Is Kast King really quality? 2024
Adleyfishes reply :
Hello, my name is Adley and I previously own a Kast-King Whitemax and it was honestly terrible. Pain and simple it was impossible to tune and didn't function to my expectations. Now I'm hesitant to buy another reel from them but I know they make some quality products. I figured I could get the Assassin for cheap and upgrade the bearings with spool hi-speed bearings but I also could purchase the Lews LFS for 60 bucks just with less casting distance. Anyways what are your thoughts does Kast-King stand up to their claims?
Boomstick reply :
I have no real experience with Kast King, but from what I gather their quality has always been suspect where they shine is they offer reels that feel and perform like much more expensive reels, but how long they last is suspect.
Glenn reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 3:21 AM, Boomstick said:but how long they last is suspect.
Why? Can you cite your sources please?
I've been beating the snot out an Assassin for 2 years now without any issues. Performs as good as the day I got it.
TylerT123 reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 4:25 AM, Glenn said:Why? Can you cite your sources please?
I've been beating the snot out an Assassin for 2 years now without any issues. Performs as good as the day I got it.
I’d think he’s saying they are a relatively new brand.
fissure_man reply :
@Glenn it wasn’t that long ago that recommending ‘affordable’ non-mainstream Chinese reels would get you nearly laughed off these boards, surely you remember? QC and longevity were among the top concerns. KastKing faces some of that same perception and skepticism, whether founded on actual experience or not (mostly not).
If you replace ‘KastKing’ with ‘Shishamo’ or ‘Fishdrops’ in Broomstick's post, even many KastKing fans might agree. Most haven’t tried those other reels. Has anybody looked really closely at that Shishamo vs. the KastKing R.L.?
There are other forums out there with members who have ‘less favorable’ KastKing reviews, but citing those as sources would no doubt get this post deleted 
Certainly many other folks have had good experiences and will weigh in here.
FishDewd reply :
I have a royale legend, had it almost a year now I think... I use it pretty regularly. It seems to be decent, I use it on a ML casting rod for finesse usage. It'll flick a little ned rig out there a reasonable distance. So far I don't really have any complaints. Never put a lot of weight on it to really test the cast distance as I generally use other reels for that. If I could find a walk through of how to take it a part and reassemble it I would give it a good cleaning.
CroakHunter reply :
I've been beating the crap out of 3 royale legends for 3 years with heavy baits and 50-65 pound braid. No issues here. If I didn't love my Daiwas so much I'd have a full lineup of kk reels without any worries
Hez reply :
Is Kast King still a BR sponsor?
My son has the Kast King bait caster. Other than it being difficult to dial in at times, it has been dependable for sure.
ratherbfishin1 reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 6:22 AM, Hez said:Is Kast King still a BR sponsor?
I’m pretty sure.... not 100% sure though
Hez reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 6:26 AM, ratherbfishin1 said:I’m pretty sure.... not 100% sure though
Thought so...just so everyone knows lol
Boomstick reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 4:25 AM, Glenn said:Why? Can you cite your sources please?
I've been beating the snot out an Assassin for 2 years now without any issues. Performs as good as the day I got it.
I may have worded that poorly, but what I was getting at is they're a relatively new brand and while they're known to fish like a much more expensive reel, people are generally concerned with longevity. I honestly have no idea if that's a legit concern or not.
d-camarena reply :
Ill be honest, im tempted to try one but i am concerned of its long term durability. I rather buy an lfs, caenan or fuego
greentrout reply :
Gonna buy the KastKing Royale Legend Casting rod Med. Fast 6' 6" techniques Spinnerbait, Texas Rig, Jig/Worm and Jerk Bait at 69.98.
Looks like a great rod at a great price.
Good fishing...
MassYak85 reply :
IMO almost any reel on the market is going to last one to three years no matter what you do to it, how much it costs, or what the quality is. They are all designed to get past that warranty period. What you pay for in more expensive reels is higher quality components, which if you take care of your reels and perform maintenance on them is where I think you see the long term benefits.
I've never fished a kast king, I don't plan to, but I am not against them. They use OEM parts which are interchangeable with many other OEM reel brands, and have a solid business model that promotes their brand, actually seems to mingle with their customers, and has allowed them to grow and be successful and keep prices down. Do with that info what you will.
flyfisher reply :
I have one of the speed demons and for the money it is decent but it is heavy and pretty large. It also got noisy after about 5 uses. it does cast a good ways though. I have also been using it on my frog rod so it does get some abuse.
FishDewd reply :
They do have excellent customer service and a lot of pros actually use them daily. I think the main reason they are a lot lower cost is simply because it's not a big brand name. With Shimano and Daiwa, you are paying that extra $50-100 simply because it says Daiwa or Shimano on it. Marketing/reputation, whatever.... Not to say they aren't great reels because they are. Point is they charge for the name and logo alone. Let me explain it this way... it's like buying a Lexus over a similar model Toyota. The difference is that the Lexus will be a little "nicer" in features, but it still uses a lot of the same components as a Toyota and is even made in the same factories. During that Toyota brake recall debacle some years ago, Lexus was included in that recall. Same exact issue for a more expensive "nicer" car. In this case, I'm not saying that they use the same parts, but they well could.
greentrout reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 8:40 AM, FishDewd said:They do have excellent customer service and a lot of pros actually use them daily. I think the main reason they are a lot lower cost is simply because it's not a big brand name. With Shimano and Daiwa, you are paying that extra $50-100 simply because it says Daiwa or Shimano on it. Marketing/reputation, whatever.... Not to say they aren't great reels because they are. Point is they charge for the name and logo alone. Let me explain it this way... it's like buying a Lexus over a similar model Toyota. The difference is that the Lexus will be a little "nicer" in features, but it still uses a lot of the same components as a Toyota and is even made in the same factories. During that Toyota brake recall debacle some years ago, Lexus was included in that recall. Same exact issue for a more expensive "nicer" car. In this case, I'm not saying that they use the same parts, but they well could.
Too...they are not loaded down with VP's and other various expenses...flat organization that is nimble with a good product at a good price...could be the business model of the future....
Russ E reply :
I was in the market for a new reel, for my Ned Rig rod.
After reading all of the positive Kast King reviews here, I decided to try a Mela II spinning reel.
for the price I was not expecting much.
after using it 2 months, I have to admit it is my favorite spinning reel.
the reel preforms way above its price tag.
I plan on purchasing another to replace the reel on my shakyhead rod.
FishDewd reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 8:47 AM, greentrout said:Too...they are not loaded down with VP's and other various expenses...flat organization that is nimble with a good product at a good price...could be the business model of the future....
At least until they start catching on and have more weight behind the name- then prices go up. 
With demand, comes supply. With that then comes increase price. Standard business model lol.
Step 1: make product
Step 2: make product affordable
Step 3: make it popular
Step 4: ???
Step 5: PROFIT!
Yeajray231 reply :
I wouldn't say quality... Quality for the price, I suppose.
I have a Royale, and it too got noisy very quickly. It was cheap... It's a bait caster... I caught some bass with it... Not my favorite.
It's really not a bad reel. Just noisy now and the spool tension goes from super tight to very loose rather quickly .
nascar2428 reply :
No problems with my stealth so far, which is more than I can say for my pro qualifier and Daiwa exceller.
austinF reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 6:26 AM, ratherbfishin1 said:I’m pretty sure.... not 100% sure though
Now I'm 100% sure since greentrout's post hasn't been removed.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 3:15 AM, Adleyfishes said:Hello, my name is Adley and I previously own a Kast-King Whitemax and it was honestly terrible. Pain and simple it was impossible to tune and didn't function to my expectations. Now I'm hesitant to buy another reel from them but I know they make some quality products. I figured I could get the Assassin for cheap and upgrade the bearings with spool hi-speed bearings but I also could purchase the Lews LFS for 60 bucks just with less casting distance. Anyways what are your thoughts does Kast-King stand up to their claims?
I've not used a KastKing, but as you can see some on here have and like them. There are other options if you are leery of trying another. A Fuego CT can be found for less than $60. It would be my first choice. I admit to being a Daiwa fan. It got a "Best Value Award" from TT. The H2O Xpress Mettle is regularly $60 and goes on sale occasionally. Never used one myself, but others on here have and say they are good reels for the money. Or keep an eye open on the For Sale forums. I've picked up a $250 reel for $65 that was in excellent condition. Closeouts can also be a great way to get a new reel.
punch reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 8:40 AM, FishDewd said:They do have excellent customer service and a lot of pros actually use them daily. I think the main reason they are a lot lower cost is simply because it's not a big brand name. With Shimano and Daiwa, you are paying that extra $50-100 simply because it says Daiwa or Shimano on it. Marketing/reputation, whatever.... Not to say they aren't great reels because they are. Point is they charge for the name and logo alone. Let me explain it this way... it's like buying a Lexus over a similar model Toyota. The difference is that the Lexus will be a little "nicer" in features, but it still uses a lot of the same components as a Toyota and is even made in the same factories. During that Toyota brake recall debacle some years ago, Lexus was included in that recall. Same exact issue for a more expensive "nicer" car. In this case, I'm not saying that they use the same parts, but they well could.
This is really a TERRIBLE analogy and doesn't make any sense when you're talking about Daiwa & Shimano vs Kast King (or other generic chineese reel brands). Daiwa & Shimano are companies that have an amazing pedigree in the reel business and make products for multiple markets & have some of the best R&D and engineering in the entire tackle industry... comparing them to a "dressed up Toyota" is just ridiculous. They make quality $60 reels and quality $600 reels, and have been for decades. Daiwa & Shimano have some of the best tolerances, materials & gearing in the fishing world.
My head actually hurt reading this one.
Glenn reply :
^^ uh-oh, somebody got upset because you compared their favorite brand to another^^ ????
C'mon guys, relax. It's fishing. Fishing is meant to be fun. Don't get all emotional over brand this or brand that. In the big picture of things, it's insignificant.
punch reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 1:18 PM, Glenn said:^^ uh-oh, somebody got upset because you compared their favorite brand to another^^ ????
C'mon guys, relax. It's fishing. Fishing is meant to be fun. Don't get all emotional over brand this or brand that. In the big picture of things, it's insignificant.
I'm not emotional. I simply found analogy to be misinformed and silly. Daiwa & Shimaino aren't even my favorite brands.
d-camarena reply :
Nvm, i didnt realize they sponsor this site. Dont want to get banned, i have always loved kastking since day 1
NYWayfarer reply :
I own a lot of Kastking rods and reels.
I started off with the Mela II, then the Sharky II, then the Stealth, etc. You could say I have a lot of hands on experience with their products.
Kastking's slogan is "Keeping fishing fun by keeping it affordable." Affordable is the key word. The affordable aspect comes mainly from cutting out the middleman and selling directly to the consumer. If these reels were sold in big box stores they would cost as much as your Lew's, Pfluegers and Abu's. When you purchase a Kastking rod or reel you are getting a reel that will look, feel and perform better than it's price point.
That being said I do notice a difference in the quality between the lower priced Kastking reels and those that cost a bit more. As far as spinning reels go, I recommend the Sharky II and up. For Baitcasters I recommend the Kastking Stealth and up. My advice is to skip the lower cost reels like the Centron, MelaII, Royal Legend, Whitemax and invest in one of their higher end models.
The Assassin is still Kastking's benchmark reel to me. For the price it can't be beat. It is the perfect balance of low cost and great quality.
So far their rods are great. I have not purchased one I didn't like.
Great customer service and staff. And last but not least I fished Kastking reels exclusively last year and none of them died on me. All I did was some routine maintenance after a few trips.
Kastking really needs to sponsor me.
soflabasser reply :
I prefer buying something that can last at least 10 years so I will stick to my Shimano and Penn spinning reels since they have proven themselves to me to be good reels in the long run.
J Francho reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 4:25 AM, Glenn said:I've been beating the snot out an Assassin for 2 years now without any issues.
Same.
TOXIC reply :
The question to ask is who makes Kastking reels? They don't. Once you get that answer you will know.
J Francho reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 9:41 PM, TOXIC said:The question to ask is who makes Kastking reels?
They're made in China to Kastking's specs. My long time friend since cub scouts does the same thing. He's an engineer, and designs the reels. He then works with a factory to make the reels. He supplies the design files and specs, and they produce samples. They then agree on quantity and price, and start manufacturing them. What I found interesting was that it's a totally different factory that makes the packaging, and sometimes a third that puts it all together in the box with instructions. The tackle is sent directly to Amazon fulfillment warehouses, where they wait to be sold. Eric's company works under the same business model as Kastking, and sells 1000's fly rods and reels a month. The only real difference is he also sells flies and furled leaders his wife makes.
Here is a link to one of his kits: https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Water-Fishing-Complete-Starter/dp/B005ETGEFW?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-ffnt-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B005ETGEFW
BTW, Kastking is now offering braid that is MADE in the USA. It's VERY good stuff, based off just a few weeks of trying it.
FishDewd reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 12:43 PM, punch said:
This is really a TERRIBLE analogy and doesn't make any sense when you're talking about Daiwa & Shimano vs Kast King (or other generic chineese reel brands). Daiwa & Shimano are companies that have an amazing pedigree in the reel business and make products for multiple markets & have some of the best R&D and engineering in the entire tackle industry... comparing them to a "dressed up Toyota" is just ridiculous. They make quality $60 reels and quality $600 reels, and have been for decades. Daiwa & Shimano have some of the best tolerances, materials & gearing in the fishing world.
My head actually hurt reading this one.
You missed the point. :P
crypt reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 1:18 PM, Glenn said:^^ uh-oh, somebody got upset because you compared their favorite brand to another^^ ????
C'mon guys, relax. It's fishing. Fishing is meant to be fun. Don't get all emotional over brand this or brand that. In the big picture of things, it's insignificant.
very well said.......it's fishing not brain surgery.
Sharkicane reply :
I have a kastking assassin as well just started using it I like it thus far. I mean tbh at 50-60 bucks if you get 2-3 years out of it that seems like a bargain to me. One day when my skill has evolved I might go in on a higher dollar reel but for now I’ll keep it simple and cheap.
Subaqua Adinterim reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 9:59 PM, J Francho said:BTW, Kastking is now offering braid that is MADE in the USA. It's VERY good stuff, based off just a few weeks of trying it.
Yes, it is very good stuff. I am using the KastPro type of line; although I base my opinion on several years of using the exact same stuff that was sold under the brand name USA BRAID - made in USA - Spectra - by Honeywell. Started buying a few years ago, based on the recommendation of forum member Sirsnookalot, who was someone that did not care about the brand label as much as he cared how well the product worked and if it was cost effective. I'm thankful for his good advice on the USA Braid product which is now being sold by Kastking and labeled as their KastPro line.
Sharkicane reply :
I’d also like to mention when discussing quality it’s all relative. Higher quality is naturally more expensive. What every consumer is searching for is maximum quality at the lowest price. With the exception of people who have very strong brand loyalty. So I think Kastking is pretty “high quality” for the amount of money you pay. There business model is all about delivering effectice products at a very affordable price. So I don’t think they can be compared with Shimanoe and Daiwas cause it’s not really comparing apples to apples.
Again for me personally it allowed me to get something effective on a budget and got me outside fishing quickly. I think that’s the most important thing. If you have the time and the money and arnt in need of a reel right now. I think tackle warehouse offers demos of reels so you can try some different ones out before buying. If you need something quick on a budget I think the Kastking Assassin is a good buy.
J Francho reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 10:53 PM, Sharkicane said:Again for me personally it allowed me to get something effective on a budget and got me outside fishing quickly. I think that’s the most important thing.
Nailed it.
BaitFinesse reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 8:40 AM, FishDewd said:They do have excellent customer service and a lot of pros actually use them daily. I think the main reason they are a lot lower cost is simply because it's not a big brand name. With Shimano and Daiwa, you are paying that extra $50-100 simply because it says Daiwa or Shimano on it. Marketing/reputation, whatever.... Not to say they aren't great reels because they are. Point is they charge for the name and logo alone. Let me explain it this way... it's like buying a Lexus over a similar model Toyota. The difference is that the Lexus will be a little "nicer" in features, but it still uses a lot of the same components as a Toyota and is even made in the same factories. During that Toyota brake recall debacle some years ago, Lexus was included in that recall. Same exact issue for a more expensive "nicer" car. In this case, I'm not saying that they use the same parts, but they well could.
They don't. Your analogy is way off base.
FishDewd reply :
I wasn't really directly comparing them just explaining how the marketing works. The Toyota comparison was strictly Toyota Vs Lexus had nothing to do with the reels. Obviously Kastking is a different level than a Daiwa or Shimano, but personally I don't own any Daiwas or Shimanos because I find them to be overpriced. Would it make you feel better if the comparison had been Shakespeare vs. Kastking?
J Francho reply :
I can see what you're trying to say, but the Toyota:Lexus is more like Shakespeare:Abu Garcia. In other words, same parent company. Kastking has zero association to Daiwa or Shimano. This is why some are questioning your analogy.
Now lets drop it, and discuss the topic at hand. None of these posts are relevant anymore.
ratherbfishin1 reply :
I was about to buy a speed demon but a friend of mine bought one and it spooled all the line onto one side of the reel.... after that I decided not to get one. Sure they are cheap but for $70 you can buy a decent used reel. Maybe I’ll give them a chance eventually after they have been popular for longer so that I know from others how long they last and all that. It would have to last as long as some of the other reels last in that price range, I’m not saying it can’t but I’m sceptical.
J Francho reply :
Like I said, we're done with off topic debate.
1201vilbig reply :
I have 4 - 2 Demons & 2 Assassins. I've beat the crap out of them without issue. I did read a recommendation to clean out all of the assembly gunk and lube/oil properly and I did that. If they ever make a 300 or 400 size swimbait reel, I would not hesitate to try it.
flyfisher reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 9:59 PM, J Francho said:They're made in China to Kastking's specs. My long time friend since cub scouts does the same thing. He's an engineer, and designs the reels. He then works with a factory to make the reels. He supplies the design files and specs, and they produce samples. They then agree on quantity and price, and start manufacturing them. What I found interesting was that it's a totally different factory that makes the packaging, and sometimes a third that puts it all together in the box with instructions. The tackle is sent directly to Amazon fulfillment warehouses, where they wait to be sold. Eric's company works under the same business model as Kastking, and sells 1000's fly rods and reels a month. The only real difference is he also sells flies and furled leaders his wife makes.
Here is a link to one of his kits: https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Water-Fishing-Complete-Starter/dp/B005ETGEFW?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-ffnt-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B005ETGEFW
BTW, Kastking is now offering braid that is MADE in the USA. It's VERY good stuff, based off just a few weeks of trying it.
I know a total side track here but where can you get the furled leaders? I didn't see them on amazon and i have been wanting to try them and if i can support a friend of yours I might as well do it...
Drew03cmc reply :
I have 4 Kastking reels. They are quality pieces. I have used Curado 70, Curado 200 B, Tatulas, Calcutta (probably my favorite) and while these are not in that league, they are d**n nice tools for what you pay. I have a Royale, Stealth, Spartacus Plus and Sharky II. The Sharky is replacing a Lews SG300 in finesse duty. I like it better for what I do. If you give them a fair shake, they WILL make a believer out of you. I like the Stealth and up the best for what that's worth.
jtharris3 reply :
I'll add my .02, I bought the Speed Demon when they were recently on sale. For me the jury is still out. I personally need more time with the reel to honestly evaluate it fully. So far I like what I see. The build quality is good. Thus far, the reel performs as it should. It took a little more effort to get it dialed in but once that was accomplished, it is performing well. I own mostly Lews Speed Spools and Shimano Citica's and BPS Pro Qualifiers. YMMV
J Francho reply :
*******************************************************************************
No comments about the quality of Kastking reels, or user experiences have been removed. There was a long winded side debate about whether an analogy was appropriate, and honestly, all chest beating crapped up a useful thread. I'd rather wear my member hat than my mod hat. Let's keep it on topic.
KastKingUSA reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 6:22 AM, Hez said:Is Kast King still a BR sponsor?
My son has the Kast King bait caster. Other than it being difficult to dial in at times, it has been dependable for sure.
We sure are! Thanks for the feedback.
On 5/17/2018 at 11:26 AM, Drew03cmc said:I have 4 Kastking reels. They are quality pieces. I have used Curado 70, Curado 200 B, Tatulas, Calcutta (probably my favorite) and while these are not in that league, they are d**n nice tools for what you pay. I have a Royale, Stealth, Spartacus Plus and Sharky II. The Sharky is replacing a Lews SG300 in finesse duty. I like it better for what I do. If you give them a fair shake, they WILL make a believer out of you. I like the Stealth and up the best for what that's worth.
THANK YOU!
On 5/17/2018 at 9:35 AM, 1201vilbig said:I have 4 - 2 Demons & 2 Assassins. I've beat the crap out of them without issue. I did read a recommendation to clean out all of the assembly gunk and lube/oil properly and I did that. If they ever make a 300 or 400 size swimbait reel, I would not hesitate to try it.
Check out the Spartacus Maximus.
On 5/17/2018 at 3:10 AM, ratherbfishin1 said:I was about to buy a speed demon but a friend of mine bought one and it spooled all the line onto one side of the reel.... after that I decided not to get one. Sure they are cheap but for $70 you can buy a decent used reel. Maybe I’ll give them a chance eventually after they have been popular for longer so that I know from others how long they last and all that. It would have to last as long as some of the other reels last in that price range, I’m not saying it can’t but I’m sceptical.
Did your friend reach out to our awesome customer service team? If not, we would be happy to look at this issue. Reels are machines, and like all machines, require maintenance and care.
Preytorien reply :
I've been debating trying fly fishing for smallmouth some local streams and rivers.....and the KastKing combo kits look great. I just haven't been able to convince myself to make the transition. I don't know that I want to spend my money on a style of fishing I'm not certain I'll like.
KastKingUSA reply :
On 5/17/2018 at 10:52 PM, Preytorien said:I've been debating trying fly fishing for smallmouth some local streams and rivers.....and the KastKing combo kits look great. I just haven't been able to convince myself to make the transition. I don't know that I want to spend my money on a style of fishing I'm not certain I'll like.
The Emergence is a great combo and comes complete with everything you need. It was designed by Al Noraker who holds many fly fishing records and has developed products for Skeet Reese and was Vice President, Director of Product Development at Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle Co. – Wright & McGill, in Denver, Colorado. The transition could be easier than you think especially if you combine conventional and fly fishing! Good luck 
On 5/16/2018 at 3:15 AM, Adleyfishes said:Hello, my name is Adley and I previously own a Kast-King Whitemax and it was honestly terrible. Pain and simple it was impossible to tune and didn't function to my expectations. Now I'm hesitant to buy another reel from them but I know they make some quality products. I figured I could get the Assassin for cheap and upgrade the bearings with spool hi-speed bearings but I also could purchase the Lews LFS for 60 bucks just with less casting distance. Anyways what are your thoughts does Kast-King stand up to their claims?
That's not good! We would love to help you out with your WhiteMax so please contact our customer service team service@eposeidon.com to explain what is going on and we will take care of you and get you back out fishing! Check out this video featuring the WhiteMax casting with absolutely no issues:
Adleyfishes reply :
On 5/17/2018 at 10:58 PM, KastKingUSA said:The Emergence is a great combo and comes complete with everything you need. It was designed by Al Noraker who holds many fly fishing records and has developed products for Skeet Reese and was Vice President, Director of Product Development at Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle Co. – Wright & McGill, in Denver, Colorado. The transition could be easier than you think especially if you combine conventional and fly fishing! Good luck
That's not good! We would love to help you out with your WhiteMax so please contact our customer service team service@eposeidon.com to explain what is going on and we will take care of you and get you back out fishing! Check out this video featuring the WhiteMax casting with absolutely no issues:
Is it possible still return the reel if it's been used? And if any warranty papers can't be found?
J Francho reply :
On 5/18/2018 at 12:21 AM, Adleyfishes said:Is it possible still return the reel if it's been used? And if any warranty papers can't be found?
Email them. It's under warranty.
Adleyfishes reply :
On 5/18/2018 at 1:11 AM, J Francho said:Email them. It's under warranty.
thanks
KastKingUSA reply :
On 5/18/2018 at 12:21 AM, Adleyfishes said:Is it possible still return the reel if it's been used? And if any warranty papers can't be found?
Our customer service team will be happy to help you out. You can reach them here: service@eposeidon.com or call 1-855-830-7430 M-F 9-5 ET.
Adleyfishes reply :
On 5/18/2018 at 9:34 PM, KastKingUSA said:Our customer service team will be happy to help you out. You can reach them here: service@eposeidon.com or call 1-855-830-7430 M-F 9-5 ET.
My warranty was expired thanks for the help though!
J Francho reply :
So, you buy a reel, don't like it because it doesn't perform right, wait over a year to post on a forum to ask whether they live up to their customer service, Kastking themselves tells you to call or email them and they'll take care of it, but you won't because it's out of warranty?
Sounds like a tall tale to me.
MassYak85 reply :
You know, I'd be interested in trying one for a year and seeing how it stacks up, tear it apart in the winter to clean and see what the internals are like. I plan on getting a jerkbait combo in the fall, any recommendations @KastKingUSA? It will most likely be going on a Phenix Feather with 40lb braid.
Boogey Man reply :
On 5/19/2018 at 2:37 AM, J Francho said:So, you buy a reel, don't like it because it doesn't perform right, wait over a year to post on a forum to ask whether they live up to their customer service, Kastking themselves tells you to call or email them and they'll take care of it, but you won't because it's out of warranty?
Sounds like a tall tale to me.
Or it could be he just bought a 40 dollar reel, realized it was out of warranty and decided it was on him is why he said it's out of warranty thanks for the help. He did mention in his original post he was considering buying an Assassin. So he's willing to give them a second chance.
By saying it's a tall tale sounds like you're calling him a liar.
MassYak85 reply :
On 5/19/2018 at 11:12 AM, Boogey Man said:Or it could be he just bought a 40 dollar reel, realized it was out of warranty and decided it was on him is why he said it's out of warranty thanks for the help. He did mention in his original post he was considering buying an Assassin. So he's willing to give them a second chance.
By saying it's a tall tale sounds like you're calling him a liar.
That's the way I read it.
lmbfisherman reply :
That is the way I read it also.
Adleyfishes reply :
Okay to be clear with everyone I messaged KastKing they told me it was out of warranty and it wasn't a tall tale thank you to those who defended me!
I also messaged @J Francho about his comment yet he has neglected to open it. I hope he realizes his accusation was not needed and incorrect. No hard feelings.
Boogey Man reply :
On 5/20/2018 at 10:32 AM, Adleyfishes said:Okay to be clear with everyone I messaged KastKing they told me it was out of warranty and it wasn't a tall tale thank you to those who defended me!
I also messaged @J Francho about his comment yet he has neglected to open it. I hope he realizes his accusation was not needed and incorrect. No hard feelings.
Curious if Glenn will chime in here, as that kind it comment made by a member would get him banned or if nothing else a warning. But to stay on topic lest our posts get deleted lol, if you get an Assassin let us know what you think. I've done a good deal of research on it myself, but just can't pull the trigger. From the videos online it seems that the brakes are a bit noisy. Can anyone comment on that?
Adleyfishes reply :
On 5/20/2018 at 10:42 AM, Boogey Man said:Curious if Glenn will chime in here, as that kind it comment made by a member would get him banned or if nothing else a warning. But to stay on topic lest our posts get deleted lol, if you get an Assassin let us know what you think. I've done a good deal of research on it myself, but just can't pull the trigger. From the videos online it seems that the breaks are a bit noisy. Can anyone comment on that?
Just wondering are you saying I could get banned for my comment I was merely saying I messaged him to correct his assumption because i didn't want my thread to be called a tall tale. I don't feel that is unnecessary.
Boogey Man reply :
On 5/20/2018 at 10:46 AM, Adleyfishes said:Just wondering are you saying I could get banned for my comment I was merely saying I messaged him to correct his assumption because i didn't want my thread to be called a tall tale. I don't feel that is unnecessary.
No sorry, I meant his comment toward you, regarding the tall tale, would fall into the "treat others with respect" category.
Adleyfishes reply :
On 5/20/2018 at 10:50 AM, Boogey Man said:No sorry, I meant his comment toward you, regarding the tall tale, would fall into the "treat others with respect" category.
Thanks but back on topic, I'm waiting to pull the trigger until the specs for the second gen speed demon come out!
NYWayfarer reply :
On 5/20/2018 at 10:42 AM, Boogey Man said:Curious if Glenn will chime in here, as that kind it comment made by a member would get him banned or if nothing else a warning. But to stay on topic lest our posts get deleted lol, if you get an Assassin let us know what you think. I've done a good deal of research on it myself, but just can't pull the trigger. From the videos online it seems that the brakes are a bit noisy. Can anyone comment on that?
My Assassin makes a whizzzzzzing noise when I cast. It is no more noisy than any other reel I own. I actually like that noise. I don’t get people that want a totally silent reel. No offense.
puddlepuncher reply :
On 5/20/2018 at 10:52 AM, Adleyfishes said:I'm waiting to pull the trigger until the specs for the second gen speed demon come out!
IMO you're better off buying gen 2 or later on all new products. I never like being a guinea pig and a consumer at the same time. Most quality concerned companies will make improvements based on previous performance and customer feedback.
On 5/20/2018 at 11:40 AM, NYWayfarer said:I don’t get people that want a totally silent reel. No offense.
The best part of DC reels is the noise! I kind of like a little noise when casting too, noise on the retrieve is a different story altogether.
All the props to Kastking posting in here, customer feedback means a lot to me and probably many others.
@Adleyfishes I think this was a good topic of conversation, heck you even got Kastking to chime in and that's a benefit for anyone who owns or is considering owning one. The drama was sad to see, but certainly entertaining at least.
FishDewd reply :
Hm, funny... I got a post removed for a lot less than what's been said on this page. Oh well.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 5/19/2018 at 8:29 AM, MassYak85 said:You know, I'd be interested in trying one for a year and seeing how it stacks up, tear it apart in the winter to clean and see what the internals are like. I plan on getting a jerkbait combo in the fall, any recommendations @KastKingUSA? It will most likely be going on a Phenix Feather with 40lb braid.
I have several of their baitcasters, I'd probably go with Assassin for jerkbaits. The Spartacus Plus would be a good choice also, but they can be a little harder to get your hands on.
Anyone questioning the durability of the reels, I fish a lot, I've tried to kill them, I have been unsuccessful in my attempts thus far. Honestly, when the Assassin survived this day of abuse I put it through where I was doing everything I could to kill it, to the point of where my wrist hurt from horsing big, hard pulling fish as hard and fast as I could just to try and kill the thing, I was really surprised and impressed.
I've logged thousands of casts and catches with this very reel to fish of all species and sizes since this video and it just keeps going and is one of, if not the furthest casting reel I own. It does make whizzz, noise on the cast, but it's not anything that bothers me and certainly doesn't effect performance. I've since bought a Spartacus Plus, Speed Demon, Sharky II and III to go along with the Assassin and Kodiak that I was giving to test by KastKing. They've all been excellent, especially at their price point. They're not going to compete with a Curado or Tatula, but you're not paying for one. What you get with a KastKing IMO, is still a quality product that gets you on the water and gets you fishing, without having to spend the money on the big names. KastKing is building an excellent and very interactive company that listens to it's consumers. They're always live on Facebook interacting with people and you've all seen them on here talking and offering help and *** where it's needed, going out of their way to do so. They're always quick in responding whenever I've sent them questions, something that can't be said for some of the other companies I've dealt with who are much more popular. They're not going to be for everyone, but no companies product is a one size fits all. I'd be more than happy to answer anyone's questions about my personal experiences with their products that I have though, just shoot me a PM.
Diggy reply :
I've gotten to the point where I feel more comfortable spending my money on more refined products. There are plenty of good options under retail on both NEW and lightly used reels on various online market places. Wasted enough of my money early on in the game. I looked on the KK site and I saw a reel for $99, I'd rather spend $20 more on a Daiwa CT-R on "The Bay" from a trusted seller. That's just me.
kickerfish1 reply :
On 5/20/2018 at 3:28 PM, Bluebasser86 said:I have several of their baitcasters, I'd probably go with Assassin for jerkbaits. The Spartacus Plus would be a good choice also, but they can be a little harder to get your hands on.
Anyone questioning the durability of the reels, I fish a lot, I've tried to kill them, I have been unsuccessful in my attempts thus far. Honestly, when the Assassin survived this day of abuse I put it through where I was doing everything I could to kill it, to the point of where my wrist hurt from horsing big, hard pulling fish as hard and fast as I could just to try and kill the thing, I was really surprised and impressed.
I've logged thousands of casts and catches with this very reel to fish of all species and sizes since this video and it just keeps going and is one of, if not the furthest casting reel I own. It does make whizzz, noise on the cast, but it's not anything that bothers me and certainly doesn't effect performance. I've since bought a Spartacus Plus, Speed Demon, Sharky II and III to go along with the Assassin and Kodiak that I was giving to test by KastKing. They've all been excellent, especially at their price point. They're not going to compete with a Curado or Tatula, but you're not paying for one. What you get with a KastKing IMO, is still a quality product that gets you on the water and gets you fishing, without having to spend the money on the big names. KastKing is building an excellent and very interactive company that listens to it's consumers. They're always live on Facebook interacting with people and you've all seen them on here talking and offering help and *** where it's needed, going out of their way to do so. They're always quick in responding whenever I've sent them questions, something that can't be said for some of the other companies I've dealt with who are much more popular. They're not going to be for everyone, but no companies product is a one size fits all. I'd be more than happy to answer anyone's questions about my personal experiences with their products that I have though, just shoot me a PM.
Doubt you would find a better review or input than this man could provide. Having had the pleasure of fishing with him several times I could honestly say he fishes a lot, logs a lot of time on the water, fishes a wide array of techniques, and catches some pretty big fish of different species. He also has or has used gear from about every major reel manufacturer out there. If he feels like a product is worthy of consideration and has paid his dues with said product I would take his word on it.
Plus the price point of these reels are so low that you aren't out much. These reels are mainly targeted at budget anglers or those starting out. The sub $100 reel market is flooded with many offerings. This is another option and by all accounts they have solid customer service. Give one a shot and decide for yourself.
As far as the longevity goes that is likely something that is "TBD". I have some Daiwa and Shimano reels that are 10+ years old and still going strong. KastKing is a newer company so give em' some time to see how the hold up long term.
J Francho reply :
I don't own a Kia. Never drove one, never rode in one. Never will. In my opinion, they are low quality, and a waste of money. So, my unbiased opinion counts more then someone who has one and reports their experience, correct?
J Francho reply :
On 5/19/2018 at 11:12 AM, Boogey Man said:Or it could be he just bought a 40 dollar reel, realized it was out of warranty and decided it was on him is why he said it's out of warranty thanks for the help. He did mention in his original post he was considering buying an Assassin. So he's willing to give them a second chance.
By saying it's a tall tale sounds like you're calling him a liar.
Kastking responded publicly that they would take care of him. I don't feel like we're getting the full story. Frankly, I don't care anymore. You can offer all the help in the world, and yet still some people won't take it.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 5/20/2018 at 11:40 AM, NYWayfarer said:My Assassin makes a whizzzzzzing noise when I cast. It is no more noisy than any other reel I own. I actually like that noise. I don’t get people that want a totally silent reel. No offense.
Same here. I got a set of ceramic bearings for my Curado 51E at a good price because the seller didn't like the noise the bearings made. I actually like the noise as it is helpful as an indicator of how fast my spool is turning.
EDIT: I already have too many reels, but may have to try a KastKing to see if they cast as far as claimed. Fishing from shore the vast majority of time makes long distance casting a plus at times.
Adleyfishes reply :
On 5/21/2018 at 8:56 PM, J Francho said:Kastking responded publicly that they would take care of him. I don't feel like we're getting the full story. Frankly, I don't care anymore. You can offer all the help in the world, and yet still some people won't take it.
I am talking to KastKing now with Glenn's help. I privately messaged you to explain the circumstance. They told me my warranty was out. But I am pleased to get a second chance with KastKing.
J Francho reply :
Thanks for posting an update!
Drew03cmc reply :
Dude, all 4 of my Kastking reels, (Royale, Stealth, Spartacus Plus, Sharky II) are very high quality reels for the expense. I have less than $150 in them. It's really not worth it to not try them. I'm a huge fan.
Russ E reply :
I am reopening this thread to give a quick review on 4 KastKing reels I purchased this spring.
I had 2 baitcasters and 2 spinning reels that were wore out and needed replaced.
I was planning on spending around $600.00 to replace these reels, but decided to tryout a couple kastkings after reading reviews here.
the total for the following 4 reels cost me $210.00 on Amazon.
I did not buy them all at once. They were purchase over a 1 month time frame.
First reel was a sharky II in size 3000 for my shakyhead rod. it is on a medium action 7 ft rod, filled with 10lb power pro.
it is surprisingly smooth and has worked flawlessly
second reel was a sharky III in size 2000 for my ned rig rod. It is on a medium light 7 ft rod, filled with 8lb. trilene xl. This reel is impressive. The smoothest spinning reel that I own. it fishes way above its price range.
third reel was an Assasin for my chatterbait/spinnerbait rod. it is on a medium heavy 7ft. rod and filled with 15lb. high seas grand slam.
at first it made a lot of noise. I was going to send it back, but decided to clean and lube it first. found the noise was coming from a dry centrifugal braking system. put a light coat of lube on the brake ring and it has worked flawlessly for 2 months. this reel is extremely smooth, casts a mile and when set right, gets zero backlashes.
last reel was the speed demon. I put this on my 7.5 ft medium heavy pitching rod. it is filled with 15lb high seas grand slam.
this reel has impressed me the most. The larger frame size fits my palm perfectly.
It is extremely smooth and has very little backlashing issues. all without a centrifugal brake.
the 9.3 to 1 gear ratio is great. very easy to catch up with a fish that bites and swims toward the boat.
the high speed is also nice for quickly reeling in, between pitches.
Not sure why, but I can pitch a bait much farther with this reel, than any other I own.
I was very skeptical at first because of the low price.
Only time will tell on how long they will last, but at the moment I am impressed.
Even if they only last a few years, the cost was around 1/3 the price I was originally planning for these 4 reels.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I ordered a matching KastKing Speed Demon Pro rod and reel a couple days ago that will hopefully be here early next week. Really excited to get to use that setup. Got the 7' 3" M/F (which is rated more like a MH at 10-20lb test and 3/8-1oz baits). It's going to be a jig and plastics rod for me.
offsidewing reply :
Since this thread keeps popping up...
Forum user makes comments about Daiwa reels being trash, no mods comment.
Forum user makes comments about Shimano reels being trash, no mods comment.
Forum user makes comments comments about a Kast King reel being trash, DING DING - HERE COME THE MODS.
I hope Kast King doesn't start making senko-style baits...
Hez reply :
On 7/12/2018 at 11:18 PM, offsidewing said:Since this thread keeps popping up...
Forum user makes comments about Daiwa reels being trash, no mods comment.
Forum user makes comments about Shimano reels being trash, no mods comment.
Forum user makes comments comments about a Kast King reel being trash, DING DING - HERE COME THE MODS.
I hope Kast King doesn't start making senko-style baits...
Good observation.....
Russ E reply :
I have no financial gain for my previous post.
it was just an honest review of a group of reels that I wrongly felt were over hyped.
are they at the same level as high end Shimanos or Diawas?
probably not, but in my opinion they are better than any other reel in their price range.
the reels I bought were replacing a couple old silver maxes and a couple old pflueger presidents.
the KastKings are much better reels than either one of those.
one thing people have to take into consideration is the KastKing reels are 1/3 the price of most high end reels.
sully420 reply :
I bought a kastking speed daemon last year it lasted 2 months then fell off my rod. I sent it in to get replaced and never saw it again. There are plenty of low price reels on the market make by quality companies I would go with one of those. If you compare a kastking with reels from shimano, Lews or abu that are in the same price range I feel like Kastking is a rip-off.
cgolf reply :
Alright so I don’t get banned, I will put this disclaimer, if I were KastKing i would do exactly what I am asking.
When I was younger I dabbled in something I was good enough at to get sponsored gear. This gear looked identical to what everyone else could buy, but let me tell you it was light years better than the over the counter product. They of course did this to sell product by us winning with their gear and talking it up, way before social media and smart phones;)
My question to the mods and KastKing is do you buy direct from them, or off of amazon. Essentially are you getting random reels or hand picked reels? Personally I would hope it is the latter. This I am guessing wouldn’t be any different than other sponsored guys getting hand picked reels from their reel sponsors.
I have no horse in the race, I did pass on a KastKing reel a year or so ago, because I could get a Daiwa Laguna cheap, that I knew I liked because I had used one before.
I will I’ll say if you guys are getting random reels I would definitely be more impressed.
greentrout reply :
KastKing Royale Legend Casting is OK...great fishing rod...
J Francho reply :
On 7/13/2018 at 8:35 AM, cgolf said:My question to the mods and KastKing is do you buy direct from them, or off of amazon.
They send us reels for evaluation. I do not believe they are cherry picked. I know myself and @Bluebasser86 have purchased them online. I used Amazon, and there was no discount.
TOXIC reply :
There is no shame knowing who butters your bread as a website owner. Everybody ought to know that.
cgolf reply :
On 7/13/2018 at 8:46 PM, J Francho said:They send us reels for evaluation. I do not believe they are cherry picked. I know myself and @Bluebasser86 have purchased them online. I used Amazon, and there was no discount.
Thanks for the reply and that is awesome to hear.
the reel ess reply :
On 5/16/2018 at 11:38 AM, new2BC4bass said:I've not used a KastKing, but as you can see some on here have and like them. There are other options if you are leery of trying another. A Fuego CT can be found for less than $60. It would be my first choice. I admit to being a Daiwa fan. It got a "Best Value Award" from TT. The H2O Xpress Mettle is regularly $60 and goes on sale occasionally. Never used one myself, but others on here have and say they are good reels for the money. Or keep an eye open on the For Sale forums. I've picked up a $250 reel for $65 that was in excellent condition. Closeouts can also be a great way to get a new reel.
I thought long and hard about getting the Mettle, but I think at the time they didn't have a model faster than 6.3:1. So I went for the TAC-40 and I'm very impressed. But I should be. It was $100.
OCdockskipper reply :
On 5/21/2018 at 8:43 PM, J Francho said:I don't own a Kia...
I think most everyone here believes you are a Prius owner... ????
GeekFisher reply :
On 9/8/2018 at 1:50 AM, OCdockskipper said:I think most everyone here believes you are a Prius owner... ????
I owned many Kia and loved them all. Reliable, well equiped and cheap. I was lucky enough to not buy a model with the 2.0L problematic engine though. I had a 05 Spectra 5, a 2009 Rio5 and actually daily drive a 2013 Rio5. I have an 03 Jeep Liberty for fishing trips, love it except for gaz mileage. As about the reels, I just ordered a Royale Legend Elite and a Valiant Eagle. Can't wait to try them ! Buying process isnt that simple for Canucks though @KastKingUSA !
OperationEagle reply :
I have been a contributing member of this site and use it quite regularly as a source of information and assistance. I help others by sharing my experience and honest perspective in the hopes that it would benefit them or another member.
After reading this thread, especially replies from some of the mods to minimize any perspectives or experiences that might reflect poorly on a sponsor disappoints me.
I am not naive. I understand the direct financial relationship...but we do ourselves ...our community a huge disservice if we suppress real experiences and honest perspectives...major reasons for the website’s existence.
And also, an official moderator to go so far as calling out a member with an accusation of telling untruths.
Without a a public apology.
Guys, I am not sure what to say.
GrumpyOlPhartte reply :
@OperationEagle: Thanks for a very thoughtful response. This topic is one on which there will be numerous comments/responses and they will range from laudatory to total condemnation. I find myself with mixed feelings about many of them; particularly those of the moderators. Let me say first that I believe the moderators’ discussion of the products is probably accurate ... from their perspectives. I have no reason to doubt them.
But, and to me this is a BIG but, I am extremely skeptical that these gentlemen receive the same treatment as I. I will not challenge the statements of quality or longevity of KK products since I personally will never own one. That has nothing to do with the product, but with the company’s very questionable, to me, customer service. A couple of years ago while looking for a new spinning reel, I visited the website, Eposeidon.com (or something similar - don’t remember exactly) to ask if I could purchase an extra spool for the reel. I also asked the same question of the Lew’s folks. Lew’s customer service responded the same day. KK never responded. I sent a second e-mail, albeit a rather huffy one, to KK and never heard back. (I had mixed results with other vendors as well.) I mention Lew’s simply because the company response was the quickest.
Now I find myself in a quandary every time someone asks me about KK; what do I say? All I can do is relate my experience and wish them good luck if they decide to purchase. And as for the reviews I read here, I just don’t know what to think. But it is extremely easy for a company to flag preferred customers’ accounts for preferential treatment. As for buying through Amazon ... I have to wonder who actually fills the order. I have no clue.
So, after this rambling discourse I guess my feeling is that each of us has to read, evaluate the reviews, and make a decision based upon what we read (or hear) and decide what information will drive our decision. For me, customer service is extremely important and, for me personally, KK fails in that area. I realize others speak glowingly of the company, but ultimately I have to go with my experience. Over the years I’ve slowly acquired a list of vendors with I’ve whom I’ve had positive experience - even if their products aren’t the “best”. Service and support trumps product for me. But that’s just me.
Glenn reply :
On 5/21/2018 at 9:39 PM, Adleyfishes said:I am talking to KastKing now with Glenn's help. .... I am pleased to get a second chance with KastKing.
Seems this part was missed by a few folks....
Happy to help!
J Francho reply :
On 9/8/2018 at 12:10 PM, OperationEagle said:I have been a contributing member of this site and use it quite regularly as a source of information and assistance. I help others by sharing my experience and honest perspective in the hopes that it would benefit them or another member.
After reading this thread, especially replies from some of the mods to minimize any perspectives or experiences that might reflect poorly on a sponsor disappoints me.
I am not naive. I understand the direct financial relationship...but we do ourselves ...our community a huge disservice if we suppress real experiences and honest perspectives...major reasons for the website’s existence.
And also, an official moderator to go so far as calling out a member with an accusation of telling untruths.
Without a a public apology.
Guys, I am not sure what to say.
I’ll give you and anyone else a public apology if it came across as suppression. That’s not the intent at all. If anyone personally has an issue with support, reach out to us and we will make sure you are satisfied. In every single case where a customer was dissatisfied, KastKing has made an effort to make it right.
@GrumpyOlPhartte I don’t know about any preferential treatment, I get the reels in the mail, spool it up and fish them. As for the question of an extra spool, I do not think that is available. I don’t think they stock spare parts at all, which would increase costs considerably. In every case where there was a mechanical issue, the fix is a replacement with a new reel. Hopefully that helps you make a decision whether to use them or not.
On the topic of spare spools, that’s something I think would be important to an anger on a budget. Makes for two reels in one.
Boogey Man reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 1:08 AM, J Francho said:I’ll give you and anyone else a public apology if it came across as suppression. That’s not the intent at all. If anyone personally has an issue with support, reach out to us and we will make sure you are satisfied. In every single case where a customer was dissatisfied, KastKing has made an effort to make it right.
@GrumpyOlPhartte I don’t know about any preferential treatment, I get the reels in the mail, spool it up and fish them. As for the question of an extra spool, I do not think that is available. I don’t think they stock spare parts at all, which would increase costs considerably. In every case where there was a mechanical issue, the fix is a replacement with a new reel. Hopefully that helps you make a decision whether to use them or not.
On the topic of spare spools, that’s something I think would be important to an anger on a budget. Makes for two reels in one.
Suppression? As the mod of a fishing a fishing site I’m not sure what you would be suppresssing here. I myself had my account locked by you until I acknowledged my wrongdoing for less than the way you treated the OP on this thread. I think that’s what operation eagle was getting at. Different rules for the mods vs members.
I’ve said it before if anyone wants to go back and read my posts, budget tackle is great, fish what you can afford and have fun, that’s what it’s all about. But I think the reason there’s so much controversy regarding KK is past comments on “budget tackle” being inferior vs comments on KK now particularly by the mods. Anyone who reads any other forums knows how much of a beating Glenn and his crew take over their big change of heart over budget tackle since KK became a sponsor here so no use of pointing it out here. This post will probably get me banned but if not I’ll never click on a other KK thread again.
The membership and wealth of info is awesome here, but when a mod has the mindset to use a word like suppression, I think BR might need to step back back and re evaluate itself.
Glenn reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 3:22 AM, Boogey Man said:Anyone who reads any other forums knows how much of a beating Glenn and his crew take over their big change of heart over budget tackle since KK became a sponsor here so no use of pointing it out here.
Oh, please do point out where I said anything bad about "budget tackle" and then made a "big change of heart".
I'm waiting.
Dirtyeggroll reply :
On 9/8/2018 at 7:19 PM, GrumpyOlPhartte said:So, after this rambling discourse I guess my feeling is that each of us has to read, evaluate the reviews, and make a decision based upon what we read (or hear) and decide what information will drive our decision. For me, customer service is extremely important and, for me personally, KK fails in that area. I realize others speak glowingly of the company, but ultimately I have to go with my experience. Over the years I’ve slowly acquired a list of vendors with I’ve whom I’ve had positive experience - even if their products aren’t the “best”. Service and support trumps product for me. But that’s just me.
I bought a KastKing reel last September. I used it through to the Spring and it started having an issue with the drag not staying tight and the cast control knob coming loose. I sent KastKing an e-mail via their repair/warranty form and got one back the next day telling me to call a number. I called the number, talked to a guy and told him what was going on and he promptly sent me a shipping label at no cost to me. I boxed up my reel and had a brand new one at no cost to me within three days.
It was the only reel I had ever bought from them and I have no credentials or status to influence in the fishing world, so I strongly doubt I was getting preferential service.
J Francho reply :
@Boogey Man, I'm not following your offense to me using the word suppression in my comment. Can you explain? I'm willing to figure out what you think I'm doing wrong here.
Glenn reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 3:22 AM, Boogey Man said:I myself had my account locked by you
Had look deep into this, as there were no bans or suspensions on your account history. But there was a 2-point warning given to you 3 1/2 years ago once for disrespecting a moderator. Is that the "account lock" you're referring to?
Just trying to piece together your discontent.
-------------
As for budget reels and my POV, we had Pinnacle as a partner over 8 years ago. They had many sub-$100 reels that I used and reviewed. Then Okuma came along a few years later, again with several sub-$100 reels that I used and reviewed. I really liked them. Matter-of-fact, I still have and use those Pinnacle and Okuma reels. All of the mods tested and reviewed them, and I know several of the mods still use theirs too.
That said, when KK came along, I was a bit wary. Not because of their low cost, but because you could only purchase their stuff on Amazon. You can't find them in big sporting goods stores or major online stores. Seemed shady to me, until I discovered they're a DtC company (Direct To Consumer), so they eliminate the middle-man markup from distributors, and the additional markup from retailers. Otherwise their reels would be in the $120-$160 range, which is about where their performance lands.
I think any of you would jump on a $160 reel on sale for $70. And that's how I think of KK's products.
So....we've been talking about, testing, and reviewing low-cost reels for the better part a decade now. No "change of heart" here. Granted, we haven't been testing/reviewing them exclusively. We've also included higher-cost equipment for those that are interested in them. But that still doesn't equate to a "big change of heart".
We're just doing our job to help people decide which gear suites them best, low-budget or otherwise.
Boogey Man reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 4:01 AM, Glenn said:Oh, please do point out where I said anything bad about "budget tackle" and then made a "big change of heart".
I'm waiting.
here’s one regarding budget tackle suggesting the OP give it to a kid and another from a another site sponsor regarding KK directly. I’m not taking any more time to search for old threads and i do apologize Glenn for saying you directly, I meant the BR staff in general.
Boogey Man reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 7:10 AM, Glenn said:Had look deep into this, as there were no bans or suspensions on your account history. But there was a 2-point warning given to you 3 1/2 years ago once for disrespecting a moderator. Is that the "account lock" you're referring to?
Just trying to piece together your discontent.
-------------
As for budget reels and my POV, we had Pinnacle as a partner over 8 years ago. They had many sub-$100 reels that I used and reviewed. Then Okuma came along a few years later, again with several sub-$100 reels that I used and reviewed. I really liked them. Matter-of-fact, I still have and use those Pinnacle and Okuma reels. All of the mods tested and reviewed them, and I know several of the mods still use theirs too.
That said, when KK came along, I was a bit wary. Not because of their low cost, but because you could only purchase their stuff on Amazon. You can't find them in big sporting goods stores or major online stores. Seemed shady to me, until I discovered they're a DtC company (Direct To Consumer), so they eliminate the middle-man markup from distributors, and the additional markup from retailers. Otherwise their reels would be in the $120-$160 range, which is about where their performance lands.
I think any of you would jump on a $160 reel on sale for $70. And that's how I think of KK's products.
So....we've been talking about, testing, and reviewing low-cost reels for the better part a decade now. No "change of heart" here. Granted, we haven't been testing/reviewing them exclusively. We've also included higher-cost equipment for those that are interested in them. But that still doesn't equate to a "big change of heart".
We're just doing our job to help people decide which gear suites them best, low-budget or otherwise.
Yes if I recall correctly a mod was getting a little testy with some members about rod actions and I said to let us know when he came out with his signature series of rods, mostly as a joke but I had to acknowledge it to get back on.
I really do appreciate you taking the time to explain things. I’m sure to have better things to do on a Saturday. Like fishing lol. But all I was trying to point out is maybe why there’s some resistance on these KK threads, especially when the thread might not be favorable and a mod jumps in in defense. I’ve eye balled the Assassin many a time on Amazon and just never have pulled the trigger. The Royale Legend Elite might tempt me a little more tho lol. Happy fishing gentleman.
Boogey Man reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 5:27 AM, J Francho said:@Boogey Man, I'm not following your offense to me using the word suppression in my comment. Can you explain? I'm willing to figure out what you think I'm doing wrong here.
A few definitions of suppression: “The act of preventing something from being expressed or known or the act of ending something by force”. I just thought that was an odd choice of word as to what you might be “suppressing” the members from doing. I’m having a mental image of the Soup Natzi from Seinfeld. NO POSTS FOR YOU!????????????????. And that’s a joke. Lighten up, my friend and have a good evening.
The Bassman reply :
Hey, the Seinfeld jokes belong to me.
Boogey Man reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 8:10 AM, The Bassman said:Hey, the Seinfeld jokes belong to me.
"It was a million to one shot doc, million to one!"????
J Francho reply :
I think you misread my post.
Boogey Man reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 9:57 PM, J Francho said:I think you misread my post.
Probably more like misinterpreted your use of the word suppression, my initial thought was that you thought you had the right to suppress something.
J Francho reply :
Oh jeez, totally the opposite. The only thing we suppress is spam or self promotion. I was apologizing if it seemed like we were doing anything like that.
Thanks, I think we’re all good.
Boogey Man reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 10:59 PM, J Francho said:Oh jeez, totally the opposite. The only thing we suppress is spam or self promotion. I was apologizing if it seemed like we were doing anything like that.
Thanks, I think we’re all good.
No problem. Happy to give you the opportunity to clear things up.
Glenn reply :
So the first one is a mod's suggestion to pass along gear to a kid to help him get started in the sport, and the 2nd is a site partner posting his opinion on something (which we encourage EVERYONE to do).
On 9/9/2018 at 7:13 AM, Boogey Man said:I meant the BR staff in general.
And those two examples equate to 'BR staff in general'? A partner (site sponsor) is not staff, just to clarify. I'm sorry, but I don't follow the logic. Maybe I misunderstood, but I don't see how these examples could be BR staff bashing budget gear.
On 9/9/2018 at 3:22 AM, Boogey Man said:account locked by you until I acknowledged my wrongdoing
Just wanted to clarify something about how warnings work, since it's been over 3 years since you received yours.
When you receive one, you must acknowledge you've seen and read it. It does not mean you agree with it, nor does it mean you are admitting to anything.
I had to add that feature because we had people complain that they didn't receive any warnings prior to receiving a suspension. So now it's an "in your face" feature that ensures you'll see it; plus we'll have documentation that proves you saw it.
That was implemented in 2011.
So now if you see anyone on any other forum complaining that they didn't get a warning, they're either hung up on something that occurred more than 7 years ago, or are flat out, um.... "embellishing". 
@boogy Man - I'm happy to answer any questions at any. I really hope you didn't let things fester for over 3 years before speaking up. Please PM me in the future if you have any further concerns.
Thanks!
Glenn
Glenn reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 4:18 AM, Dirtyeggroll said:so I strongly doubt I was getting preferential service.
Actually, you were.
To clear up a major misconception: because the mods and I receive (free) product for testing/evaluation, we often get factory seconds, or have to wait to get product while shipments for customers are fulfilled first. Or sometimes we get products before they're available, meaning they may not be final production models. Usually that's not an issue, but occasionally there may be a few kinks that need to be ironed out before production begins. And sometimes if we need customer service on high-demand products, we may need to wait until customers are handled first.
So yes, in a way, you did get preferential service, but in a good way.
Boogey Man reply :
On 9/10/2018 at 5:53 AM, Glenn said:So the first one is a mod's suggestion to pass along gear to a kid to help him get started in the sport, and the 2nd is a site partner posting his opinion on something (which we encourage EVERYONE to do).
And those two examples equate to 'BR staff in general'? A partner (site sponsor) is not staff, just to clarify. I'm sorry, but I don't follow the logic. Maybe I misunderstood, but I don't see how these examples could be BR staff bashing budget gear.
Just wanted to clarify something about how warnings work, since it's been over 3 years since you received yours.
When you receive one, you must acknowledge you've seen and read it. It does not mean you agree with it, nor does it mean you are admitting to anything.
I had to add that feature because we had people complain that they didn't receive any warnings prior to receiving a suspension. So now it's an "in your face" feature that ensures you'll see it; plus we'll have documentation that proves you saw it.
That was implemented in 2011.
So now if you see anyone on any other forum complaining that they didn't get a warning, they're either hung up on something that occurred more than 7 years ago, or are flat out, um.... "embellishing".
@boogy Man - I'm happy to answer any questions at any. I really hope you didn't let things fester for over 3 years before speaking up. Please PM me in the future if you have any further concerns.
Thanks!
Glenn
Glenn again I'll thank you for taking the time to respond to my posts. As far as things festering, not an issue there. My point was I was trying to shine a light on the comments made by Francho to the OP in this thread. Different rules for different folks. Kinda what operationeagle was getting at . And please refer to offsidewings post too. As far as the two posts I quoted, like I said in a previous post, I'm not going to go back and dig up more. Maybe we should agree to disagree on past posts and their meanings.
At some point I think I'll try a KK product. And if I do, I'll feel better posting an honest review, good or bad, knowing like you said you encourage everyone's opinion and it will not be admonished or censored.
I really do applaud KK for what they've done. Whether it's a Steez or a Zebco 33, get out there, fish and have fun. But all I'm saying is let things run there course here, that's why there's such a controversy regarding KK.
Again, thank you for addressing my comments, and good fishing to you sir.
greentrout reply :
Wurming67 reply :
I had the speed demon it was ok,I sent it back, for $29 more dollars I got a daiwa Fuego CT 8.1 much happier,no comparsion between the two.
Russ E reply :
On 9/13/2018 at 11:32 PM, Wurming67 said:I had the speed demon it was ok,I sent it back, for $29 more dollars I got a daiwa Fuego CT 8.1 much happier,no comparsion between the two.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I own both, along with a couple lews , a pro qualifier and a Curado.
I find myself using the speed demon the most.
I Just like how it fits my hand. Any of them will catch fish. It is all personal preference.
Wurming67 reply :
On 9/13/2018 at 11:49 PM, Russ E said:Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I own both, along with a couple lews , a pro qualifier and a Curado.
I find myself using the speed demon the most.
I Just like how it fits my hand. Any of them will catch fish. It is all personal preference.
You hit it on the nose,personal preference,it's all about what works for you.
GeekFisher reply :
On 7/13/2018 at 8:35 AM, cgolf said:Alright so I don’t get banned, I will put this disclaimer, if I were KastKing i would do exactly what I am asking.
When I was younger I dabbled in something I was good enough at to get sponsored gear. This gear looked identical to what everyone else could buy, but let me tell you it was light years better than the over the counter product. They of course did this to sell product by us winning with their gear and talking it up, way before social media and smart phones;)
My question to the mods and KastKing is do you buy direct from them, or off of amazon. Essentially are you getting random reels or hand picked reels? Personally I would hope it is the latter. This I am guessing wouldn’t be any different than other sponsored guys getting hand picked reels from their reel sponsors.
I have no horse in the race, I did pass on a KastKing reel a year or so ago, because I could get a Daiwa Laguna cheap, that I knew I liked because I had used one before.
I will I’ll say if you guys are getting random reels I would definitely be more impressed.
I've ordered 2 from Ebay, 1 from aliexpress and another one from ebay. Will make a full stepped review of my customer experience and reel performance once I received Them. Will likely make a follow-up Long term review at the end of 2019 as well. Most if not all shipped from hong-kong or China so no Cherry-picking There for sure.
J Francho reply :
On 9/14/2018 at 1:53 AM, GeekFisher said:Will likely make a follow-up Long term review at the end of 2019 as well.
Appreciate it! Thanks!
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 9/14/2018 at 12:46 AM, Wurming67 said:You hit it on the nose,personal preference,it's all about what works for you.
Exactly, this is the problem with the "What's the best ____" threads. So much personal preference goes into everyone's decisions on what they buy and use. I can't fish the tiny baitcasters like the 50E Curado was because it was so small I couldn't hold it well and my hand would start cramping. Doesn't make it a bad reel, just a bad fit for me, just like a Speed Demon wasn't for you.
Wurming67 reply :
On 9/16/2018 at 2:37 PM, Bluebasser86 said:Exactly, this is the problem with the "What's the best ____" threads. So much personal preference goes into everyone's decisions on what they buy and use. I can't fish the tiny baitcasters like the 50E Curado was because it was so small I couldn't hold it well and my hand would start cramping. Doesn't make it a bad reel, just a bad fit for me, just like a Speed Demon wasn't for you.
Fishing is type of sport that takes years of exploring different equipment and finding what works for you,you can't just post a thread on bass resource whats the best and expect to find the perfect setup for you fishing doesn't work like that.Its like catching fish I see guys on forums looking for that wonder lure,it's time on the water.Fishing is about exploring there is no quick fix,mother nature doesn't work like that,maybe a video game but not fishing.You gotta pay your dues to be rewarded just like in life.
soflabasser reply :
On 9/16/2018 at 6:19 PM, Wurming67 said:Its like catching fish I see guys on forums looking for that wonder lure,it's time on the water.Fishing is about exploring there is no quick fix,mother nature doesn't work like that,maybe a video game but not fishing.You gotta pay your dues to be rewarded just like in life.
Time on the water is #1 when it comes to fishing, that is for sure. You will not be consistent at catching big bass by reading what someone writes online or reading what somebody writes in a book. You have to spend your time on the water, learn how to fish well various conditions, and eventually you will catch big bass like anyone else that has put in their time. As for reel choice, it is up to the fishermen to choose what works best for them. I have my favorite reel brands since they proved themselves to me.
Janderson45 reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 10:59 PM, J Francho said:Oh jeez, totally the opposite. The only thing we suppress is spam or self promotion. I was apologizing if it seemed like we were doing anything like that.
Thanks, I think we’re all good.
Before I offend everyone let me first start by saying I love BassResource. The community, member activity, and site layout are all key reasons why I spent a lot of time browsing and commenting on the forum content here on BassResource. I realize this is an older comment and older thread, but....
If the only things suppressed here on Bassresource are spam & self promotion, why am I still unable to refer to or discuss “one - (three) fishing” in any way? I understand that when the company was just getting off the ground they had reps on here self promoting and or spamming regarding their new product, but that means discussion around their product is entirely banned from the forums for years following the offense?
Why couldn’t BR just ban the accounts in question that are self promoting and allow members to discuss the product?
The product in question certainly has a foothold on the market now, likely a much stronger foothold than Kast King reels which are openly discussed and even promoted on this site. Why are members who follow all of BassResource rules still not allowed to discuss the product or company mentioned above? How many other companies fall into this same category?
For what it’s worth, I fish almost exclusively Shimano reels, and have little to add on discussions about the aforementioned company or Kast King, which is the original topic of this thread. In general I believe you get what you pay for, there’s exceptions to this rule and any smart consumer does his homework before making a relatively expensive purchase.. there will always be a market for “budget” or less expensive products, but it doesn’t necessarily make it the best choice for the majority of consumers.
I understand the need to bring in revenue from site sponsors and advertisements, but when moderators or the site in general picks and chooses which products to review, advertise, and recommend to others they are doing the forum members a disservice. In my opinion, recommendations, along with product discussions and reviews, should be impartial and independent of site sponsorships - but maybe it’s naive of me to expect this in most corners of the fishing industry.
NYWayfarer reply :
On 1/17/2019 at 2:58 AM, Janderson45 said:
why am I still unable to refer to or discuss “one - (three) fishing” in any way? I understand that when the company was just getting off the ground they had reps on here self promoting and or spamming regarding their new product, but that means discussion around their product is entirely banned from the forums for years following the offense?
Why couldn’t BR just ban the accounts in question that are self promoting and allow members to discuss the product?
Why are members who follow all of BassResource rules still not allowed to discuss the product or company mentioned above?
I have a pretty good memory and unless it has failed me I can answer your question.
The owner (CEO?) of the company that shall not be named asked Glenn and the powers that be at Bass Resource to refrain from using the name of his product. I believe that was in response to BR asking the spam to stop.
Seems par for the course for that guy as I have seen negative reviews of his product on YouTube met with hissy fits from the company.
J Francho reply :
It was by their request. We don't pick and choose who gets mention here. We are picky about sponsors.
On 1/17/2019 at 2:58 AM, Janderson45 said:I understand that when the company was just getting off the ground they had reps on here self promoting and or spamming regarding their new product, but that means discussion around their product is entirely banned from the forums for years following the offense?
12poundbass reply :
On 1/17/2019 at 2:58 AM, Janderson45 said:In my opinion, recommendations, along with product discussions and reviews, should be impartial and independent of site sponsorships
Last year myself and a couple other members were given an Abu reel, some Max Scent lures, and new Berkley line and asked by the site owner to review these and give a review of the products "good, bad, or in different" were his exact words to us. One of the members openly said the line he was given fell way short of his standards and would be coming off the reel ASAP. That sounds pretty honest to me. I said the line was very stiff and I had trouble with it, but I was going to give it a fair shot because I was given two weeks, which with a full time job and 8 year old in football I didn't get to use it as much as I wanted to, plus I've read it softens up with time, so the jury is still out with me. Those sound pretty honest, and neither of us are associated with this site other than being members. Hope this helps.
Janderson45 reply :
Thanks for the responses and explanation @J Francho - obviously I wasn’t aware of all of the details.
It just struck me as contradictory or hypocritical when I was reading through this thread and comparing your statement with that companies situation with all discussion surrounding their product barred from the site. If discussion around that company is banned from the forums at their own request that’s an entirely different reason than what I was assuming. Banning their namesake from the boards at their own request is entirely reasonable on BassResource’s part, albeit incredibly foolish on that companies part.
Janderson45 reply :
On 1/17/2019 at 4:19 AM, 12poundbass said:Last year myself and a couple other members were given an Abu reel, some Max Scent lures, and new Berkley line and asked by the site owner to review these and give a review of the products "good, bad, or in different" were his exact words to us. One of the members openly said the line he was given fell way short of his standards and would be coming off the reel ASAP. That sounds pretty honest to me. I said the line was very stiff and I had trouble with it, but I was going to give it a fair shot because I was given two weeks, which with a full time job and 8 year old in football I didn't get to use it as much as I wanted to, plus I've read it softens up with time, so the jury is still out with me. Those sound pretty honest, and neither of us are associated with this site other than being members. Hope this helps.
Personally, I have no problem with that as long as the reviewers are fair and give an honest opinion...
but just to play devil’s advocate for a minute, couldn’t you argue that the reviewers integrity is compromised and that they’re more likely to give a favorable review to the company and product(s) because said company gave them a product free of charge? Furthermore, is that scenario in it’s very nature not promotional? A company exchanging it’s product for publicity and (hopefully) favorable reviews by respected members of a highly trafficked forum?
Again, I don’t have a personal issue with the scenario that you described, but I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around how that scenario is allowable based on the excerpt below which was taken directly from the forum posting/code of conduct.
Posting Policy - we have a very strict anti-spam policy
In essence, any and all promotional posts are prohibited. Even if you're not selling anything, posts can still be considered "promotional". Any posts deemed promotional are subject to this rule - regardless of your affiliation (or lack thereof) with said product, company, website, etc.
GeekFisher reply :
On 1/17/2019 at 5:05 AM, Janderson45 said:
Personally, I have no problem with that as long as the reviewers are fair and give an honest opinion...
but just to play devil’s advocate for a minute, couldn’t you argue that the reviewers integrity is compromised and that they’re more likely to give a favorable review to the company and product(s) because said company gave them a product free of charge? Furthermore, is that scenario in it’s very nature not promotional? A company exchanging it’s product for publicity and (hopefully) favorable reviews by respected members of a highly trafficked forum?
Again, I don’t have a personal issue with the scenario that you described, but I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around how that scenario is allowable based on the excerpt below which was taken directly from the forum posting/code of conduct.
Posting Policy - we have a very strict anti-spam policy
In essence, any and all promotional posts are prohibited. Even if you're not selling anything, posts can still be considered "promotional". Any posts deemed promotional are subject to this rule - regardless of your affiliation (or lack thereof) with said product, company, website, etc.
Part in bold: Usually it's the opposite. If one paid for something that he chose, less likely to give it a real bad review since it would mean to admit chosing wrong and a lot of people refrain from doing that !
J Francho reply :
On 1/17/2019 at 5:05 AM, Janderson45 said:
Personally, I have no problem with that as long as the reviewers are fair and give an honest opinion...
but just to play devil’s advocate for a minute, couldn’t you argue that the reviewers integrity is compromised and that they’re more likely to give a favorable review to the company and product(s) because said company gave them a product free of charge? Furthermore, is that scenario in it’s very nature not promotional? A company exchanging it’s product for publicity and (hopefully) favorable reviews by respected members of a highly trafficked forum?
Again, I don’t have a personal issue with the scenario that you described, but I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around how that scenario is allowable based on the excerpt below which was taken directly from the forum posting/code of conduct.
Posting Policy - we have a very strict anti-spam policy
In essence, any and all promotional posts are prohibited. Even if you're not selling anything, posts can still be considered "promotional". Any posts deemed promotional are subject to this rule - regardless of your affiliation (or lack thereof) with said product, company, website, etc.
Any review is allowable, so long your affiliation with that company is transparent, and you aren't just coming here to promote it, or yourself. Pure fishing was a sponsor. They provided tackle to be reviewed by members and moderators. Here's mine: https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/berkley-powerbait-maxscent-review.html
Before you decide that the four free bags of bait somehow tainted my review, consider this: It is unlikely that I'd go out and specifically buy the baits. So, I can do one of three things. Remain oblivious, and not be able to answer member questions. Lie about the products. Fish with them, and report results. Little things like how fast a bait sinks as compared to other brands, durability, whether they actually worked on a particular water, how to rig them... all is serving BassResource members better than whatever small benefit of receiving free tackle is. I've already stated, reviews are sometimes negative. We bring those back to company immediately and try to see what went wrong. Sometimes we've even identified an issue in the manufacturing process. I recall years ago, all of us snapping a very high end rod. The were replaced once they fixed the problem. I still have and use that replacement. I see other review sites, and I think we relate to a little more down to earth, average weekend warrior. I'm not dropping $600 on a reel just to see if it's ultimate blah blah blah. Send me typical economy reel, or mid priced reel, and I'll beat the heck out of it and tell you how it went.
12poundbass reply :
On 1/17/2019 at 5:05 AM, Janderson45 said:
Personally, I have no problem with that as long as the reviewers are fair and give an honest opinion...
but just to play devil’s advocate for a minute, couldn’t you argue that the reviewers integrity is compromised and that they’re more likely to give a favorable review to the company and product(s) because said company gave them a product free of charge? Furthermore, is that scenario in it’s very nature not promotional? A company exchanging it’s product for publicity and (hopefully) favorable reviews by respected members of a highly trafficked forum?
Again, I don’t have a personal issue with the scenario that you described, but I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around how that scenario is allowable based on the excerpt below which was taken directly from the forum posting/code of conduct.
Posting Policy - we have a very strict anti-spam policy
In essence, any and all promotional posts are prohibited. Even if you're not selling anything, posts can still be considered "promotional". Any posts deemed promotional are subject to this rule - regardless of your affiliation (or lack thereof) with said product, company, website, etc.
My review is not and was not tipped in either direction even though these products were given to me and my reasoning is very simple. I'm a grown man and when I'm asked to give an honest opinion on something I'm going to do just that because I have a conscience and I couldn't sleep at night knowing I didn't give an honest review because I was given these items for free. Do you feel your reviewed could be swayed because you were given items for free?
I've given a couple other reviews and I know of several other members who have given reviews on here for products they weren't given and reviews of products/companies who weren't or aren't sponsors of this site. There's a difference between reviews and brand bashing.
Furthermore when I was approached about this all I had to do was, like I said give honest reviews and post them and let him know I posted it. He didn't even ask me to send it to him so he could read it first. I say that's as honest and as fair as you can get.
Janderson45 reply :
On 1/17/2019 at 5:19 AM, J Francho said:
Any review is allowable, so long your affiliation with that company is transparent, and you aren't just coming here to promote it, or yourself.
So just for clarification, if a member in good standing (who didn’t recently join BassResource for this purpose) is sponsored by a certain brand they are welcome to review and discuss that brands product line across the forums? My interpretation of this was “no” you are not allowed to do that as it would be considered a promotional post and get you a warning and/or suspension.
My intereptation of this policy has kept me at times from suggesting or discussing a few products that I use because of my relationship with the company/brand.
On 1/17/2019 at 6:30 AM, 12poundbass said:My review is not and was not tipped in either direction even though these products were given to me and my reasoning is very simple. I'm a grown man and when I'm asked to give an honest opinion on something I'm going to do just that because I have a conscience and I couldn't sleep at night knowing I didn't give an honest review because I was given these items for free. Do you feel your reviewed could be swayed because you were given items for free?
I wasn’t suggesting that you, or anyone involved in this conversation, was untruthful in their reviews, was just pointing out that an argument could be made that reviews done in this manner could be tainted. And by its very nature is “promotional”. What if they also cut you a check $ on the side for publishing a review on the forums, would that alter the viewpoint here?
12poundbass reply :
On 1/17/2019 at 8:48 AM, Janderson45 said:What if they also cut you a check $ on the side for publishing a review on the forums, would that alter the viewpoint here?
Absolutely not. Why would money change my viewpoint? I don't know you but I'm guessing it wouldn't change yours.
BTW there is a member here that's sponsored by a well known bait company and he openly talks about it, but doesn't push products every chance he gets either. I think that's the difference, talking about products and constantly pushing and promoting products.
TOXIC reply :
On 1/17/2019 at 8:48 AM, Janderson45 said:So just for clarification, if a member in good standing (who didn’t recently join BassResource for this purpose) is sponsored by a certain brand they are welcome to review and discuss that brands product line across the forums? My interpretation of this was “no” you are not allowed to do that as it would be considered a promotional post and get you a warning and/or suspension.
My intereptation of this policy has kept me at times from suggesting or discussing a few products that I use because of my relationship with the company/brand.
Let me chime in. By now everybody knows I am sponsored by Yamamoto. I hope I am a "member in good standing" I give my opinion on a lot of threads and I try to also include "why" my opinion is what it is. I never put down another manufacturer or anyone who chooses to use another manufacturer's product. Bottom line be smart about delivering your opinion and don't be a "talking head" that just regurgitates promotional information. Promoting is a skill and if you don't have it, you will do more damage to the company you are trying to promote than good. Sites like this one have a responsibility to site sponsors, they pay the bills. If you make it a habit to constantly challenge site sponsors then you won't last long. Keep that in mind. There's a tactful way to say why you use what you use without degrading another product. I am also sponsored by Quantum. You don't see me doing a direct blow by blow Quantum vs Kast King post, there's noting to be gained from that.... BUT if you ask me what I use, I will tell you Quantum and why. I'm also sponsored by SPRO/Gammakatsu/Bullet Weights/Gator Guards and a host of others (both hunting and fishing) that when the opportunity arises, I interject what I use and once again, Why. I have only had one post pulled and the Mod that did it and I had a civil communication and agreed to disagree. Be smart and you'll be fine. Be a spammer and you'll be censored. As it should be.
roadwarrior reply :
This thread has gotten way off track. No edits, just closed.
Good night Irene.
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