KastKingSpartacus 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

I bought the KastKing Spartacus II reel and had that on a different rod. Long story short- my kid adopted the rod and reel combo so I wanted to buy a spare rod and reel to replace the one I had just lost. Ordered a second Spartacus II reel and was going to order the same rod I had the other reel loaded on, but this rod came up in the section that appears after you place an item in the cart so I clicked the link to look it over.After reviewing the specs I decided to give it a go and placed the order. Glad I did, this is a very nice rod.First, the delivery and packaging: This came very well packaged in a heavy duty tube, the rod itself was wrapped in plastic so there is really no way it could get damaged in delivery unless delivered by Godzilla. Excellent job on the packaging and delivery!The rod comes with an extra tip section, which is awesome. I hope KastKing continues to offer this because we all know that sometimes a rod can get damaged and that damage tends to be the tip of the rod so this will certainly come in handy, maybe. I say maybe because this rod is pretty sturdy and the tip bends quite far.The look and feel: This is an amazing looking rod, and with the Spartacus II reel, you can't beat the combo. It has good action and has a good weight, the cork makes this thing super comfortable and adds to the look of the rod. Personally I love the look and feel of cork handles, and this just looks and feels like a super quality rod. Paired with the Spartacus II reel, this a very nice looking and performing combo. My kid saw the rod and reel combo all set up and dubbed it "the Green Arrow".Overall: I recommend giving this a try, I don't think it will disappoint.

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.

Good rod for the money it would be a super rod with titatium guides

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.

Great price, good match for the reel.

I had my doubts about this brand and the price. i put it to the test and it worked and responded well. I caught quit a few 3-5lb fish with this rod and it was great. good action and plenty of backbone.Update: I spoke too soon the second time I took the reel out to fish and the anti reverse switch broke. The spring sheered off and it is so brittle there was no repairing it. I contacted KastKing and because it is within a year they are sending out a replacement reel.