Product Description

The Kaizen Rod range has been under development for more than four years and came about as we felt that we could develop high end rods that were even better than those already on the market – despite this being a first for Korda, we have utilised the extensive knowledge and experience of our Team Korda anglers and product development staff to produce an exceptional range of rods.

All our high-end Kaizen rods are built on a fast-tapered profile mandrel – meaning that the taper of the rod consistently goes all the way from the butt to the tip. This produces rods with a very ‘tippy’ action, and with pretty much all the flex being towards the tip end. Of course, when under extreme pressure such as casting, the rod will still bend all the way through to some extent. This type of action allows for better power transfer and the generation of very fast tip speeds, which in turn allows you to cast further.

That same action also allows much faster line pick-up as well, and whilst most of the bend is in the tip, the power is transferred progressively enough that the rod will absorb the lunges of a big fish at close range without fear of it causing hook pulls, it also ensures that it is still a pleasure to play fish on any of the Kaizen rods.

The taper of these rods isn’t the only factor in determining the action and attributes that it displays, and just as important is the type of carbon that has been used in the manufacturing process – for the Kaizen range the only real choice was the best super tensile, high-grade Japanese carbon that we could get our hands on! This ZERO90 carbon is used in just two layers and with very little resin content, and the result of that is lighter, stiffer blanks. Not only will this allow more power to be transferred into the cast and with less effort than you’d find with a cheaper grade of carbon, but it also aids enhanced accuracy as it reduces the ability of the blank to twist and cause your lead to go off-target during the cast.

The Kaizen range have been given a custom-made look, with the type of high grade components that you would expect to find on a rod of this price. The blank is finished in durable clear matt paint, which shows off the carbon and has been extensively tank tested to ensure it is perdurable – basically meaning it is incredibly durable and will take a long time to show any signs of weathering due to exposure to sunlight and moisture.

All of the Kaizen range is fitted with lightweight Sea-Guide TDG rings, with a 50mm butt and 16mm tip – allowing the line to ‘cone’ off of a big pit spool in a way that minimises resistance as it passes through the butt ring, and providing a tip ring that is big enough to allow leader knots to smoothly pass through it. The reel is attached via a superior quality Fuji DPS seat and the handle is finished fully in Japanese shrink grip – the use of which is more than just cosmetic and allows for a good grip even when your hands or the rod are wet. The aluminium trim and an etched butt cap made by JAG completes the extremely desirable custom look.

In terms of the models in the high-end Kaizen range, currently there are seven, with 12ft 3lb, 3.5lb and 4lb fishing rods, plus a 12ft spod rod; a 12ft 6in 4lb version for those who really want an extreme range rod but find a 13ft model just a bit too long; plus 13ft 3.5lb and 4lb models.