Impressions: The first thing I noticed about this rod was how tiny it was. It was among the shortest rod I have ever seen. At just 4 feet long, it looks like a child's fishing rod. In addition, it was so flexible, I was literally able to bend the tip into a circle.  But upon closer inspection, you could tell that this rod was no kid's rod, built with great attention to detail and high quality components. Each of the guides is precision wrapped, and then coated with a durable resin coating which blends in seamlessly with the rod blank. The handle is constructed with high grade cork, and the reel is completely alloy, firmly secured by two twisting screws. The rod is an eye catching orange and black color, which stands out nicely from the rest of the crowd.  

Field Tests:  This rod was one of my trout rods, and has been field tested in a variety of conditions. The short length and virtually indestructible nature of this rod make it ideally suited for backpacking trips, where a fragile graphite rod could easily be broken or crushed by the weight of a heavy pack.  Another favorite use for this rod is for float tubing. The short, yet flexible nature of the rod makes it a pleasure to cast all day long from a float tube. Don't be fooled by the size, it can handle an incredibly large fish if played properly and matched with a smooth reel. I've landed a 5 lb. trout with this rod and 2 lb. test line. Needless to say, it was one of the most memorable and lengthy fish battles ever! Fighting a large trout in a float tube with this rod is an absolute blast, and is one of the most exhilarating experiences one can have fishing.

Casting Precision:  Shorter than the average trout rod, the Kencor SP4HV allows for unprecedented casting precision. Although this rod won't win casting distance contests, the super flexible tip allows you to fling tiny lures surprising distances, comparable or ever further than graphite rods of slightly longer length. Throwing tiny trout jigs with this rod is one of my favorite ways of fishing for trout, and this rod certainly does the job well. This is one of the few rods that can effectively cast a tiny 1/32 oz. tube jig a good distance without stringing any additional weight on the line. Likewise, heavier lures can be effectively "launched" record distance thanks to the amazingly flexible tip. The only downside to this is a loss in power, and fighting a really large fish can be quite a workout, though this may be seen as a bonus to some. The short length of the SP4HV also comes in incredibly handy when fishing in areas with significant brush or overhanging branches.  You can effectively cast in almost any direction as needed with one hand thanks to the short length. The length of this rod also makes it ideal for float tubing, allowing for rapid lure changes and adjustments as needed.