Been running the '21 Zillion SV TW for a while now and I’ve always loved it. Recently grabbed that new AL Ti Elite from KastKing bc I wanted a solid aluminum reel for my new setup, and figured 230 bucks was worth a shot.
Took both out Saturday. The wind was being a pain so I was swapping setups trying to punch through it with weightless plastics. Sitting on the bank casting them back to back I had a moment of realization. I honestly could not feel where that extra 200 dollars went on the Daiwa.
Both feel great in the hand and the AL Ti was managing the wind just as well as the SV spool.
So I have to ask. When you guys drop 450 plus on flagship models do you actually feel a massive leap in quality on the water. Or am I just lacking the skill to notice that high end precision.
Posted by Background-End-5229
10 Comments
Not sure. I have never owned a Kastking.
I think it’s one of those diminishing returns situations. I think there’s a point where you spend X amount on a reel/setup is going to be where you get the best bang for your buck and anything past that gets marginally better for a substantially larger price. Maybe difference in build materials, quality, and QC/fitment, but unless you’re some free spool aficionado you likely won’t even notice the differences. The one exception to this would be those electric control reels that are rolling out
Bet the Daiwa is a lot nicer in 5 years
I mean…Anything past a cane pole and a worm is just jerking off into the wind. Yeah, the $500 setup is cool, but it doesnt make you a better fisherman.
Dog I’m dropping $50 max on a setup. I catch just as many fish as the guy with a $500 rig
Past about $170 for a rod and $250 for a reel I think it’s pretty much a wash. I went out with my buddy the other day, didn’t have my stuff so I used his, realized at one point I had a St Croix Legend Xtreme in my hand (a $740 rod, of which he has several) and while it was a nice rod to be sure, I don’t think I’d be able to tell the difference between it and my St Croix stuff that’s much further down the totem pole.
I actually went today to treat myself to a new setup, must have picked up fifty rods of any price, in the end a Fenwick HMG ($160) felt the best to me for its purpose (light panfish/trout rod). And that’s all that matters.
Reels just kinda have to be functional and smooth, most things past what they stock at WalMart are gonna be good enough. But I’ve found ~$250 seems to be the sweet spot for a good baitcaster that’s going to last.
Spending $230 on a kastking reel feels pretty wild to me.
To be honest man. At a certain point regular anglers are not the target audience. Just because your favorite pro uses it doesnt mean you need it.
Imo 100 dollar setups are all it takes. Still affordable, usually they feel pretty good, dont have to wipe the fish slim off, and can bounce around in the truck.
Well for what it’s worth the zillion is also a $230-250 reel outside of the US. 450 for it seems ridiculous imo.
150-250 seems to be the sweet spot for reels IMO.