Cheap Chinese Reels
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Baytown, TX
Posts: 9,262

Anyone with hands on experience with the cheap Chinese baitcasters such as Piscifun or Kastking? I have a 14 year old that has proven himself very adept at destroying my good tackle so he is about to get his very own stuff. If they mean anything at all the reviews for said reels on Amazon are generally positive.
#3

Well, now is your chance to confirm what I have found out about them....cheap parts, cheap stainless and cheap bearings!
But I can sympathize, Hillman,...as I work hard to keep my gear up...and am not too keen on having it beat up. I am sure you are that way as well.
What sucks is there are never parts available if you want to replace something...except possibly bearings. I won't even bring it into the shop anymore.
But I can sympathize, Hillman,...as I work hard to keep my gear up...and am not too keen on having it beat up. I am sure you are that way as well.
What sucks is there are never parts available if you want to replace something...except possibly bearings. I won't even bring it into the shop anymore.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Nc
Posts: 659

Well, now is your chance to confirm what I have found out about them....cheap parts, cheap stainless and cheap bearings!
But I can sympathize, Hillman,...as I work hard to keep my gear up...and am not too keen on having it beat up. I am sure you are that way as well.
What sucks is there are never parts available if you want to replace something...except possibly bearings. I won't even bring it into the shop anymore.
But I can sympathize, Hillman,...as I work hard to keep my gear up...and am not too keen on having it beat up. I am sure you are that way as well.
What sucks is there are never parts available if you want to replace something...except possibly bearings. I won't even bring it into the shop anymore.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: S.W. FL
Posts: 885

Ugly Stix and the lower end Penn stuff at WalMart or Amazon.
Pursuit, Battle, Fierce, etc. = Cheap Chinese Reels
1 Year warranty and you still get to experiment with Chinese made products.
I've kept a few of these combos around for a few years for friends without gear. Never done anything more than spray them off and I can't kill them.
The Pursuit and the Fierce are only about $20 more than the Piscifun and Kastkings and you know you can get all the parts easily from Penn if you should need them.
Pursuit, Battle, Fierce, etc. = Cheap Chinese Reels
1 Year warranty and you still get to experiment with Chinese made products.
I've kept a few of these combos around for a few years for friends without gear. Never done anything more than spray them off and I can't kill them.
The Pursuit and the Fierce are only about $20 more than the Piscifun and Kastkings and you know you can get all the parts easily from Penn if you should need them.
#11
Admirals Club 

Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Miami, Fl
Posts: 464

My buddy outfitted his whole bass boat with the kast king stuff. I’ve fished one called the speed Deamon and it wasn’t bad at all for a cheap Chinese reel. The reel casted better than my 100 dollar daiwa.
Like another poster said, if the reel breaks, toss it out and get a new one for 50-60 bucks.
Like another poster said, if the reel breaks, toss it out and get a new one for 50-60 bucks.
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Baytown, TX
Posts: 9,262

And just when the nausea subsides.....
Thanks to everyone for the tips and insight. Back when Okuma was the new cheap reel on the scene I bought a couple of their round baitcasters - two trips in the salt and they froze up - now they are at least a little popular and respected - and their "better" models the same price as anything else.
Thanks to everyone for the tips and insight. Back when Okuma was the new cheap reel on the scene I bought a couple of their round baitcasters - two trips in the salt and they froze up - now they are at least a little popular and respected - and their "better" models the same price as anything else.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Gettysburg, PA
Posts: 330

A buddy had about a dozen rods stolen out of his boat and found some great deals on Wish. He bought some of the higher priced ($30 not $20) Chinese spinning reels and said they're every bit as good as his higher end stuff that was stolen. He's planning on buying more.
We used to buy the Penn 4400's from Walmart and beat the hell out of them in the spring on huge stripers. The drags were shot after the spring run. We'd save the box and receipt and exchange them after the spring run and have new reels for the next season. Got away with it for several years until they stopped carrying them.
We used to buy the Penn 4400's from Walmart and beat the hell out of them in the spring on huge stripers. The drags were shot after the spring run. We'd save the box and receipt and exchange them after the spring run and have new reels for the next season. Got away with it for several years until they stopped carrying them.

#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 3,831

The Piscifun reels are generally well liked in the fly fishing community. If you really think almost all the big name manufacturers aren't selling cheap Chinese reels with an expensive name on them you're kidding yourself. This is the perfect situation to buy a reel that's disposable if you ask me. There are some seriously good reels for 40 or 50 bucks out there, like Pflueger President/Trion. I use the Presidents and Supreme reels exclusively for my saltwater and bass fishing. I fish hard and frequent, and they last me a minimum of 5 years. When they get crunchy I get another one. Any reputable service company is going to charge me half what a new reel costs just to grease it so I treat them as disposable. Lube them once in a while and they'll last a long time.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Pismo Beach, Ca.
Posts: 3,812

And just when the nausea subsides.....
Thanks to everyone for the tips and insight. Back when Okuma was the new cheap reel on the scene I bought a couple of their round baitcasters - two trips in the salt and they froze up - now they are at least a little popular and respected - and their "better" models the same price as anything else.
Thanks to everyone for the tips and insight. Back when Okuma was the new cheap reel on the scene I bought a couple of their round baitcasters - two trips in the salt and they froze up - now they are at least a little popular and respected - and their "better" models the same price as anything else.