Received my KastKing Kestrel 1000 SFS reel a few minutes ago .
First impressions, impressive little reel. More of a size 750 IMO .
Review with pics coming later .
Taking it fishing tomorrow.
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Received my KastKing Kestrel 1000 SFS reel a few minutes ago .
First impressions, impressive little reel. More of a size 750 IMO .
Review with pics coming later .
Taking it fishing tomorrow.
Sounds like a great reel
I spent about an hour with the new reel this afternoon.
I spooled it up with my favorite line , 2# P-Line Floroclear and mounted it on an older model 5’6” St Croix Trout Seriee rod .
The rod is similar to the one I’ve ordered specifically for this reel , a 5’6” St Croix Avid ULF2 .
The new rod is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow.
I took the combo out to my driveway for a few casts with a 1/64 Trout Magnet jig and TM body .
Trying to time the breeze this afternoon I was able to get 58’-59’ feet consistently. With one cast about six inches short of sixty feet.
The reel feels like a quality reel , from the click when I open the the bail , to the smooth wobble free handle and spool when winding .
The the only con I find on this reel is the gear ratio , a 6.2/1 . I would have been happier with a 4.9/1 .
I expected it be hard to start up when winding due to the fast gearing, but it’s rather easy to wind .
I think KastKing has built an ultralight contender .
We’ll see . I hope to take it fishing at the Town pond tomorrow morning for a couple hours . Hopefully I can find one of the shellcrackers that swim in there and give this reel a workout .
BTW , the 10/1 stainless steel double shielded ball bearing carbon body reel has a carbon disc drag .
Oh yeah , I almost forgot , it only weighs 4.6oz.
I took a picture of it with a Daiwa Fuego LT 1000 on top and a Shimano Sahara 500 on the bottom.
Like the new Daiwa Presso , it’s made in China , but at almost a third of the price.
And if I find I don’t like it , I’ve got thirty days to return it.
More pics tomorrow, hopefully with fish .
Sweet! Looking forward to your success posting.
Good looking reels
Looks good and fits into the group size pretty well. I’m looking forward to hearing how it works. Lots lighter than the Sahara, but they keep reaching out to me too. I’ve already have a few of those in the bigger sizes and they do very well.
Congrats!
Regards
An update on my KastKing Kestrel SFS reel.
I liked the Kestrel’s super lightweight and smoothness, so I bought a second .
I’m bad about buying things I like in twos . :)
Well , I’m not as happy with the second purchase .
It has a defect and is going back .
Thing one has a bump at the top and the bottom of the spool cycle . Similar to what I experienced with my Shimano Ultegra LT , except the Ultegra sticks at the bottom of the spool cycle.
Very annoying when slow cranking a small spinner or swimming a light jig .
Poor quality control or just my bad luck !
I can find the lemon in a group . :)
I can find them also
Years ago...2008-2010.....I did a lot of shopping at BasPro. Back then I used Sedona and Sahara reels. I would literally go through 5 or 6 reels at the counter until I found one that did not grind.....I mean it was bad. The guy that worked the counter told me that was how they came in. Obviously some bad QC going on.
Regards
I think all manufacturers have QC issues .Quote:
Originally Posted by Alphahawk
I guess I’m just lucky at finding the bad apple . LOL !
I just wanted to update everyone since I liked the first one so much .
That’s one reason I’m so hesitant about paying $300+ for a Presso . I’m afraid I’d get one that’s not as smooth as my Fuego 1000 Lt .
My buddy has a Pfleuger President that is like that. Sent it back couple of times for repair and came back the same way each time. Only really noticeable if really slowly reeling which we do. That tick though is annoying and can be confused with a bite. I’ve never had any issues with any of mine and everyone seems to love them.
I too have lots of presidents and they sometimes have a personality. The XT and the majority of the others do well though. None of them are as smooth and solid feeling as my 20 year old Daiwa. I’ve worn out a few of about every reel makers stuff, some better than others.
Update on my KastKing Kestrel 1000 SFS reel
I posted a review of my reel on Amazon on how disappointing my second purchase for a Kestrel was and the issue I was having with it .
KastKing must read these reviews as they reached out to me and offered to replace my Kestrel, free of charge .
That is great customer service and shows me they are committed to making a competitive product.
I’ve , of course, accepted their offer and will let you know if and when I get my Kestrel replacement.
I didn’t have Shimano offer to replace my Ultegra 1000s that still doesn’t work properly.
That's good to hear gillchaser. Anxious to hear how the replacement works out.
Good to hear. No, Shimano and Daiwa will not do that. I was surprised to find out from several folks who had an issue with Abu Garcia items bought in Japan, that when contacting Abu Garcia USA they arranged for them to get those items replaced. Shimano nor Daiwa USA will work on or service a JDM reel even though the same model may be sold in USA.Quote:
Originally Posted by gillchaser999
Regards
Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com
They won’t even return an email about a rod purchased here in the USA . I bought several Daiwa rods a few years ago . Two of them snapped on their first fishing trip.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alphahawk
I emailed them twice about the one year warranty they supposedly came with the rod .
CRICKETS ! I’m still waiting for a return email.
I got an email saying they have shipped my new Kestrel reel .
BTW KastKing has a new Kestrel Finesse rod . I saw it on Facebook and went to their website and ordered the 5’2” Featherlight power , fast action . Rated for 1-3# line , 1/64-1/10 lure weight .
Has American Tackle Ti forged guides with aluminum oxide duralight rings . I like the looks of the guides and the grip .
Says they are designed to cast lightweight baits into tight spaces .
The only thing bothers me is the rod weight 3.41 oz . I’m use to a five foot rod being around 2 oz or less .
Let you know when they arrive .
That’s a little rod. I hope it’s as much fun as my five footer is. I have no specs on my rod other than length and conjecture. Keep us posted.
Got my replacement KastKing Kestrel SFS 1000 reel today .
Great customer service !
Got my new KastKing Kestrel FeatherLight 5’2” rod today too.
A little stiff for a featherlight IMO . Rated 1-3# line 1/64- 1/10 lures .
Rod is supposed to weigh 3.4oz , doesn’t feel heavy . Actually pretty light feel with the reel on it . Nice neutral balance . Grip feels pretty good.
I loaded the little reel with some KastKing 6# braid , tied on a 1/64 trout magnet and took it outside to my testing lab ( driveway) .
49-52’ out of six casts . Not bad for dry braid .
I’m anxious to get it on the water and get it a proper sliming with some gill slime . :)
Good looking setup.
Enjoy the new outfit. It's good to hear of their excellent customer service !