KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic Fishing Rods, Graphite Rod Blanks, Durable Glass Tip, Floating Guides, 1pc Performance, EVA Handle

REVIEW: BLACKHAWK IISpec: 7'6” MH FAST CASTING RODRating: 10-20LB LINE // 3/4-1 OZ BAITSI was asked to test & review this rod but I can start with this:I already owned a 7'3” MH Blackhawk (spinning rod) that I bought for a trip to St. Thomas and I caught a TARPON on it from a jetty.I could really end the review there.But I will share my heartbreak because, after fighting it for a while, it made a run around a rocky corner into the marina and cut off my line. But the 30lb mono LINE gave out. The ROD fought it just fine and that's pretty amazing for a telescoping budget rod.Note: I also bought a PENN 'scoping rod for the same trip and the KastKing was, hands down, the superior of the two.Now read on for the full breakdown...LOOKS/BUILD: At first unboxing of this one I had the same reaction I recalled from the previous rod and it's not a word I often associate with fishing rods: Elegant.The matte black finish with (just enough) gold accents perfectly complements one of the baddest names for any fishing rod out there. With the black & cork butt and split grip (somewhat reminiscent of my much higher priced Okuma Guide Select swimbait rod) to firm EVA grips and solid guide wraps, it's just a good looking rod. A hook keeper, nice large finger grip and solid reel seat round out the physique. For a 7'6” rod it is light (14.5oz) and balances on a finger at around 5.5” above the hook keeper. It also comes with a hard plastic guide-protector cap with a rubber strap to secure it when it's fully collapsed so you can throw it in a backpack and go.ACTION: It has a nice soft (fast) tip through to guide 4 for long casts and visual sensitivity. Then the backbone kicks in and it's substantial. (DID I MENTION IT HANDLED A TARPON??)CONS?: The only negative I can mention is inherent to ANY telescoping rod (that I've used, at least):If you pick it up and put it down repeatedly and spend a bunch of time whipping it around in the air and turning at different angles while you fish, yes, the guides might shift. Periodically pulling them tight and realigning them is just part of the trade-off of the convenience and packability of a telescoping rod.I also can't speak to its long term durability since I haven't gotten to punish it like some of my other rods. But, as a freshwater (primarily bass) angler, I will be telling the tarpon story for years to come as the one that got away. But the rod wasn't to blame. And that was on the 7'3”.KastKing did it again. Solid rod. Sharp looking. Great price. And, maybe, a tarpon. (Just use braid). What's not to like?

So, I was a bit skeptical of this before I received it. I wasn't sure it would stand up to the manufacturer's statements. So here is my experience.First, the packaging was wonderful. It was in a really cool box and inside they put a hard cover over the guides. I don't know if it was just for shipping purposes, but I'm keeping it as it has a rubber strap that holds it in place that's detachable.Next, the extension. So, by the instructions, you extend from the base, which I did. Super quick and easy. The floating guides are cool as they slide until they are in the correct position. The guides are slick. It almost seems like the inside of them is a ceramic. That's how smooth and polished they are.Mounting the reel was no issue as it mounts like all other rods.Now, the best part, using it. The handle is super comfortable with a corked bottom. The weight is probably the defining feature, probably. It's super light. For a 7' rod, I was blown away. The model I have is a medium with a fast action. And the tip is exactly that. Super responsive.So, remember when I said, probably. Well, it's sort of a tie between the weight and the strength. This thing pulled in a 3lb with very little effort. I was concerned that I would have an issue at one of the joints with twisting while I fought it, but nope. Guides stayed aligned and all was perfect. The length helped bring my catch in the boat easier.I highly recommend this rod.

I was a huge proponent for Kast King when they first hit the market. They had quality gear that held up at a great price point.They've clearly gone the route of the "tech bros" and cut costs in favor of profits.I know they've always been a Chinese manufactured product, but the reality is, there are great things that come out of China. There's also a lot of terrible things that are the result of lazy manufacturing and/or design.Telescopic rods are designed to be traveled with, so to my surprise when traveling with the rod I bought, the tip snapped off when it had the slightest of pressure on it while I was moving it and it rolled off the table onto a chair cushion, which was about 8 inches down.I get that it rolled off the table, but the fact that it broke that easily, before I was even able to use it, tells me it's a garbage product.It's clear that Kast King has given up on quality products in the name of profit, and after many years of being a fan and supporter of theirs, I'll be moving back to trusted and reliable brands that don't manufacture complete crap.