Baitcasting reels require a little more experience to excel at as compared to a spinning reel. Therefore, it is important to invest in the best baitcast reel for light tackle.
With the variety of options available in the market, it can get quite challenging to make an informed choice. You need to do a lot of research to come to a good conclusion. We have designed this buying guide to help you choose the best baitcast reel for light tackle.
KastKing Rover Round Baitcasting Reel – The Best Baitcast Reel for Light Tackle
If you are looking for a well-designed baitcasting reel with a reasonable cost, KastKing Rover Round Baitcasting Reel is the answer for you. This reel will give you an excellent experience throughout your fishing adventure.
It is undeniably the best baitcast reel for light tackle. It has a number of unbeatable features that make it so valuable.
The following is a brief list of all the features it boasts of.
- 5:3:1 gear ratio
- Hard adonized aluminum alloy spool
- Centrifugal brakes
- 6 stainless steel ball bearings
Let’s discuss each feature one by one.
Pros
- Excellent durability
- Rust-resistant body
- Powerful performance
- Easy to use
- Affordable price
Cons
- It is heavier than many other reels
Manufacturer
KastKing is a renowned company in casting reels. They are the first ones who created the saltwater baitcasting reels. So, when the reel is made by them, you can easily be assured of excellent quality.
Casting Control
As mentioned in the features, the KastKing Rover Round Baitcasting Reel has a centrifugal brake. This brake works to control the speed of the bait. It is especially useful when you are fishing for larger fish that fight more.
The brake system is reliable and consistent. It will deliver an even pressure on the cast. As a basic law of Physics, the braking force is proportional to the speed of the spool. This means that a higher spool speed translates into a higher brake force too.
Ball Bearings
The reel’s ball bearings are made from stainless steel. Therefore, you will get a smooth fishing experience while retrieving and casting. Furthermore, the ball bearings come in different sizes. They work to reduce the friction between the parts. So, the reel will move freely without any issues.
As the ball bearings are made with stainless steel, they won’t get corroded in heavy saltwater. This adds to the durability factor of the reel.
Gear Ratio
The gear ratio is the number of times a spool can circulate for a full turn of the handle. It determines the speed of retrieval. This reel offers a 5:3:1 gear ratio.
Easy to use
This reel is very easy to use even if you are just a beginner. It has straightforward functionality that doesn’t need years of experience. This is an important factor that stands out in this reel.
Warranty
I love the life-long warranty they offer. However, the warranty applies only to consumer use, not on commercial or industrial use. So, you can invest in their products without worrying about anything.
BulletProof
The side plates and spool are made from hard adonized aluminum alloy. This means that the reel won’t corrode easily. This feature is not easy to find in other reels in this league.
Drag System
Another feature to be noted is the drag system. It lets you have a drag of up to 9 kilograms. So, thanks to KastKing Rover Round Baitcasting Reel, gone are the days when the reel would break under heavy loads.
Performance
This reel offers unmatched performance at a very affordable cost. Its durability and quality of the materials are the best you can get.
The following is a summarized list of pros and cons.
Great features at a competitive price make this the best choice. It is an excellent combination of durability, performance, and quality. We would definitely recommend this reel as the best baitcast reel for a light tackle.
What is a Baitcast reel?
Before we talk about the factors, let’s define a baitcaste reel. In simple words, a baitcasting reel is opposite to a spinning reel.
Basically, a baitcasting reel has a revolving spool. The reel sits on the casting rod. The handles come in right-handed and left-handed models. You can’t switch the handles, so you must purchase the one that is according to your handedness.
There are two kinds of baitcasting reels:
- Round profile
- Low profile
We will discuss the specs of both in the buying guide.
How to choose the best baitcast reel for light tackle?
Weight
For a low profile baitcaster reel, a lighter weight is better as it will be easier on the wrist. On the other hand, if you are going for a larger reel, you should opt for a heavier weight by almost half the amount.
Gear Ratio
Low profile baitcasting reels have a smaller spool size. Therefore, they have a higher gear ratio. On the other hand, the average gear ratio for round profiles is 6.0:1.
Line Capacity
Low profiles have a smaller spool length. So, they will have aa smaller line capacity too. Round profile reels have a longer length and more line capacity too. This makes them best for fish that take long runs.
Drag
Low profile reels don’t have that good a drag system as round baitcasters have.
Targeted Fish Types
For a low profile reel, your targeted fish should be bass, trout, pan, etc. So, if you want to fish for small to medium-sized fish, you should go for a low profile baitcaster.
On the other hand, if you want to fish tuna, musky, sturgeon, halibut, etc. you will need a round profile baitcaster. So, which one you buy is more of a personal choice than anything else.
Based on all the factors listed in this buying guide, let’s review the best baitcast reel for light tackle.
Other related articles:
- KastKing Summer and Centron Spinning Reels Review
- 4 Types of Fishing Reels Most Commonly Used by Anglers
- 10 Best Deep Sea Fishing Reels [Saltwater,Offshore & Conventional Models]
Updated: February 9, 2023
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