Kastking

[catchnm]

Just received the Speed Demon Elite 10.5:1 today. $119.99 at Academy. Seems like a well built quality reel. Any opinions? Be nice.

[Kenny Yi]

are you in a racing contest?

 

lol, just kidding, sounds like a good purchase for you, just not my own preference (7 speeds). 

[Bluebasser86]

Had one for a couple months before the thumb bar stopped engaging after the cast without me manually pushing it back up. Couldn't exchange it for another because they had none in stock anywhere. Ended up with a Royal Legend Elite as a replacement (bought mine on the original release for $70 so it was a pretty close to even swap). 

 

It was a pretty finicky reel, had to set the tension much higher than most reels to avoid a backlash. It was blazing fast though. 

[evo2s197]

I have a buddy that bought a few of them on a sale, 4 if I recall, two had varying issues and the others were fine, it was enough of a deal breaker for him that he returned all of them.

 

My personal opinion is to use that one for a whole season and see how it holds up before buying more.

 

[desmobob]

I bought a Royal Legend a few years back and the centrifugal brakes were a little wonky.  It's sitting in a box full of extra/loaner stuff now.  I also bought one of their CNC fly reels and it's OK.  

 

I just ordered one of their Zephyr BFS reels to try.  (I like messing around with BFS stuff and trying the very inexpensive imported rods and reels. I can only afford one Daiwa PXL Type R reel and MajorCraft rod.  I don't use the stuff enough to justify spending that kind of money on BFS again.)

 

I think if you buy it from a trusted vendor with good customer service/return policy, you shouldn't have too much to worry about.

 

 

[Russ E]

Kast King uses fancy names and high speed to sell subpar equipment.

They are very inconsistent. Some work great. Some are lemons.

I took the bait and bought a few rods and reels. 

Hopefully you got lucky and get a good one.

I had the same problems as @Bluebasser86.

Plus I had three speed demon pro rods break mysteriously.

I now have no kast king equipment in my boat. There are much more consistent brands out there.

[Eric 26]

I have a Royal Legend 2, and agree with everything said so far it’s a bit finicky to adjust and not the most consistent once adjusted but hey for $35.00 shipped to my door it was worth it to me.

[flyfisher]

I had one about 2 years ago and it is complete garbage.  It got noisy after a few trips and the drag is real touchy and not in a good way, it is kind of on or off no matter how minute the adjustments.  It is in the bottom of my tackle bin waiting to be either broken down and see if i can figure out what to do with it or tossed.....

 

good luck with yours as two years in the retail world is time for a lot of changes to be made.

[Russ E]

Personally if you bought it at academy, I would take it back and get an 8.1to1 diawa fuego. Academy has the fuego for $99.99.. The 8.1 to 1 is still plenty fast. You will be much happier a year from now.

 

[greentrout]

I own the KK Royale Legend Elite Red 8:1:1 ... have had no problems with it ... like the 34" IPT ... granted, I don't tournament fish or pound the reel day in and day out but it has had some use ...

 

Academy is a good outfit ... if they offer it ... they will back it up ...

 

Good Fishing ...

 

[DonutOwl]

Anyone have experience with the KK Zephyr spinning reel? Or the Black Hawk II telescoping rod? I am considering both.

[mrpao]

Not much reviews on the Zephyr spinning reels, except on Amazon.

I ordered a 3000 size the other day. Should be here shortly.

Also ordered two Piscifun Carbon X 3000 size. It seems to have decent reviews.

I'm going to try these on my catfish float rods, to see how they do. I wanted the new Daiwa exceler LT, but not sure when it will hit the US market.

These three reels are going to be a test. I usually dont buy off brands, but they are fairly inexpensive so i figured I'd give them a try.

[Eric 26]

3 hours ago, mrpao said:

Not much reviews on the Zephyr spinning reels, except on Amazon.

I ordered a 3000 size the other day. Should be here shortly.

Also ordered two Piscifun Carbon X 3000 size. It seems to have decent reviews.

I'm going to try these on my catfish float rods, to see how they do. I wanted the new Daiwa exceler LT, but not sure when it will hit the US market.

These three reels are going to be a test. I usually dont buy off brands, but they are fairly inexpensive so i figured I'd give them a try.

I own both a 2000 & 1000 size Carbon X reel and find them to be built above their price. Interested to hear your opinion after you receive and use them for a bit.

[mrpao]

If I like the 3000 sizes, I'm planning on purchasing the 1000 and 500 size for light bassin and trout fishing. Their weights are comparable to a tatula LT or stradic CI4+ of similar size- both of which I also own. I know it's not apples to apples, but it will be a nice comparison. I like small light reels. 

[KCFinesse]

On 6/16/2021 at 6:37 AM, desmobob said:

 

I just ordered one of their Zephyr BFS reels to try.  (I like messing around with BFS stuff and trying the very inexpensive imported rods and reels. I can only afford one Daiwa PXL Type R reel and MajorCraft rod.  I don't use the stuff enough to justify spending that kind of money on BFS again.)

 

 

I bought an opposite hand zephyr to help provide a stopgap until my dominant elbow heals up. My normal bfs reel is a size 50 aldebaran.

 

Casting-wise the zephyr is great. Its also light and readily adjustable.

 

The reel has a tendency to get line behind the spool (b/t frame and spool). Its happened to me three times over about 12 hours of fishing it. That drives me nuts- with 6lb test you don't have room for error on stuff like that.

[desmobob]

1 hour ago, KCFinesse said:

The reel has a tendency to get line behind the spool (b/t frame and spool). Its happened to me three times over about 12 hours of fishing it. That drives me nuts- with 6lb test you don't have room for error on stuff like that.

 

I guess that might be a tendency of a lot of the Chinese BFS reels.  I fished my Fishband GH100 (Aldebaran knock-off) almost around the clock yesterday and the line (4lb. hybrid) went behind the spool about a half-dozen times.

 

[scaleface]

I bought a KastKing Assassin . Had to send the  first one  back because it wouldnt engage after the clutch was depressed . The replacement , I have used for two years with no complaints . I also bought a Piscifun Phantom that  is super smooth on the cast and retrieve. I prefer it over my Bass Pro Johnny Morris and Lews Tournament MB . I just ordered a second Phantom  because with discounts I got it for 45 dollars . 

[Cravin]

The only Kastking product I own is their Tackle Bag, I got the blue one that holds 3600 boxes and it's really nice.

 

https://www.amazon.com/KastKing-Fishing-Tackle-Bags-Freshwater/dp/B08LVKZK72/ref=asc_df_B07F2HV28F/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312142476371&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5379799891265406902&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9026867&hvtargid=pla-568317658262&th=1

 

And the only Piscifun product I have and it will stay a part of my system. It holds two 3600 boxes and a 3500(terminal tackle). Great for walking around ponds or the banks keeping my hands empty for rods. I have two 3600 boxes set up for bass and two for Crappie and pan.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Piscifun-Fishing-Bag，Outdoor-Storage-Pack，Water-Resistant/dp/B07XCKM1LZ/ref=sr_1_7?crid=29843Y45WDUDP&dchild=1&keywords=piscifun+tackle+bag&qid=1624572434&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=Piscifun+tackle+%2Csporting%2C191&sr=1-7

 

[MN Fisher]

5 hours ago, Cravin said:

The only Kastking product I own is their Tackle Bag, I got the blue one that holds 3600 boxes and it's really nice.

I looked at this Kastking bag...went with the BPS/Cabelas Advanced Angler...holds the same number of boxes, and two tool holders for $15 less.

 

For my shore/panfishing needs - went with this one.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087684NHS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Holds 8 3600 boxes (one in the elastic web on top) and has a standard Molle system on the front...for $40.

 

[zell_pop1]

Kastking sunglasses are great for the price, but the reels....I would exchange it for the Fuego 8.1 like Russ E said.

[desmobob]

I've fished my new KastKing Zephyr BFS reel for several hours now and I'm very happy with it so far.  My Fishband GH100 is a bit better with really light baits, but I have not been able to cure its occasional pinion gear problem that causes some grinding/binding every so often.  

 

It also seems to be a big step above my other cheap import BFS bait casters as far as fit and finish.  It's quite nice, and my new favorite budget BFS toy.

 

I also have a KastKing Assassin, Stealth, and Legend Royale.  The Legend Royale's individual centrifugal brakes no longer will stay disengaged when adjusting them, so it has to be fished with all four on.  The Assassin and Stealth have worked well but I haven't really fished with them a lot.  

 

 

[mhone]

I have three KastKing combos and I love all three. I have a Crixus light spinning rod, a Perigee II MH-F bait caster rod with a Crixus dark star reel and a Brutus M-MF also with a Dark Star reel. I’m on my second season with the spinning rod and both bait casters are new this season. So far I have enjoyed this equipment.  These are my first bait casters and I’ve been able to catch on pretty quickly with them and caught some good fish too. For the price point, I’ll wear these out and then upgrade higher end stuff later. I would recommend KastKing. 
 

[JoeDeal55]

I have a Kastking Crixus 7'MHF 2 piece casting rod and the Crixus 7.2:1 baitcasting reel. Its my first baitcasting setup ive ever owned. I love it btw. Broke the tip top guide smacking it against a tree on accident. Ive pulled in a lot of bass this summer with this setup and last week landed my PB 3 pounder. I havent had any issues with my Kastking products but also I have 0 experience with higher end companies. Lifetime of Zebco 33s and ugly stick combos from walmart. I do plan on getting the Shimano SLX combo in a few months. 

[scaleface]

My KastKing Assassin made it through a third year . Its   my frog reel and it doesnt get a lot of use  but performing well .

[ChrisD46]

On 6/15/2021 at 11:05 PM, Kenny Yi said:

are you in a racing contest?

 

lol, just kidding, sounds like a good purchase for you, just not my own preference (7 speeds). 

*Your bass fishing NOT entered in a NASCAR event - (Gerald Swindle on high speed bait cast reels) ... All kidding aside , for flipping / pitching in a tournament where you want to quickly retrieve a lure back quickly after leaving the strike zone it can be a valuable reel speed to have ... Time is money !