KastKing Rover 60R Reel ReviewThe reel arrived in a nice box and a nice cloth bag for storage.Inside the box was a schematic and parts list. This is very good as parts wear out and often need replacement. The schematic was small but readable.The reel was larger and heavier than I expected but very sturdy. Size wise it is larger than an Abu Garcia Ambassador 6500 but not as large or heavy as a 7000.The line spool is solid and a nice gold color. It is wider and of larger diameter than the Abu 6500. I was thinking it would hold more line but I was wrong.The spool release button is larger and over hangs more on the KastKing. Attempting to fill the spool all the way up to its max results in the line hitting the spool release button.Both reels hold about 240 to 250 yards of 15lb Berkley Big Game Monofilament Line.I noticed that the level wind assembly was all metal and appeared durable. This compares to both the Abu 6500 C4 approx. $135 and The Abu 7000 approx. $149. Both run smoothly and track well although the Abu Garcia Reels lay the line a little more evenly across the spool.Comparing the level wind to a Abu Garcia 6500-S approx. $60 the Abu also lays down the line smoother but it has a nylon drive tooth that will not wear as well as the $52 KastKing 60.Then I decided to get down to business and get inside the reels.The good news is most of the drive gears and bearings are metal and strong on the KastKing Rover 60 and the Abu 6500 C4. I noticed the spindle size on the C4 to a little thicker but it appeared only a mm or so. I did not take the time to micrometer them.Comparing it to the Abu 6500-S there was more metal and the construction was much better. Comparing the KastKing Rover 60 to the Abu 7000 is like comparing a Ford F150 to an F350 Super Duty. There is no real comparison. It will not stand up to a 150lb bull shark on the other end like the 7000 could (at max).However I would have no reservations taking on a 25lb redfish with this reel.A spin test of just the spool on the spindle outside the reel body revealed that all three reels: KastKing Rover 60, Abu Garcia 6500 C4 and the Abu 6500-S could be made to spin 40 to 60 sec and appeared equivalent in speed. I ran this test to see how pimp able they were to modifications like installing ceramic bearings, removing the level wind assembly, and adding a magnetic brake cast control.The three reels mentioned above are all equivalent here. (The Abu 7000 spins longer because the spool is significantly heavier)Still inside the reels all of the Abu Garcia Reels come with six set able centrifugal brakes as well as one or two spool tensions knobs. The KastKing has only two and they are on whether you like it or not.The Abu 6500 reels come with 4 of the brakes set to the on position at the factory. I changed this to two for my cast test later in the review.Getting back to cast control the KastKing has two spool tension knobs like the Abu 7000. This is an advantage as the star drag gets in the way of your fingers on the Abu Garcia with only one on the right side.The clicker assemblies on all three reels were similar with neither really out shining the other. All were adequate to leave the spool in free spool and let the sound alert you on a quiet night bait fishing. None was loud enough to do this on the beach with the waves coming in.I put the reels back together and filled them with 15lb Big Game Monofilament Line. I mounted them on a Diawa Acculite 9ft Salmon/Steelhead Medium Action Rod.Attaching a fish scale to a loop tied in the line I tightened the drag all the way down and did three pull tests of one foot. The Abu 6500 claim 15lbs of drag but he C4 only delivered 14.6. The 6500-S claimed 15 but only delivered 11.3. The KastKing Rover Claimed 13.5 and delivered 13.8. The Abu 7000 claims 20 but delivered 27.7.The Abu 6500 reels and the KastKing were then set to 5lbs and pulled through a 20ft walk away. The KastKing and the Abu 6500 C4 had less than 0.5lb variance during the walk. The Abu 6500-S failed this test on the third walk.(The line broke) All three were pull tested three times over 20ft.Now we get down to the casting part:Three cast were made with the Abu 6500 C4, the Abu 6500-S and the KastKing Rover 60 using a 1oz pyramid sinker with a one foot drop down from the rod tip. This was repeated with a 7ft drop down and a Brighton Surf Cast and finally with a full blown Tournament Type of Pendulum Cast.All three reels were within the margin of individual variance for a single reel.The one foot drop casts went 70 to 75 yards.The Brighton Casts went 85 to 95 yardsThe Pendulum Casts went 95 to 125 yards.You will note that as I went to the more difficult surf and tournament casts the variance widened. This is due to my own operator error as I am not a tournament caster and the angle of release is not as consistent between each individual cast with these tournament techniques.The Abu 6500 C4 was quieter on the cast and the KastKing Rover made more spool noise but both beat the Abu 6500-S here.My final conclusion is that the KastKing Rover 60 at $52 compares very favorable to the Abu 6500 C4 at $135 and is a real bargain. Don’t waist your money on the Abu 6500-S at $60 it’s a turkey.I plan on using his reel of spotted sea trout, redfish, flounder, and other near shore species. I am happy with it.

So I'm not a crazy experienced Angler. I have done a good deal of fishing though and I've used plenty of spinning reels and bait casters. I've used Penn and Abu Garcia reels. As well as some of the lower cost reels out there.So this one, like most Baitcaster reels, takes some dialing in to work well. My first cast I had a total birds nest of a reel. I had adjusted the knows on both sides so it dropped in a controlled manner with the weight I was casting on it, but that wasn't enough. So I tightened the left all the way and the right most of the way. Like this is wouldn't drop on its own but it casted great.The reel is super super smooth. Clicker is loud (as it should be). I love the mechanism for releasing the spool. Very well designed, one hand operation is a snap.First time out I only managed to catch one fish, but reeling it in was easy and one of the smoothest catches I've ever had. I've got it mounted on a 7ft Ugly Stik.On the design front, the reel feels and looks good. It's easy to scratch up, but all metal and feels very solid. I have the 50R so one of the smaller ones but it easily holds plenty of line for fishing the intercoastal in Florida and can handle fish in the 30lb and under range very well.The handles feel good in the fingers and are quite grippy, which is nice if you've been handling a fish and have slimy hands.Not everyone is like me, but I'm OCD. After every use lightly spray it off with the mist setting on a hose to help the salt water run off. Don't use a jet setting or you'll just push the salt into the reel.In summary, the reel is fantastic. I've only used it once so far, so I can't speak to longevity, but inspecting the design and watching videos I'm pretty sure it will last years and years. I'm already thinking about buying a 70R and another rod and getting my current rod set up for my wife.If you want a phenomenal cheap combo, pick one of these up with a $40 or so Ugly stick and some Kastking braided line and you'll be set for around $100. Possibly less.

The appearance and workmanship of reel is really nice. I especially like the oversized reel handles. Handles fish good and drag worked good as well. Only thing I can complain about it is a little noisy when casting. But for the price I can live that. Overall it is a great reel for the price.

Perfect for lead core line trolling Stripers , salmon etc. The 60 size is 13 ounce light weight for my uncle he preferred a left handle . It can spool up to 5 colors of Suffix 36lb lead core maybe more from 12-27 lb lead core line. I mostly target Stripers in 15-25 feet depth trolling along the banks at inland lakes New Hogan and Fore Bay Oneil reservoir this cast reel is excellent for it , although I haven’t use it just got it on 1/31/25 . I like it a lot getting a right handle 60r myself and highly recommend it 100% !Update: 1st week of February 2025 . Caught 3 Stripers at Forbay Oneil reservoir. The Kastking Rover 60 size is excellent bait cast reel. It goes very well with 7 feet medium heavy rods it should last a lifetime got both in left and right handle great nice reel for under $60 !

This is my first round baitcaster, as well as my first Kastking Rover. Amazing feel and weight on this all aluminum left retrieval reel. The oversized handle makes it much easier to reel and the line guide is all metal fornsmooth reeling. Will be pairing it with a 30lb braided line along with a 7.5 medium power rod, it will go very well with the 30lb drag this reel have, should be more than enough to handle any kind of fish my creek and Lake Michigan has for me.Overall, it is a very build and feel reel with plenty of features for all sort of fishing that I will be doing.Will update once I have fish with it, but like I said, it is a very well constructed reel.

my husband said this is just as good as the £150 reels he has purchased in the past. He could not believe he could get such quality for such a low price. My husband is an expert fisherman and fishes here and abroad and he is very fuzzy with high expectations so if it meets his standard it will meet anyone'sArrived on time and in a reel nice box and case

Arrived as promised. There are no directions as to the proper operation of the reel. Although I spend many hours fishing with spinning reels this is my first baitcaster for still fishing trout. I had to serch the internet to find a site which explained the spool alignment knob (underneath the star drag handle)and the casting knob on the other side of the reel. The velvet bag for storage is a nice gesture but by far would have appreciated operating instructions ,once on a rod most do not remove. The reel appears solidly constructed with metal in place of plastic as with other models and look foward to its use.

Parece muy fuerte y de buena calidad.

Solid, aluminum frame, sides and spool. I put 10 colour lead core on it for trolling for walleye. Holds 10 colours perfectly with about 50 feet of backing to start. If you want more lead core you will need the #80 or #90 models.

Fantastic reel. Beautifully made and finished. I use an Abu 7001i and this is pretty close in quality, half the price.