When I first became seriously interested in travel rods early in 2020, I had no idea of how many specialty sticks were available, nor did I fully appreciate the devotion to these rods from anglers in Asia, Europe and the South Pacific. They demand JDM-quality tools, and there are a handful of specialty manufacturers who deliver the goods.

I was in especially interested to find rods that would handle peacock bass, which requires a specific set of characteristics: between 6’4” and 7’, to accommodate the downward slashing motion required to work a big prop bait properly; quality guides made to accommodate blistering runs with heavy braid; and heavy-duty construction to take the beating of the fish and the hard pulling on the lures. It was not an easy find among mainstream manufacturers, in a one-piece or a multi-piece version.

A lot of what I learned came from the Facebook group Travel Rod Anglers, and it was there in my search for travel rods able to handle swimbaits that I came across the Cast Division Beaststick 69HDG, a 6’9” rod made specifically “for the most brutal fishing you can get all over the world.” After watching a number of their videos, I acquired one, and I’ve been testing it out over the past few weeks.

I haven’t fished it long enough to get a full sense of what it can and should be able to do. I know it’s not designed for flicking weightless 4” Senkos along gravel banks for pressured smallmouths or for flinging a Shad Rap into the wind. It’s far too beefy for either of those. But I have had some fun with it skipping Megabass MagDrafts under boat houses and with some hard swimbaits. I can’t wait to travel with it. I’ll have a more extensive review after I fish it under the right conditions, but so far I’m really impressed with the construction – made to stand up to baggage handlers and big fish bullies alike.

The company has a spartan website, with just enough information to pique your interest, and no mention of a “pro staff” or their “vaunted designers” – quite the opposite of the American model where so much is driven by personalities. In fact, when I approached the company brass about this interview, they specifically declined to be named in public, preferring that the focus be on the rods themselves.

Nevertheless, I thought it was important for people to understand the (anonymous) mindset behind this innovative company.

Cast Division beaststick wit a big peacock bass travel rod

Half Past First Cast: When did you start the brand and what part of the market was it meant to fill?

Cast Division: The people at Cast Division started testing rods in 2017, but we didn’t manage to release the first design until 2018. We just want to make good travel rods that have good casting ability and most importantly are strong and lightweight

Half Past First Cast: You were very intentional when I approached you about not wanting to focus on rod designers, but rather on the rods themselves. Why do you choose to remain anonymous?

Cast Division: The brand was started by a few anglers from all over the world. We have not thought about the possibility of making the brand big. We just enjoy creating rods that we deem to be good. We love it when people enjoy our rods and keep buying them. It not because we earn a lot of money from it. It’s because it shows that the anglers understand what we are delivering from our rods and used them and love them. Anglers should be buying a rod because they think it’s good and not because of who else uses it. At least this is how we feel. So we prefer everyone to focus on the rods that we design.

Half Past First Cast: How many different models do you have available?

Cast Division: One currently. It’s a pain because we take a average of 1 to 2 years of testing before we can ensure we get the best out of the final product. We have a new rod coming up in April 2021. That rod took around a year and a half years and we finally got it right.

Half Past First Cast: Do you plan to introduce additional models after that?

Cast Division: Yes. We are in the progress of designing more models, but you won’t see us releasing any of them soon. I think that’s because we are too particular about every rod that we design. We’d rather release a really good rod than to just release a rod to improve our sales figures.

Half Past First Cast: How did you decide on a 6’9”, four-piece, heavy action model for the Beaststick?

Cast Division: We wanted to focus on expedition fishing so we designed that rod. We realize that it hurts to cast a heavy rod nonstop for days on an expedition. Also, you wouldn’t want to bring a big rod tube to an expedition. It’s too much of a hassle. So we came out with the design and made sure the rod is light enough but strong enough to be cast nonstop for days.

Cast Division Beaststick with an arapaima on a four piece pack rod

Half Past First Cast: What distinguishes your rods from other multi-piece rods?

Cast Division: I won’t say much about this because every angler has their own preference. But if you have a chance, cast our rods and you will understand our brand.

Half Past First Cast: What companies do you consider to be your competition?

Cast Division: You can say that every rod company is our competition or you can say none of them is our competition, because we have never compared our rods with other rods. What is most important to us is that we create a rod that we deem is right -- at least all of our testers have to agree on this before we release it to the market.

Half Past First Cast: What are some of the components that you utilize to make them virtually indestructible?

Cast Division: Fuji titanium torzite, one of the most expensive guides in the market. We use only Fuji Japan components. As for the rest, it’s a little technical as well as a trade secret. All I can say is that our joints are reinforced to make sure they are strong.

Half Past First Cast: What are some of the exotic species that your rods were designed to conquer?

Cast Division: Anything big. You name it, you have to try it. Black bass, arapaima, even popping GT with it. We love to test it to the max. Fishing is all about having fun and not knowing what you will catch or what you can catch.

Half Past First Cast: What are some of the biggest fish you’ve heard of being landed on your rods?

Cast Division: Chaophraya catfish around 40kg. Arapaima around 30kg. Black bass up to 13kg.

Half Past First Cast: In what countries are your rods sold?

Cast Division: Through our website, we ship worldwide for free.

Cast Division Beaststick travel rod grouper in the south pacific

Half Past First Cast: Where are they most popular?

Cast Division: I know we have anglers using them in Singapore, Malaysia ,Taiwan, Brunei, Japan and Indonesia. [Editor’s Note: And now in the United States]

Half Past First Cast: What else can you tell our readers who may be wary of three- or four-piece rods?

Cast Division: I can’t ensure you that all travel rods are strong and good, but if you have a chance to try our rod -- fish it, cast it, use it. You will understand. We always make sure our three- or four-piece rod feels like your one piece rod.

If you haven’t watched it before, check out Cast Division’s Rod Lab Load Test.