I bought a KK off amazon 2 years ago.  After 2 trips, I sent it back for a refund.  I have always (35 years) fished with reels on the cheaper side...Even though it was inexpensive, it was overpriced (if that makes sense).

On 10/8/2021 at 5:55 PM, JoeDeal55 said:

I have a Kastking Crixus 7'MHF 2 piece casting rod and the Crixus 7.2:1 baitcasting reel. Its my first baitcasting setup ive ever owned. I love it btw. Broke the tip top guide smacking it against a tree on accident. Ive pulled in a lot of bass this summer with this setup and last week landed my PB 3 pounder. I havent had any issues with my Kastking products but also I have 0 experience with higher end companies. Lifetime of Zebco 33s and ugly stick combos from walmart. I do plan on getting the Shimano SLX combo in a few months. 

I bought one of these Crixus 2 pc rods for travel. I have no real complaints. It is a slightly more moderate action than I'm used to for a MH, but it still has enough backbone. It's primarily my spinner/buzzbait rod. I like the golf club grip so far.

10 hours ago, the reel ess said:

I bought one of these Crixus 2 pc rods for travel. I have no real complaints. It is a slightly more moderate action than I'm used to for a MH, but it still has enough backbone. It's primarily my spinner/buzzbait rod. I like the golf club grip so far.

Honestly I have like 10 old rods my dad gave me this year when I started to really get into bass fishing. Mostly Rhino, Zebco, and Shakespeare rods. Im assuming they are 30+ years old. Im 31 and Ive never seen him buy a rod since Ive been alive. They are all 6-6.5 ft long mediums and medium heavies. None of them feel the same. So I really have nothing to compare to. My Crixus MH/F feels lighter but stiffer than all these older rods. And its the first split grip/winn grip Ive ever used. Its my favorite "style" tbh. I really like the split grips. Like it was made for me. And I prefer winn grips over the EVA foam and the cork. Never owned any high quality rods or reels so im looking forward to exploring more expensive gear in the future. My next purchase will be a shimano slx rod and reel.

I got a couple rovers for catfishing and they're ok, but I'm not sure I'd wanna be constantly cast them all day though. I initially bought them to give a try since the price was right. They're getting replaced this winter with abu 6500's though?

33 minutes ago, JoeDeal55 said:

My next purchase will be a shimano slx rod and reel.

Look at the ARK Rods Lancer, Cobb, and Viper series before you buy. The SLX is a decent rod, but those ARK 40T blanks are a BIG step up at about the same price. 

I have no KastKing stuff except their braided line, which has been fantastic for me. I do have the Piscifun Alloy M and it took all of 1 minute to dial in and it bombs the casts, is light, and has pulled them in for me. Ironically, I have in on a rod worth double the price of the reel. Piscifun has some good stuff though. I have their backpack and pliers and they are fantastic. 

26 minutes ago, OkiePapist said:

I have no KastKing stuff except their braided line, which has been fantastic for me. I do have the Piscifun Alloy M and it took all of 1 minute to dial in and it bombs the casts, is light, and has pulled them in for me. Ironically, I have in on a rod worth double the price of the reel. Piscifun has some good stuff though. I have their backpack and pliers and they are fantastic. 

I have a few of the Royale Legend Elites and their BFS Zephyr reel. For 50-70 bucks you can’t beat ‘em. 

As I’ve stated I have a royal legend 2, which I like better than my Piscifun Spark for the same price but neither are built to last imho. I’ve been eyeballing the Alloy M as I really enjoy my Saex Elite and Carbon X reels.

9 hours ago, cottny27 said:

I have a few of the Royale Legend Elites and their BFS Zephyr reel. For 50-70 bucks you can’t beat ‘em. 

Oh yes you can lol

Try one of these if you're looking for an affordable casting reel.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_CC_80_Casting_Reel/descpage-CC8.html

 

I have 2 of them and they perform well above their price point. If you don't believe me, Tactical Bassin were also high on them. 

Have a Zephyr I picked up over the summer to dip a toe into the BFS world. Reel is alright, but nothing special. Works ok but feels cheap and the drag isn’t great. Wish I would have just saved the $ and ordered shallow spools for reels I already had. Now I have the KK and the shallow spools and the Zephyr is collecting dust. 

I have a few Kastking reels (Baitcasters and Spinning) I have purchased over the years. Stealth, Assassin, Whitemax, Sharky 2 and 3, Speed Demon, Pontus, Mela and Centron. 

The only one I still use with any regularity is the Speed Demon. 
 

If I were to buy another Kasking it would be the Crixus Armor X baitcaster as it seems the best bang for the Buck aluminum framed baitcaster they have.

 

I would recommend getting an Abu Garcia Black Max over anything else they have under $70 and a Lew’s LFS over anything they offer over $100. 
 

For spinning reels I highly recommend their Sharky 2 or Sharky 2 gold (aluminum framed) 

 

I have lots of Kastking tools I use all the time.