10ft Kaizen Green rods

Our first foray into 10ft rods sees the launch of three different models within the Kaizen Green range, offering exceptional performance at a great price.

The use of 10ft rods has become more popular as there are a number of situations where the shorter length offers a definite advantage, and we’ve designed three different models to cover pretty much any angling situation that this length of rod if suited to.

Of course, a shorter length means that casting distance is reduced – although in the hands of Terry Edmonds he still managed to hit 133 wraps! – but in some situations that is more than made up for by the advantages that a ten-footer offers.

In Europe this length of rod is the go-to for anglers who are using boats for their fishing, as the shorter length not only makes it easier when playing, and particularly netting, fish from the boat, but also makes it easier when dropping rigs and is generally less cumbersome some a longer one as the shorter handle also comes into play and makes it less likely to get caught up, such as on your engine cables, or generally getting in the way.

But 10ft rods are about much more than just boat fishing on big lakes in Europe, and they are a great option for anyone fishing on smaller waters where there is no need to cast far. When it comes to casting, these rods are brilliant for flicking out rigs very accurately at shorter distances, plus allow for casting in much more confined spaces, such as more intimate venues where overhanging trees can make casting awkward with a longer rod.  

The Kaizen Green ten-footers also lend themselves to fishing on canals, or smaller rivers, and Carl Smith has been putting them to good use on these types of venue, as well as for his boat work.

A shorter rod is also ideal for those getting into carp fishing, especially young anglers, as the shorter length makes it far more manageable to use and is well suited to the smaller venues that many start their fishing on.

A rod like this is also handy for anyone to have in their armoury for stalking situations where a shorter length of rod makes things much easier, such as when walking through undergrowth to get to spots and then lowering rigs into the margins – we’ve all been there with a longer rod where the tip and line seemingly have a magnetic attraction to every bramble and branch around you!

The whole ethos behind the Kaizen Green range is to offer the maximum performance, from a rod that also looks the part, whilst doing so at a price point that is affordable to anybody.

There are three 10ft rods to choose from – 3lb, 3.5lb or 4lb test curve – which covers everything from fishing small venues in the UK right the way through to extracting big fish from large, snaggy lakes in Europe, from a boat.

The blanks are very responsive and are built using a fast taper profile mandrel, which means that the rod tapers progressively from the butt to the tip, and with most of the flex being at that end of the rod. This means the Kaizen Green has a nice playing action, with plenty of give in the tip – enough that it will help to cushion any mistakes by a newcomer to the sport – but also has plenty of power lower down the rod which is where when you need it, just as stopping a fish reaching snags.

This tippy action also helps when flicking rigs into tight spots, such as under overhanging trees, and the high grade of carbon that has been used makes it easy to transfer power when casting, and also ensures minimal twist to the blank and helps improve casting accuracy.

In Europe heavier braid is commonly used for fishing bigger venues, and whenever a boat is being used, so each of the 10ft models is available with Sea-Guide BXTLSG guides – rather than the Sea-Guide TDG stainless steel ADAMAN coated ones which come as standard – that feature a ceramic insert to make them even more abrasion resistant and to feel smoother when winding braid through them under extreme tension when playing a fish. These rings are also less susceptible to any accidental damage such as when being bounced around in a boat, or being used on venues with rocky terrain and where the rod is being put on the ground.

The rings that have been chosen are twin leg, and this choice was made as they are more durable and less susceptible to being damaged/bent as compared to single leg rings. The Kaizen Green features a 40mm butt and a 12mm tip ring, and so is suitable for use with larger big pit reels, and the tip is big enough for leader knots to easily pass through it, even when using heavy mono leaders to braided main line.

These rods also look the part cosmetically, with the low glare, matt finish blank and subtle green logo; black whippings; a black Japanese shrink wrap handle that features a flared end to allow for better grip; a Sea-Guide DPS style reel seat that will fit any carp reel and hold it in place securely; plus an injection moulded butt cap featuring the Korda glasses logo.

These rods have been tested extensively by many of our Team Korda anglers, both at home and across Europe on a wide variety of different venues, and in different situations, resulting in the capture of some very large carp, and they’ve become the go-to rod for anglers such as Danny Fairbrass and Tom Stokes in any situation involving boats, as well as featuring in many of our films.

Danny Fairbrass enthused: “We’ve done 10-footers for the first time and I’ve been using those quite a bit, for dropping rigs from a boat on some really big lakes out in Europe. I really like them, having not used 10-footers before, as they have a shorter handle and are really good for manoeuvring around on the boat, and you can get the fish closer to the boat as they’re shorter, and they’re also nicer for dropping a lead over the side.”

KAIZEN GREEN 10FT MODELS:

10ft 3lb:

This is the perfect rod for those fishing smaller waters and where a longer rod isn’t needed and offers no advantages over a 10-footer. This model has a really nice playing action and is also perfect for stalking, whilst still being able to cast a reasonable distance when you need to and feels responsive when using lighter leads. It is also a perfect option for those new to carp fishing, or for younger anglers who find a 12ft rod cumbersome to use.

10ft 3.5lb

Offers a bit more power than the 3lb version and makes it perfect for use both at home on smaller waters, particularly on snaggier or weedy venues, or abroad when fishing using a boat to place your rigs and fight fish from.

Carl Smith: “I chose this model as a work horse rod to take anywhere and is tough enough to tolerate the abuse my tackle receives – being taken on aeroplanes and laid in the bottom of boats.

“I can’t be worried about a reel seat locking up, or ceramics popping out – my tackle needs to be bulletproof, and although they’re carp rods I also use them for sea fishing, chucking big lures around, and deadbaiting for pike too.

“The shorter length and lightweight blank makes this rod ideal for stalking and getting into swims that others can’t. Not to mention that also makes them much easier to deal with when boat fishing – when a hooked fish comes up close to the boat, or for lowering rigs more accurately onto a spot.”

10ft 4lb

This is primarily aimed at anglers fishing for big fish on waters where a boat is being used, and offers all the power that you need, along with the advantages that a shorter rod brings for this type of fishing.

Christopher Paschmanns: “I’ve been using the Kaizen Green 10ft 4lb rods since August 2023 and love them! A 4lb test curve on a 10ft rod sounds heavy, but I was looking for rods that can easily deal with reeling in heavy leads on braided line from long distances; that can compete with a big catfish, if I hook one by accident; and can handle big lumps of weed on the line when I have a big carp on. 

“Initially, I was only using the 10ft Greens when rowing out my rigs and playing fish from a boat. Simply because a shorter rod is particularly handy from a boat. But later in the season I started fishing for a target fish in a hook and hold situation - just flicking out my rigs with an underarm cast towards some sunken trees. Also in this situation they performed very well and landed me that one special carp safely.”