I know all the talk about KastKing and their line of gear – about how people who have never tried KastKing can’t believe gear that good could come at such a great price – but I’m going to tell you my thoughts and the simple truth from experience.
First, do not judge a book by its cover. I’m asking because many people have forgotten to do just that. Competitively priced fishing gear these days doesn’t mean “cheap.” Thank goodness those days are gone!
I recently had the opportunity to try the KastKing Stealth reel. Full disclosure: KastKing provided me the reel, but I would provide a 100% honest, no-nonsense review for our readers under the agreement.
Brief description:
- 5.9 oz.
- Dual Brake system (worked great for me)
- 7.0.1 gear
- Large line capacity
My first thought upon unboxing is this reel looks excellent and has a good feel. It is light weight and fits the hand. Plus, it comes with a neoprene reel cover. I’m a girl, so that’s important to me.
Time to Fish
It’s spring here in Washington, so that means flipping and pitching in thick, hardwood cover on Potholes Reservoir. I spooled 25-pound Seaguar Fluorocarbon Flippin’ line and mounted the reel onto a 7-foot, medium-heavy, Okuma TCS Scott Martin Jig and Worm rod. First, I quickly adjusted the reel to flip without any resistance. The adjustments were straightforward to use. Second, I was able to cast a heavy line without experiencing any backlash. This is important. Seaguar Fluorocarbon Flippin’ line isn’t designed for casting. It’s strictly for flipping and pitching. As such, it’s a bit wiry and hard to cast on most reels. But not this one. My thought at this point is this reel is performing great.
Fishing
- First Fish: Pulled out of wood debris, the reel performs as it should – no problem.
- Second Fish: Same result.
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Third Fish: Same Result.
- All-day, this went on with hook sets on wood, weeds, and rock. This reel held up. I forgot it was supposed to be a “bargain” reel. It performed better than that.
- End of day: I caught fish in the middle of a Muskrat hut… and it stuck – the fish. It wouldn’t budge! We had to go in after it, in full 4-wheel-drive mode, pulling out sticks and debris while hanging onto a fighting fish on the other end of the line! The reel performed as it should. It held on, and after a 12-minute recovery mission, we got the fish. The reel was fine. And, a big shout out to Seaguar. The line was in great shape – no nicks or wear in the line.
KastKing created a product that is great for the consumer and works. Give these reels a try. I think you’ll be impressed. And if you do have any issues, the customer service is excellent.
I’m keeping this reel on my rod. I have more fish to catch, and I’m going to keep flipping and pitching this spring until summer And coming soon: The Epic Battle of Bass and Braun! Watch for the video coming soon! (Editor's note: it's posted!)