Between the Statement 722 and the 724, a link was missing. The WKS-R663-XO has filled that gap with flying colours. Built on the R 663-1 blank from Rodbuilders' Republic and extended by an XO Skeleton carbon handle, it delivers 2.25 m of X-Fast action for perch, light zander and coastal bass. Here is what makes it a reference in its own right.

The R 663-1 Blank: Reactivity and Resonance at the Heart of the Rod

An X-Fast Action That Lets Nothing Through

The R 663-1 blank from Rodbuilders' Republic stands out from the very first touch with its extraordinary reactivity. Its X-Fast action is ideal for animating soft lures with precision and for picking up every piece of information from the lure or the bottom. When scratching the bottom, every contact is identified with precision — sand, rock, wood, or the mouth of a fish. Nothing is lost between the lure and the hand.

Rated a true "power 3", this blank sits naturally between the Statement 722 and the 724, covering a light to medium-light power range that suits perch fishing, finesse zander and coastal bass perfectly. Its visible 3K carbon finish over approximately 90 cm gives it a refined aesthetic that fully reflects the quality beneath.

A Rod Built for Bottom Scratching

The WKS-R 663-1-XO has been optimised for resonance. It delivers outstanding feedback. At 2.25 m, it allows bottom scratching at long range. Light and ultra-resonant, it delights both shore anglers and boat anglers alike.

The XO Skeleton Handle: Far More Than a Simple Extension

A Resonance Cage That Multiplies Sensations

The carbon XO Skeleton handle fitted to the WKS-R663-XO is not there merely to gain a few centimetres. It plays a fundamental acoustic role: its open structure acts as a true resonance cage, amplifying the vibrations of the blank rather than dampening them. Where a conventional EVA or cork handle absorbs part of the information, the XO Skeleton returns it in full — and even magnifies it. The result is striking: you feel bites that you would never have detected with a conventional handle.

The reel seat, positioned 33 cm from the butt, ensures a perfect balance at this length of 2.25 m, without the rod becoming heavy or tiring in hand during long sessions.

Fuji Titanium Torzite Guides: Consistency Right to the End

Like all rods in the WKS range from Rodhouse, the R663-XO is fitted with Fuji Titanium Torzite guides — the ultimate in fine braided line guidance. Their Torzite insert guarantees near-zero friction and maximum wear resistance, while the Titanium frame in no way weighs down the blank or interferes with its natural resonance. On a rod as sensitive and lightweight as the WKS-R663-XO, this choice of guides is no luxury — it is a necessity to fully unlock the entire potential of the R 663-1 blank.