Blog

Introduction Most anglers judge a rod by how it bends. Very few ever think about how fast it unbends. That speed — known as blank recovery speed — has a massive effect on how far you can cast, how straight your lure tracks, and how much control you have during the entire cast. For NZ…

By K-Labs Custom Rods NZ Introduction Most anglers never think about it. Most factory rods don’t get it right. But reel seat placement is one of the most important decisions in rod building — and one of the biggest reasons custom rods feel so much better than mass-produced rods. Move the reel seat forward, and…

By K-Labs Custom Rods NZ Introduction Ask most anglers what makes a rod “sensitive” and you’ll usually hear one answer: “High modulus carbon.” It’s the most overused line in rod marketing — and one of the least understood. Sensitivity is not a single material. It’s a combination of design factors that determine how much vibration…

Bought May 2014 · Price Paid: £75 GBP · Current Model: ~£125 GBP Back in May 2014, I picked up a pair of Palm Nova launching boots — ordered from the UK because that’s usually where the sharper deals are, and the NZ range for this type of gear can be limited. I said I’d…

When the Tip-Top Insert Breaks It’s one of the most common issues anglers face — a chipped, cracked, or missing ceramic insert in the tip guide. You’ll often hear it before you see it — a faint scraping sound as the line runs through, or subtle fraying near your leader knot after a few casts.…

When it comes to custom rod building, the grip and reel seat connection is where craftsmanship truly shows. A poorly fitted grip not only looks rough but can lead to water ingress, uneven reel alignment, and even stress points in the blank. Here’s how grips should be fitted correctly — from bore sizing to bonding…

Tip guides are the most common part of a rod to break or wear out — whether from knocks, pressure, or line friction. The good news is that replacing a tip is simple once you know how to size it correctly and install it properly. Here’s a clear step-by-step guide. Step 1: Measure for the…

When it comes to leaders and mainlines, fluorocarbon has earned its reputation as the go-to choice for anglers who want abrasion resistance, invisibility, and strength. But not all fluorocarbons are created equal. In fact, there are three main types you’ll come across: hard, supple, and super fluorocarbon — each designed with different fishing situations in…

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…

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…