Is the New Kovert Series from Denali Really Lighter?

Total Score: 7.75 - GOOD

Introduction: Back towards the end of 2014, we took a look at a new, aggressively styled stick from Denali Rods, the K863JW from the company's Kovert line. The stick performed ok, but where it really fell short was in weight and balance. Well, the company has revamped the entire line promising 25% weight savings and overall better performance. The revised series is appropriately named, Kovert Lite. Does the new series deliver? Let's find out!

Re-introducing Denali's K863JW - now part of the Kovert Lite series.

The Kovert Lite K863JW looks the same as the original.

Impressions: The K863JW is a seven foot two inch (7'-2") medium heavy powered stick by Denali built up with semi-micro guides of unspecified brand and material. The rod is finished with a thin, satin clearcoat just enough to keep the blank looking clean and fresh. Guide wraps are well executed and there are some decorative winding checks capping off the ends of the spilt EVA foam grip and the bottom of the top portion of the split reel seat.

With the same homage to Denali's roots in the hardwood foregrip.

Denali maintains a link to their origins with a very small piece of decorative hardwood capping off the handle assembly. Our K863JW's blank looked straight and the guides were all perfectly aligned. The company continues to elevate their game while maintaining quality and staying true to their roots.

The same, lightly finished blank.