I recently got my hands on the new KastKing ReKon spinning reel and want to share my initial impression and experiences with you, so you can determine if it’s the right fit for your fishing arsenal. The folks at KastKing have earned a loyal following among anglers for producing affordable yet reliable fishing gear.
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The new KastKing ReKon is the latest addition to the KastKing lineup of quality, durable, and affordable saltwater spinning reels. Featuring a corrosion-resistant Nylitech frame and 5 double-shielded stainless steel ball bearings, the ReKon can handle the toughest saltwater conditions. It comes in six sizes from the lighter 2500 to the large 8000 series and with an industry-leading maximum drag pressure of up to 55 pounds of pull. A great saltwater spinning reel option that won’t break the bank.
KastKing has several great saltwater reel options, beginning with their high-end Kapstan Elite Saltwater Spinning Reel. It’s an awesome saltwater spinning reel, but, with a price tag close to $200, it may be a bit pricey for some anglers.
| KastKing ReKon | KastKing Kapstan Elite | |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
| Water Resistance | Water Resistant | IPX6 Waterproof |
| Corrosion Resistance | Yes, Nylitech Frame and Rotor | Yes, CNC Aluminum Frame and Spool |
| Bearings | 5 + 1 Shielded Stainless Bearings | 6 + 1 Shielded Stainless Bearings |
| Gear Ratio | 5.2:1 up to 6.2:1 | 5.7:1 |
| CHECK PRICE & REVIEWS | CHECK PRICE & REVIEWS |
With the introduction of the ReKon, KastKing has produced a high-quality saltwater spinning reel at a budget-friendly price. The ReKon is not just a lower-priced reel, it offers a middle ground, at just under $100, with features and performance of much higher priced reels.
What is a Saltwater Fishing Reel?
In case you didn’t already know, saltwater is tough on your gear. From rods and reels to rigs and even your vehicle, saltwater can destroy it. Saltwater reels are designed to minimize the effects of the corrosive marine environment. They include special materials, coatings, and sealed bearings to protect against saltwater.
Features of the KastKing ReKon Spinning Reel
Right out of the box, the KastKing ReKon spinning reel speaks to quality. Its design gives off the impression of a reel that’s both loaded with features and durable.
Every component from the anti-reverse switch to the reinforced bail arm adds to the reel’s reliability. The ReKon is designed from the ground up to withstand the harsh saltwater environment and give you many years of reliable service.
The KastKing ReKon is Saltwater Tough
As with all the saltwater fishing reels in the KastKing line-up, the ReKon is no different and built to repel the saltwater environment, keeping the reel working great for years to come. The ReKon comes with EverSeal rubber rings positioned in vital component areas to minimize water intrusion.
The seamless one-piece bail is tough as nails and is a precision piece of equipment. The ReKon has a high-strength pinion gear, CNC heavy-duty hardened brass main gear, and a stainless main shaft giving you a reel that can handle the toughest environments.
Technical Specifications
Examining the KastKing ReKon’s technical specifications gives details about what you can expect. First of all, the reel’s body comprises high-strength NyliTech, promising durability without excess weight.
NyliTech is a fiberglass-infused nylon material that adds strength and rigidity while remaining lightweight. This produces a reel with the power to handle the fight of big fish and is also saltwater resistant.
The reel comes standard with a CNC aluminum handle arm and oversized TPE power handle knob. The KastKing ReKon has a deep braid-ready spool reel meaning you don’t need backing to fish it with braid. The ReKon also offers a balanced range of gear ratios from 5.2:1 to 6.2:1, suitable for a variety of fishing techniques.
Quality corrosion-resistant bearings are required for a smooth operating and durable saltwater fishing reel. The KastKing ReKon includes five MaxiDur double-shielded stainless steel ball bearings, a specially designed polymer roller bearing, and an 8-pin stainless steel one-way bearing in its anti-reverse feature.
KastKing ReKon Spinning Reel Features Drag Power and More…
KastKing reels, especially their saltwater fishing reel offerings, offer some of the smoothest and most powerful drags for a given reel size in the industry. The ReKon saltwater spinning reel is no exception and comes in six different sizes from the smaller 2500 series to the large 8000 series.
The smaller reels, the 2500, 3000, and 4000 incorporate a double disc carbon fiber drag system providing up to 30 pounds of max drag pressure. The larger 5000 and 6000 series ReKons use a triple disc system that ups the maximum drag pressure to 40 pounds.
The large 8000 series ReKon uses a quadruple disc giving it a massive 55 pounds of maximum drag. The drag was not only strong but impressively smooth when tackling big red drum and jack crevalle in the surf.
The KastKing ReKon’s Performance on the Water
When I took the KastKing ReKon out for a day on the beach, castability was my first test. The weight distribution and smooth bail release meant my lures were landing exactly where I wanted with little effort.
Retrieval is where the ReKon really shines. The reel’s internal mechanics operated without hiccups, resulting in a very smooth retrieve. The reel feels strong yet lightweight and the anti-reverse feature kicks in instantaneously, a great feature of the reel’s precise engineering.
As I was reeling, I noticed that the line lay on the spool was even, which would reduce the chances of wind knots and allow for longer casts. These are all important performance factors to consider when you compare the KastKing ReKon to the competition.
The KastKing ReKon vs the Competition
So, how does the KastKing ReKon stand up to its rivals? Price shouldn’t be your only factor; I also weigh features and performance. It’s important to compare apples to apples, so I’ve chosen reels with similar capabilities for a fair comparison.
The Piscifun NatiX Saltwater Spinning reel is priced similarly and while both are saltwater resistant, the Rekon offers a wider range of reel sizes and a stronger drag system. The Piscifun NatiX does come with 8 bearings versus the KastKing ReKon with 5.
The Okuma ITX Carbon saltwater spinning reel is priced a bit higher than the KastKing ReKon and has fewer reel size options. It is built with a rigid carbon fiber body for corrosion resistance and comes with 8 bearings and Okuma’s hydro block gasket to seal out water. It also features a faster 6.0:1 gear ratio compared to the Rekon’s 5.2:1
Finally, the Daiwa BG saltwater spinning reels have proven themselves to be strong and durable reels for a wide variety of fishing conditions. They feature a slightly faster gear ratio than the ReKon with 7 bearings vs 5 for the KastKing and have a wider range of reel sizes. However, they don’t provide anywhere near the max drag that the KastKing ReKon has and the Daiwa BG is a bit more expensive as well.
Pros and Cons of The KastKing ReKon Saltwater Spinning Reel
In the following table, I will break down what are, in my opinion, the pros and cons of the KastKing ReKon.
Pros of the KastKing ReKon
| Saltwater and Corrosion Resistant |
| Strong, Ridgid, and Lightweight Frame |
| High-Speed 5.2:1 Gear Ratio |
| Industry Leading Maximum Drag Pressure |
| Features a Braid-Ready Spool |
| Budget-Friendly Price |
Cons of the KastKing ReKon
| Fewer Bearings than Some of the Competitors |
| Few Local Options for Servicing |
| Not Easy to Find One to Try before you Buy. |
Who is the KastKing ReKon For?
Now, let’s talk about who gets the most from the ReKon, summing up its place in the market. Before you can decide whether to buy a KastKing ReKon Saltwater Spinning Reel or not, you need to ask yourself a few questions.
- Where are you fishing – Beach, Boat, Inshore or Offshore?
- What length fishing rod do you plan on using?
- What weight line and lures/bait will you be using?
- What will you be fishing for?
These are some of the factors you should consider before choosing any fishing reel, particularly on the saltwater side where you have such a wide variety of fishing scenarios and gamefish species.
If you’re looking for a smooth, strong, and reliable reel, the KastKing ReKon is a great option. I spend most of my saltwater fishing either casting in the surf or from a kayak in the back bays. My rods and reels not only have to be saltwater resistant but also deal with the abuse of bouncing around in the back of my truck as I 4-wheel down the beach.
With the KastKing ReKon, I can toss artificials for speckled trout with a 6000 series and cast baits on the bottom for big red drum and sharks with the larger 8000 series reel. In my half-century of saltwater fishing, I’ve used reels from Shimano, Penn, Daiwa, Abu Garcia, Okuma, and many others.
The KastKing ReKon is a great value for a true saltwater spinning reel at a budget-friendly price. Are there “better” reels out there? No doubt, but they come with a bigger price tag and often the performance difference doesn’t justify the price difference. 😉
Final Verdict: The KastKing ReKon is a Great Value
The KastKing ReKon delivers a reel that is priced to give saltwater anglers a reliable, smooth-operating, and powerful saltwater spinning reel without breaking the bank. It is comparable to some of the more popular brand reels in both price and performance.
KastKing offers some great saltwater fishing reels and their drag systems and max drag are second to none. If you are looking to either get started into saltwater fishing or just want to add a quality “blue collar” reel to your line-up, I highly recommend the KastKing ReKon.
As always, stay safe, enjoy the journey and please try to leave it cleaner than you found it. If you have any comments, questions, ideas, or suggestions please leave them in the comment section below and I’ll get back to you ASAP. You can follow us on Facebook: Rex The Beach Angler, Instagram: thebeachangler7, Twitter: @AnglerBeach, and YouTube: Man Art Creations.
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A life long surf fisherman with 50+ years of experience, I am also an avid hunter and outdoorsman. I will be sharing my passion for the outdoors with you so be prepared for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and more. Along with gear reviews and the latest trends and innovations in the outdoor industry.
