Tag: surffishing

KastKing Sharky II

The KastKing Sharky II is one of the better all around spinning reels for both the freshwater and saltwater angler. This is an upgraded model which is lighter and stronger than it’s original version boasting more carbon fiber drag washers, more ball bearings with less weight and increased line capacity. And this reel will not break the budget with the reasonable price of about $55 for the largest model.

sharkyiii

Some notable features of this reel include:

  • 10 + 1 shielded stainless steel bearings
  • Instant stop anti-reverse
  • Triple disc carbon fiber drag system
  • Up to 41.5 LBs of smooth carbon fiber drag on the 6000 model
  • Upgraded 30% stronger precision mesh brass gears
  • Stainless steel shaft
  • Lighter yet stronger large capacity machined aluminum spool

sharkyiid

sharkyiib

sharkyiih

sharkyiig

sharkyiif

MODELS

sharkyiic

There are 6 models to choose from, however, these are the 4 main models necessary to get the job done:

Sharky II 1500

  • Weight 7.05oz/200g
  • Max Drag 11LB/5KG
  • Gear Ratio 5.2:1
  • Braid Capacity 0.205mm/150m, 0.235/100, 0.26/70
  • Mono Capacity 6LB/165Yds, 8/110, 10/75

Sharky II 4000

  •  Weight 11.18oz/317g
  • Max Drag 28.5LB/13KG
  • Gear Ratio 5.2:1
  • Braid Capacity 0.31mm/170m, 0.33/150, 0.37/115
  • Mono Capacity 14LB/185Yds, 16/165, 20/125

Sharky II 5000

  • Weight 11.64oz/330g
  • Max Drag 28.5LB/13KG
  • Gear Ratio 5.2:1
  • Braid Capacity 0.33mm/190m, 0.35/170, 0.37/150
  • Mono Capacity 16LB/210Yds, 18/185, 20/165

Sharky II 6000

  • Weight 16.52oz/468.5g
  • Max Drag 41.5LB/19KG
  • Gear Ratio 4.9:1
  • Braid Capacity 0.405mm/195m, 0.435/165, 0.47/145
  • Mono Capacity 22LB/215Yds, 25/180, 30/160

KastKing Rover

The KastKing Rover is a conventional round baitcaster reel that offers all of the necessary tools for trophy hunters to go after the big ones and are available at under $75. Whether you are after giant catfish, carp, walleye or trolling offshore fishing for large saltwater species, or wreck fishing for bottom feeders, the KastKing Rover is the perfect weapon to conquer the beasts of the deep.

A KastKing Rover is the perfect round baitcasting reel for trolling, bottom fishing, and other techniques used in freshwater and saltwater offshore fishing. Rover’s large line capacities easily handles the lengths of braided or monofilament line needed for those applications and targeting species.

  • Reinforced hard anodized aluminum side plates and spool
  • Precision machined brass gears
  • All alloy flawless level wind
  • Industry-first stainless steel worm gear
  • Stainless steel shaft and other components for superior corrosion protection .
  • Carbon fiber drag system. KastKing Rover (formerly RXA) now offers up to 20 LB / 9 KG of smooth drag.
  • Fatigue reducing oversized nonslip EVA grips
  • Line out clicker alarm
  • Premium shielded stainless steel deep race ball bearings (4 + 1 BBs)

This is the perfect conventional reel for trolling, bottom fishing, and other techniques used in freshwater and saltwater. Anglers who want an affordable, dependable levelwind round baitcasting reel to add to their trolling reel fishing tackle will appreciate the low price and high quality of a KastKing Rover.

The KastKing Rover reels are built with functionality, quality, and are built to last. KastKing Rover Series deliver fantastic design, power, and performance at an affordable price of about $70.

4misfahr2kz-_ux300_ttw_

3qdj5ydtqm6x-_ux300_ttw_

6zrboqbr0qe-_ux300_ttw_

KastKing Rover 70R

  • Ball Bearings – 4+1
  • Weight (g) – 539
  • Weight (oz) – 19.0
  • Gear Ratio – 4.2:1
  • Line Cap – mm/m – .4/400, .5/250
  • Line Cap – lb/yds – 16/430, 25/260
  • Drag (k) – 7.0
  • Drag (lb) – 15.5

KastKing Rover 80R

  • Ball Bearings – 4+1
  • Weight (g) – 618
  • Weight (lb) – 21.8
  • Gear Ratio – 3.2:1
  • Line Cap – mm/m – .4/600, .5/400
  • Line Cap – lb/yds – 16/650, 25/440
  • Drag (k) – 9.0
  • Drag (lb) – 20.0

KastKing Rover 90R

  • Ball Bearings – 4+1
  • Weight (g) – 626
  • Weight (lb) – 22.1
  • Gear Ratio – 3.2:1
  • Line Cap – mm/m – .4/700, .5/500
  • Line Cap – lb/yds – 16/750, 25/540
  • Drag (k) – 9.0
  • Drag (lb) – 20.0

Daiwa Opus

The Daiwa Opus Saltwater Spinning Reel is perfect for boat, jetty, pier, or use in the surf. A heavy action reel for freshwater, but can also handle the harsh elements and rigors of saltwater, Opus can do just about everything.

The features of this reel include:

  • Infinite Anti-Reverse (Double Stopper)
  • Smooth, multi-disc drag
  • Twist Buster line twist reduction
  • Ball bearing, plus roller bearing
  • ABS Composite Spool
Model
Number		 Action
FW / SW		 Bearings Gear Ratio Line Per
Handle Turn		 Wt.
(oz.)		 Line Capacity
(Lb. Test / Yards)		 Drag
Max
OP4500 XH / H 1BB, 1RB 4.6:1 39.1″ 20.1 MONO: 12/360, 14/290, 17/220 33
OP5000 – / H 1BB, 1RB 4.6:1 39.1″ 19.9 MONO: 14/340, 17/250, 20/190 33
OP5500 – / XH 1BB, 1RB 3.4:1 32.4″ 24.7 MONO: 20/290, 25/230, 30/190 33
OP6000 – / XH 1BB, 1RB 3.4:1 32.4″ 24.5 MONO: 25/260, 30/220, 40/160 33

FW = Freshwater, SW = Saltwater

BB = Stainless Steel Ball Bearing, RB Roller Bearing

Pros

  • Ambidextrous reel – works for right and left hand
  • Easy drag set
  • Smooth retrieval
  • Very reasonably priced

Cons

  • There have been cases of the bail arm being tight when first being used
  • The reels are pretty heavy for casting lures and holding the rod all day long, but if you plan on making a cast and putting the pole in a sandspike, then that is not a problem whatsoever.

Daiwa Opus Saltwater Spinning Reel, Opus Saltwater 5000

Penn Conflict Spinning Reel

The Penn Conflict Spinning Reels striking cosmetics, durable design, and silky smooth drag are a few of the reasons why so many anglers fish this reel. The Conflict’s full metal body construction allows it to maintain precision gear alignment under severe punishment while its Techno-Balanced™ rotor (reinforced graphite on 1000-4000 sizes) ensures a smooth retrieve. From tuna to trout, the Conflict was designed to perform and engineered to last.

The Conflict shines mostly in rotor and line management including line lay. It remains light even compared to nowadays standards. It has all the features like braid ready spool, full metal body to keep itself relevant in today’s market as well.  Another thing I like is the handle which is made from EVA foam knob. Very comfortable to fish even on a colder day.

Now for a breakdown of the sizes and uses for each. The Conflict comes in eight different sizes.

Penn Conflict 1000 Spinning Reels

The smallest of the models can be used for both Freshwater and Saltwater handling largemouth bass and crappie very easily, and even small panfish in saltwater.

  • Mono Cap – YD/LB 275/2 135/4 105/6
  • Braid Cap – YD/LB 160/6 130/8 110/10
  • Bearing Count – 8
  • Max Drag – LB – 9lb | 4.0kg
  • Gear Ratio – 5.2:1
Penn Conflict 2000

This reel is ideal for lakes and small ponds, but can also handle striped bass and many 10+lb bluefish with ease. Another good use is for reds and trout fishing inshore saltwater.

  • Mono Cap YD/LB 240/4 180/6 125/8
  • Braid Cap YD/LB 210/8 180/10 165/15
  • Bearing Count  – 8
  • Max Drag – LB- 10lb | 4.5kg
  • Gear Ratio – 6.2:1

Penn Conflict 2500 Spinning Reels

It’s the 2000, with a little more beef!

  • Mono Cap YD/LB 255/6 175/8 140/10
  • Braid Cap YD/LB 240/10 220/15 160/20
  • Bearing Count – 8
  •  Max Drag LB – 12lb | 5.4kg
  • Gear Ratio – 6.2:1

Penn Conflict 3000 Spinning Reels

This size is great for inshore saltwater from flounder, trout, redfish, snook and bluefish.

  • Mono Cap YD/LB 200/8 165/10 120/12
  • Braid Cap YD/LB 250/15 180/20 130/30
  • Bearing Count – 8
  • Max Drag LB – 15lb | 6.8kg
  • Gear Ratio – 6.2:1

Penn Conflict 4000 Spinning Reels

The graphite rotor in this size makes the reel extremely lightweight and doesn’t compromise strength. This reel is well capable of catching stripers and bluefish in the 30+ inch range with no problems, even in moderate current.

  • Mono Cap YD/LB 270/8 220/10 165/12
  • Braid Cap YD/LB 360/15 260/20 185/30
  • Bearing Count – 8
  • Max Drag LB – 15lb | 6.8kg
  • Gear Ratio – 6.2:1

Penn Conflict 5000 Spinning Reels

  • Mono Cap YD/LB 225/12 200/15 135/20
  • Braid Cap YD/LB 420/20 300/30 240/40
  • Bearing Count – 8
  • Max Drag LB – 25lb | 11.3kg
  • Gear Ratio – 5.6:1

Penn Conflict 6000 Spinning Reels

Looking to catch grouper or kings from a boat? Maybe even a tarpon? This reel will be able to handle that and put the fish, and you, to the test.

  • Mono Cap YD/LB 335/15 230/20 210/25
  • Braid Cap YD/LB 490/30 390/40 335/50
  • Bearing Count – 8
  • Max Drag LB – 25lb | 11.3kg
  • Gear Ratio – 5.6:1

Penn Conflict 8000 Spinning Reels

Surf fishing here we come! This is the perfect (maybe even a little oversized) reel for catching large red drum, striped bass, black drum, and sharks from the surf.

  • Mono Cap YD/LB 340/20 300/25 230/30
  • Braid Cap YD/LB 475/50 390/65 345/80
  • Bearing Count – 8
  • Max Drag LB – 30lb | 13.6kg
  • Gear Ratio – 5.3:1

Best Fishing Reel Review and Buying Guide

There are so many different fishing reels that hit the market every year, it’s impossible to keep track and be able to compare one reel to the next.  No matter what type of fishing you are into, be it saltwater, freshwater, or fly fishing, there is a reel out there that will suit your needs and I’m here to help you find it.

I, myself, am an avid angler and enjoy all the types of fishing noted above. It is a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation, and I am in the process of passing it down to my kids who seem to enjoy it as much as I do.  Our one true passion is surf fishing for big bull Red Drum on a barrier island, but we will not pass up the opportunity to hit up a local pond or jump in the boat and try our luck elsewhere.

14681580_10211413621635128_4602494608194136065_n