Korda

Korda is without doubt one of the biggest tackle manufacturers in the UK, having grown the range from a humble lead to what is now an all-encompassing tackle brand. In recent years, Korda expanded past the world of terminal tackle, venturing into the world of luggage and more. Their latest addition to the already vast range is a foray into carp fishing rods, and on first impressions these have certainly been worth the wait!

Danny Fairbrass has always had a long association with a wide array of carp fishing rods bearing his name. Being involved in various rod developments over the years with other manufactures, it seemed a natural progression to bring to market a rod that both he and the team of dedicated carp anglers at Korda HQ could call their own. Equipped with all their desired attributes they look for when fishing both here in the UK and abroad they have managed to produce a range of rods, that they feel are the ultimate carp fishing rods on the market today.

Having been under development for more than four years, the Kaizen Rod range has been brought to life, by utilising the extensive knowledge and experience of the Team Korda anglers, plus the product development staff to design, construct and bring to market a range of high-end rods that would cover pretty much any carp angling situation you encounter.

The aim was simple, allow anglers to accurately reach the fish even when at distance, but to also result in a nice responsive rod to play carp on too. Constructed on a fast-tapered profile mandrel, that simply means that the taper of the rod consistently goes all the way from the butt to the tip. This produces carp rods with a very ‘tippy’ action, with pretty much all the flex being towards the tip end. However, when under extreme pressure such as casting, the rod will still bend all the way through to some extent, ensuring you can use your power through the blank to fish effectively at longer ranges too.

Not only does this action allow for good distance casting, but allows much faster line pick-up as well, when compared to traditional rods 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. To ensure the very best playing and casting action, whilst also keeping an eye on weight, feel and aesthetics the team chose the best super tensile, high-grade Japanese carbon they could source. This ZERO90 carbon is used in just two layers and with very little resin content, which makes for a lighter, stiffer blanks that further enhance the attributes that the taper of the mandrel already provides. The quality of the carbon and how it has been constructed also helps to reduce the ability for the blank to twist which often leads to less accurate casts and reduced distance being hit consecutively. What’s more this allows a very fast tip recovery after casting, ensuring your output is transferred through the blank and into the cast rather than being held in the blank, making your cast more efficient than before, ensuring you hit the clip time and time again!

Each of the rods also benefit from 50mm butt guides and an 18mm tip ring, giving the rod great balance, whilst the aluminium trim rings with JAG etched stainless butt cap offers a sleek and desirable look. Down the blank you will find each model has been fitted with a Fuji DPS reel seat, Seaguide TDG lightweight stainless-steel guides and a stunning Japanese shrink grip handle with flared butt. As well as looking great this also feels comfortable and secure in your hands, perfect when going for long distance casts.

Completely finished in a Low glare Matt paint finish, the Kaizen rod range looks as good as it performs, and with no less than seven rods in the range to choose from, there is something for everyone: The smaller 12ft models come available in 3lb TC, 3.5lb TC, 4lb TC and a matching spod rod available too, then there is the mid-range 12ft 6 length that is available in 4lb TC and lastly the big boy, the 13ft models that are available in 3.5lb TC and the largest 4lb TC variant.

Kaizen Platinum Rods
RRP £374.99 to £479.99
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