CaughtMeABiggun

Just got my AL Ti in. Yes it makes the Tatula feel junky. I own 2 Tatula 100s and a new Tatula X and the AL Ti feels as good as my Zillion. I have an MG12 and its great as I am sure the MG Ti is, but I think they hit a home run with the AL Ti. I'm not a Kastking fan boy. I'm just telling the flat out truth. The Kastking hate needs to stop. Honestly if you want to continue to crack jokes about KastKing the joke is on you. I'll list some of my current baitcasting arsenal so you know I am not full of bull. I fish these latest Kastking releases along side all my other reels and they are as good if not better than any of the reels I own listed below. For the money the AL Ti and the MG12 beats everything I have. 13 Fishing Concept A2 ARK Gravity G8 ABU Garcia Zenon MG LTX REVO gen 4 SX REVO gen 4 X Max STX Bates GOAT 150 EDC 150 Daiwa Steez A2 Zillion SV TW ALPHAS SV TW 800H Tatula 100 TATULA X FUEGO CT Fuego SV CS Kastking Mg12 AL Ti Kestrel Magnesium Zephyr BFS Crixus Armor X Mega Jaws Elite Shallow spool Kistler Chromium 200 Chromium 150 Lews LFS OKUMA Helios Hakai Serrano Piscifun Torrent Shimano 2025 Antares Calcutta Conquest 30 SE Metanium 100 Curado 150 MGL JDM SLX 70 DC 2023 edition SLX XT SLX CURADO 200D CASTAIC super free JDM Bass One XT Quantum ICON PT I list this not to brag but to say that to call Kastking out as crap, you better be able to say you have compared them to the competition or else cut the fan boy crap out. Sorry but this brand bashing just because its not Daiwa or Shimano gets under my skin. There was a time that an Abu Garcia, Daiwa, and Shimano probably were the only reels worth buying but those days are long gone. Plus the games that Shimano and Daiwa choose to play by in some cases doubling the USDM price over the JDM price and them making the USDM model not in Japan while the JDM model is still made there should make anyone here in the states really upset. I only buy Diawa and Shimano through JDM sellers. Because paying less than 400 bucks for a Steez A2 is a lot better than the 750 it is being sold for here in the states. The truth is my AL Ti is just as smooth and feels juat as good and it cost 200 bucks. I challenge any of the Daiwa/Shimano fan boys to buy an AL Ti and say it is not better than a Tatula. If you do, we need to set up some Kool-aid interventions..

If you buy via JDM, Zillion all the way. The JDM Zillion is made in Japan, while the USDM version is made in Malaysia with the Tatulas. If you buy USDM versions, save the money and buy the Tatula.

I almost feel like this was a move by GSM to hurt Dobyns sales to bolster something else. The Fury was Dobyns bread and butter.

I own a couple of Furys but I'm not sure that they are worth their now 150 dollar MSRP. I feel like it just makes it easier to step up to the Kaden or Sierra series. The rod seems to be in no man's land now regarding price to performance. Any thoughts?

Spot on about the KastKing reels. I just bought an MG12, Kestrel Elite Magnesium, and a Megajaws Elite and they are great. I have no issue saying that the MG12 is as good if not better than my Zillion in any way you want to compare the two. People sleeping on the new higher end KK stuff are missing out.

Not planning on buying another DC reel from anyone. I have a JDM 23 SLX DC and its fun to hear the sound if I want to. Don't see that it casts any better or farther than a non DC reel. I do hope all these Shimano type DC reels coming out now will bring the price down. It's old technology and its not even superior.

100 percent on this. It's a shame but BPS is the last place I shop now. Unbelievable how overpriced they are. If they don't want to compete price wise I don't have to shop there. The 10 bucks you get for the ugly stick will just cover some of the over price you will pay. Keep the ugly stick and save money shopping elsewhere.

Okuma ITX CB hands down. I have two of them each paired with a St. Croix Premier ML rod. Absolute fire for Neds, Tubes, and other finnese techniques. You can normally find them on sale and save a few bucks if you shop around online. Don't pay the 180 dollar Tackle Warehouse price. Bought both of mine for less than 150 each.

Concerning reels, I think the point of diminishing returns depends on the brand. The difference between a Zillion SV TW and Steez A2 is miniscule, but the difference between a Metanium and Antares is mind boggling.

I second this. Just tired J-braid 8. I don't see any reason to try anything else.

What would be reasons to or not to use a medium light Walleye rod for Bass finnese? Are there anything about "Walleye" rods that would not be advantageous for Bass fishing?

Mainly from a boat. Unfortunately there are not a lot of places around me to fish from the bank unless you know the land owner. I have a ton of ponds close to my house and can't fish a single one. To fish the small rivers near me I would need a Kayak or plastic boat. Around me you either get on the water and fish, or don't fish at all. The places that you can fish off the bank are constantly fished and unproductive.

I think its extremely comfortable. It kind of reminds me of the long low Daiwa frames.

I think I would like the Zenon frame. I have more than enough reels right now. I have no plans on buying another rod and reel for a long time.

Figured we could resurrect this every few years. Currently a great <50 dollar reel is.... Piscifun Torrent?

I've never tried to grip the rod like that. Might have to give it a try.

How many fingers do you put on either side of the rod trigger? I noticed if I split it with two on either side it's more comfortable but it causes the exchange of hands after casting to be a little more difficult becuase I don't typically hold my rods like that.

I think you should look at the Skeet Reese Kastking reel. I have seen nothing but great things about it from reviews that are not Kastking sponsored. Getting an Aluminum frame for 99 bucks is tough now. I throw every kind of reel from a Piscifun Torrent to a Shimano Antares. I can say the the the last 3 Kastking reels I have purchased have really impressed me. From what I can tell people need to get off of the "they are cheap junk trip." They have made huge improvements in their reels. Yes they still make some cheap sub 80 dollar reels, but their stuff priced over 80 bucks is really good. If you want to try something different its a great option... I can hear all the groans from the Kastking haters now...

I had one of the new Revos and I have an Ark Gravity 8. One thing I really dislike about both is the asymmetrical frame design. I like to palm my reel with the rod trigger between my ring and pinky fingers. It seems like this frame design obstructs my pinky finger on most rods because the handle side plate is longer and lower in the rear. It's very uncomfortable. Anyone else not like these frame designs? I can't help but think this has hurt Revo sales. I love my Revo Gen 4's but I will not buy another Gen 5 because of the design and the Gravity frame design adds to the list of reasons I won't purchase any more Ark products.

I believe the Metanium levelwind issues has been the pawl wearing out prematurely. I haven't experienced this and as stated before was discussed by Punch fishing during his comparison. For what it's worth he said the Bantam was easier to adjust and cast better. Yes the Bantam is heavier, but the Metanium doesn't feel light. I personally can't tell this makes a difference, but some people say that magnesium frames provide better sensitivity. I haven't been able to tell that. It's something to consider that might make you still want the Metanium. I just don't see the reason to step up in price. The Metanium is a Magnesium Bantam. If the frame material matters than choose accordingly. If not, save a couple of bucks and put it towards a higher end rod.

I have multiple reels that have Magnesium frames and the only one that doesn't feel like it is the Metanium. The other reels are feather weights. My Kastking MG12 wieghs less than 5 ounces and my Okuma Hakais are much lighter than the Metanium. The Zillion feels better in hand, easier to adjust, and I would argue cast just as far. It's just an easier to use reel. Knowing what I know now If I was going to buy a another Shimano to complement my Metanium 100 and Zillion I would buy a Bantam. I don't own one, but from everything I have seen its better and not having a Magnesium frame doesn't make it weigh that much more than the Metanium. Punch fishing on YouTube did a great video discussing this. He observed what I have. I have not experienced this, but there has been some reliability issues with the Metanium's levelwind that does not affect the Bantams. I bought the Metanium 100 becuase it has brass gears. The JDM reels are built better than their USDM counterparts. If you want to get something Shimano to compliment your Zillion I would definitely recommend the Bantam instead of the Metanium.

It just feels like a whole different level of reel. It cast farther and as smooth as the Steez is, the Antares is that much smoother. The first time I cast and retrieved on my Antares I think I said wow about 50 times as my lure came back to the boat. I bought my Antares after my Steez. The best way I can describe the Antares is that it's stupid good. Though the frame is a bit larger than the Steez, its very comfortable. Plus its all metal but not heavy. I bought the slower gear ratio, 5 something, because the spool diameter is large on the Antares so it has a higher IPT than other reels do with the same gear ratio. Also one more thing, I'm sure it needs a little oil, but I noticed my Steez developed the slightest tick midcast. I know its the braking system, but for that kind of money I want it to be silent and the Antares is that. If you buy the Anatares you will be looking down to make sure the reel is taking up line. Its that smooth and that powerful. Just the ultimate reel period. I'm not a Shimano or Daiwa fan boy. I own a lot of each brand along with other brands. So this is not me being a Shimano fan boy. Just the truth on this one.

I think there are better options. I have the Metanium 100, Steez A, and the JDM Zillion. I also have the 25 Antares. If I was looking at a Steez, I would order a Antares from Japan. I don't care what anyone says, the first time you cast an Antares it will absolutely blow your mind. I compare it to the finest watch made in the world. I have never felt a reel that comes close to the precision and smoothness of that reel. If was looking at a Metanium I would buy a Zillion from Japan. The JDM Zillion is made in Japan vs the USDM version being made in the Tatula factory. Truthfully the JDM Zillion may be a better all around reel than the Steez. It ends up in my boat more than the Steez does.

There are advantages to a plus 7 foot rod, but personally I feel like anything over 7' 3" becomes cumbersome. I feel like 7' gives you a good compromise on accuracy, cast distance, and ability fight fish easier.

I think the JDM SLX DC (Non XT) with a ML casting rod is a slick setup and not crazy expensive. Being a cranking rod, it doesnt have to be a really expensive rod. Being a 70 size reel with an mgl spool its highly underrated and I think its overlooked. I love mine. I also think most people don't know this reel got the mgl spool post 2023 update and it isn't labeled on the spool. If you go on Shimano Japan website it shows it having the MGL spool. It was a quiet update for 2023. I think they want to sell more XTs. I would recommend buying from Digitaka.com. They have this tariff thing figured out. Not had any issues. I have a reel on its way from them now.