose to use it on an everyday basis as one of my main poles is that ok or their not meant for that ?
This Rod really is a “Medium Heavy” Power in that it’s rather stiff…you can certainly use it on an everyday basis, but I would suggest using it for live/dead bait fishing or for using larger 5″+ Lures.
I purchase a medium heavy 1/4 to 1 oz Daiwa Ardito Casting travel rod. I would like to use this rod for speed jigging/slow pitch jigging. I understand the weigh limits of a rod for casting but would I be pushing the limits of this rod if I jig 100g or more?
I personally would not recommend using this rod for any sort of jigging (speed/slow jigging) as it’s not designed for that application. Regardless of whether the rod can handle a 100g jig +/-, if the rod is not designed for that application then there could be issues with the rod not presenting the lure properly, or the rod being damaged due to improper use.
How would you compare this Daiwa Ardito rod with the Toadfish travel rod in terms of feel and performance? Your SS reviews for both were super helpful and informative, and seems both are good options, but keen to hear any perspective on what is different between them (aside from Toadfish having the different blanks for power and action). Thanks!
Great question! Although I haven’t used the Toadfish Stowaway/Travel Rod personally, I felt like it offered better versatility when it comes to presenting a wider range of artificial lures. The Ardito 7’6″ MH Travel Rod is rather stiff, which is great if you are a traveler focused on using Live Bait and larger artificial lures (5″ or bigger). I could see myself reaching for an Ardito Travel Rod if targeting Tarpon, Big Snook & Bull Redfish, but might reach for the Toadfish if I’m casting smaller artificial lures in a bay/marsh/flat in my travels.
Hi Justin, I recently bought the Ardito 7’6″ as well as the 7’0″ 3 pc TRs.
I used the 7’6″ a few days ago paired with the Daiwa Saltist 3000 and 15# Power Pro and caught a number
of Jack Crevalle as well as some Speckled Sea Trout all in one morning and this rod was just fantastic especially with the Larger Jack’s.
At first, I was a bit disappointed with the slightly shorter than normal butt (below the reel seat), but after using it I did not even notice it.
All round, an excellent buy and very happy with it.
Fantastic testimonial, Norman. Thank you for chiming in here! I’m glad you’re enjoying your Ardito TR Rod!
Justin, I have two Arditos and the ferrule connection is a spigot ferrule. It is not meant as insurance when the ferrule connection wears off in time. Just sayin’.. 🙂
Thanks Justin. I have been wanting a travel rod to keep in my truck at all times and hope that they are back in stock soon. Will pair it with the Fuego 3000 as suggested and go from there.
No problem Steve. These pair well with a whole bunch of different reels: the Fuego 3000 & 4000, the Procyon AL 4000, the BG 3000 and even the BG MQ 3000 and 4000 would all be excellent options with this rod.
I’ve had an Ardito for 5+ years and it is a fantastic travel rod and rod, in general. Connections have remained tight after tons of connecting/disconnecting. I highly recommend it. The rod is pretty sturdy so I fish it with a 4000 or 5000 size reel.
Awesome to hear. Thanks for the feedback!