KastKing Spartacus II Fishing Rods - IM6 Graphite Blanks Casting & Spinning Rods, 2-Piece Rods with Extra Tip Section, PTS Power Transition System, KastFlex Technology, Rubber Cork Handle

The 7'3" medium/fast-action KastKing Spartacus II is a top-notch dropshot and jigging rod...Put these KastKing Spartacus II spinning rods against ANY big names in the market (especially "entry-level" rods made by St Croix, Douglas, Penn, you name it) and these KastKing graphite rods are easily as good if not better. I literally ordered two of the medium/fast-action 7'3" Spartacus II rods and used them for night walleye fishing the day they arrived. I reeled in over a dozen walleye on these rods ranging from 2-9 lbs, and many smallmouth bass weighing 2-5 lbs. These are amazing rods...the rod tips have optimal sensitivity to feel those rather subtle walleye bites, and they have the perfect amount of "back-bone" for reeling in big walleye and bass. These rods are absolutely the perfect length and sensitivity I like to use for all of my bass and walleye fishing out from boat or shore on Lake Erie, for drop-shotting AND jigging. It's not easy to find 2-piece, 7-ft 3-inch rods with these specs, and they're always missing something you'd like to have on your rod. KastKing got this one right and priced them out to sell.I'd recommend pairing these with 2000-3000 sized spinning reels. 2000-sized is optimal, 3000 if you really need the larger spool and line.Love the hook keeper, the fact that these rods separate into 2 pieces for easy storage and transport, and the absolute BONUS of coming with extra rod tips. Don't need to worry about my kids breaking rod tips since I have replacements. The "big overpriced brands" you see at the big sporting goods store would charge well over $100 for these rods, and no way they'd include tip replacements up-front.Thanks, KastKing, for making these rods affordable and getting ALL the features right...2-piece, hook keeper, IM6 graphite, the tip replacements, and the cork handles are very comfortable. This is a 5-star dropshot/jigging rod for bass, walleye, and all types of fishing in general. Highly recommend. I'll be buying more for sure especially to replace other rods that I have (that were more expensive).And btw, that small "hook" on the handle near the reel seat is a HOOK KEEPER. I saw a review where someone was complaining about snags while casting with this rod, then saw his line literally running through the hook keeper and out the rest of the guides. No wonder he was getting snagged and tangled up.

Quality is satisfactory. The extra rod tip is a nice touch. The packaging was impressive. Using the medium light as a drop shot rod.Update: in the two months since I bought it, I’ve used the rod maybe 4 or 5 times. That’s 4 or five trips about 3-4 hours each trip. The rubberized cork grip is peeling off the top edge. Right around the area where you place your thumb. Very disappointing. I own maybe 15 rods of different sizes and styles. This is the possibly the most expensive of all the ones i own. I’ve never had the grip wear out on a single one. Even the Shakespeare rods.The hook keeper on this rod is the most annoying thing I’ve ever experienced on a rod. Slightly altering the placement of this hook keeper could make it a better product. It’s placed in such a way that any tiny bit of slack when you finger the line to cast, will catch on the hook keeper. I cannot be the only one to have experienced this. I cut it off and sanded it smooth. There are aftermarket hook keepers that do a better job. I’m sure they would warranty the defective item but it doesn’t seem worth the trouble of paying shipping, sending it in, and waiting.The rod looks and feels great otherwise. I think I might try to mend the defective grip myself because despite it’s very annoying faults, I still think it’s a great rod.

I really like this rod I like how they give you an extra rod tip so in case you break yours, you’re still good to go. I like the hook holder on the side away from the main line so I don’t get tangled when I try to remove it I love the color it’s been through a lot my first tip hasn’t broken it’s very light and easy to move around I like the corkscrew grip with the dark green and it’s very good rod.

Edited - I have a few KastKing rods and they've held up pretty well - I really appreciate the extra tip because you will break a few so its nice to have a handy replacement - it is responsive, has held up well to some nice sized bass and therefore meets expectations. I'm a budget fisherman and I have a few KastKing rods - Crixus, Spartacus, and Royal Select. Of the three, Crixus is the most brittle but I've lost a few tips on the Spartacus line as well - thank goodness they throw in the second tip, eh? All in all, as a budget brand, KastKing is a viable option but of the three - Royal Select is the best of that bunch with the Spartacus running second, and the Crixus a very distant third. Finally, stay away from their reels - for a few dollars more you can get entry Lews or Abu Garcia which are miles ahead of them.

I have used this combo for bass fishing for several years. I can cast a mile with a Red Eye Shad bait or crank bait. The rod and real hold up fine pulling in six pound bass, perch, and pickerels. I have used it fishing vertical with blade baits pulling in a six pound bass. I have used it with lipless crankbait pulling in a six pound bass. I am still seeking a seven or more. This rod and real is a great value for the price and it is reliable. Yes, you get an extra tip but you will never need it. Mine sits in the shipping tube and has for several years. I have more expensive rods from Bass Pro that I like, but this combo is light weight (I'm 70), cast far, and reals in reliably. Would buy another but don't need more rods, just like my wife doesn't need more shoes.

It is a really good rod overall and a fair price for the quality and it has really good action it is a nice weight for the one I got and it has nice cork grips and it is very durable it has hit my fan blades a bunch of times and did not break and the it is the perfect size and it is a pretty stiff rod but that helps some times