: KastKing Royale Select Fishing Rods

The KastKing Royale Select fishing rods are designed for serious bass anglers looking for tournament-quality performance. I recently had the chance to test out the 7‘3” medium-heavy power, fast action casting rod and was very impressed with its quality, sensitivity, and affordability.

Overview

• Brand: KastKing
• Model: Royale Select
• Rod Type: Casting rod
• Power: Medium-Heavy
• Action: Fast
• Pieces: 1-piece
• Length: 7‘3”
• Line Weight: 10-20 lbs
• Price: $69.99

Features and Benefits

• Constructed with Toray 24-ton carbon KastFlex blanks for an incredibly sensitive and lightweight yet powerful rod
• Fuji O-ring guides for smooth casting and protection of the line
• High-strength nylon reel seats provide a solid foundation for casting or spinning reels
• Bass fishing specific actions and power for techniques like flipping, jigging, Texas rigging, etc.
• 2-piece models utilize KastKing’s Power Transition System for smooth power transmission
• Limited lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship

Performance

I paired this rod with a KastKing Spartacus baitcaster reel and 20 lb braided line. The rod handled flipping thick cover and setting the hook on bass with ease. The fast action provided excellent hook sets while the medium-heavy power had enough backbone to easily pull fish from heavy vegetation. The sensitivity was on par with much higher priced rods, allowing me to detect light bites.

Quality and Durability

The build quality is very impressive for the price. The guides, reel seat, and rod finish all appear very durable and I had no issues with any components loosening over several trips. The 1-piece blank provides the strength and reliability of high end rods.

Best Use Cases

The KastKing Royale Select Fishing Rods is purpose-built for bass fishing techniques:

• Flipping and Pitching - the fast action provides solid hooksets even in heavy cover
• Texas Rig Fishing - sensitivity to detect subtle bites, power to set the hook
• Jig Fishing - lightweight and sensitive blank transmits feel of light bites
• Frog Fishing - strong backbone to pull bass from thick pads

User Feedback Analysis

With over 1,600 reviews, the KastKing Royale Select rod has earned an excellent 4.6 out of 5 star overall rating on Amazon. Here is a deep dive into what users like and dislike about this rod:

Pros

• Extremely lightweight and sensitive blank - Many reviewers mention how the KastFlex carbon fiber blank transmits vibrations exceptionally well, allowing anglers to detect subtle bites. The lightweight build makes it easy to fish all day without fatigue.

• Powerful backbone for setting the hook - Numerous bass anglers compliment the backbone and lifting power on hooksets when flipping jigs or Texas rigging. The fast action and medium-heavy power provide solid hookups in heavy cover.

• Quality components - Anglers praise the smooth and durable Fuji O-ring guides and high-strength nylon reel seats. Guides stand up to braided line abrasion.

• Surprisingly affordable - At under $100, buyers feel this rod provides the sensitivity, power, and performance of rods double the price. Significant savings over premium brands.

• Ideal for pitching, flipping, and frogs - According to reviews, the rod was specifically designed for these techniques and excels in thick cover.

Cons

• Faulty guide alignment - A small percentage of users found guides that weren’t perfectly straight from the factory. However, KastKing has excellent customer service for replacing defective rods.

• Tip too stiff for crankbaits - Some anglers prefer a more moderate or moderate-fast action for fishing diving crankbaits, which require a bit more give on the hookset.

• Not ideal for drop shotting - Finesse techniques like drop shotting are better suited to a more moderate power and action. The Royale Select skews towards power techniques.

Conclusion - With over 80% 5-star ratings, most anglers agree this rod is an unbelievable value. For just under $100, it provides sensitivity, performance, and power on par with premium $200+ rods. While not a good match for finesse tactics, it exceeds expectations for flipping, pitching, and power fishing bass.

Value & Cost

Priced at $69.99, the KastKing Royale Select offers tournament-level performance and components at an undeniably affordable price point. Considering the sensitive Toray carbon construction, Fuji guides, and comfortable reel seat, this rod provides exceptional value for money. The equivalent rod from a premium tackle brand would likely cost well over $200. For budget-conscious anglers who don’t want to sacrifice performance, the Royale Select is an easy choice.

Summary

The KastKing Royale Select exceeds expectations across the board, offering tournament-level performance at a budget-friendly price. It’s quickly become my go-to rod for flipping and pitching bass baits thanks to its sensitivity, power, and crisp hooksets. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an affordable bass fishing rod.

Specifications

• Rod Length: 7‘3”
• Number of Pieces: 1-piece
• Power: Medium-Heavy
• Action: Fast
• Rod Blank Material: Toray 24-ton Carbon KastFlex
• Handle Length: 14”
• Handle Material: High-grade EVA foam
• Line Weight: 10-20 lb
• Lure Weight: 1/4 - 1 oz
• Guide Type: Stainless steel frame Fuji O-ring guides
• Guide Number: 9+Tip
• Reel Seat: High-strength nylon
• Rod Butt: Cork tape
• Hook Keeper: Stainless steel wire
• Decor: Black gold and red accents
• Rod Bag: Heavy canvas with embroidered logo
• Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

What’s Included

The KastKing Royale Select Fishing Rod comes packaged in a cloth rod sack inside a cardboard tube. No reel or other accessories are included.

How to Use

The KastKing Royale Select rod is designed for baitcasting reels and bass fishing techniques:
- Install a quality baitcaster reel like the KastKing Spartacus
- Spool with 10-20 lb braided fishing line
- Tie on a heavy fluorocarbon leader for flipping jigs and frogs
- Keep the drag set loose when fishing heavy cover to prevent break-offs
- Take advantage of the fast action hooksets when Texas rigging soft plastics