If you are an angler, by now, you have heard the name KastKing. This relatively new company is quickly becoming one of the big boys in the fishing tackle market. While the brand started as a small venture for a couple of friends, it has now become a big business.
In the last few years, KastKing has won a Best of Show Award in several categories at major fishing industry shows. The superior drag system on the reels makes it easy to catch big fish without breaking your line.
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Who Are Kastking?
KastKing is a company started in 2013 by college friends Tom Gahan and Tate Cui, who were studying in the MBA program at Syracuse University in upstate New York. Not only were they classmates and friends, but they were fishing buddies as well. After struggling to purchase high-quality fishing gear on a student’s budget, they decided to form a company that would manufacture and sell quality products at low cost.
Today, KastKing products are a major part of the fishing industry. Not only do they design and manufacture fishing reels, but the company also manufactures poles and their own brand of line, which is made in the USA.
Where Are Kastking Reels Made?
Most people looking at a new product have questions before they commit to a purchase, and one of the most common questions is, “Who makes KastKing reels?”
KastKing reels are made in China by the same manufacturer that manufactures other fishing reels. As a matter of fact, most of the reels available today come from China. The fishing industry is just one of the many sectors to take advantage of the high build quality and low cost of overseas manufacturing.
The KastKing reels are the same reel as other brands, with slightly different component parts or external design features. The KastKing reel has the same aluminum frame, magnetic and centrifugal brake, and carbon fiber drag system as reels from Shimano, Daiwa, and Penn, but at a great price.
KastKing being made in China doesn’t mean the quality suffers. One of the highest-rated among anglers, the Shimano brand is made in Japan. They use the same durable parts as the other reels but purchase those parts in a more cost-effective way and pass the savings on to you. This provides you with a high-quality product for less money.
The motto of KastKing is to make fishing fun for the entire family. They know they need to save you a bit of money to do that.
The KastKing Reels Range
Spinning Reels
Kastking spinning reels have braid-ready spools, carbon fiber drag systems, and sealed ball bearings for worry-free fishing. With spinning reel options for beginner to advanced fishers in a variety of price points, KastKing makes it easy for the angler of any age to enjoy freshwater pan fishing or saltwater trolling from a head boat.
Our Score
The Valiant Eagle II is a fast action spinning rod that pairs great with a 6’6” to 7’6” fast action rod for an excellent game fishing setup.
The sealed carbon fiber drag is sensitive and consistent, keeping your catch on the line without breaking the line. The carbon fiber frame and rotor are durable and lightweight. This reel is perfect for bass or walleye fishers.
- 6.2:1 gear ratio
- One piece bail
- 10+1 sealed ball bearings
Our Score
The Royale Legend II is a great mid-range spinning reel from KastKing. It has a great carbon fiber drag system that makes KastKing brand reels among the best.
With its bright red body and black graphite frame, the Royale Legend is as attractive as it is effective. The anodized aluminum spool is braid-ready, and the one-piece bail lets the line spool off without tangles.
- Brass pinion gear for smooth operation
- 5.2:1 gear ratio
- 5+1 sealed ball bearings
Our Score
The Speed Demon Elite is advertised as the fastest reel on the market. With a 7.4:1 gear ratio, it just might be. This upper-level spinning rod is perfect for serious anglers and professionals.
Weighing less than 9 oz, this reel has an aluminum alloy body with an aluminum main gear. 10+1 sealed ball bearings allow quick retrieval for a fast second cast.
- Aluminum, braid-ready spool
- Zinc drive gear
- Carbon fiber drag
Baitcasting Reels
KastKing baitcasting reels are designed for power and speed. The lightweight aluminum frame and spool make fishing comfortable. 7.2:1 gear ratios allow for smooth and fast casting with less power. For the affordable price point, KastKing baitcasting reels are every bit as good or better than comparable casting reels.
Our Score
The Zephyr Bait Finesse reel is extremely lightweight and fast. Weighing just 5.6 oz, this attractive reel has a durable aluminum frame, spool, and handle.
The attractive bright orange spool sits in a solid black frame and is definitely eye-catching. The spool holds 75 yards of 4# mono that winds on evenly thanks to the dynamic design line guide.
This reel is designed for line weight from 4-pound to 8-pound test, making it the perfect reel for chasing big freshwater fish. The reel has 6 double shielded ball bearings for fast, smooth operation and quick line pickup.
- 8-button magnet brake system
- 29.8” per turn pick up
- Aluminum handle with EVA comfort knob
Our Score
The Crixus Armor X is a smooth, quiet, fast baitcasting reel. It has a durable lightweight aluminum frame and weighs just 6.8 oz. The aluminum alloy main gear and brass pinion gear create fast line pick-up.
With the Crixus Armor X, every cast is smooth and solid as line feeds off the aluminum spool through the dynamic line guide. The spool holds more line than you can cast and the high power drag dial ensures even the biggest fish won’t drag all your line out.
- Precise, adjustable drag dial
- 10+1 shielded bearings plus anti-reverse
- Up to 17.6 pounds of drag resistance
Our Score
The KastKing Rover round baitcasting reel is similar to the Penn Levelwind reel in appearance and performance. The Rover features a solid, hard-anodized aluminum side plate, solid brass gears, and stainless steel worm gear. The stainless steel shaft and bearings resist saltwater corrosion.
The spool holds up to 200 yards of 12-pound monofilament. The one-touch line release and precision braking help keep the big fish on the line. The Rover has the classic styling of a round saltwater reel but offers features that were not available until now.
Key features:
- Sealed to resist saltwater corrosion
- 3.6:1 gear ratio
- Easy to use adjustable drag
Frequently Asked Questions About Kastking
Where Can I Find Kastking Reels for Sale?
You can purchase KastKing reels from big boxes sporting goods stores, such as Academy Sports or Walmart, or through Amazon.com.
Are Kastking Reels Any Good?
KastKing reels are just as good as any other reel. Features like anti-reverse gears, carbon fiber frames, and fast gear ratios are not found in low-price reels, for the most part. KastKing has made these components standard in their brand.
What Are the Main Benefits of Their Reels?
KastKing reels have precision-cut gears and shafts for quiet, smooth operation. They offer the same quality as the big brand manufacturers at a fraction of the price.
The level winding guides on the baitcasting reels let you load any line from mono to braid without worrying about backlash and snarls. The carbon fiber drag system helps you reel in bigger fish faster.
What Do Users Say About Their Reels?
Reviewers seem pleased with KastKing spinning and casting reels. Many commented on the effectiveness of the drag system and its ease of use. Others compared the low-cost KastKing to a much more expensive brand and found that there were more similarities than differences between the companies and their products.
The only complaint among anglers who reviewed the equipment was the line capacity of the baitcasting reel. Many said the spool did not hold enough line when using mono or fluoro. For the savings in money between the brands, we think this is a minor complaint.
Do Any Pro Anglers Use Them?
Team Kastking is a group of pro anglers competing in major tournaments. Bass anglers Clay and Sandi Roberts highly recommend KastKing products for tournament fishing.
Final Thoughts on Kastking Reels
KastKing Reels are built from solid component parts and sold at a fair price to USA anglers, although they aren’t made in the USA. The brand is constantly doing research and development and product reviews to improve the quality of the equipment.
The brand is growing rapidly. The real selling point is that even the best KastKing reels cost a fraction of what you might pay for the same reel in a more well-known brand.
KastKing spincast and spinning reels are great for novice anglers. Their baitcast reels are highly recommended for folks who have been fishing for a while and want to improve their game. Whether trolling a river or casting from the bank, a KastKing reel will help you catch fish and save money.
