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.

There is of course no point in developing a rod that is incredibly light compared to its power, and then adding heavy components to it, so 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. This will cover pretty much any angling situation, with the lightest model being perfectly suitable for fishing at closer range, but where you want the power to control and stop a big carp if you need to, plus can chuck a rig a long way when required. The 4lb models which are our specialist “long range” tools and have the ability to put a lead and rig incredible distances when in the right hands – as demonstrated by the likes of Terry Edmonds and Darrell Peck. In real fishing situations we have measured casts in excess of 200 yards and which feature in our forthcoming Long Range Masterclass chapter, filmed at Iles3 in France.