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12ft vs 13ft vs 14ft Surf Rods – Which Really Casts Further? If you’ve spent any time surfcasting in New Zealand, you’ve heard it before: “Longer rod = longer cast.” But is that actually true? Does a 14ft surf rod really out-cast a 12ft, or is rod length only part of the story? And where…

When anglers debate glass vs carbon surf rods, the conversation usually gets stuck on one idea: carbon casts further. That can be true — but only in the right hands, and only in the right conditions. In real New Zealand surfcasting — wind, swell, uneven footing, bait fishing, long sessions — the better rod isn’t…

A longer surf rod should cast further — but in the real world, that’s not always what happens. Many anglers assume a 14’ surf rod automatically outcasts a 12’ rod. In practice, casting distance depends far more on rod loading, blank design, and the angler’s physical input than raw length alone. In this guide, we…

What is progressive guide spacing? Progressive guide spacing is the method of placing rod guides at non-equal distances, gradually changing spacing from the butt section to the tip of the rod. Unlike basic equal spacing, progressive spacing follows how a rod actually bends and loads under pressure, rather than relying on simple measurements. This approach…

When anglers talk about surf rods, the focus is usually on rod length, casting weight, or reel choice. One of the most overlooked — yet most important — elements of surf rod performance is guide count and guide spacing. At K-Labs, we regularly see long surf rods fitted with too few guides, poor spacing, or…

If you’ve ever swapped from a 1/4oz to a 1/2oz jighead and thought, “Why does my rod suddenly feel different?” —you’re not imagining it. Rod feel changes dramatically depending on the jighead weight, depth, drift, and current. It’s not the rod that’s inconsistent — it’s how the blank responds to load, recovery, and tension. Here’s…

Missing bites is one of the most frustrating parts of softbait fishing — especially when you know fish are there. You feel something, go to strike… and there’s nothing. Or worse: you never felt anything at all. The truth is this: Most missed softbait bites have nothing to do with skill — they come down…

If a softbait rod feels heavy in the tip, you’re already fishing at a disadvantage. Poor balance doesn’t just make a rod feel “off” — it directly affects strike detection, fatigue, lure control, and overall performance. Here’s what every NZ softbait angler needs to know about balance. Why Balance Matters More Than Raw Weight A…

If you’ve ever picked up a rod and thought “Why does this feel dead?” — chances are the blank wasn’t the real problem. One of the biggest killers of rod sensitivity is something almost no factory rod builder talks about: The grip-to-reel-seat transition. A rod blank is at its most sensitive when it’s untouched —…

K-Labs Custom Built Rods — Rods of Fine Design Every angler knows the feeling: you cast out a softbait, start working the lure, and something doesn’t feel right. The rod feels numb. You can’t feel the lure. Little bumps don’t register. The connection isn’t there. The rod feels “dead.” This is one of the most…