KastKing Ascension Soloscopic Fly Rod and Combos

I really can't find anything that I don't like about this fly rod. The rod and reel are both solid, it is light weight for its size, it casts better than any rod I have had, the ability to collapse down without having to mess with the line is fantastic, and it looks great! If I have one complaint it would be that the case that I received is not the same as the one pictured. The case shell around the reel is just fabric and not padded for protection.

I had plenty of opportunities to use or own most of the top-of-line rods and reels in both bass fishing and fly fishing market, and I've also seen many different products with various levels of quality that were made in the US, UK, Japan, Korea, and China. This fly rod and reel combo from Kastking is one of the best products with a lower than the standard cost.The reel is superbly machined. Oftentimes when I encountered an inexpensive reel, the spool to the frame is rarely perfectly fitted and that minor imperfection may get even worse after months and years of use, eventually the reel will no longer present a smooth and sturdy rotating feel to your hands. The reel in this combo, though I tried my best to find if there’s a tiny bit of gap, evidently doesn’t have any loose feels at all. The retrieving is completely silent and surprisingly solid; the drag system has a pleasant medium-pitched outgoing sound along with amazing smoothness. I cannot praise it too much as if it can completely compete with the high-end reels in the market for the reason of its relatively normal surface anodize and plain non-aesthetic design, but I am confident to say it is as good as any high-end disc drag fly reels for the sturdiness and performance.The rod is relatively heavy, not in terms of its weight, but in terms of the incredible lifting power and unreal backbone. Can it truly cast an 8wt line? I wondered when I first received this rod seeing a butt section as thick as a 12wt rod. After I gave it a try with the line provided, it turns out that it can cast very well. With the stiffness of the blanks, the rod generated a very tight loop and was able to carry a long line with laser speed. The innovative floating guides might trick some people at first, but once you get used to it, and it’s easy, you’ll find it is necessary to have them in order to add strength to the blanks while maintaining the same total amount of guides on the rod. The tip section, on the other hand, is flexible enough to make an effortless roll cast with any heavy nymph rigs for big trouts or salmons.Keep in mind that this is a travel fly fishing combo. And it is a true workhorse for any harsh fishing conditions. In places where I chase for steelhead and salmon, bushes, trees, mud and sand play a critical influence on my gear selection. If a combo can survive in such kind of environment and help you to land numerous gorgeous trophies without failing in the process, with a $149.98 price point I cannot be any further satisfied.

I ordered this to be delivered from the US to Spain, where I live, but shortly I will be moving to Ireland!I have plenty of fly-rods. But this one is "approved" by the misses, because I told her that we would take our dog (pyrenean mountain dog) for walks around the nearby lough (lough Talt). And while they do the walk, I will do 45 minutes of fishing for brown trout. So it has to be rather quick to setup. And this is ready to fish in a minute as the fly and leader are tied up at home, and I put the rod case tied to a rucksack.I have so far only practiced casting on dry land. I had to adjust a little bit to the action, but managed to cast reasonably well after a few minutes. It is obviously a compromise but it does feel like a fly rod. I was expecting a spinning rod with fly line :).A few years ago, I believe there were more brands with a decent telescopic fly rod. (Daiwa and perhaps Shimano?). But now this is the only one I can find that looks like a proper rod and can be delivered to Europe.I will update this review when I catch my first fish or when I break the rod.

As I know, the telescopic design is new for fly rod. I am a curious fly fishermen, So I got a 8 weight for later steelhead season,The rod itself is a bit heavy as a 8 wt, 141 g, 4.95 oz . it built strong enough to handle a king! It is actually a 6 sections rod with some floating guide pieces. I have to say this design is smart. Every exposed rod end and guides pieces is reinforced. the finish is good.My first try of this rod was to train a new guy on grass. that is a windy day , the first thing I noticed is the swing weight of my telescopic rod is not as heavy as I think,I don't need a lot effort to cast, make 60-70 ft as ease. the fast action taper and well balanced combo really help in the winds. the fly line on this kastking combo is slick, smooth and easy to handle. The new guy got a path 8 wt combo. He ends up use my rod to learn, since his fly line mess and tangle all the time.About the telescopic design, at first I am disappointed a little, Because this rod is not as short as I dreamed of a telescopic fly rod, It is still too long to put in a on board luggage. and to fully extend or collapse this rod still need some time. However, After I figure out how to utilize the convenient of the telescopic design, I am so happy:I used to drive a sedan and lean my fishing rods up to 7'6" on my passenger seat, not a fly rod, because they are too long, Now I can just retract two bottom section of kastking Ascension and It will become about 6'6", I put the fly on the hook keeper and reel back the line until tight. all this will cost me 30 seconds top. I can lean it on my passenger seat just like any other shorter rod. When I need use it, I just pull some line out ,extend two bottom section, I am ready to fishing! this will cost me 20 seconds top, and my leader line and tippet is straight. Now, this is My to go fly rod, recently I pretty much try to use it catch anything.

Tip broke warranty didn’t cover new tip. I lost 2 floating guides in the river when the tip broke. I’m going to cut the tip section half way and add a new tip. I also bought the 8# rod and it was built correctly so I don’t think it will brake. I wouldn’t be buying any more Kastking products because it broke from poor workmanship on the rod. If you want a bass rod the 8# Ascension rod is fine.