Your Favorite KastKing Baitcast Reel ?

[ChrisD46]

As the title states - what is your favorite KastKing baitcast reel ? If you have more than one KastKing baitcast reel that you like equally - then lest them both !

[Oregon Native]

Have two...an Assassin and ...ops...forgot...but its the 9:3:1.  Like them both a lot...use the Assassin the most.  Asking for a couple more for Christmas from my honey.

[NYWayfarer]

I have the Stealth, Assassin, Speed Demon, Spartacus and White Max. Out of all of them my favorite is the Speed Demon. I tend to use it and the Assassin the most.

[ChrisD46]

Thanks for the replies to date - have only read up on the : Stealth , Assassin & Speed Demon - however all could have a place ! My main need currently would be a 7:1 or faster reel for dragging jigs and being able to pick up slack / reel down on a fish in a hurry .

[Russ E]

speed demon pro is my favorite.

9.3 to 1 gear ratio and very smooth.

Paired up with a speed demon pro jig/worm rod.

 I use it in summer, to drag big worms around.

 

[Bluebasser86]

I really like my Speed Demons and Speed Demon Pro, but the Assassin is good too and the Royal Legend Elite has been really nice so far. The SDP would be my favorite if I had to pick one. 

[Chance_Taker4]

I love my Spartacus Plus reels. however I enjoy the Royale Legend Elite to I just have not had a lot of time using it. I'm sure from what I have it will be right next the Spartacus on the deck with a couple more Elites. I also have the new Mega Jaws ordered and cant wait to get it in my hands.

[ChrisD46]

On ‎11‎/‎15‎/‎2018 at 12:34 AM, Bluebasser86 said:

I really like my Speed Demons and Speed Demon Pro, but the Assassin is good too and the Royal Legend Elite has been really nice so far. The SDP would be my favorite if I had to pick one. 

*Bluebasser86 : Please tell me about the braking systems on the :  Assassin , Speed Demon Pro and the Royal Legend Elite reels (i.e. most smooth , ease of setup)  ? Which ones have dual braking systems ? Thanks ... I could not find brake system detail on the cast king web site.

[Bluebasser86]

7 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

*Bluebasser86 : Please tell me about the braking systems on the :  Assassin , Speed Demon Pro and the Royal Legend Elite reels (i.e. most smooth , ease of setup)  ? Which ones have dual braking systems ? Thanks ... I could not find brake system detail on the cast king web site.

I would have to check to be sure but I believe that the Assassin is the only one with magnetic and centrifugal brakes. I use them all for different things so smoothness is kind of hard to grade.

The Assassin is the oldest and has a ton of fish catches to its credit in a lot of bad conditions. It's still one of the furthest casting reels I own. It isn't the quietest or smoothest reel I own, but it is also one of the less expensive reels in my daily rotation. I use it primarily for traps. It was a little difficult to set at first but I haven't had to touch it since I got it dialed in.

The SDP I've been using for less than a year but I've really enjoyed using it. Very lightweight and I really like the handle and how it feels in my hand when I palm it. I use it mainly for T rigs and light jigs. I can skip a jig with it and it really is extremely fast if I need to take up line quickly. I think the extreme speed at an affordable price was a big selling point for me. My other 9.1 reel with similar IPT is a Diawa Zillion SV TWS That cost more than the SDP rod and reel combo did. 

The RLE I haven't had long but it's a very nice little reel. I wish the handle knobs were a bit bigger. I feel like they kind of went cheap on that part, especially for it being one of their more expensive reels. I set the magnetic braking system on this one and the SDP once and haven't touched them since. It has casting distance similar to the Assassin but it is a bit smoother and quiter, as it should be for a little extra dollars. I have the 8.1 RLE that I've been using mainly for plopper and bigger walking baits.

I would really like to try the new MegaJaws as  it appears to be very similar to the RLE for a few dollars less and nicer handle knobs

[Bluebasser86]

37 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

How does the plastic handle on the Speed Demon Pro hold up?  I've never seen a reel with a handle like that.  Usually they are aluminum, steel or carbon fiber.  It appears to be made out of the same material as the frame.  

So far no issues. I haven't caught any giants with it yet but it's handled plenty of 3-4 pounders in some bad places with no issues. 

[heavypic]

I have the Spartacus Plus and my son has the Assassin.  The reels are new to us both.  Fished them a few times.  Very smooth, dual brakes, and comfortable.  Can't speak to longevity yet, but features and quality seem very good.  I think they'll hold-up well if properly maintained.  I paired my SP with KastKings Perigree II carbon/graphite rod, 7ft, M/MH bait casting rod...the 2 piece rods come with 2 tips of your choice (ML/M or M/MH).   I just purchased/received KK's Perigree II M/MH 7ft Spinning Rod and Sharky III 3000 Spinning Reel as well but haven't used them yet.  My son fishes the Sharky III 3000 reel and likes it a lot.  I tried his Sharky...it too is very smooth and seem well made/good quality and apparently OK for saltwater per KK.   KK gear seems like a good value for the $$.  My experience is limited however...just returned to fishing after several years off...    ...and now winter is coming...ugh!

[ChrisD46]

9 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I would have to check to be sure but I believe that the Assassin is the only one with magnetic and centrifugal brakes. I use them all for different things so smoothness is kind of hard to grade.

The Assassin is the oldest and has a ton of fish catches to its credit in a lot of bad conditions. It's still one of the furthest casting reels I own. It isn't the quietest or smoothest reel I own, but it is also one of the less expensive reels in my daily rotation. I use it primarily for traps. It was a little difficult to set at first but I haven't had to touch it since I got it dialed in.

The SDP I've been using for less than a year but I've really enjoyed using it. Very lightweight and I really like the handle and how it feels in my hand when I palm it. I use it mainly for T rigs and light jigs. I can skip a jig with it and it really is extremely fast if I need to take up line quickly. I think the extreme speed at an affordable price was a big selling point for me. My other 9.1 reel with similar IPT is a Diawa Zillion SV TWS That cost more than the SDP rod and reel combo did. 

The RLE I haven't had long but it's a very nice little reel. I wish the handle knobs were a bit bigger. I feel like they kind of went cheap on that part, especially for it being one of their more expensive reels. I set the magnetic braking system on this one and the SDP once and haven't touched them since. It has casting distance similar to the Assassin but it is a bit smoother and quiter, as it should be for a little extra dollars. I have the 8.1 RLE that I've been using mainly for plopper and bigger walking baits.

I would really like to try the new MegaJaws as  it appears to be very similar to the RLE for a few dollars less and nicer handle knobs

*That was a big help - thanks ! For the RLE I would plan to add my multi colored,  ribbed knob cushions for sure which I have on similar type (less than ideal ) reel knobs .

[GeekOutdoors]

For those who do not like the knobs on the RLE I changed the whole handle for a CF one with corkish knobs. It now feels even better

 

I need a new reel for a Fenwick Techna AV I bought with intentions of using it as a spinnerbait setup.

 

[greentrout]

received my RLE Raging Red this past Friday...went to a local lake and fished 2 hrs. with it...fished with zoom trick worm green pumpkin 7 ft perigee II 2pc. rod 12 # mono...smooth as silk with one backlash...took some experimenting with magnetic brake system but nailed it...caught one 14" & 1/2" lmb...initial impression...very smooth retrieve with effortless casting once brakes and tension knob figured out...

 

very happy customer...

 

good fishing...