Reel Review: Piscifun Phantom Baitcaster

My review of the Piscifun Phantom ultralight 160g baitcaster after 3.5months.
Time Stamps:
00:20 - Fish Clips
03:30 - Rating System
08:30 - Review
Piscifun's Website:
www.piscifun.com/
The Reel Test's Channel for awesome reel related content:
/ @thereeltest
Camera: Google Pixel 2 XL
Instagram: bcsgfishing
Facebook: / bcsgfishing
Music:
Always by Dj Quads
/ aka-dj-quads

[@galistanfrizky]

I love the way you breakdown the review without being too geeky, very easy to understand and comprehensive. Salam dari indonesia

[@dcotto8765]

great vid just picked one up to put to the test on Pennsylvania smallmouth bass, thanks for all your wonderful info I've learned a lot over the past six months subscribed. tight lines D.C.

[@linekerkb]

Great review. Direct to the point. I like the way you classified the point.

[@mojondro]

Man you really don't know how i was waiting for this review, exelent as always honest and that's what matters to me now just imagine how it goes to perform with ceramic bearings in the casting department

[@eatmelily]

Wow.....This is probably the BEST, and most USEFUL Reel review I've ever seen... CONGRATULATIONS !! I'm now a Subscriber. I have probably watched every review of this reel that I've seen, so far... and this one, actually made me want to buy the reel. I've read reviews, where the reviewer acted like this was the best reel Ever....I Love your Honesty, and Subjectiveness...Thank you for an Awesome Review.....for the "real people" out here....

[@mnije]

Excellent review. It’s nice to hear some actual objective opinions and observations on something. Sure beats the usual “...this is the greatest thing ever” style of review. Thank you.

[@MikaKise]

Hey man! Amazing video once again, so in-depth and intuitive! Some of the issues are addressed in the seax elite which I bought as Piscifun’s best baitcaster and it’s awesome, looks quite similar to the phantom and it performs amazingly. You got me into baitcasting man, and I’m so grateful. You’ve made the start of the journey so much smoother than I’d have done it alone myself. I got the Blackhawk 2 2.2m M rod and paired it with the Seax Elite and it’s a pretty rocking combo. I’d like it even more if the rod was a ML, but it’s alright, gotta use whatcha got. Thanks for the amazing content and inspiration! I’ll try to do some videos of my experience starting out baitcasting! Cheers BCSG!

[@BCSGFishing]

Happy to help man, glad you like the content and really appreciate the support! Yep I do wish the blackhawk came in ML too, M is a little too heavy for my regular fishing use.

[@THEREELTEST]

Awesome video! we came to some of the same conclusions of this reel. Thanks for the shout out and I hope to come close to your video production value and the ability to smoothly convey what you are thinking into what you are saying some day. You definitely have the best and most complete tackle reviews on youtube. The planets must be aligning because I just did a review on the Tsurinoya XF-50 and uploaded today, linked your shootout video in my comments. Send me a private message through here or email, I want to share something with you. And congrats on your future prodigy!

[@pappasqually9140]

THE REEL TEST both of you guys make excellent videos and are def in my top 5 favorite youtubers !

[@daveversion2.2]

First time watching your reviews. Very educated approach. I appreciate that. Will be watching more........ok.....just watched the complete video. I have watched a lot of reviews on this reel before this. Your review really gives great explanations for your opinions. Great job and thank you. I don’t know of any other reviewers who too’ their reel all over the world.....my God...jungles??? Lol

[@texbassman681]

Fantastic Review... Worth picking one of these reels up...

[@c.shoefish]

Awesome video. The tech videos like you mentioned are awesome but there's something to say about personal opinion and you have actual time on the water with it. Great video man! BTW, I bought three of these reels. Haven't had one issue. And I definitely agree with the 7.9-8/10 rating

[@jorgehamada944]

Detailed and enlightening video.

[@rolandmcclendon1394]

I like your way catching fish review thanks for your reviews

[@danluther1741]

Great review man!!

[@thereelchase3157]

Dropped a like a subscribe. Digging the content in your channel dude!!!! 🙌🏽Loving the in depth review and I literally just purchased this reel because I’m sold with your video. Great Thorough specs brother. Much appreciated. Hopefully this reel steps up my channel. Cheers

[@blackhole1397]

Great review!!!

[@tedmccarthy1401]

Awesome thanks for sharing!!!!!

[@josephmorris4373]

Excellent post great job.

[@vhtuankiet]

nice video, just ordered one

[@littlegoobie]

good system you've developed there. Something that many/most reviews skip is reel performance under pressure, it would be nice to add that. Most cheap reels start getting all wobbly when a good fish is on and running, or even when you're pulling in a large stick or garbage. Spinning reels get all bouncy and you get frame flex toward the rod tip, while baitcasters start rotating in the rod seat. That's when you lose the solid connected feel between your hand and the rod/reel, and the reel's smoothness and drag are out the window.

[@jessy61071]

Even at 1.5 times speed the review and voice are clear are great. Keep up the good shit

[@snip6289]

thanks for this share ;)

[@gabrielonatyu]

Nice video dude, can you review the piscifun saex elite?

[@ifishcatfish]

I actually found your reviews way more technical. I have not seen anything technical in The Reel Test channel, but i checked it because of u. He just casts against the wind and pushes a wheel on the ground (obviously not in a straight line). I didnt see all videos, maybe i missed something.

[@giovanniluca3432]

Have you thought about doing some Kastking reel reviews. Seems like the Assassin would be competition for the phantom at a similar price point.

[@justinnmatthew1527]

If have the time and money, pls do a review on the Kastking Spartacus reel ! Would love to hear your thoughts and opinion on that !

[@rafaelbatalha5379]

Hello, how are you. I'm from Brazil and I have a kastiking assassin reel and I'm hoping to get another (kastiking stealth). What do you think of Kastiking? What do you think of these reels? I really like your videos.

[@anglerandy5736]

Looking through all your videos... What do you recommend for a sub $200 bfs system on Amazon prime including rod and reel? Still tsurinoya?

[@irwancastinger]

Mntp joss boss

[@Thundra74]

many thank i am looking in piscifun Phantom reviews but i cant find reliable reviews often sponsored review ! Only john's Fish Tales give to me some correct point. The piscifun Phantom and his brother (from other father) kastking Assassin are pretty the same some ball bearing of difference but no practical difference. Iam considering this reel rather than curado ...a lot of bucks in my pocket for other stuff! Good analysis about centrifugal brake friction on esternal wall , i suppose now that trasparent grease you found during unpackaging was not an assembly mistake. A bit disappointed about drag behaviour . I also prefer smooth (greased)drag vs strong but not linear drag who remind me ABS of my car brake. I think this ABS functioning when high load and dry can due not uniform pressing plate or deformation of flexible carbon washer. First brand often have coronal washer (void at center) to avoid anomay torsion on full washer. And now I go to see THE REEL TEST reviews.

[@JoLeng205000]

Are you a Singaporean? Your video is great!

[@user-bk2zp1uv6t]

Good review. Maybe 17lb max drag is when the spool is near empty.

[@sls1794]

As i can see you definitely break a reel down do a review on the mh torrent rod 7-6

[@erickpadete2525]

Starts explaining review at 2:25 and starts the real review at 8:35 (straight into the review).

[@jartur2631]

Hi dude! Once I had a reel with the same problem with the magnetic brake, what I did was just to take off one of the magnets. Problem solved! Whay don't you try it instead of oiling the magnetic brake? Best wishes from México!

[@suncoaster8578]

New sub.

[@gghrtyhcccuse1950]

Can you plz do a review on the phantom x bc I don't know if I should by it

[@JeffGonzales]

How would you compare this reel to the Okuma Helios Baitcast reel?

[@brandonlim6892]

And just a feedback from me on this reel. Not sure if my line problem or what. I used 6lb suffix x4 braid on it with a Sure catch Zapula ZPL602C-ML. And i cast 3 time with this reel and 3 time my braid break even with slightest warmup cast. The spool did not bird nest, the braid just break. I suspect the spool overrun a bit in my cast and it hit the reel reinforcement bar that sit right below the reel line guide. And since the bar was quite sharp in nature, and it might just cut the braid. For now i had tape the bar to blunt the edge and will try to cast again and see if that help. If it's help, i might look to modify the the bar to be cut off from the reel. LOL

[@brandonlim6892]

Latest update on this. seem like it was my rod guide is having problem. Will keep posting once i solve the rod guide problem and try again.

[@BCSGFishing]

I was thinking it had to be something along those lines, random line breaks are usually the result of a cracked guide or a bad batch of line. Definitely update on how it turns out after fixing your guide.

[@brandonlim6892]

Well, so far so good. Not sure if my line problem. If I apply some power to try to cast it further, and some degree of overrun occur then the line is gonna break. I guess maybe my line was too light or dry? Tomorrow gonna try to wet my spool before casting and see if it's help or not.Well, still not a bad day i guess, got an unexpected catch of a palm size Tinfoil barb with Kyoto Spin Pencil. lol

[@brandonlim6892]

Tested out this morning. Swap the 6lb suffix into my blackmax and the lure cast perfectly. Tested on the phantom with a 20lb upro magic braid. Bi hun still occur, but since it's 20lb line so it doesnt break. But not sure why no matter how i set the tension and brake, the spool is still overrun itself when casting. Any idea what i missed out while setting the phantom? Just for your information, my rod 2-6lb medium light rod with lure rating of 3-10g and my lure is 7g exp topwater soft frog. Side arm cast, overhead cast, all has high percentages of bihun/birdnest. The only cast that i manage to cast with less bihun are what we call silent entry cast which has low trajectory cast.

[@brandonlim6892]

Oh yeah, i noticed phatom has an option of some kind shallow spool. You might want to look into it though.

[@BCSGFishing]

You are the 3rd person to tell me that, now I'm seriously curious cos I haven't heard of a shallow option for the Phantom! Do you happen to have a link?

[@brandonlim6892]

www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Piscifun-Phantom-Shallow-Spool-Fishing-Reel-16-7g-Lightweight-Dual-Brake-Baitcasting-Reel-Spare-spool-Replacement/2994050_32852242980.html?spm=2114.12010612.0.0.5e044ff6SIPbAq here you go. But it labeled as spare spool though. Well not exactly a shallow spool. But shallow than it's original spool.

[@anthonyoh9488]

Nice review. Was wondering if we can get it in local tackle stores.

[@BCSGFishing]

Thanks! To my knowledge no one has brought it in and I don't think anyone will la to be honest, local shops carry mostly branded stuff

[@anthonyoh9488]

Lol noted

[@chadsnowball6550]

How does this compare to the “Torrent”?

[@herbertgearing1702]

Max drag isn't something that I care about really. I feel like smoothness is way more important. I have noticed that many reels advertised max drag must be tested with the drag completely locked down, and even then it is often "optimistic". I recently purchased the piscifun saex elite baitcaster along with the optional shallow spool from the piscifun website. The reel is fantastic, the shallow spool weighed in between 11-12(it was listed as 20 grams) grams with the bearing(it has 13 bearings). It is very lightweight (approx. 167 grams) but has an aluminum frame, spool, and drag star as well as a few other aluminum parts. It uses a different centrifugal drag style with it's dual drag system, which seems a bit less solid than the one on the phantom, but it weighs much less as well. I believe the reel and extra spool cost me 110-120 US dollars. It appears to be identical to the Ardent Apex elite reel that retails for 149 without the spool and possibly also the Hiabo smart. It's a pretty great value and with the shallow spool it is comfortably casting 3-4 grams for me in my initial testing. I am pleasantly surprised by the quality and glad I decided to take a chance on piscifun, I usually stick to Shimano, Daiwa, and Abu because I know what to expect for the money spent on those brands.

[@redzuanhashim1193]

yup..you can use thumb brake

[@ronaldtohweirong8002]

Hi, do you ever got any fine for fishing illegal spots? If so, can you tell me the process? I would really appreciate this.

[@BCSGFishing]

To my knowledge it's just like any other fine. You will receive a letter stating your offense and the amount, which you must pay via AXS machine by the specified date.

[@cuttlefishpie3731]

Will this work for ultralight baitcasting lures?

[@BCSGFishing]

Nope it won't, as I mentioned in the review, I could go down to 4g but not reliably, 5.5g and above is where I put it, so definitely not a bfs reel.

[@brandonlim6892]

Noticed a lot of people saying that piscifun phantom reel has a very good casting ability as it's very smooth. So just to check. How well does it cast a light lure like bfs genre lure? Is it possible?

[@BCSGFishing]

I would say that is a definite no for the Phantom. As I mentioned in the review, I couldn't get it to cast reliably below 4g. It is not a bfs class reel.

[@brandonlim6892]

I see. Noted. Go back and listen your review again and found out you do mentioned anything below 4g is will not cast well. My Bad. Then i guess i will get a XF50 as the beginner.

[@brandonlim6892]

Oh yeah, i noticed phatom has an option of some kind shallow spool. You might want to look into it though.

[@trungtranminh3938]

Bro what this is rod ( in clips) and size?

[@Jon-nz3dm]

Most companies saying 15+ pounds of drag on a bass reel can’t back it up lol. Even those Abu reels claiming 22+ or whatever a lot of them say can’t actually do near that much for any period of time

[@redzuanhashim1193]

the carbon handle have bearings?

[@raveneighty8145]

Do they sell this on AliExpress?

[@bhogeke1330]

I saw your review then I bought the Piscifun Phantom reel from Amazon and when I received it I put 30lb braided line onto the reel the line did not sit properly on the spool. The line was off to one side. The reel was obviously defective. The next day I contacted Piscifun customer service about the problem and they asked me to take pictures of the line on the reel and send it to them, which I did. Then they asked me if I could disassemble the reel and replace a some washer, I did not want to disassemble change out parts. So, I Asked if I could exchange my defective Phantom reel for a properly working reel. Piscifun asked me to ship them the defective reel first and pay out of my own pocket for shipment, and they told me NOT to return the reel to Amazon. By this time I had already spent my time and fishing line and money on the Piscifun Phantom reel which arrived defective. I also missed out of fishing time. Please beware when you buy Piscifun products they are not the quality you expect, and the Piscifun is not good at customer satisfaction. I ended up returning the Piscifun Phantom reel to Amazon.

[@georgefisher1719]

Sometimes if you dont load the reel up with the line starting in the middle the line lay goes off ...

[@RyanSmith-fb8rf]

User error spooling the reel

[@mosicnflowmuasyaj9748]

Stop complaining it's a $50 to $70 reel it's one of the best baitcaster you can buy on the market, the price is right!

[@grandwonder5858]

Let this guy do a review on an $800 Penn reel with the same critical eye and it too wouldn't fare any better than this $60 reel!

[@momentsvideo9977]

What this is Rod bro?

[@robertveith3400]

Every time you change lure size you have. To change the brakes

[@trungtranminh3938]

What this is rod?

[@Jorjito1989GDios]

My reel have a lot of grease, have no gap, no play on push button

[@charlesgurnea2004]

Please use oz then grams

[@iliasstavropoulos6726]

Hello, and how are you. Great video great reviews. My name is Ilias and live in Australia. I need help to choose the right equipment to purchase. Perhaps you can help me with the following request. I am the one asking for advice friend. And in no way I will hold you responsible. I have never used baitcasting reel and rod and would like to try it for once. I need good control until I get experience to stop line tangle. I am looking to purchase a baitcasting reel with a relatively large pulling force for ocean fishing. The reel to have a deep spool for fishing line management. The reel to have two types of braking systems, manual and magnetic. It will make me more comfortable at the learning stage. A clicking sound would be great when adjustments are made to the reel if it’s possible. A good and strong baitcasting rod to suit the reels casting and pulling force for ocean fishing. Fishing line to suit maximum and minimum reel capabilities. Braid, and monofilament. If you know of a shop in Singapore with online purchase facilities for me to purchase the above items would be very helpful also. Can you help me please????? Thank you.

[@onfootbassin]

Why does your music sound like some girl getting off? 🤔

[@brandonfunke9415]

Better then hearing some dude gettin-off!....

[@bradwalgrave5329]

Don't waist your money. Buy a shimano.

[@kojikuza4661]

waste