kastking

[Can'tCatchAnything]

I generally find that a 5 star review is often cursory, pithy, and insincere. I don't often pay attention to 5 star reviews on Ebay, Amazon, Google, ect. A single 1 or 2 star review usually holds more truth and value to me than the whole horde of raving reviews.

There are so many relatable examples ranging from our fishing gear discussions, to local restaurants, and home appliances. I don't care for the 98% overall positive review (...of ANYTHING), I care for the 2% negative reviews that help me to decide if I can compromise with the product or not. If I can't compromise, I pay up for the next best.

[THOMAS CITY CURVE]

I do not have a dog in this fight as I have more reels than I can use. If someone really wants to put this to rest the cobia and big female kingfish will be here soon. Good Luck with them !!

[silverking]

Heck while we're talking catching trophy fish on the lowest priced gear may as well watch Jessica catch a bull red... even easier on the eyes than the video above.

Great video, especially if you mute the sound and just watch the "action." Jessica repeats herself so many times she could easily replace someone else as the new spokesparrot for KastKing reels.

[2Salty]

Just a quick, small sampling of buyers' reviews on a few models of Shimano reels as posted on 1 online retailer, Bass Pro Shops:

(1 out of 5 star rating)
" I have over 25 Shimano reels from Syncopates to Symetres. I bought 3 of the new Sedona FE reels because they discontinued the FD model which I love. After 1 use, I could feel a grind in one of the reels. I took it to a local reel repair shop that is highly regarded in the Tampa area. The repair guy took it apart and told me it looked like a design flaw in the gear box. He suggested I send it back to Shimano. Stay away from this model. I'm worried about my other two. "

http://www.basspro.com/Shimano-Sedona-F ... t/2241919/

(1 out of 5 star rating)
" I got back in to fishing about a year ago. Over the year I have purchased 5 different models of Shimano reels and 3 have already failed me. The Sahara has been the biggest disappointment. Its was the most expensive of them and yet the lowest quality. Yeah, I don't know how that works. Its has less bearings than the others and for some reason doesn't utilize Shimanos 1 piece bail system. Therefore, its no where near as smooth as the Sedona or the Sienna, which are both much cheaper in price. And you guys can probably guess the next issue... THE BAIL. It didn't take much for it to separate from the roller. Shimano does sell the replacement parts for these but I'm going to be putting my money in to another manufacture. "

(1 out of 5 star rating)
" I thought I'd try to upgrade a rod that snapped on me with a new rod and reel. I remember using Shimano stuff 20 years ago and thought I'd try a newer model. I use 8-lb braid on the FE1000. First string session it felt like I was reeling in a wet shoe every time I'd cast...that was with 10-lb braid. I switched to 8-lb braid and it worked great for a couple weeks, I caught a lot of fish, but then when frog fishing over the weekend the reel itself would slow down and the handle would stop. It would take a good amount of force to reel from that spot and get it cranking again. It's never been wet or dirty. I put some abu grease in it and it didn't help at all. Loved the size of the reel and the way it fished while it did but a month in I can't even use the thing properly. Kind of sad as I don't know what to swap it out for. Definitely not getting another Shimano "

(1 out of 5 star rating)
" Beware, had this real for the last year. Loved it until this weekend it started making a noise that I tracked down to a rusty line guide bearing. They are supposed to be stainless steel bearings. Stainless should not rust. The other issue I have with this real is that it only uses a ball bearing on one side of the drive gear and a cheep plastic bushing on the other side. It also uses a plastic bushing on one end of the pinion gear. I have ordered bearing to replace all the plastic parts as well as the bearings from BocaBearing that I know are stainless steel but this should not happen with what is supposed to be a trusted manufacturer "

(1 out of 5 star rating)
" Love this reel when it stays dry but any sort of high humidity or spray causes it to operate like there is sand in the gears. It's very frustrating and i've never seen anything like it. I'll grease it up in the garage and it's super smooth and fishes great most of the time but tried fishing in saltwater last week in a kayak and it would almost get stuck sometimes and after a while will operate fine and then it's grinding again. Works well in freshwater. A bit of internet research revealed that Shimanos have a reputation for performing this way (something about a poor bushing design). Most are probably fine but no more Shimanos for me.”

(1 out of 5 star rating)
" I purchased my 1st Sahara 3 years ago. It lasted less than 12 months. If it gets a tiny bit wet or have high humidity it would start to bind. Eventually it wouldn't even crank. Returned it for another and the bail on it broke and 5 months. Returned it for another and it is starting to bind on me already, has been 9 months. I love this real when it works but it doesn't last 6-9 months. I fish about twice a month for bass so it works about 15 trips. About to try and return it again, if bass pro doesn't take it I understand and will definitely buy a different brand. Worst real I have ever purchased. "

http://www.basspro.com/Shimano-Sahara-F ... 509153745/

(1 out of 5 star rating)
" I'm a huge fan of the older stradics, I was even a fan of the model before the FK the FJ but this years model the FK is horrible after 2 months of fishing it I have already got the horrible "stradic noise" I take great care of my gear but this reel has way too much plastic. Shimano needs to stop focusing on making there reels light "plastic parts" and make a solid reel that will last. "

http://www.basspro.com/Shimano-Stradic- ... t/2241799/

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Then there’s Shimano reviews on Academy Sports, Dick's Sporting Goods, Cabelas, Gander Mountain, etc …

[dombern34]

both reels have bad reviews.... we are back to square one.

you've got bad reviews on Shimano and Kastking. but 90% of the reviews you just posted are the lower end shimanos that are basically in the same price range... you've got ONE bad review on the higher end model stradic FK. nobody is perfect.

[big bend gyrene]

Excuses, debate, and / or misdirecting change of topic direction in 3, 2, 1...

Well, 2Salty, you proved me right... you say you are unable to find a single negative review on KastKing, I show how easy it is to find them, and versus addressing them you redirect to an attack on Shimano, showing that you definitely had the ability to find the negative reviews for KastKing but just weren't willing to do it.

Being a bit interested in finding out more about KastKing, let me tell you what I did... just went to their "About Us" description on Eposideon's webpage. Here's the link for anyone who wants to verify what I'm about to say.

http://www.eposeidon.com/about-us

Short summary is that a few Syracuse college kids decided to make some money by trying to cut financial costs out of the fishing merchandise supply chain. A careful read doesn't have the page speaking at all directly to research or design efforts but instead focuses primarily on cost reductions. Here's some key take away points I noted,

“We have the education and training in finance, e-commerce, internet technology, enterprise systems, supply chain management, and the best manufacturing practices”
"With factory direct sourcing and efficient business practices… we could pass the savings on to the consumer."
"It was always about low cost, not low quality, for the best product value. Therefore, Eposeidon relies on suppliers in various countries to provide the best quality manufacturing components available."

Again, 2Salty, best to know your audience before you preach too much so I'll share a bit more about my background.

I spent over 20 years in manufacturing, with approximately 15 of those years managing quality engineering groups and the other 5 actually serving as a production plant manager. I worked with some of the most reputable companies in the world across a variety of industries (armored vehicle control systems production, circuit board assembly, fiber optics, automotive part production, auto body steel stamping, plastic injection molding, and fine paper manufacturing).

Here's what I take away from their summary... they're likely doing some ***penny-smart*** things to control costs but that does ***NOT*** necessarily make them admirable nor mean they will work / provide consistent results for the long haul. Actually surprises me they are so willing to admit that much of their cost control is by way of outsourcing production overseas to the lowest cost foreign manufacturers possible. THAT SAID, 2Salty, without doubt they sure aren't alone in the use of overseas production so Shimano (and almost all fishing equip manufacturers) don't get a free pass there... but what I will say is that Shimano's origins go back almost 100 years, and during a period which saw Japanese quality rise to very high levels after engineering master mind W. Edwards Deming helped them develop sound quality control measures post-WWII. They've designed and manufactured reels now for almost 40 years.

Will kids (they just graduated in 2013) from Syracuse outperform Shimano in time? We'll see. All the typing either of us do won't likely impact that as much as whether or not KastKing tries to cut too many corners be it in through use of plants without tight enough controls, material issues, etc.

ALL of the above said, sincere question 2Salty... can't help but wonder if your picture is on this page AND / OR if you have ANY vested financial interest in the company. And if you aren't willing to address the question directly I'm going to assume you do have a biased financial interest.

http://www.eposeidon.com/teameposeidon/

[big bend gyrene]

And because the post above was long enough I wouldn't want to read it myself , let me pose ending question again alone...

Sincere question 2Salty... can't help but wonder if your picture is on this page AND / OR if you have ANY vested financial interest in the company. And if you aren't willing to address the question directly I'm going to assume you do have a biased financial interest.

http://www.eposeidon.com/teameposeidon/

[JIm Smith]

I am tempted to say enough already,. but it has been interesting reading and I am wondering just how long it will go on . It looks like I will be able to give the reel I bought a good test before it ends

[Can'tCatchAnything]

This thread has damn near 3000 views already... let the good times troll...

[JIm Smith]

I feel sort of proud to have fathered this thing

[2Salty]

And because the post above was long enough I wouldn't want to read it myself , let me pose ending question again alone...

Sincere question 2Salty... can't help but wonder if your picture is on this page AND / OR if you have ANY vested financial interest in the company. And if you aren't willing to address the question directly I'm going to assume you do have a biased financial interest.

http://www.eposeidon.com/teameposeidon/

Sincere answer: my picture is NOT on the referenced page nor do I have ANY vested financial interest in the company.

[rockyg]

There is always "that guy" on an internet forum. He/she will spout, and spew, and point fingers, and attack, and play the victim, until the forum powers that be finally grow tired of the nonsense and ban him/her.

Not that I give a rats behind but it can't happen soon enough.

[Juan]

PRESIDENT Trump throws a KastKing reel!

Joking aside, I'm wondering why there is so much negativity toward KastKing? I must have missed something somewhere along the line. I suspect these KastKing reels, braid, etc would have been received with more open minds had Salty2 not voiced his opinion. I've fished for 60 years both recreationally and commercially and thanks to this forum and others, I still learn something new now and then. This was one of those times. Why bad mouth equipment you have no experience with? I like the reel I bought so much I ordered two more and I believe it works as well or better than any reel on the market that sells for $200 or less.
And NO, my picture isn't on the KastKing site either.

[big bend gyrene]

Joking aside, I'm wondering why there is so much negativity toward KastKing?

Juan, have an hour go back to see how instead of focusing on KastKing, the one person praising them the most (not you - you've been respectful) started challenging folks on using any high-cost items such as Shimano, Yeti, etc.

Hit me way the wrong way and I'm actually somewhat of a cheapskate who doesn't own a single Yeti cooler and who owns more reels that aren't Shimano than are.

On a happier note, can we try ending this thread with Jessica again? If not, guess it still makes for a fun intermission.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qAg5a43XyY[/video]

[JIm Smith]

amen