I picked up the KastKing Assassin last fall and have spent a lot of time using it and abusing it to see where its limits hit. When I first got the reel and spent some time playing with it in the kitchen, I was very impressed with the overall build and how smooth it was. But yes, it was brand new and I would hope all reels coming out of the box would be that smooth. So I knew I wanted to give it some time and use it a lot before I could give a review for this reel.
I started out spooling up with the KastKing Mega 8 50-pound braid and mounting it all on a KastKing Phantom Kayak Casting Rod. The 7-foot medium-heavy fast action rod with the 50-pound braid was a great combination with me on my kayaks and ripping heavy jigs through heavy cover. Plus when I got hung up, it would easily pull my kayak up closer.
This reel in combination with the Phantom rod cast everything I put on it from baby crankbaits to 1-ounce jigs. As I continued to use this combination this spring and summer, I started to notice the casting slowing down. I did not oil the reel or clean it as I figured that the 50-pound braid was starting to cause more drag. I had that problem with a 3-year-old Abu Garcia Black Max I was also using at the same time. So I spooled the Assassin and the Black Max both with 12-pound mono assuming they would both work like new with some new mono. The Black Max came out with the new line and was casting like new. The Assassin, on the other hand, was still dragging. When I say it was dragging, it really wasn’t an issue. But after using this reel as much as I have, I could tell it just wasn’t cast as smoothly as it once did just a few months before. I still use the reel today and it’s not causing any issues, I’m just guessing that it needs a good cleaning and it will be fine. Maybe it just needs a little more TLC than others. As an avid angler, I should probably be taking better care of my reels anyway.
For the money, the KastKing Assassin is a quality reel and the dual braking is a feature anyone could take advantage of. I really recommend it for anglers that are wanting to try baitcasting for the first time.
7/17/2017 – I took the Assassin reel apart, cleaned it up, and oiled it really well. It does a lot better but still doesn’t cast as smoothly as my 3-year-old Black Max that’s never been cleaned or oiled.
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I like how honest this review is! I've come to the realization lately that I've never used high quality fishing gear (2 browning stalker gold baitcaster combos are my most expensive), and I've wondered if the expensive stuff is worth it. I play guitar also and I know expensive and boutique is better, generally, and wonder what I've been missing not buying high end fishing gear.
Thanks. An "average" price for some of the stuff wouldn't hurt but I'll probably check one out anyways.
Maybe from bouncing around it just needs readjusted.If it's only gonna last a year I'd rather spend more. I have reals over ten years old and work fine with jus a little oil now and then
Interested in this combo. Mostly fished with Ugly Sticks, but have been looking around for a better quality rod and reel for my kayak fishing in my local lake. Your review did a good job giving the positives and negatives. Interested to hear how the reel fares after a good cleaning.
I am going to strip in down and give it a good scrub this weekend before hitting the water Sunday. Will follow up on the article with how it does.
Sounds like a good update for older equipment.
Thank you for the review. Always good to hear the good and the bad.
Excellent review. I have numerous KastKing reels and am impressed with the build quality and price point.
Very impressive reel. Glad to see companies focused more on quality and not just making a buck. I will have to look into KastKing more.
Congrats Eric, you won the reel
thanks for the review. am really interested in the rod seems like a nice rod for the price
Congrats to Eric (the one that posted Aug 12) for winning the KastKing Assassin Reel.