Once I saw there was a section on the Kast King website for KastKing fishing tackle reviews, I knew I had to be a part of it. As an avid angler I have always looked to find fishing gear that fit my style of fishing here in Southern California. Some may know me from YouTube as the Fisher Newb where I explore some unique fishing in the harbors and bays on the constant hunt for spotted bay bass. When looking for fishing gear I had to take several factors into consideration. First, my gear had to handle saltwater fishing. Second, it had to have it be strong enough to pull in the occasional halibut or large legal bay bass. These fish can really fight! Lastly, I needed my fishing tackle to not be too costly since I would be fishing on a float tube and the potential for losing my whole rig can happen at any time. With all this in mind, I set out to do research and found KastKing on Amazon.

A Fishing Rod With An Advantage

My first rod I bought from KastKing is still my absolute favorite rod, the Perigee II Twin ip. Now, in case you were not familiar, here in Southern California we have an aggressive fishing gear market. Where the highest end fishing rod designers and manufacturers compete head to head all within an hour of one another. When I happened upon the Perigee II rod, I could not believe the specifications. I had found a rod that had the strength and sensitivity of my local famous rod makers at literally a third of the price! Same Fuji line guides as the highest end rods and made with the same 24-ton carbon blanks. It had the cool reinforced reel seat clamp and even the bass type butt with the handle split in two to keep the weight down and the leverage still there to fight the larger fish. The final straw? What sealed the deal for me? It came with TWO tips! Meaning that I could fight my Spotties all day and then slip on the lighter tip section for trout. I could fish for catfish and then slip on another tip and go to the surf to catch barred surf perch.

A Versatile Fishing Rod

The versatility of this rod had made me question if it was truly possible. Like many say, deals that look to good to be true, often are not. There was a natural hesitation, and like many, I was concerned about this company that I had not heard about and was a bit apprehensive on where it was manufactured. I studied the pictures hard, looking at each eye that was photographed on the ad on Amazon. I did a quick search and found that a key quality component in production of rods was the wrapping and how the eyes were mounted on the blank. Looking for a solid wrapping that would hold the eye foot well past it’s tip. After checking the listing, I was pleasantly surprised that the rod also passed that test. Okay, that did it! I was sold and ordered it up.

First KastKing Fishing Rod

I got the rod soon after and was like a kid at Christmas ready to start my journey with my first bass type fishing rod and ready to head out to begin my adventure. I was immediately impressed and was taken back by this thing. I went to work on trying to scrutinize every piece of it like an inspector looking for clues on just how this rod could have been so inexpensive. Long ferule for the two pieces joining either of the tips, well wrapped eyes, nice strong handle with like a metal band reinforcing the clamp, and the EVA foam which felt really nice and grippy. Aesthetically, I was really loving the graphite pattern in the middle of the back handle section and how it showed through up the eyes. The little KastKing logo at the very butt and the markings of which tip was which where top section slides on to the bottom. I just thought the details were all there and just thought that KastKing had done some serious research. It was comforting to know and feel like I had made a good purchase and kind of gambled on a brand I was not familiar with.

Fishing With Braid Line On The KastKing Perigee II

I started with the rod and never looked back. The rod would bend at a catch with a beautiful arc to the point where I was convinced it would just snap at any time. Nope. I could feel my Ned rig sliding on the bottom just bouncing and tapping along the rocks or debris at the base of the docks. I could not believe that I could feel weeds and rocks as the lead head slid across and yet when bit, I could full swing on a bass and not just have the rod break right in half. I have dunked the rod numerous times in saltwater and still had the handle feel like there is grip to hold onto. I have always used braid line and have never experienced any sticking with the line guide eyes or inserts popping out. I expected the eye to break off when as I was passing next to a boat the rod tip got stuck on the dock bumper, and never did. At one point, I was concerned that the reel was going to be stuck to the rod, which happens when saltwater residue bonds the reel seat on the rod to the reel pegs, never has happened. Have not had eyes break off no matter how many times I have dragged it on the ground when my tube has slid off my shoulders. I have non-intentionally beaten the hell out of this rod, and it still is ready to be pulled off the rack anytime I need it. The rod has simply performed at every turn and made me appreciate the company that designed it. To me, the KastKing Perigee II is a fishing rod that exemplifies the company that created it. They did the work, so I can focus on myself and the fishing and simply not worry about my gear. The price point of the rod suits anglers from all walks of life and to have a fishing rod that come with two tips just makes it an even better deal.

Photo 1: The mounting of the eyes and the long joining ferule on the rod is so impressive to me.

Photo 2: I love the way the rod bends and transitions throughout the entire blank.

Photo 3: The reel seat with reinforced clamp and the blank showing through to allow additional sensitivity in the hand

Alakai is an avid angler who fishes the waters in Southern California. Whether on charter boats, fresh water parks, surf or in the harbors and bays, Alakai loves getting out as much as he can to enjoy the sport of fishing.