KastKing Rover Round Baitcasting Fishing Reel, Perfect Conventional Reel for Catfish, Salmon/Steelhead, Striper Bass and Inshore Saltwater Fishing Reel, Reinforced Metal Body

KastKing Rover 60R Reel Review The reel arrived in a nice box and a nice cloth bag for storage. Inside the box was a schematic and parts list. This is very good as parts wear out and often need replacement. The schematic was small but readable. The reel was larger and heavier than I expected but very sturdy. Size wise it is larger than an Abu Garcia Ambassador 6500 but not as large or heavy as a 7000. The line spool is solid and a nice gold color. It is wider and of larger diameter than the Abu 6500. I was thinking it would hold more line but I was wrong. The spool release button is larger and over hangs more on the KastKing. Attempting to fill the spool all the way up to its max results in the line hitting the spool release button. Both reels hold about 240 to 250 yards of 15lb Berkley Big Game Monofilament Line. I noticed that the level wind assembly was all metal and appeared durable. This compares to both the Abu 6500 C4 approx. $135 and The Abu 7000 approx. $149. Both run smoothly and track well although the Abu Garcia Reels lay the line a little more evenly across the spool. Comparing the level wind to a Abu Garcia 6500-S approx. $60 the Abu also lays down the line smoother but it has a nylon drive tooth that will not wear as well as the $52 KastKing 60. Then I decided to get down to business and get inside the reels. The good news is most of the drive gears and bearings are metal and strong on the KastKing Rover 60 and the Abu 6500 C4. I noticed the spindle size on the C4 to a little thicker but it appeared only a mm or so. I did not take the time to micrometer them. Comparing it to the Abu 6500-S there was more metal and the construction was much better. Comparing the KastKing Rover 60 to the Abu 7000 is like comparing a Ford F150 to an F350 Super Duty. There is no real comparison. It will not stand up to a 150lb bull shark on the other end like the 7000 could (at max). However I would have no reservations taking on a 25lb redfish with this reel. A spin test of just the spool on the spindle outside the reel body revealed that all three reels: KastKing Rover 60, Abu Garcia 6500 C4 and the Abu 6500-S could be made to spin 40 to 60 sec and appeared equivalent in speed. I ran this test to see how pimp able they were to modifications like installing ceramic bearings, removing the level wind assembly, and adding a magnetic brake cast control. The three reels mentioned above are all equivalent here. (The Abu 7000 spins longer because the spool is significantly heavier) Still inside the reels all of the Abu Garcia Reels come with six set able centrifugal brakes as well as one or two spool tensions knobs. The KastKing has only two and they are on whether you like it or not. The Abu 6500 reels come with 4 of the brakes set to the on position at the factory. I changed this to two for my cast test later in the review. Getting back to cast control the KastKing has two spool tension knobs like the Abu 7000. This is an advantage as the star drag gets in the way of your fingers on the Abu Garcia with only one on the right side. The clicker assemblies on all three reels were similar with neither really out shining the other. All were adequate to leave the spool in free spool and let the sound alert you on a quiet night bait fishing. None was loud enough to do this on the beach with the waves coming in. I put the reels back together and filled them with 15lb Big Game Monofilament Line. I mounted them on a Diawa Acculite 9ft Salmon/Steelhead Medium Action Rod. Attaching a fish scale to a loop tied in the line I tightened the drag all the way down and did three pull tests of one foot. The Abu 6500 claim 15lbs of drag but he C4 only delivered 14.6. The 6500-S claimed 15 but only delivered 11.3. The KastKing Rover Claimed 13.5 and delivered 13.8. The Abu 7000 claims 20 but delivered 27.7. The Abu 6500 reels and the KastKing were then set to 5lbs and pulled through a 20ft walk away. The KastKing and the Abu 6500 C4 had less than 0.5lb variance during the walk. The Abu 6500-S failed this test on the third walk.(The line broke) All three were pull tested three times over 20ft. Now we get down to the casting part: Three cast were made with the Abu 6500 C4, the Abu 6500-S and the KastKing Rover 60 using a 1oz pyramid sinker with a one foot drop down from the rod tip. This was repeated with a 7ft drop down and a Brighton Surf Cast and finally with a full blown Tournament Type of Pendulum Cast. All three reels were within the margin of individual variance for a single reel. The one foot drop casts went 70 to 75 yards. The Brighton Casts went 85 to 95 yards The Pendulum Casts went 95 to 125 yards. You will note that as I went to the more difficult surf and tournament casts the variance widened. This is due to my own operator error as I am not a tournament caster and the angle of release is not as consistent between each individual cast with these tournament techniques. The Abu 6500 C4 was quieter on the cast and the KastKing Rover made more spool noise but both beat the Abu 6500-S here. My final conclusion is that the KastKing Rover 60 at $52 compares very favorable to the Abu 6500 C4 at $135 and is a real bargain. Don’t waist your money on the Abu 6500-S at $60 it’s a turkey. I plan on using his reel of spotted sea trout, redfish, flounder, and other near shore species. I am happy with it.

Can’t beat this budget reel! I paired it with the Fiblink Moonsniper 9’ and it’s a great combo. I’m still learning to use baitcasters but I really enjoy using this one. Once you understand how to set up your kastking rover, it’s actually fairly easy to use! I have used this reel now for about a year.. I didn’t take the best care of it, by rinsing the salt water off every time I used it. Finally after all that time I decided to clean it and grease it and to my surprise there was little to no corrosion from the saltwater! The quality and durability, the look and feel of the reel is all great! The drag system works for me.. I see some reviews where they’re trash talking the drag system but it hasn’t failed me yet. Sometimes I even use my thumb to help slow the line being pulled out, instead of adjusting the drag mid fight.. The bait clicker is easy to use and I love it. The best thing about this reel? It’s affordable!!!!! It’s great quality for anyone! No matter if you’re on a budget or not! You will enjoy this reel, and if it just so happens it doesn’t work the first time, try it again! Just make adjustments as you go! If the first one you buy is defective (it happens sometimes with any product) in any way, return it for replacement.. I have so much fun using the rover40L! Update for the Rover 60: the reel handle knobs SUCK!!! Mid fight the foam grips popped off!! Not sure if it was because of the slight rain, or that I was pulling in a crab.. either way change the double knob to a power knob Asap!! I believe you can buy one already with it (70, 80, 90 sizes come with it I believe, if you select that option). The reel itself did a great job, just not the double handle.

This a smooth reel with a good line capacity. I was able to put on 220 yds of 20lb mono. Love the color. would like the retrieve, speed to be a little quicker. It spooled up very easy and even. The only reason for the 4 stars is the clicker is quiet. other than that, it functions well. Was surprise how little of a turn it would lock back after free spool.

I was skeptical about the brand at first. Now that I have the reel in hand I can say that it is well manufactured. Runs smooth. Only thing for me is the casting drag is a bit unrefined. Great for the price point. It will get sea action this weekend.

my husband said this is just as good as the £150 reels he has purchased in the past. He could not believe he could get such quality for such a low price. My husband is an expert fisherman and fishes here and abroad and he is very fuzzy with high expectations so if it meets his standard it will meet anyone's Arrived on time and in a reel nice box and case

Muy Bueno

Good but how to use i don't know

Arrived as promised. There are no directions as to the proper operation of the reel. Although I spend many hours fishing with spinning reels this is my first baitcaster for still fishing trout. I had to serch the internet to find a site which explained the spool alignment knob (underneath the star drag handle)and the casting knob on the other side of the reel. The velvet bag for storage is a nice gesture but by far would have appreciated operating instructions ,once on a rod most do not remove. The reel appears solidly constructed with metal in place of plastic as with other models and look foward to its use.

Solid, aluminum frame, sides and spool. I put 10 colour lead core on it for trolling for walleye. Holds 10 colours perfectly with about 50 feet of backing to start. If you want more lead core you will need the #80 or #90 models.