Putting together a basic setup for a kid, and considering these two reels:

 

KastKing Centron 2000:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZZ29RH4

 

Lew's American Hero 200:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012GUMJ5U

 

Both under $25 at the time of writing.

 

Planning to use braid line.

 

Any opinions on either one of these?

 

Thanks!

 

No experience with those, but have heard great things about the Royale. Found a like-new one on amazon going for $28 if thats of any help.

 

https://www.amazon.com/KastKing-Royale-Spinning-Fishing-Saltwater/dp/B0B8MC4N6G/ref=sr_1_23?crid=XKO6KU1PFWB9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-C9tmhcPOpHSvqQSUBAwxgtKEOALD3auxlN3cW1NWoJCGJdZnG_LZUhjYR3H5z1F37ta3F35SC043QoMvSlN5C3uooMlf04xmCi9sANZZ0pepCYOQziWDB2p5ns_1_bSLUsGxbC74sJoPAszsmTZTNumfK-j4E0lkRGqy7WAioT1VUb12zMX4RtxReLkjGRnUO9bwP9zEhqYVwoY_5itBd0-weauoVO3PjgwuaUeAqr7ERWO9xh9qN9reDEFjQQ32peiDDZOQ2TzbGGf1RPP8GkW3t1GfYO7jH_KifSWAaI.bdqmb4VtmQzLitZFmszhpNGlnIL-RoAY2OMvaSPC370&dib_tag=se&keywords=spinning%2Breel&m=A2L77EE7U53NWQ&qid=1721744673&s=warehouse-deals&sprefix=spinning%2Breel%2Cwarehouse-deals%2C118&sr=8-23&srs=10158976011&th=1

28 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

No experience with those, but have heard great things about the Royale. Found a like-new one on amazon going for $28 if thats of any help.

 

https://www.amazon.com/KastKing-Royale-Spinning-Fishing-Saltwater/dp/B0B8MC4N6G/ref=sr_1_23?crid=XKO6KU1PFWB9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-C9tmhcPOpHSvqQSUBAwxgtKEOALD3auxlN3cW1NWoJCGJdZnG_LZUhjYR3H5z1F37ta3F35SC043QoMvSlN5C3uooMlf04xmCi9sANZZ0pepCYOQziWDB2p5ns_1_bSLUsGxbC74sJoPAszsmTZTNumfK-j4E0lkRGqy7WAioT1VUb12zMX4RtxReLkjGRnUO9bwP9zEhqYVwoY_5itBd0-weauoVO3PjgwuaUeAqr7ERWO9xh9qN9reDEFjQQ32peiDDZOQ2TzbGGf1RPP8GkW3t1GfYO7jH_KifSWAaI.bdqmb4VtmQzLitZFmszhpNGlnIL-RoAY2OMvaSPC370&dib_tag=se&keywords=spinning%2Breel&m=A2L77EE7U53NWQ&qid=1721744673&s=warehouse-deals&sprefix=spinning%2Breel%2Cwarehouse-deals%2C118&sr=8-23&srs=10158976011&th=1

Thanks!  I found a brand new one for the same price.  I think I'll give it a try.

Just FYI, in case anyone's looking at these, the bail action on this Lew's AH 200 is awful - half the time it doesn't want to lock in the open position.  Maybe they're not all like that, but the one in my possession definitely is. 

 

The Royale Legion should be here tomorrow.

 

Lews American Hero Gen2 is a GREAT COMBO. Lews makes the BEST budget reels by far! I have 2 American Heros Gen2 that I use for practicing. I had absolutely zero issues with them.

The Kastking Royal legend 5.2 to 1 reel is a solid choice in a budget reel. But I would look at the Piscifun Flame. It has the braid ready spool and the same specs as most of the other reels that have been mentioned. 

Interesting to see the different drag mechanisms in KastKing Royale Legend II (left) vs Centron (right):

 

[img]https://i.imgur.com/xs5iEnM.jpg[/img]

 

Is there a benefit to having one vs the other?  The one in Royale Legend II is very quiet - almost too quiet for my liking. 

 

14 hours ago, rgasr63 said:

The Kastking Royal legend 5.2 to 1 reel is a solid choice in a budget reel. But I would look at the Piscifun Flame. It has the braid ready spool and the same specs as most of the other reels that have been mentioned. 

Thanks.  I will check out the Flame as well.

@e2m Although it appears you’re trying to stay on a really tight budget I’m going to suggest looking at a Piscifun Viper X for $37.00 (500 size) or $40.00 (1000 size), although I don’t own one I have 3 of the next line up Carbon X reels and they’re great reels imho. The biggest problem is the parts support is really non existent but I’ve had zero issues with my Carbon X reels. 

Quick update:  after checking out most of the reels mentioned here, I've decided to go with KastKing Royale Legend II.  Its overall feel and fit and finish seemed the best to me, with Piscifun Viper X being very close behind.  Lew's American Hero would have been quite nice as well if not for the faulty bail behavior.

 

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

 

I've got two of these combos that I use for river fishing.  ML rod.  Highly recommend. Got it at Wal-Mart.

 

Lew's Xfinity XJ Spinning Reel and Fishing Rod Combo, 6-Foot Rod, Size 100 Reel, Green

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lew-s-Xfinity-XJ-Spinning-Reel-and-Fishing-Rod-Combo-6-Foot-Rod-Size-100-Reel-Green/155659016?athbdg=L1200&from=/search

 

On 7/29/2024 at 9:42 PM, Obi_Wan said:

I've got two of these combos that I use for river fishing.  ML rod.  Highly recommend. Got it at Wal-Mart.

 

Lew's Xfinity XJ Spinning Reel and Fishing Rod Combo, 6-Foot Rod, Size 100 Reel, Green

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lew-s-Xfinity-XJ-Spinning-Reel-and-Fishing-Rod-Combo-6-Foot-Rod-Size-100-Reel-Green/155659016?athbdg=L1200&from=/search

 

This is actually a pretty nice setup.  I checked it out at my local Walmart last night and ended up buying it.  I think I need help... 

 

One other reel I picked up is Handing M1 500 for my old Zebco Dock Demon rod - another kid setup.  It's similar to the Piscifun Viper X, but somehow feels smoother/more solid.  Really impressed with this little thing.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHVQSN86

 

The best budget reel I own is an Okuma Ceymar.

My fishing partner tried it and then ordered 4. 😂 

2 hours ago, Bird said:

The best budget reel I own is an Okuma Ceymar.

My fishing partner tried it and then ordered 4. 😂 

Ceymar/Ceymar A is a nice reel but different budget range.

 

Walmart Lews Hank Parker M rod and a Daiwa Regal are about as good as budget finesse spinning is going to get.  Those prepared combo rigs you see are a borderline scam pairing garbage tier reels to a garbage tier rods and charging a premium for convenience.

This is just my personal experiences.

I have two sons that have really taken to fishing last three years and last two like crazy now they can both drive.

I own no less than six Kast King Royal Legend II spinning reels and can not recommend them highly enough.

My other Kast King spinning reels I can not recommend strongly enough are the Sharky II and Sharkey III spinning I own two Sharkey II's and four Sharkey III's and again IMO/IME excellent reels for their cost.

Last year I was fishing off boat docks in lake Erie in hopes of catching my beloved smallmouth but instead in nine hours of fishing live softshell crayfish I got almost 40 freshwater drum on and landed over 30 of them and had at least 6 of them go over 28" in length. Was using my old standby 25 year old 7" medium fast graphite rod a Kastking Sharkey III, 8lb Yo-Zuri copolymer a #4 Octopus hook and a #4 split shot 14-16" above the hook.

 

For budget or young adult fishing reels IMO/IMO yu can not beat a KK Royal Legend II spinning reel.

On 7/23/2024 at 3:39 PM, e2m said:

Just FYI, in case anyone's looking at these, the bail action on this Lew's AH 200 is awful - half the time it doesn't want to lock in the open position.  Maybe they're not all like that, but the one in my possession definitely is. 

 

The Royale Legion should be here tomorrow.

 

That’s probably from the way the trip mechanism is made. Just be sure the roller is on top and it should work fine. 

In general, the Kastking offerings give you a little more reel for the money in the budget reels. 

I’ve got several Lews reels both spinning and casting, but maybe not the lowest price ones. No complaints at all. That being said I recently got a cheap Kastking and am very impressed with it. 
quite surprised actually