After years of using simple worm hooks weedless with softbaits, I recently changed over to a new style of hook and suddenly found myself dropping fish. At first, I thought it might be my drag, my strike, or even the softbaits I was using — but after some testing on the water, it became clear that resistance in the rigging was the culprit.

Here’s what I learned about worm hooks, shank sliders, screws, and how small tackle tweaks can make a big difference in hook-up rates.

The Problem: Plastic Shank Sliders = Extra Resistance

With my old Gamakatsu worm hooks, hook-ups were consistent. No screws, no shank collars — just a simple EWG design. The softbait was pinned once at the nose, skin-hooked lightly along the back, and free to collapse instantly when a fish struck.

The BKK EWGs were different. They include a small plastic shank slider (a bait keeper ring fixed to the hook shank), designed to hold the softbait body in place and stop it sliding down. In theory, it keeps rigs neat. In practice, with thicker-bodied softbaits like 6–7” grubs and jerk shads, it created extra resistance.

Instead of the softbait collapsing freely, it felt pinned at both ends. That split-second delay in exposing the hook point was enough to cost me fish.

BKK EWG worm hook with plastic shank slider (bait keeper ring). Neat and secure, but adds resistance that can reduce hook-up rates when rigged weedless.

Testing Different Setups

I tried three ways of rigging:

1. Slider in place + hook under skin – neat, weedless, but poor hook-ups.
2. No slider + hook under skin – far better collapse, much better hook-up rate.
3. Slider in place but grub slit along the back – a compromise; improved collapse but still not as good as no slider.

The winner was clear: ditch the plastic shank slider. The bait folded instantly under pressure, and the hook point popped free.

The Hook Screw Problem

Another issue I found was with the screws. The BKK hooks use a clip-style nose screw at the eye. While fine when dragging baits, I had them pop off under strike pressure from fish.

That led me to a cheap and effective fix: AliExpress corkscrew screws. For $5 I bought 50 of them, and they’ve been perfect. The corkscrew design threads securely into the nose of the bait and stays locked in during hits and fights.

BKK screw left vs AliExpress right.

Left: BKK clip-on screw (prone to popping off on strikes). Right: AliExpress corkscrew screw — stronger and more reliable.

Key Takeaways

• Less resistance = more hook-ups. The softer the bait collapses, the faster the hook point drives home.
• Plastic shank sliders tidy up rigs but cost fish. If you’re missing hook-sets, try removing them.
• Upgrade weak hardware. Cheap corkscrew screws outperform clip-ons and keep baits secure.
• Keep experimenting. Sometimes small tackle tweaks make the biggest difference to your catch rate.

✅ Since making these changes, my weedless rigs have gone back to being consistent fish catchers. Whether dragging baits behind the kayak or working jerk shads around structure.

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Note: These are my personal observations from time spent on the water. Rigging methods and results can vary depending on conditions, tackle, and angler preference.

At K-Labs, every rod blank that leaves our workshop has already proven itself in our hands. We pre-test each blank to ensure it meets our performance, strength, and durability standards before it ever reaches you. This extra step gives anglers confidence that their rod will perform flawlessly from the first cast.

The Nature of Carbon and Glass

Both carbon and fiberglass blanks have their place in modern fishing – but they behave very differently.

• Carbon Blanks
  Carbon fibre delivers unmatched sensitivity, lightness, and power transfer. It’s the go-to choice for anglers who need precision and responsiveness. However, because carbon fibres are extremely stiff, they don’t tolerate impact damage as well as glass. A sharp knock, chip, or deep scratch can compromise its integrity. This is not a flaw – it’s simply the nature of the material, which trades some impact tolerance for high performance.
• Fiberglass Blanks
  Glass is heavier and less sensitive than carbon, but it’s incredibly impact-resistant. You can knock, bump, or rough-handle a glass blank, and it’s unlikely to fail immediately. This makes glass great for certain rugged applications, though it sacrifices the crisp response that carbon offers.

Why Pre-Testing Matters for Carbon

Because carbon rods are built for maximum performance, they deserve careful quality control. At K-Labs, we test each blank to:

1. Check for manufacturing integrity – ensuring the blank is flawless before building.
2. Identify hidden weaknesses – catching any microscopic imperfections early.
3. Guarantee performance – verifying action, power, and recovery speed.

By the time your rod is wrapped, gripped, and ready to fish, it has already been proven on our test bench. That’s how we ensure every K-Labs rod meets the demands of serious anglers.

Built for Performance – Handled with Care

Choosing carbon means choosing high sensitivity, fast recovery, and lighter weight. With those benefits comes the need for mindful handling – avoiding knocks, sharp impacts, and unnecessary abuse. Respect the blank, and it will reward you with years of flawless performance.

At K-Labs, our pre-testing process means you start with the best possible foundation – a blank that’s strong, true, and ready for the water.

K-Labs Custom Rods – Rods of Fine Design

When building a high-performance rod, it all starts with the blank. For anglers searching for custom fishing rod blanks in NZ, understanding rod power and casting weight is essential.

These aren’t just specs on a page — they shape how your rod performs, feels, and responds on the water. At K-Labs, we custom-build rods to match your fishing style. That means getting the fundamentals right from the start.

💪 What Is Rod Power?

Rod power refers to the amount of force needed to bend the blank. It tells you how much backbone the rod has.

Rod Power – What It Means

Ultra-Light – Bends easily. Ideal for small species.

Light – Soft action. Good for finesse techniques.

Medium-Light – Slightly firmer. Handles light lures well.

Medium – Balanced flex. A solid all-rounder.

Medium-Heavy – Stronger backbone. Handles softbaits and bigger fish.

Heavy – Designed for serious lift. Ideal for live bait or reef work.

Extra-Heavy – Maximum lifting power. Kingfish, tuna, offshore use.

More power = more lift. Less power = more flex.

We help you choose the right balance based on how and where you fish.

🎯 What Is Casting Weight?

Casting weight is the ideal weight range the blank is designed to throw.

If you cast too light, the rod won’t load. It’ll feel stiff, and your cast will fall short.

If you cast too heavy, the rod may overload or even fail. Accuracy drops, and control suffers.

Matching your rod’s power to its casting weight range is key to making your setup perform properly. We’ll guide you through that decision based on your technique and gear.

⚖️ Power vs. Casting Weight — Not Always the Same

Rod power and casting weight aren’t standardized across brands.

One company’s “Medium” might behave like another’s “Medium-Heavy.”

That’s why we don’t rely on labels alone. We test every blank we use — in real-world NZ fishing conditions.

When you work with K-Labs, you get more than just specs — you get proven performance.

🛠️ Choosing Custom Fishing Rod Blanks in NZ

If you’re looking for custom fishing rod blanks in NZ, there are a few key things to consider. We help you match your blank to:

– Your target species

– Your preferred technique (e.g. softbaiting, jigging, rock fishing)

– Your line and reel setup

– Your casting weight range

– Your preferred rod feel and balance

From there, we dial in guide layout, grip type, and seat positioning — for a rod that feels like an extension of your arm.

This is what separates custom from factory-built. It’s tailored. It’s refined. It’s right.

✅ Quick Reference – Power & Application

Light – Small lures, light line, finesse fishing

Medium – General purpose, softbaiting, estuary to inshore

Medium-Heavy – Larger softbaits, snapper, deeper water

Heavy – Live bait, reef species, larger drag setups

Extra-Heavy – Kings, tuna, serious offshore and rock applications

If you’re unsure where your needs fall, just ask — we’ll walk you through it.

💬 Ready to Build?

We specialize in custom fishing rod blanks for NZ anglers who demand more — more performance, more control, and more connection to every strike.

Whether you’re dropping jigs in 100m, flicking softbaits at the reef edge, or fighting kings from the bricks — it all starts with the right blank.

👉 Talk to Us About Your Build

👉 Explore Custom Rod Categories

Solid Carbon vs Hollow Carbon Blanks: Which is Better — and Why It Depends on the Application

If you’ve ever debated whether solid or hollow carbon blanks are better for your fishing rod build, you’re not alone. The answer isn’t black and white — but it is pretty clear once you break it down.

Spoiler

: Hollow carbon blanks outperform solid carbon in nearly every way — except one. Let’s dive in.

What’s the Real Difference Between Solid and Hollow Carbon?

• Solid carbon blanks are made from continuous, dense material with no hollow core. Tough and simple — but heavy.
• Hollow carbon blanks are engineered with layered carbon wrapped around a mandrel. They’re lighter, more responsive, and far more refined.

Why Hollow Carbon Is the Gold Standard for Rod Performance

✅ Sensitivity

Hollow blanks transmit vibrations directly through the blank to your hand. That means you can feel more: light bites, bottom transitions, and lure action — even in deep water.

✅ Weight

Hollow blanks are significantly lighter, making them easier to cast and more comfortable to fish all day long.

✅ Recovery Speed

The tip snaps back quickly after flexing, which improves lure control, casting accuracy, and hook-setting response.

✅ Action Control

With hollow blanks, rod builders can fine-tune the taper — from fast-action softbait rods to deep-parabolic slow pitch jig rods. This control over action isn’t possible with solid carbon.

Where Solid Carbon Still Wins: Durability

If toughness is the goal, solid carbon still rules. It resists impact, crushing, and high-sticking better than any hollow rod.

• Ideal for boat rods, kayak rods, or anything prone to rough handling.
• Perfect for kids, rental gear, or commercial operators.

Use the Right Rod for the Right Job

Durability is important — but only when it matches the rod’s purpose. If you’re using your rods properly (no high-sticking, no crushing them in hatches & car doors ), hollow carbon rods are more than tough enough.

And in return, you get superior casting, better lure feel, and more effective hook sets.

Solid vs Hollow Carbon — Quick Comparison

Feature	Hollow Carbon ✅	Solid Carbon 🛡️
Sensitivity	Excellent	Dull feel
Weight	Lightweight	Heavy
Recovery Speed	Fast	Slow
Casting Performance	Superior	Limited
Action Control	Fully tunable	Basic/parabolic
Durability	Tough enough	Indestructible
Best For	Softbait, slow jig, surf, topwater	Boat, kids, kayak, rental rods

Final Word: Performance First, Durability Second

At K-Labs, we design rods with a clear goal: performance, purpose, and feel.

Choose hollow carbon for any technique that relies on finesse, action, and contact with the lure — softbait, slow pitch, mechanical jigging, or surf.

Choose solid carbon for situations where survival matters more than feel — boat rods, kids’ rods, or pure abuse tolerance.

Use the right rod for the right job, and durability won’t even be a concern.

Ready to build your next rod?

Explore our Solid Core™ Series for high-durability applications, or take a look at the Crossover HX™ Series for high-performance hollow builds designed to handle anything NZ can throw at them.

Why Snapper Fishing Shines in Winter

Why Winter Snapper Fishing NZ Deserves More Hype

Winter snapper fishing in NZ is often underrated — but those in the know are quietly cashing in. As the weather cools, the fishing often heats up. Here’s why cold-water snapper missions are well worth the effort.

The Big Reds Move Shallow

In cooler months, baitfish head offshore — and big, solitary snapper follow them toward inshore structure, channel edges, and reef zones. This shift creates a prime opportunity to target trophy snapper in accessible areas, especially for land-based or kayak anglers.

Quiet Waters, Confident Fish

Fewer boats on the water means less engine noise and pressure. Winter fish are often more confident and aggressive when presented with the right bait or lure. That means better hookup rates and less competition for the best spots.

Techniques That Work

Winter snapper fishing in NZ rewards a slow and steady approach. Light braid (10–15lb) paired with fluoro leader (12–20lb) provides stealth and sensitivity. Use softbaits or slow jigs with subtle movement — no big jerks needed. Let the lure sit longer and be ready for light taps. A fast-action rod helps detect subtle strikes and set the hook cleanly.

The Right Gear for the Job

Cold-water snapper sessions are about feel and finesse. A purpose-built rod like those from K-Labs gives you the responsiveness needed to read the bite and stay in control. Whether you’re casting softbaits or fluttering a jig, matched gear makes the difference.

Cold-water snapper sessions are about feel and finesse. A purpose-built rod like those from K-Labs gives you the responsiveness needed to read the bite and stay in control. Whether you’re casting softbaits or fluttering a jig, matched gear makes the difference. If you’re just starting out or upgrading your setup, check out our full guide to Softbait Rods for everything you need to know.

Final Word

Winter snapper fishing in NZ isn’t just possible — it’s seriously underrated. If you’re keen to refine your technique, enjoy fewer crowds, and chase bigger fish, now’s the time. Rug up, fish smart, and embrace the winter edge. And if softbaiting is part of your plan, don’t miss our full breakdown on the best Softbait Rods for NZ snapper.