Better Kastking or Piscifun?

[tcbass]

I'm looking at getting 2 reels. 

 

One is a larger spinning reel for lake trout fishing down to 150 feet and up to 2oz or even a little more jig. 

 

 

The other is a micro casting reel for a shorter casting rod for jerkbait fishing. 

 

 

 

What's better, Kastking or Piscifun?

 

 

And what models?

 

 

 

Thanks in advance. 

[Bird]

For budget reels , hard to beat Okuma.

 

[bulldog1935]

We need a report here from @Eric 26...

[Bigbox99]

Neither.  I'd recommend an aluminum frame baitcast reel like an SLX, Lews or Tatula 100 or 80.  All can be had for around $100 with my pick being a Tatula 80 from Aliexpress.   If you REALLY want to be cheap about it and also want a small light reel then the Piscifun Carbon XCS is good at throwing jerkbaits.  I use mine on a Lews Walmart Hank Parker M rod and the combo is feather light and balances out on the lock nut. The reel being a plastic reel does lose winding power under the load of winching in a fish and doesn't feel very refined but it cheap, light, small and casts well.  I use mine as a budget jerkbait and popper rod.  

[MN Fisher]

32 minutes ago, Bigbox99 said:

I'd recommend an aluminum frame baitcast reel like an SLX, Lews or Tatula 100 or 80.  All can be had for around $100 with my pick being a Tatula 80 from Aliexpress.

Even less expensive is Daiwa Bass X (JDM) which you can get for $70 - https://www.digitaka.com/item/4/4/2/4960652263153

[Eric 26]

@tcbass I’m in agreement with @Bigbox99 but with that said as long as you know what you’re getting into such as hard to find or zero support in getting replacement parts or service for the reel they’re a pretty good bang for the buck. I have 3 Piscifun Carbon X spinning reels and would definitely buy another as mine get used often and have given me zero issues for the past several years. I have a Piscifun Saex Elite casting reel that is an Ardent Elite reel with different colors and I was able to order a part through Ardent but again Piscifun said sorry they don’t offer parts. I had a Piscifun spark that was a inexpensive reel but got rid of it due to not being able to keep the tension set on the spool with it loosening up after a handful of casts and honestly I didn’t like the way it casted either because of having to set the tension high or get a backlash every time. I have a Kast King Royal Legend 2 casting reel that I keep thinking of getting rid of but it’s still with me. Mine is a 5 speed lefty which is why I still have it and at $43.00 currently I’ll say it holds its settings better than the Spark but it’s definitely built on a budget with the spool in particular being something I wouldn’t trust holding up to heavy or hard charging fish but ymmv. Finally I couldn’t agree more with @MN Fisher as the reel he’s referencing is a Daiwa CA80 which I have and love in a different color scheme. 

[NorthernBasser]

22 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Even less expensive is Daiwa Bass X (JDM) which you can get for $70 - https://www.digitaka.com/item/4/4/2/4960652263153

Tell us more...you have this reel? 

[webertime]

I jig lakers a good amount.  Aluminum reel body is super nice to have and will last longer.

Daiwa Eliminator, BG, or Procyon 3000 or 4000. Or Shimano Spheros will work well.

[Bigbox99]

34 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Even less expensive is Daiwa Bass X (JDM) which you can get for $70 - https://www.digitaka.com/item/4/4/2/4960652263153

$70 is too much for a plastic reel with a non dynamic magnetic brake IMO.  I'd go with weird Aliexpress deep dive chinease reels like this before a Bass X.  At least I get an aluminum frame and handle side plate with a dual supported pinion for my money.

[MN Fisher]

12 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

Tell us more...you have this reel? 

Yep - like @Eric 26 said - it's the CA-80 with a different color scheme...I have both and have compared them. Probably one of if not the least expensive aluminum frame reel out there.

Just now, Bigbox99 said:

$70 is too much for a plastic reel with a non dynamic magnetic brake IMO.

The Bass X is the CA-80 with a different color scheme - it IS aluminum frame...I have one.

[Bigbox99]

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

Yep - like @Eric 26 said - it's the CA-80 with a different color scheme...I have both and have compared them. Probably one of if not the least expensive aluminum frame reel out there.

The Bass X is the CA-80 with a different color scheme - it IS aluminum frame...I have one.

Oh neat I always assumed is was the JDM cr80.  That makes the price more appealing if you can get it for $70 shipped. 

[zell_pop1]

Kastking Kestrel gets good reviews for that casting reel for light baits though I think I'd go ahead and look for a deal on the older version SLX MGL.

[MediumMouthBass]

I never understood the buying fishing stuff from Amazon or some other knockoff from a sketchy chinese app trend, almost all year you can get great reels from Shimano, Daiwa, Lews on sale from websites that are reliable and very well known and trusted, have actual customer reviews (unlike amazon these days) and dont seem very, very, sketchy, along with the very odd business practices.

Last year i got several reels from different places between 30-50% off from different promotions and gift card deals if you spent a certain price.

And the trustworthy sites from Japan seem to have really good prices on most reels too, and the one place includes a free lure (usually a megabass jerkbait).

Im sure Kasting and Piscifun make a decent reel and some people probably love them, but years ago when all i had were Abu Black Max reels and wanted to upgrade i researched alot into Kastking and Piscifun and some reviews were great and some were horrible, (this was before Amazons mass amounts of false reviews of almost everything they sell) so i came here to Bass Resource and did alot of research, youtube, tons of hours checking reviews and bought a few Daiwas, Shimanos, and Lews and am extremely happy with them. You can get very good reels for cheap if you shop around, even cheaper if you can buy one in good condition used.

For the jerkbait reel the Shimano SLX MGL is on sale for around $100 right now and is a phenomenal reel for that type of bait, very easy to use and good for beginners. And a 3000-4000 reel for the trout.

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

I never understood the buying fishing stuff from Amazon

I've bought quite a few things off Amazon - several reels and a few rods that drop-shipped from the seller...and quite a bit of tackle as well as a number of things for Bass Trek. I've no problems with Amazon.

[MediumMouthBass]

In one of my other hobbies its very well known to stay away from Amazon, almost every time someone buys something its 80% counterfeit.

And to add ive seen to many reviews of people buying reels that showed up from a different brand, and others completely destroyed from being very obviously used and then returned, and others missing parts.

Edited April 4, 2024 by MediumMouthBass

[MN Fisher]

8 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

In one of my other hobbies its very well known to stay away from Amazon, almost every time someone buys something its 80% counterfeit.

Bad luck - I've never experienced this even in MY other hobby which is scale modeling...Airbrushes, tools, paints, etc...everything has been exactly as posted/advertised.

[thediscochef]

So this is going to be controversial, but the Piscifun Spark Pro might be the best $30 I've ever spent in fishing. It's not a sturdy platform at all, setting the drag as light as possible seems to be important to longevity. If you have a heavy hand you might break the plastic above the worm gears. The bearings are noisy as heck. But I've fished it regularly for six months with chatterbait minimax, MB110, and one knocker spook with no functioning issues at all. I also haven't ever oiled it at all. With a half ounce lure it casts a mile too. My back to back four pounders last fall came on the spark pro combo. It plays very nicely with 20# 832 to a 12# big game leader. That one reel has changed my mind about the entire concept of a $30 baitcaster. If I could buy another I would. Frankly for how much those reels don't cost, it's worth giving it a shot. Just make sure your drag isn't cranked down. I also love the hilarity of throwing a $20 bait on a $160 st croix mojo yak, relying on a $30 baitcaster

[bulldog1935]

@MN Fisher I shop amazon.jp frequently, and will purchase there when price + shipping is cheaper than buying/importing through US amazon prime (I have accounts on both).  The product and shipping process is the same either way, just the cost varies.  

Amazon includes their own warehouse, and their arrangements with distributors.  There are also individual sellers who can sell through amazon.  Especially on Amazon.jp, you can identify the latter by exorbitant shipping cost.  Amazon.jp fills so many orders to US, they fill a shipping container to their US Customs broker and ship the same day - all of this is legit.  

Many vendors that other BR members will look for, such as Gomexus, are also legit.  

Especially when the item you're looking at shows "Amazon Choice" you know it's coming from their warehouse and is legit.  

The people who are worried - just keeps stock available for the rest of us.  

Amazon - bought through Prime, because it saved me $20 over buying from amazon.jp - I went through checkout on both, and canceled the .jp order.  

[MediumMouthBass]

@MN Fisher scale modeling? thats pretty cool. The stuff im talking about is 300 Lights and 400 Optics, many many guys in the other forums im in shopping there keep getting knockoffs and have to send back a few times before getting one with a serial number that matches the companies records who makes it.

[MN Fisher]

7 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

Amazon.jp fills so many orders to US, they fill a shipping container to their US Customs broker and ship the same day

My Bass X reel was ordered through Amazon.US but fulfilled by Amazon.JP - with free shipping cause of Prime...I may have to get a 'legit' account at JP eventually

[Alex from GA]

I've been using a Piscifun Viper X size 1000 spinning reel for a few months and have only good things to say about it.  Using 6 lb mono the drag is smooth, it's quiet, smooth and very light. I have much more expensive reels and bought this one to test, it passed. 

[NorthernBasser]

@MN Fisher @bulldog1935

 

I've never used Amazon Japan. Bulldog, right now that Bass X reel is showing $63.20 on the US Amazon, and only $37.70 USD on Amazon.jp. Does that sound right? Is shipping usually costly enough that it equals out to the US Amazon's? 

 

MN Fisher, How big is the Bass X reel? Is it a pretty small profile? Can you compare it to any other reels, size-wise?

[MN Fisher]

6 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

MN Fisher, How big is the Bass X reel? Is it a pretty small profile? Can you compare it to any other reels, size-wise?

Here's a 'family portrait' for you.

 

Top row - Bass X, CA-80, Fuego CT

2nd row - Tatula CT, Tatula 100, Patriarch.

 

[ike8120]

I have numerous KK baitcasters and spinning reels. Never have had a issue with any of them.

[NorthernBasser]

2 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Here's a 'family portrait' for you.

 

Top row - Bass X, CA-80, Fuego CT

2nd row - Tatula CT, Tatula 100, Patriarch.

 

Appreciate it! So it definitely smaller than the CT. Which I figured it would be. How close is it to the 100 in hand?