KastKing Rover Any Good?

Shout out to William Ward for providing the reel for this review. kastking rover, abu Garcia Ambassador, catfish reel, casting distance. which reel is best for you?

[@KBAnglers]

Thanks J.R. for giving us your fair opinion on these reels. I purchased the Rover 50 while at the conference and have only used it a couple of times. I, too, was impressed with the casting abilities of this reel. I have an Ambassador 5000 that I use sometimes and will be using this weekend as well. So, I'm going to put both to the test and see how I like the kastking under a heavy load. I appreciate the knowledge you have given concerning the one piece spool vs the free floating spool. I am new to baitcaster reels, so this information gives me a better understanding of what to look for in my future purchases!!! Thanks brother!!!! R.C.C. 4Life!!!!!!

[@TheReelFishermen]

Abu 5000' are sweet reels. That rover will get the job done for sure. It'll catch any catfish in the world. Solid reels, just not fast lol. Thank you K&B

[@kentac1911]

Loved the fact that even though he preferred the Abu Garcia (and who wouldn't), he stated that the Kastking was not a bad real and would work well for those on a budget. A good HONEST review!

[@TheReelFishermen]

Thanks, they are pretty good reels for sure

[@ACEBTRAVEL-AZ-ADVANTUR]

I came up on one r60 version and can’t wait to used it went to a liqadation and found one for $12 🤭 new

[@DieterMelhorn]

One of your better videos., maybe the best. Very informative and full of great information.

[@TheReelFishermen]

Wow you really think so? Might have to start mixing this type of content in. Appreciate it Dieter

[@DieterMelhorn]

@@TheReelFishermen I watched the entire video. I seldom watch an entire fishing video unless someone tells a good story. STORY IS KING. It can be a story of a fishing trip, or a story of a reel. This was a good story about the reel, how it is built, some great info about the spool and it culminated with seeing how it casts. You're just scratching the surface with these types of videos.

[@jayfox6974]

I'm with dieter lol. I have been that person in a pinch wanting to go fish and no money for trial and error really. these types of videos are what makes KZbin great. finding out the truth about products, so you can make a semi informed decision, without disappointment and regret. thanks and keep the vids coming.

[@dennishoward2072]

I bought the rover 50 and 60 I like both so far just purchased the 300 Capstan. I use them on a 12' rod.

[@CROWOUTDOORS]

I have four of these and they are tough little reels. Been using them for the last two years. They are not up to the quality of my many many Ambassadeurs but for the $37.00 ea, plus free shipping, they are an excellent bargain. Mine all cast 50 to 75 yards easily and for the average joe fisherman, that's plenty. Using two of them (Rover 40 and a Rover 50) as I type this now to bank fish Nueces Bay here in Texas. Have caught hundreds of fish on them and they're still going strong. They are actually one of the better reels when it comes to the "cheaper" ones. All anodized and chromed, ss worm gear, and a huge feature - a bearing captive pinion gear. The only reel I've ever seen with this and, because of this, they are incredibly smooth! Only problem I've had was a red little plastic end cap on one of the grips pop off and get lost. No biggie though. GREAT REELS!

[@BottomDollarOutdoors]

I did not know about the fixed / floating spools. I learn something new every day!

[@Blackhorseveteran]

Thanks for an honest review...been on the fence between that and Abu...

[@snippits75]

Love the video! Have always used Garcia 6000 or 6500 for carp pay lake fishing in NC. They will hold up to catching carp year after year with the occasional worm gear, paw, and drag washer needing to be replaced. Not sure if KastKing can hold up to the type of fishing. Been looking at the new Millionaire Classic 300 that's about the same price as KastKing. Can not find a good review of those reels. I suspect though that they are probably built like a KastKing.

[@TheReelFishermen]

Those new millionaires are pretty sweet

[@mauricecason5369]

Great video I have 4 Ming yang for about 6 years never had a problem I still learn one of different these reel thanks for sharing

[@stevepiacenza2426]

I beg to differ this is a great quality reel with quality parts! I service sell and customize abu's, and I'll tell you abu better step up there game,but when that happens abu's will be more unaffordable. You can't beat a kastking for the price.my kastking rover 60 outcasts my abu 6500c5 with ceramic bearings,and I have been using my rover 60 for 3 years with minimal matainence!!!!

[@TheReelFishermen]

Awesome

[@reelcatfishing4479]

Very good review!!! Liked how detailed you were and how you compared them to an abu!!

[@FatBoyDan]

ming yangs,still got my ming yang from years , years back. great break down on the reels

[@TheReelFishermen]

They get the job done. Just wish they were as cheap as they were back then. They're still good reels for the price

[@FatBoyDan]

@@TheReelFishermen true

[@thereelchase3157]

Thanks for the in depth review. I’m looking to introduce a round casting reel to my channel. I’m due for a channel cat video... also learned about fixed spool brands. “Appreciate it”. I’m going with a floating spool for sure....

[@TheReelFishermen]

Awesome thanks

[@dustinsmith5611]

I had 6 of these in my cart on Ebay and had a buddy talk me out of them. I decided to go with the penn squall 15's and I'm glad I did. Buy once, cry once

[@tellitlikeitis-rg4ny]

Daiwa sl20sh best

[@patriotcatfishersofamerica7985]

Great video and great info on these reels. I’ll stick with my Abu s. Thanks for sharing this great info video.🇺🇸

[@Qartveloba3659]

Hello, every throw of the barad. gets tangled catastrophically, threw the braid 3 times. why is this happening? please help, i bought it on amazon for $55 how to stick neodymium magnets on a multiplier CastKingRover 50? i have neodymium magnets but are they big? Didn't understand

[@Bait2Bend]

Great Video. Always learnin brutha, I'm always learnin. Last year when I first got into catfishing this was the first baitcaster I purchased. Someone recommended it because of the limited nesting. Affordable, a nice design and especially if you're from a boat where casting isn't so important its great. Like another subscriber mentioned however, the roaring noise is a little annoying but tolerable for the price. Thanks for the info JR. What's the furthest cast EVER? I'm up to the challenge!!! hahaah

[@WesLovelace]

It's a great entry level reel....I like the non lash....that's always burned my hindparts with a level wind!!

[@DrewArtist]

Good little description of the differences. I picked up two of 50r reels.

[@jimallison6292]

I use to musky fish hard with the older ABU 6500 it was a work horse for the most part and then you could buy one new for 65.00 to 75.00 bucks . I just cant see putting 145.00 for a ABU 6500 for just catfiching . I can get almost 3 Kastjkings for that and the fix spool deal is no deal breaker for me . Good video buddy keep them coming . Hey one question can you get the boca barring for the kastking if you can that would be nice.

[@CHUNKYCATSFISHING]

Very cool video look like 70 yards to me Add a demon dragon -20 yards add bait -20 yards your average cast 40 yards😜

[@Davids_United-Fam]

I want to buy a couple Abu Garcia ambassadors and also try a kastking been fishin all my life and just usin cheaper poles one of my better pole combos was a ugly stick it did the job for bass bluegill and crappie smaller cats but had a generic Walmart purchase cat rod and reel not really where it's at especially now that I've got a taste of these finer rods and reels so which ambassador is the absolute ass kicker to use or the best 3 to use ?

[@FlavorfulGaming]

I have a old 6500cb and am replacing it with the 60 kk black what's the main difference on the black vs normal?

[@joshvoorhees7058]

Great video, nice breakdown of the reel. These types of reels are great alternatives if you don't have the money for high dollar stuff. However nothing in my opinion beats the Abu. Fish on!

[@jboat571x9]

I bought a rover 60 this weekend. Took it fishing the first time today. The first thing I noticed on mine was how loud the gear is when I turn the handle. Yours seemed smoother than the one I got. Another potential issue I noted is even with both cast control knobs fully tightened, a 2oz sinker dropped straight to the ground as if there was zero brake on the spool. However, I did end up loosening the cast control some when I got it out on the lake and cast it a few times. I will say it casts as far as I’d ever want a reel to for catfishing from a boat and no issue with backlash. I like the big handle and it holds plenty of line. I probably won’t buy another one. I don’t know tho, I’m pretty tight, we’ll see how it holds up. I would say it wouldn’t be a bad choice for someone on a budget who needed a couple reels to get into catfishing. A better alternative might be catmaxx reels from bass pro. Close in price if you catch them on sale but the 2 I have are better reels imo. One good thing about them even if they might not last as long as an abu, which remains to be seen, you can almost replace it with a brand new one twice for the cost of an abu.

[@daves485]

I had the same problem, like someone from the factory tightened both knobs with a pair of pliers or something. No matter what I did the thing was a backlash monster, thank God for Amazon sent it back and got another one, which works a lot better.

[@gwb19661]

Ordered A Couple Kast King 60's And A Couple Okuma CLX 300's Awhile Back But Haven't Tried Either Yet!

[@ConRoen]

I'm thinking about grabbing one of these because I bought a 6500 c3 ambassador and it's a piece of shit the anti-reverse doesn't work and the clicker button feels like it's going to fall off. I figure if I'm going to get a piece of shit why should I pay 160 bucks

[@TheReelFishermen]

🤣

[@cclark8108]

Hi I’m really really new too fishing and I am trying too put together a river rig for heavy current. What do would you suggest that can throw some good weight yet is sensitive. I use circle hooks so I’m not worried about ripping lips. Also is this the Abu Garcia ambassador reels you’re talking about?

[@TheReelFishermen]

American Spirit rods are great value. Yes abu's

[@staticmantra5833]

I’m just not a fan of these. I feel like these, the Ming Yang’s and a hand full of others are the same reels, rebranded. They’re definitely nice for a nice budget reel and I can understand the appeal to some. I think my dislike for these is that one time a guy tried to pass one of these off as an Abu Garcia when I was looking to buy a reel. Anyways, great video man!

[@hookedcatfish]

So is it still junk tastic lol To me I don't care how far a real cast because I'm usually on the boat what I care about is if the gears can hold up to a big fish

[@TwiztedFishingTv]

I broke mine, I had 4, one works but sounds like it has sand in it. Mine was the CL60A model MY, same reel. The Rover's are in fact MC series reels from MY.

[@TheReelFishermen]

My man 👊

[@hudsonfonseca7550]

Which line did you put on it and how many meters of line did you put?

[@Arcturian1111]

Can these be used in saltwater. I'm getting the larger model. The R80 or R90 I believe.

[@TheReelFishermen]

Absolutely!

[@Clambelly]

Tournament / distance casting reels, as you know, have no level wind 'cause the level wind limits casting ability far more than free float vs fixed spool. Not saying that free float spool is better or worse, but probably of minor significance compared to the serious drag the level wind puts on the cast. Not sure if you noticed that ABU uses plastic gears re level wind vs. metal & stainless in KastKing which is a lot less money too. I own 3 ABU reels, 5500, 6500 and 7000 C3 ... the smaller reels are okay for short casting to small fish, but really are not made for serious saltwater fish, while the 7000 is a bit heavy in my opinion for all day fun at the beach or on the boat. I am looking for the do it all saltwater conventional casting reel with minimum 20 lbs. drag (more the better) no more than 16 oz. and ability to land fish up to 100 lbs. While my wish list includes, Seigler, Okuma Metaloid / Andros ... I might take a closer look at KastKing 'cause the price is good.Thank you for the video.

[@jasonstokley7274]

Abu's aren't a saltwater reel. What you want is a Penn Squall or Fathom.

[@Clambelly]

@@jasonstokley7274 Thanks Jason !

[@old-timeangler5356]

Thanks for the education, great video.

[@alvinelkanah4825]

Hi im a total beginner in these type of round baitcaster reels. I would like to know if these reels can be used for fishing using live bait . Thanks in advance

[@TheReelFishermen]

Absolutely. I actually prefer them.

[@iliecostin]

The rover60 is the only one with a floating spool.

[@denofearthundertheeverlast5138]

Shoot, it wasn't impossible for me to birds nest mine......and my line has been behind the spool at least 10x's in the last 5yrs....lol, but now I have the backlash knob on about 2.5-3...with no slow drop at all in free spool, so it wont birds nest at all, but I bass fish so I only need to cast 20yds

[@dannydnice1]

Excellent advice

[@joblack1167]

Does rovers40 specialy for cat fish..? Does it well for casting any bass or some other estuary fish using under 10gr lure...?

[@fishin-impossible2992]

Whats up JR ,i have 1 and man i cant stand the roaring sound (or waa waa waa noise)when you have a fish on it or heavy weight. Mine will cast a mile and drag seems good. Thanks for a Great review.

[@thevernonposse]

Does the abu have a metal level wind gear

[@Guillo24i7]

BEWARE. I bought the Rover 50, put 15lb mono on it and the line does get inside the frame through the spool and frame gap when backlash happens, and line does gets tangled with the spool shaft inside the side plate.

[@TheReelFishermen]

Doesn't surprise me. Good reels, but definitely fall short of the marketing lol

[@Ripper0518]

Very good video if I have the money getting the Abu Garcia 6500 c3 but if I don’t I’m getting the rover 50

[@TheReelFishermen]

Thank you, either way, have fun!!!

[@matthewjackson2853]

I don't think they all had floating spools. I will say I have an Abu Sweden Ambassadeur 2500C that has the spool where the shaft turns it.

[@bankfishermentv8077]

Do a real review on the Bass Pro Shop megacast versus the kastking Rover I think they both have the same spool that would be a good video

[@joebuck66]

Great video and great information

[@jeffreybabino8161]

Hi what is the length of the rod you are using thanks

[@hagengrubbsfishing]

Good review 👍

[@TheReelFishermen]

Thanks Hagen, love your videos brother

[@hagengrubbsfishing]

Thanks. I never knew you watched my videos. I watch all of yours and have for a long time. Keep it up!

[@TheReelFishermen]

Thanks man. Hope to get back at it again soon. Hollar at you later bud

[@LeAnn57]

Piscifun Chaos XS 50 has a floating spool and no not all Ambassadeurs have a floating spool. I fish for catfish and don't care how far it can cast. I fish from a boat. I have 5 old Ambassadeurs and until I bought the Chaos XS 50 I had never seen a floating spool. I pick the Chaos XS 50 over Ambassadeurs any day.

[@jeffreybabino8161]

What do you think of the s series abus

[@TheReelFishermen]

My friend has them, they cast great! I've never torn them apart but I assume they're not gonna last too many seasons and probably aren't easily fixed once they break but I dunno

[@otrdriver5917]

I looked up kastking before I bought it. Said it is American made idk.

[@TheReelFishermen]

They're made in China

[@Elrond_Hubbard1]

They get ya by saying it was engineered in America.

[@kentuckycatmanoutdooradven4643]

Awesome video brother

[@alpaca3213]

Can I use this for inshore fishing?

[@TheReelFishermen]

Absolutely

[@russellbuchanan5251]

My kastking rover 60 is junk idk if it's the magnetic deal they have but everytime I've tried to chuck it birdsnest my 6500 has never nested on me so the kastking is on the shelf thanks for the video

[@thejim3501]

Informative video. I'll stick with tried and tested Abu's verses made in China Yeang Yangs. They gonna have parts for them later? Dought it.

[@jeffreybabino8161]

Yes that are worth it I have a rovet60

[@jeffreybabino8161]

I have this reel about a year I use my reels in salt water fishing so far so good

[@TheReelFishermen]

I agree

[@colton6035]

Do these have bait clickers?

[@TheReelFishermen]

Yep sure do

[@ThatOneGuyMatt]

You never said how far it casted

[@josephkool8411]

I went with the Daiwa bucause it costed less

[@buster76246]

Kastking is a US company but like most brands these days its manufactured in CHINA. These reels are designed for medium distance casting and boat use, You were using the 40 size, a better comparison to the ABU would have been the KASTKING ROVER 60, also the build and parts quality of Kastkings are much better than actual Chinese reels. If distance casting is your thing then there are even better brands than Abu to suit your purpose but then again at 3 time the price of an Abu.

[@TheReelFishermen]

👍 agreed

[@albertapeet]

Can’t get it to bird nest? Hold my beer !

[@ronnyjgossett1408]

Look on you tube for pimp my reel by a fellow from england and check out his breakdown of this reel

[@Familyman0838]

Theirs no comparison really you get what you pay for and that's reflected in the price they are day and night really

[@justinnorwalk9732]

good content, forget the green screen and start using good lighting boss, vid is blurry and un-pleasant ;)

[@TheReelFishermen]

Agreed!

[@dozzzer78]

I found out the reason for the differences between the same ROVER reel models...before ROVER this reel was called RXA which had FLOATIN SPOOL...ROVER and RXA are identical only the type of spool differs ... although are marked on the outside as ROVER some models on the market still have this type of floating spool from RXA... while the new models no longer have this type of spool...watch minute 26.11... kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIS7dKCrg7Z0os0

[@TheReelFishermen]

That's awesome thank you

[@hannanhannan2268]

sir how to bay lm?

[@zackmorehouse]

Nice thumb nail

[@TheReelFishermen]

Thanks dude

[@ericwhitlow7364]

Do these reels take a spinning rod just upside down?

[@AlphaSlothins]

You can but it’s not going to cast as far as a casting rod.

[@blackdeath5026]

Abu is made in china and has been for several years, i own many sweden models and a few china versions

[@TheReelFishermen]

Only certain models are made in China. The rest are still made in Sweden

[@JJ-1-1]

Nope.... all my Abu CS Pro Rockets are made in Sweden also regular 6500 C3....6500 catfish specials and many more are Swedish made

[@johnnyheckard7185]

P G1 Maybe they were at the time. More and more are going to China now. Now I’ve had China stuff that is good but what they have done to the abu is fucked. They will run that long lived name 6 foot under and fast.

[@WalleyeSlayer]

What a subjective opinion video if I ever saw one. No scientific method at all used to compare to a abu? Maybe the fixed spool is really a great feature for no back lash and still cast a country mile. If the Rover cast 10 yards less but no backlash like you say I am sold.

[@TheReelFishermen]

That's the thing about KZbin. They'll just allow anybody to upload anything 🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@randobit1]

I'm going to be honest I'm disliking this video because I was looking for an honest review on the rover not the ambassador

[@TheReelFishermen]

Well Abu was the original and obviously set the bar too high if their 30 year old reel is still superior

[@Qartveloba3659]

I do not recommend anyone to buy this worthless product CastKingRover

[@TheCominghome]

Get a boat.

[@TheReelFishermen]

I have one LOL

[@tellitlikeitis-rg4ny]

They are ok till you make a good cast and the chinesium.bearings melt