Daiwa Sweepfire vs Korum CS 12ft float

funnynonsense · Jan 14, 2014

Hi guys.

I introduced myself a while ago but haven't been online in a while. I'm hoping you could help me make a decision on 2 rods. Here in South Africa it's not easy getting hold of float rods, or any type of course rod for that matter apart from carp rods.

On the float side I'm currently using a Rovex John Wilson XTM match rod which were selling as cheap as chips here. R150 - around £8.50. I've been using it for over a year for carp from 5 - 13 lb. I love the rod but it's a little outgunned against these fish - I want to keep it for when I visit some of our bigger wild waters that hold smaller specimens (weighed in grams not kilos).

Most of my fishing is in still waters, but I'd like to have a go at trotting for yellowfish also.

So I've turned over a few stones and have 2 options on rods here.
1. The Daiwa Sweepfire Match Rod 13ft, 2-8lb rating or
2. The Korum cs 12ft float, 3-8lb rating.

What would you guys suggest between these two? It's a little difficult for me because I have to buy blind.

smufter · Jan 14, 2014

Don't know if it's much help to you but I had a couple of Korum CS feeder rods and loved them to bits. Sold them on when I moved up to "proper" carping gear, wish I hadn't done now!
If the float rods are as good as the feeders, then you'll be happy with them

Tee-Cee · Jan 14, 2014

Well, if the name is anything to go by, the 'Sweepfire' wins by a country mile. Sounds like the latest guided missile system from the States!!

All I would say, and I'm certainly no expert on these matters(!) is the line rating of 2lbs to 8lbs and 3lbs to 8lbs TC for a 13' 'match' rod.
I appreciate you might 'match fish' with 8lb line, but would I then want to use that same rod with a 2lb line - I don't think so!!
It's this old question of 'balance' and it doesn't seem right to me....Almost as if they are trying to cover too many areas with one rod!

Any road up, it's only my opinion............................................oft known to miss the point on many occasions!

I'll be interested to read more 'expert' posts from those that know.....

funnynonsense..............Please DON'T buy blind!! Make as plan to have a waggle in a shop as no advice on website will make up for that 'hands on' touch................Too easy to make a mistake, and I speak from experience!

funnynonsense · Jan 14, 2014

Tee-Cee said:
funnynonsense..............Please DON'T buy blind!! Make as plan to have a waggle in a shop as no advice on website will make up for that 'hands on' touch................Too easy to make a mistake, and I speak from experience!

Valid point about the wide spread on the line rating which also concerned me.

To be honest I don't have much of a choice about buying blind here. The Daiwa would need to be specially bought in if I chose to have it. The Korum is available here, but a mission to get hold of one to look at. It would need to be couriered to me if bought. The only rod I have been able to look at is a Milo match premier float - unfortunately a bit out of my budget though.

There aren't many float fishermen around these parts. So the gear is few and far between.

jacksharp · Jan 14, 2014

Daiwa and Korum are both good brands. Sweepfire is Daiwa's very bottom-end model. In my experience (of Daiwa beachcasters) their line/casting weight ratings are OTT and the optimum line wt would probably be around 4lb. Korum have evolved, as a brand, out of the carp market and, if it were me, I would go for the Korum.

sam vimes · Jan 14, 2014

Genuine heavy float rods are quite thin on the ground, especially at sensible prices. In a similar boat, I ended up with several options and spent a few quid trying quite a few different rods. I want genuine float rods with a match rod action just significantly uprated. That seems to be quite a difficult thing to find now that many uprated commercial float rods have gone down the through actioned route.

The most surprising, and best value for money was the Shimano Catana CX Float (CATCXFL39 or 36). I have used these rods quite successfully for double figure barbel and carp. However, compared to the rods you listed, I suspect that it might be over budget.

I can't vouch for it as I've never seen it, but I've noticed that Shimano have introduced a similar type of rod in another range, the Shimano Vengeance Float (VFL39 or 36/42). It's a lot closer in price to the two rods you listed.

If you end up looking for or ordering either of these rods, be very careful with the names and product codes. There are Vengeance and Catana match rods that are much lighter and more akin to the match rod you are trying to step up from.

Poshpaul (Angling Trust and PaSC) · Jan 14, 2014

I've got the Korum CS 12ft float rod. 2 piece. It's a beaut.

Not a delicate float rod - (I always use my ancient, but delightful, Drennan Crystalite when I feel the need for finesse) - However the CS is the one I turn to now all the time for "general" float work ----and I've even had great sport light-legering close in with prawn - I was after perch but hit carp after carp - mainly high singles with a low double or two thrown in. I was using 5lb bs line - no problems.

Would recommend to anybody.

funnynonsense · Jan 14, 2014

thanks for all the feedback.

To throw a gear in the works.... Another possibility has just come up now, which is similar. The TF Gear Banshee, 13ft 2-7lb? Though I'd have to wait about 3 months for it.

sam vimes - What did you end up with? Bringing in a special order Shimano is a bit difficult here. Same with Shakespeare. Otherwise I would had those high up on my list.

Tee-Cee · Jan 14, 2014

funnynonsense......My apologies as I didn't notice your location being Jo-burg so I can well understand the problems you have locating the desired rod!!

Spent many years in your city and as my son was born in Krugersdorp hospital, many god memories of family and friends...

Good luck with your search.....keep asking questions as the answers will narrow the field (eventually)

ps I suppose you've looked on ebay or similar for what you want??

sam vimes · Jan 14, 2014

funnynonsense said:
sam vimes - What did you end up with? Bringing in a special order Shimano is a bit difficult here. Same with Shakespeare. Otherwise I would had those high up on my list.

After trying a few, I kept a pair of the 13' Catanas and a 13' 1lb6oz Freespirit. I also have a couple of beefed up long rods for trotting for barbel. The Catana was a blind punt for me, I never got to see one before buying. The only reason I took a punt on the first one was because I got it relatively cheap. I wasn't expecting too much, but I was pleasantly surprised enough to buy a second.

funnynonsense · Jan 15, 2014

Tee-Cee said:
funnynonsense......My apologies as I didn't notice your location being Jo-burg so I can well understand the problems you have locating the desired rod!!

Spent many years in your city and as my son was born in Krugersdorp hospital, many god memories of family and friends...

Good luck with your search.....keep asking questions as the answers will narrow the field (eventually)

ps I suppose you've looked on ebay or similar for what you want??

Small world. How long did you live here?

I looked, but I like to have a manufacturer warranty.

So all prices are in and the Daiwa Sweepfire it is. Will only receive it in March though. The Korum is in at double the price and I don't see that being justified. In my mind that jump from entry level to slightly above entry level isn't worth it. Hopefully by the time I'm done with this Daiwa I can afford a high end rod - and maybe after spending some time with the cheaper version I'll have a better idea of what other features I need.

I'm hoping the 4lb line prediction isn't too accurate jacksharp. I at least need to use a 6lb with 4lb hooklinks. If it handles 8lb with 6lb hooklinks that'll be a bonus. If it handles 4lb lines well along with 6lb lines then the Rovex will just collect dust.

Between this and my 2lb Sonik twip-tip pro-specialist rod all my angling should be covered for some time to come. Not taking into account that bug that bites every few months causing a person to lust after a new bit of tackle.

neil1970 · Jan 15, 2014

I can't comment on the korum, but my daiwa sweepfire had been a great float rod for me over the last year or so, until it got stepped on

Tee-Cee · Jan 15, 2014

From 1969 to 1976, just as things were getting a bit heavy....then back in '94 for a while to cape Town where my son went to Uni.

Did quite a bit of fishing from a family farm on the edge of the Vaal Dam using very large balls of mealie flavoured paste (Curry from memory!) for the decent size carp. It was like fishing in the sea when the wind ble, but exciting none the less..
A few hours fishing followed by a very decent farm steak did it for me...happy days!!

Seem to recall a very big lake near(ish) to Krugersdorp where a 40lb + carp was caught around 1971/2, but blessed if I can remember it's name.

I know people who used to fish for trout up in the northern parts of the country who did pretty well...........................I was more interested in women at the time.....some people never learn!!

funnynonsense · Jan 16, 2014

Before my time sir.

There are some lakes around here holding really big fish. Unfortunately the Carp Specimen fishing scene is a circus with fish being stolen out of public waters and moved to syndicate dams, lies about robberies being put up on forums to keep people away from public waters, etc. A real joke. That's why I've decided to focus on the smaller fish and my big carp gear collects dust.

Your fishing on the Vaal is what we call "pap gooi". Not pretty, not fish safe, but very effective.

Daiwa Sweepfire vs Korum CS 12ft float

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