Fishinthefish Posted January 2, 2016 Posted January 2, 2016 My friend and I were talking, he is a major believer in the more bearings the better. Obviously I agree to some extent, but don't to others. Enter here Shimano Core, hands down the best reel I've ever had. How do you guys feel abot kastking reels? Has anyone ever used them? I imagine the ball bearings and apool are made out of tree bark for the price. Input is welcome. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted January 2, 2016 Posted January 2, 2016 Just another rebranded cheapy. As for bearing count, it means nothing compared to quality bearings in key spots. All else being equal, maybe. Even then it's only maybe. The Core is a great example. 1 Quote
drew4779 Posted January 2, 2016 Posted January 2, 2016 Number of bearings the better? Not always. I've used certain reels with 5 bearings I'd take over certain reels with 12 bearings any day. 2 Quote
PennBass Posted January 2, 2016 Posted January 2, 2016 Bought the Kastking Royale off of amazon for $36 on sale. For the price, seems to be pretty decent. Smooth reeling, strong drag (11 lbs), and solid construction inside. However, it obviously won't cast as far as a $100 reel, and there is a small bit of play in the anti-reverse bearing, but not enough to be concerned about. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted January 2, 2016 Posted January 2, 2016 It's after a season or two of hard use that that low end reels show their true colors. For casual use they can fit the bill though. 3 Quote
primetime Posted February 7, 2016 Posted February 7, 2016 Kastiking uses double shielded bearings abec 7 I belive on the newer reels....People get all upset about Kastking but all they are is a new start up business who is importing and having reels designed and selling them much cheaper than people are used too...Try to find a negative review on a Kast King reel..Also, I am familiar with the OEM they use to make their reels... Visit Eposeidon the name of the Company on Long Island who makes all kinds of tackle and notice that they sell Daiwa, Abu Garcia and other products...Offer money back warranties they stand by...Get used to New companies coming out with reels and lures that are not marked up like a certain lures on the market.. made in china for pennies, shipped to Japan for painting, shipped to america for packaging....Quote from Tackle Retailer magazine..... I have used kastking lures and have been happy. I also know people who love their stuff, guys who are like me and own a dozen baitcasters on rods right now, and another dozen all over in storage...All Daiwa, Okuma, high end stuff..All made in China, Kastking is actually making sure they are getting good quality control from the engineers already designing your reels and making them. Quote
desmobob Posted February 7, 2016 Posted February 7, 2016 I bought a Kastking Royale Legend a few weeks ago because I couldn't resist trying one for the price (<$40). It seems OK, but the "centrifugal" brakes are mounted in the side plate and don't spin with the spool, so I don't know how they can possible be activated by centrifugal force. There are four brake shoes that look like they can be turned on or off, but one of mine stays on all the time and the others are very sketchy as far as staying in the "on" or "off" position. The magnetic braking seems effective. Like PennBass mentioned, there is a little bit of backplay in the anti-reverse bearing, but nothing major. The spool tension adjustment is very touchy on my reel but it casts and functions well so far. I've only spent a few minutes out in the yard messing around with it... it's the "off season" here in the Northeast. I figure it will make an OK loaner or back-up to my back-up reels. :-) Tight lines, Bob Quote
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