Kast King Royale

[dshel61]

I am in the market to replace my old BPS baitcaster. What are your thoughts on the KastKing Royale baitcaster? Nice inexpensive price point.

[LgMouthGambler]

Its just that, nice and inexpensive. Dont expect much more than that. 

[basss]

Think most of us here are fans of getting something good once, instead of a couple of a few of the cheaper reels.  Having said that, there are plenty of online deals to be had.  I usually look for best of the best reels from a year or two ago- they're way discounted after they've been out a while.

[merc1997]

I am in the market to replace my old BPS baitcaster. What are your thoughts on the KastKing Royale baitcaster? Nice inexpensive price point.

well, i for one now own 8 of them, and several of my friends have since purchases them.  everyone likes them.  my first one is now 9 months old, and has had a whole lot of use and is still just as smooth as the day it came out of the box.

believe me, i put a lot of mileage on a reel in a years time.  i have no issues at all casting them, and i even use 20 lb. test braid on a couple of them quite a bit.  the drags are smooth as silk.  the reel handles are solid and smooth.  i've thrown about any kind of reel made, and to me, these reels perform with any of them.  i hear folks bad mouth them all the time, but maybe they are just going on the price and have never really put one to the riggers of everyday fishing and see how they stack up.  i just can not find one fault with them.

bo

[Bud Kennedy]

Well folks, You gotta believe.  If Bo says they work great for him then you gotta believe.  Just because

BO KNOWS

[Mike Cork]

I haven't had the pleasure of even holding one yet. I do know the internet is hard on them if you look for reviews. Personally, I place a lot of value on Bo's input. He does fish a lot. If he's happy with them, then they are worth a shot in my book.

I can't even say that Bo just got a hold of a good one as he has several. 

[merc1997]

i have not really ever looked to see what those that say they are a bad reel have had issues with.  when the launch a lure a mile, and you can not hear or feel any noise reeling in, and the drag is smooth a silk, what exactly is a reel supposed to do above that?

when looking at the "reel" picture so to speak, there are three manufactures that actually make their own reel, and they would be okuma, shimano, and diawa.  all the others are made by about three companies in china or korea.

yes, the kast king has a plastic or carbon fiber type of case.  i've heard some say that the case will distort.  i fish with braid, and would put my hookset against anyone for speed and power.  if my kast king reel were going to distort, it would have already happened on all of them, but that is not the case.  a buddy of mine brought his high dollar diawa over, and wanted to compare the guts of both reels.  we both came to the same conclusion that we could not tell one bit of difference in parts from one reel to the other.

i think many fishing rods are the same way.  way overpriced for what you are getting.  bottom line is to use what works for you.

bo

everyone can use whatever reel they choose to. 

[dshel61]

Ok, putting the Royale besides, what do you think of KastKing in general. The Assassin looks like a nice reel.

[merc1997]

have not looked at one.

bo

[LgMouthGambler]

i have not really ever looked to see what those that say they are a bad reel have had issues with.  when the launch a lure a mile, and you can not hear or feel any noise reeling in, and the drag is smooth a silk, what exactly is a reel supposed to do above that?

when looking at the "reel" picture so to speak, there are three manufactures that actually make their own reel, and they would be okuma, shimano, and diawa.  all the others are made by about three companies in china or korea.

yes, the kast king has a plastic or carbon fiber type of case.  i've heard some say that the case will distort.  i fish with braid, and would put my hookset against anyone for speed and power.  if my kast king reel were going to distort, it would have already happened on all of them, but that is not the case.  a buddy of mine brought his high dollar diawa over, and wanted to compare the guts of both reels.  we both came to the same conclusion that we could not tell one bit of difference in parts from one reel to the other.

i think many fishing rods are the same way.  way overpriced for what you are getting.  bottom line is to use what works for you.

bo

everyone can use whatever reel they choose to.

Okuma doesnt make their own reels.

<")))>{

[D.W. Verts]

I haven't had one as long as Bo, but I own four of them (one Royale, two Assassins and the white low-ratio one, whatever it's called), just to find out for myself. I put them on jerk and crankbait poles to save some weight. The jerkbait stuff didn't happen much this year. The crankbait stuff will happen.

They are very very smooth. They cast very very good. But I'm also used to very very old Abu 4600's... Time will tell.

[dshel61]

Thanks guys

[Pro Reel]

Okuma doesnt make their own reels.

<")))>{

Yes, they do, They are actually the parent company of several lesser oversees manufacturers.

[SteelHorseCowboy]

A couple more options:
I've run into some guys who swear by H2O Express reels. Not because of their quality, but because of their warranty and customer service.
I don't consider that to be a glowing endorsement, and personally I've come to just about hate anything made by them even though I like my Pro Cat rod and the Pro Cat Hi Viz braided line.
But the story is, their warranty is a "no questions asked" warranty that follows the reel, not the purchaser. If you were to go that route, I'd say get two so you'll have one to fish with while the other is in transit to their warranty center. That's hearsay, I haven't used them myself.

The other option is getting a good used reel. I seem to be like the pawn shop and flea market king or something. I'm always keeping an eye out for a good deal. I think the most I've paid for a reel in a pawn shop or flea market is maybe $30. They usually need a good cleaning, maybe a part replaced, but in the end I always seem to make out like a bandit. And I walk away from much better deals than I take advantage of simply because I don't feel like going to an ATM.
And of course there are the online second hand markets, eBay, craigslist, facebook, etc.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[LgMouthGambler]

Yes, they do, They are actually the parent company of several lesser oversees manufacturers.

Their reels are made by Banax, who also make Quantum, 13, and a few others. 

[SFL BassHunter]

Ok, putting the Royale besides, what do you think of KastKing in general. The Assassin looks like a nice reel.

I like their fishing lines. I don't know about their reels. But I do have a Piscifun Phantom reel that looks almost identical to the Assassin except the accent colors. It even weighs exactly the same and is made of carbon. I think they are the same reel. I can't confirm that but they are marketed just about the same. I am sure the same company makes reels for these two companies.

If the Kastking Assassin is as good as the Piscifun reel I bought, then it should be a pretty decent reel.

I wouldn't put it up there with my Daiwa Tatula reels, but they are also in a different price range. I also think the Tatula's fish at a higher price range than what they actually cost. So there's also that bias.

I bought the Piscifun Phantom because its so lightweight.

[dshel61]

Thanks Basshunter. I was wondering about the Piscafun reels as well.

[SFL BassHunter]

Here is a review I wrote up on the Piscifun Phantom.

Updates throughout the thread. I haven't updated it in a while, but I have nothing new to report.


http://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?topic=140354.0

[Pro Reel]

Their reels are made by Banax, who also make Quantum, 13, and a few others. 

That's only partially correct, as with many large companies, they have found it cost effective to have thioer lower end line up subbed out to cheaper manufacturing. In actuality, Okuma owns and runs a large manufacturing facility where they design and build all of their high end reels. They are one of the top if not the top providers of high end quality saltwater gear.

[LgMouthGambler]

That's only partially correct, as with many large companies, they have found it cost effective to have thioer lower end line up subbed out to cheaper manufacturing. In actuality, Okuma owns and runs a large manufacturing facility where they design and build all of their high end reels. They are one of the top if not the top providers of high end quality saltwater gear.

This is a bass fishing site sir. Lol.

<")))>{

[D.W. Verts]

I could just put all of mine on flippin' sticks with 65 and 80# braid. That would maybe prove something...

[Ron Fogelson]

This is a bass fishing site sir. Lol.

<")))>{

Its ok to just say you were wrong,,,, happens to everyone 

[LgMouthGambler]

Its ok to just say you were wrong,,,, happens to everyone 

Sure, but if you wanna get into the salty side of things, there are more than the 3 that make their own reels. I was trying to keep it pertinent to bass fishing.

<")))>{

[Pro Reel]

I'm not interested in arguing about it, this is the last I will comment. It's not just the salt gear, all of their high end casting and spinning reels are made at their plant.


OKUMA FISHING's Fishing Rods and Reels Manufacturing

Based in Taiwan, OKUMA FISHING TACKLE CO., LTD. is a fishing rods and reels manufacturer in sporting goods industry.

Quality and affordable fishing equipment - such as Fly Rods, Float Rods, and Spinning Rods; fishing reels including Spinning, Baitcast, Trolling, and Fly reels, they are all made with advanced materials and dynamic designs, since 1986.

OKUMA FISHING's fishing tackle is your best choice for freshwater and saltwater fishing. With over 31 years of fishing equipment experience, OKUMA FISHING delivers excellent quality fishing rods and reels in order to meet each customer's demands

As you can see here, they are a manufacturer not just a reseller. The only Okuma reels that have been in my shop that resembled the same internal parts of either Dojo or Banax were the cheap reels designed for being sold at walmarts and such.

[LgMouthGambler]

I'm not interested in arguing about it, this is the last I will comment.

You post this a lot...nobody here is arguing. We are just posting facts about companies. Your post about the Okuma brand and their top tier and salt reels is good info as well.