From NASA to Fishing Rods

From NASA to Fishing Rods

NASA IMAGE PROVIDED FROM https://www.nasa.gov

From the latest NASA Artemis missions aiming to return humans to the Moon, to the fishing rod in your hand — advanced materials continue to push boundaries.

The Space-Age Material Behind Rigged and Ready® Fishing Rods

For nearly 10 years, we’ve been using one of the world’s most advanced performance fibres — Zylon — in our Rigged and Ready® fishing rods.

Researchers have looked into using materials like Zylon in aerospace projects, including NASA's Artemis programme, which supports current missions where strength, weight, and dependability are very important in harsh conditions. That similar way of thinking goes into how we make our fishing gear.

Your fishing rod needs to work accurately for all your fishing activities which include your traveling fishing trips and your weekend fishing excursions and your beach fishing and your distant river fishing adventures.

What is Zylon and Why Does It Matter for Fishing Rod Performance?


ZYLON IS 10 TIMES STRONGER THAN KEVLAR


Zylon is an extremely strong and light fibre that works very well, making it great for high-end fishing rods. 

  • Stronger than Kevlar

  • Extremely lightweight for improved casting comfort

  • High stiffness for better bite detection and rod sensitivity

  • Resistant to heat and stress under load

For fishermen, this means a light fishing rod that has three essential qualities of strength and sensitivity and long-lasting durability which allows you to catch both small and large fish.

A Unique Blend: Advanced SRF Fishing Rod Blanks

ZYLON IS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RIGGED AND READY SMUGGLER AND X SERIES RODS


At Rigged and Ready®, we combine Zylon with carbon, graphite, and hi-glass in our SRF (Structured Reinforced Fibre) rod blanks.

This advanced construction creates a multi-layered fishing rod blank designed for:

  • Travel fishing convenience

  • Lure fishing performance

  • Strength for landing bigger fish

  • Compact rod design without compromise

The end result is a high performance travel fly rod that fishes like a traditional one piece but fits in a small enough package to go anywhere with you.

Smuggler Series™ – Spin & General Fishing

THE SMUGGLER FISHING ROD AND REEL COMBINATION IS DESIGNED TO GO ANYWHERE AND FISH EVERYWHERE


The Smuggler Series™ is built for anglers who want a reliable, compact fishing rod for spin and general fishing.

Best for:

  • Fishing with a spin rod in rivers, lakes, and along the shore

  • Fishing in a lot of different situations

  • Fishing trips and everyday use

These rods break down into short sections, which making them one of the best portable fishing rods you can buy. The Zylon-enhanced blanks preserve their strength and flexibility, making them great for all kinds of fishing.

X Series™ – Spin, Fly & Multi-Functional Fishing

THE X SERIES IS MULTIFUNCTIONAL AND SUPER COMPACT WITH RODS THAT CAN SPIN AND FLY FISH FROM THE SAME ROD


The X Series™ is designed for anglers who want maximum versatility and performance in one rod.

Perfect for:

  • Spin fishing

  • Fly fishing

  • Multi-functional fishing setups when travelling light

With Zylon integrated into the blank, the X Series™ offers a superior strength-to-weight ratio, delivering a responsive, adaptable fishing rod that performs across multiple fishing styles.

THE SWITCH HANDLE’S 3 SECTIONS  SCREW TOGETHER TO OFFER PERFECT FISHING BALANCE. IT ALSO CAN FLIP FROM SPIN TO FLY FISHING ON THE SAME ROD

 

Why Zylon Makes a Difference in Modern Fishing Tackle

ZYLON IS ONE OF THE CRITICAL ELEMENTS IN THE SRF ROD BLANKS, WHICH WHEN COMBINED WITH UNIQUE PARABOLIC JOINTS PRODUCES THE PERFECT FISHING ROD BEND

Many fishing rods force a trade-off between portability and performance.

With Zylon, we eliminate that compromise.

You get:

  • A lightweight fishing rod for all-day use

  • A strong rod capable of handling powerful fish

  • A compact design ideal for travel fishing

  • Enhanced sensitivity for better strike detection

It’s one of the key reasons Rigged and Ready® rods stand out in modern fishing tackle.

About Rigged and Ready®

THE INTERCHANGE TIPS ON THE X5 COMBINATION OFFER DIFFERENT CAST WEIGHTS AND FISHING TECHNIQUES THAT INCLUDE FLY FISHING


Rigged and Ready® is a small family business based in the English Lake District and has grown to become one of the leading travel fishing rod brands in the world.

We make travel fishing rods and small fishing tackle for people who wish to be able to move around without losing performance.

Our rods are made to go with you whether you're fishing close to home or in a new place. 


Go Anywhere. Fish Everywhere.


If you’re looking for a travel fishing rod that combines advanced materials with real-world fishing performance, the Smuggler Series™ and X Series™ are built to deliver.

Catch you later,
Jo & Andy Rigg

 

About the author

Andy Rigg

Andy Rigg is the founder and lead rod and tackle designer of Rigged & Ready, the travel fishing brand he launched in 2016. He leads the design and development of the brand’s innovative, modular rods, combining advanced materials with multi- function performance for modern, active anglers to Go Anywhere & Fish Everywhere. Alongside building Rigged & Ready, Andy brings extensive experience in global brand leadership, having driven successful turnarounds for iconic brands including Puma, Ben Sherman and Marlboro Classics (MCS). This blend of product innovation and brand strategy underpins Rigged & Ready’s distinctive design-led approach.


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