You put it through its paces and were very thorough and far. I hope they really listen to what you tell them. I'm really looking forward to the fishing test. Be blessed. My friend.
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
Thx! I hope to hear from em about what they wanna do in the near future about this reel or other reels! Also wanna see them change the way people see lines too!
@randallmiller5726 ай бұрын
Thank you Jimbo!! Great video!! Love the effort you put in and the BFS knowledge that you share!!
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
Thx... It was a while since kastking even spoken to me... So when the opportunity comes by... I gotta give it my all so better stuff Wil come out into the market 👍👍
@danspanos6 ай бұрын
I have the 5'-10" feather light Kestrel rod, and it's stiffer than some of my light rods! lol 🤷🏻♂️ I still like it, but they really need to rethink their rating system. I hope KastKing continues to force the big boys to bring more and more BFS products to the United States! Thanks again for the great content Jimmy!
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
lol they are definitely stiffer and thicker. They should reconsider many things for sure! The big boys are here now and I don't think KK can force em to bring anything more bait finesse related. But, they can still help push for the Gou system for fishing lines! :) You are welcome and thx for watching and dropping a line. KastKing is here watching as they are picking off feedback from viewers as well! So let your honest opinion rip!
@Paul-kt6st6 ай бұрын
I bought the Kestrel 5'9" FL casting rod when they first came out. I wanted to like the rod so much, I think it looks great and if it had even decent performance it'd be a steal at $90. But I took it fishing and it could barely cast more than a few feet with sub 1gram stuff, even when using Calcutta Conquest BFS with upgraded bearings and a sub 3gram spool. I took it as my only rod for some hiking-fishing. I saw a big fish on a fry ball that wasn't far from shore, and I still couldn't cast to it. These are casts I could easily do with my Megabass Aello, Mavlloss Plume, or Kuying Teton. I was so disappointed that I ended up returning the rod.
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
Oh that stinks... They should just call it UL and not try to create anything new for their marketing purposes. Then relabel the one I have to ULL or UL+. Use something that's already exists so things can be easier to categorize. Feather light is cute... But they are simply renaming UL to FL, which is not cool. If they have a new category... Sure that's fine!
@Paul-kt6st6 ай бұрын
@@rawrfishing I don't really care if they call it FL or UL or XUL. The bigger problem is they market it as going down to 1/64th. But as soon as you bend the rod you know it's not going to do it. It's way stiffer than any rod I have that casts down to 1/32nd or 1/64th. I'd guess they're doing that thing where what they're trying to say is it'll cast a 1/64th jig head + a plastic that brings the weight up. But that's pretty dishonest marketing, even though a few other rod brands do that as well. I really liked the rod, except the casting was terrible at the weights it was recommending, and almost all my fishing is ultra light since the fresh water I live by is all pretty small. I think the more normal weight rods would probably work fine, I just don't really get to fish the middle weight rods where I live.
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
hmm.. then that definitely stinks if you can't do what you paid for. If it says 1/64, it needs to do that weight as a total whole (hook, lure, terminal tackle, etc).
@Jorre-Fisk6 ай бұрын
Love the tests mate, thats some super light lures. im, as always impressed 👍 great lesson its all about that sweet spot 😄
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
Thx! I feel that it casts well. Probably super better if I used thinner line.
@Fishingelbow6 ай бұрын
Great video, as usual. Keep them coming. If I may make a suggestion, I would like you to be clearer about if you're feathering the spool or not when casting. Better yet, refrain from feathering and only use your thumb just before the lure touches water. That way, we'll learn about the characteristics of the reel itself and not a combination of how good the reel + your feathering skills are. I'm sure your thumb is much better educated than the average user! 🎣
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
Thx. The way I fish and setup the tension is so it have the least amount of tension, but no side to side play if the spool... This means that You "will always need" to thumb the spool before the lure hits the water. Thin PE line are fragile and fixing birdnests would have a potential chance of damaging the line. Let me share with you what i look for when I say I search for the braking sweet spot. This range setting, at the upper end, Is where I can cast a specific lure far and accurate as possible without feathering the spool. The lowest end Is where you don't need to Feather the spool, but it will over spool as the lure is in flight, but should fix itself before the lure ends. Anything below the sweet spot requires feathering. Hope that helps!
@MexiPino50-506 ай бұрын
Wishfull thinking however it would be awesome if they would make an upgrade/ overhaul kit for the reels already purchased
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
No, not at all. If u got ideas.. Drop it here. Kastking is reading :)
@yep.fishing6 ай бұрын
the shorter rod is a 1/64 (the 5’2) surprised they didn’t send you that one so you can test the 1/64oz better
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
I requested this rod. The other one they called FL for Feather light. I don't need a rod to go that low as that's not my fishing style. The reel is definitely capable
@Daiwa_Is_King6 ай бұрын
I have heard of 2 of those feather 🪶 lite rods snapping at the tip and the other one snapped in half. 😮
@per-cas6 ай бұрын
You still recommend the Ark Gravity to cast sub one gram
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
Yes! Way cheaper and it's available now!
@richgoetz75256 ай бұрын
Not going to lie, pleasantly surprised at how well that reel did considering the documented issues with the regular Kestrel Elite; genuinely would be interested to try it out. Admittedly I'm no expert in BFS, all I know I learned from watching your channel over the last couple months since I found it. Last year attempting to dive in I made a lot of mistakes (some of which you mentioned in here like filling the spool). But I do know this, I ended up getting the Zephyr BFS (which I learned you had part in) and paired it with their Perigee II ML rod cause I seen a video of you using that exact setup to great effect and it's now one of my favorite setups to use. I know I have better gear like some St Croix rods and Daiwa reels but for whatever reason I keep gravitating back to that Zephyr/Perigee setup and it just keeps catching fish. KastKing would be wise to get your input as much as possible cause you know what you're talking about; I know I learned a lot and became a better fisherman in general just watching your videos. Keep up the awesome content.
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
Thx for the awesome comment. I really appreciate it! I will be pitching the zephyr elite to them since I think they nailed the 28mm spool... Now let's get a larger spool like the zephyr to be higher end!
@richgoetz75256 ай бұрын
@@rawrfishing Here's hoping they go for it and let you give them input on it as well; worked out great with the Zephyr BFS.
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
Thx. Crossing fingers here too
@SoCal_BFS6 ай бұрын
I never go over 50m anyway, so it should be fine. I want to pair this with my tsurinoya dragon 662L for trout. If you ever come to cali, you should visit bishop in the eastern sierra.
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
I think most bfs folks don't unless they are fishing big fish that runs. It be cool if they make shallower spools for those PE folks who runs 50m line only! That be cool! Nice I will take ur offer! It's my dream to travel and fish.. But if it happens... I would need to ensure my kid is old enough before I leave the wife and kid home lol.
@bigmikefishingchonicles99506 ай бұрын
great review jim
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
thx i appreciate it
@oscaraldaiz96282 ай бұрын
When and where can you get this reel?
@rawrfishing2 ай бұрын
KastKing USA is the best bet to ask. They gave no indication on when.
@kravenfoxbodies24796 ай бұрын
I could a reel like that for small crank baits, 2 hook shad rap is my very hot summer (July) crank on spinning with 10lbs test.
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
It's pretty hot this weekend here! Fish gonna be deep!
@Darkmk76 ай бұрын
Great video jimbo. I 100% agree with you about kastkings overbraked reels, but, on the flip side it is a niche type of fishing that’s fairly “new” to American fishing culture. Most guys that were using UL spinning techniques whip their lures to get the distance they want, so maybe someone at Kastking is trying to appeal to USA UL anglers with their reels by showcasing that they can cast light lures and chuck them out there. Easier to setup and use for “most American UL anglers” . I will consider this reel next tho!
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
I don't agree with that approach. They should simply teach ppl properly. Jimbo is for hire! ;) I Will fix every thing.
@TheD510addictАй бұрын
Is this reel released anywhere?
@rawrfishingАй бұрын
Not sure. KastKing USA sent this directly to me. They gave no indication on if they will release it or when to the US
@TheD510addictАй бұрын
@rawrfishing it's can't even find it on the internet. Just two mentions, one from you and one from H/F
@rawrfishingАй бұрын
Go with the Ark Gravity bfs ;)
@adougslife6 ай бұрын
Great video. Hopefully, they bring it to the US market
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
Thx, perhaps soon!
@philjones39815 ай бұрын
I have been using the same KK Kestral BFS rod, paired with a KK Kestral reel (not the elite). I actually really like the rod. Yes, it is stiff, but I am using it primarily for ultralight bass fishing, so I am fine with the taper and power rating. Having that extra backbone helps to pull the odd two-pounder away from the grass. Of course, for sunfish I do like a rod with a softer taper. Side note: anyone have a chance to use the MG12 elite reel? I have one, and to me it seems like the brakes don't fully work until you have them dialed up to at least 7.
@rawrfishing5 ай бұрын
It's more of a ULL rather than UL. Not a fan of KK AMB system. It's no good. Their dynamic braking needs to be more refined.
@philjones39815 ай бұрын
@@rawrfishing hopefully Kastking will work out the kinks on the next generation. Thanks for the reply, Jimbo!
@rawrfishing5 ай бұрын
You bet. I have given them my feedback since I tested a similar reel with the braking module. It was the shallow mega Jaws elite. If I recalled, the reel is over braked when all of the dynamic plates shoots out. Then when it retracts... It might be under brakes. So it didn't feel balanced. It's up to them to fine tune it for the next release!
@JF-qc6po4 ай бұрын
How do you like the non elite version of the kestrel reel?
@philjones39814 ай бұрын
@@JF-qc6po the reel is adequite and not a bad value. I use lures generally around 1/8 of an ounce, and it casts them like a missile. The soft plastic glued to the thumb bar is peeling at the corners, but other than that the fit and feel is acceptable. I would recommend it as an entry to BFS.
@kennethcolbert2921Ай бұрын
So many people don't like Kastking reels but I fell in love with them first off they don't cost as much as other brands does. At least I like them. I hope they stay around.
@rawrfishingАй бұрын
@kennethcolbert2921 don't confuse my honest review with whether I like or not like a company. A lot of paid influencers who are not honest out there! Do know that this reel here are JUST as much as the Shimano Curado BFS reel (or even more if they release it) and cost more than the Ark Gravity BFS reel. Both are amazing reels as well...
@TheWildSide3696 ай бұрын
Thanks for the opinions on the kastKing Rod. THinking about buyong the FL action one. Thanks
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
Np, That should be an UL where as this guy I am portraying is more of an UL plus
@jill12656 ай бұрын
im wondering how far can your best bfs reel cast 1.7gram megabass haruzemi
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
Mmm... Not sure! Bfs isn't about distance after all. At that weight, I would say ark Gravity, alphas air tw, Tatula BF 70 all could do it pretty well and smooth out of the box
@leepao63026 ай бұрын
Distance is relative to the fisherman release point when he/she cast or how hard they cast or the type of line they used; so stopped asking for distance casting. because my cast maybe further than your or vice-versa
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
Very true!
@Demolitiondude6 ай бұрын
Did find the daiwa tatula bf70 at bass pro. $270 bucks.
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
That's over priced!
@Demolitiondude6 ай бұрын
No doubt. Same time anything jdm is double because of import.
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
The thing is.. Msrp is 239.99. Everywhere is selling it at msrp! Daiwa may allow retailers to sell it at different price than msrp.. But some brands like Shimano... They control the price!
@leepao63026 ай бұрын
@@rawrfishing Daiwa is always overpriced compares to Shimano
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
Daiwa been always better to me, so Im fine with it :)
@leepao63026 ай бұрын
that's what i tell people; and they think i'm crazy 😆😂
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
Ppl say I'm crazy for asking for bfs stuff in 2015 lol
@Matte-s2l5 ай бұрын
Regardless of what you Americans say, casting light weights with a baitcaster is like riding your 6 inch bike with training wheels. A spinning reel will outperform a BFS reel in every possible scenario, both in terms of lenght and ease of use.
@rawrfishing5 ай бұрын
@@Matte-s2l not every way. Spinning setups are inefficient and also line twisting machines for certain fishing techniques and tackle. Nothing to do with Americans. This style been around before America started using it.
@Matte-s2l5 ай бұрын
@@rawrfishing As a UL spinning fisherman, i've got mine ljne tangled in the loops twice, over maybe 10 years of fishing, albeit not as frequent as you, that's the amount of backlashes i get with my BFS setup on the daily, if not more. I cast way longer distances,i get less issues because i can cast more often due to non-backlash and casting light lures with way higher precision.
@rawrfishing5 ай бұрын
backlash is almost always "user error" So if you backlash that much, i think you need to find the issue rather than blaming the reel/setup. If you need to learn how to cast a magnetic braking reel, I have videos that can show you not only how to cast, but how to explore and understand your reel's braking system. Distance is not always required. But you know your fishery better than i do. That said, use what you need to catch fish and to enjoy the sport. I love what i use!
@johnhamel85256 ай бұрын
great video, hoping they bring this to the american market soon
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
Let's see what they will do! Wonder if it will appear at icast
@johnhamel85256 ай бұрын
@rawrfishing maybe it will, if I remember correctly I received my kestrel elite just a little before icast when it came out, I could be wrong though
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
Only way to find out is to wait :) They are waiting for folks to comment in... So we shall see!
@johnhamel85256 ай бұрын
@rawrfishing waiting is the hard part sometimes hahaha
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
Tell me about it haha
@kennethcolbert2921Ай бұрын
I think when you get that light of tackle you should use a fly rod but that's me.
@rawrfishingАй бұрын
@@kennethcolbert2921 just cast testing. Like when someone go to a comedy show... It's for laughs. Things they say are supposed to be a joke. But there are ppl who rather use a bfs setup than a fly
@rawrfishingАй бұрын
@@kennethcolbert2921 and why are you still watching my videos. You proclaimed I don't know how to setup reels, yet you are still here...
@dalestevens77346 ай бұрын
your rod was only rated to 1/32 and the rod plays a big part in casting light lures. But you would know better than me.
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
@@dalestevens7734 this was disclosed.. So everyone knows
@matthewotis35946 ай бұрын
By Asia you mean China right?😂. I'd said the same thing.
@rawrfishing6 ай бұрын
China is part of Asia... But I am not sure where they are selling it. We Americans have no access unless u go through hoops. I believe some folks used taobao