KastKing off Amazon is an outstanding and inexpensive reel. There are many to chose from so I would advise thorough research and reading the reviews. Also like others stated the Pflueger President is also a great reel.

I agree with spiritof27. An Eddie Bauer down coat is hard to beat including the cost. A -25 Degree rated coat is only around $170.00 and has high reviews. I am going to order mine tomorrow.

I had never owned or used a baitcaster until recently and watching YouTube prodded me into getting one. I bought a KastKing Spartacus, set it up as described in the video and have as yet had a backlash. If set up correctly you absolutely do not have to use your thumb to stop or slow down the reel to prevent backlash as you do with most reels as I understand it.

KastKing also makes a 9.1 retrieval rate baitcaster called Megajaws I am thinking seriously about buying next at around $60.00. Paying $100.00 and over for a reel that is “considered” top of the line makes no sense when there are reels for $60.00 or $70.00 that are better quality. You pay all that money for a name as opposed to quality such as paying 60-70 dollars for Levi’s when Wranglers at 20 dollars wear just as well.

True story: my ex-wife foolishly bought me 2 pair of True Religion jeans at $395.00 per pair and they do not wear or feel any better than my old Wranglers and the only time I wear them is when I expect to see her. Same thing holds true with rods and reels, foolish is as foolish does and common sense is put on hold and like the old cliche, “a fool and his money is soon parted”.

Sorry but I do not understand people that have been blackmailed into thinking or paying all that money for a reel that doesn’t help catch fish any better than a reel that costs somewhere in the 50-60 dollar range or less. It is the bait that attracts the fish not the rod or reel. In fact I have a retired Mitchell 308 that over the years that particular reel has helped catch as many fish as many other high dollar reels and they still sell for less than $40.00. But that is the problem with the human animal, more often than not they don’t have enough common sense to get in out of the rain and the same holds true when purchasing rods and reels. My common sense causes me to spend 2-3 weeks researching and reading reviews before I buy anything that creates a large empty space in my wallet. Without a doubt the best decision I have made recently was trying out the KastKing line of reels. I now have 5 KastKing spinning reels and one baitcaster KastKing and I assure you they are extremely high quality at an extremely low cost compared to Shimano and Daiwa based on my extensive research and reading comparison reviews.

I had never owned or used a baitcaster until recently and watching YouTube prodded me into getting one. I bought a KastKing Spartacus, set it up as described in the video and have as yet had a backlash. If set up correctly you absolutely do not have to use your thumb to stop or slow down the reel to prevent backlash as you do with most reels as I understand it.

KastKing also makes a 9.1 retrieval rate baitcaster called Megajaws I am thinking seriously about buying next at around $60.00. Paying $100.00 and over for a reel that is “considered” top of the line makes no sense when there are reels for $60.00 or $70.00 that are better quality. You pay all that money for a name as opposed to quality such as paying 60-70 dollars for Levi’s when Wranglers at 20 dollars wear just as well.

True story: my ex-wife foolishly bought me 2 pair of True Religion jeans at $395.00 per pair and they do not wear or feel any better than my old Wranglers and the only time I wear them is when I expect to see her. Same thing holds true with rods and reels, foolish is as foolish does and common sense is put on hold and like the old cliche, “a fool and his money is soon parted”.

Sorry but I do not understand people that have been blackmailed into thinking or paying all that money for a reel that doesn’t help catch fish any better than a reel that costs somewhere in the 50-60 dollar range or less. It is the bait that attracts the fish not the rod or reel. In fact I have a retired Mitchell 308 that over the years that particular reel has helped catch as many fish as many other high dollar reels and they still sell for less than $40.00. But that is the problem with the human animal, more often than not they don’t have enough common sense to get in out of the rain and the same holds true when purchasing rods and reels. My common sense causes me to spend 2-3 weeks researching and reading reviews before I buy anything that creates a large empty space in my wallet. Without a doubt the best decision I have made recently was trying out the KastKing line of reels. I now have 5 KastKing spinning reels and one baitcaster KastKing and I assure you they are extremely high quality at an extremely low cost compared to Shimano and Daiwa based on my extensive research and reading comparison reviews.

Being from Indiana and limestone country people used to throw goldfish in the blue holes and they would get up 12 to 18 inches long because of the mineral composition of the limestone from my understanding. At one time it was against the law to fish for them but that was years ago and the law may have changed by now. BTW, to clarify a blue hole, it is the hole left when the limestone blocks are removed and the water left in the hole is a bright blue color. Yes goldfish are a member of the carp family.

I have 8 reels and 6 of them are KastKing and the other 2 are Pflueger Presidents. I refuse to spend $100.00 or more for a reel that is usually lesser quality than a KastKing reel at less than $60.00 dollars on the average. To begin with making final decisions on fishing equipment based on suggestions in a forum is just plain foolish. Research what is suggested then research some more and make a final decision based on a few weeks research. I just read an article on the Shimano reels a week or so ago and from all indications the quality is And has been deteriorating over the last year or so. This is what I mean by research. Read independent reviews and even watch them in action on YouTube. In many ways rods and reels are overpriced and paying $100.00 plus for either isn’t necessary to catch a fish. Catching fish was done with a string and a sapling, tree branch, bamboo pole and bare hand many centuries prior to the advent of the rod and reel. Still is for that matter. So if you are inclined to do so go out and spend a small fortune on something that really isn’t a help in catching fish when it comes right down to it. The rod and reel is only a tool for catching fish, the bait be it natural or artificial is what catches the fish. I look at all my fishing gear at times and think how utterly stupid I was for basically wasting money on more stuff than I need to fish with. I bought a boat that I really don’t need and is for all practical purposes is and was a waste of money no more than I use it. I actually prefer bank fishing due to its simplicity and am not a proponent of catch and release because I fish for food and once I accomplish that I pack it in and go home. So in closing wasting money on high dollar fishing gear is not a smart move and never will be no matter what propaganda one listens to.

I’m sure they exist but you know I have never heard of a sucker outside of Indiana. They are so bony it is near impossible to eat one so they are definitely catch and release. I have caught them in Lake Monroe, Salt creek and White river in Indiana but nowhere else in the states. MadMac is correct, their mouth does resemble that of a carp. Enough so they may possibly be of the carp family.

Looks like a sucker but can't tell for sure because the mouth isn't in the picture. They are quite plentiful in Indiana.

As you can see there are as many recommendations as there are forum members which is good but doesn’t solve the problem of which reel is best for your budget. I rely on my purchases by viewing videos on YouTube and google reviews of equipment that I am interested in buying. An Amazon review is another outlet from verified purchases. I of course have my favorite brand of reels be it spinning or bait caster and that is KastKing for low dollar high quality merchandise but as I stated my opinion is as worthless as all others without research and what you feel is best for “YOU” then if you make a bad decision you have nobody to blame except yourself.

I have a new Gamin Fish Finder still in the box and after reading this I am kinda up in the air as to how I should mount the transducer. I have a 14 foot Jon boat that has to be stored in a public lot when not in use so that means the trolling motor has to be removed when not in use. I keep the motor in my household shed so would that possibly damage the transducer when sitting on the floor and leaned against the wall? The other solution of course is to mount the transducer to the rear of the boat but how level does it have to be in relation to the water? I did print out the instructions for my particular fish finder off the Garmin site but naturally there are still several unanswered questions. YouTube is a help to a certain degree but usually not 100%. Thanks for any input given.

Look into KastKing anything. Whatever your budget will afford actually. They sell on Amazon exclusively and are worth twice to three times the cost. You can ask questions in here, get answers but many times they are misleading without further research and YouTube is an excellent resource. Even my suggestion should be researched because that is all it is, a suggestion. Trust nobody except yourself and your decision.

KastKing SPARTACUS. Backlash free due if set up properly. But don’t believe me, go to YouTube and search for it. The only thing you get in here is suggestions with no actual breakdown of Product features and I don’t put much faith in what I read in forums without extensive research.

Fishing is a pastime that requires a tremendous amount of patience so get used to not catching fish on a continuous basis. It has been a month since I caught a fish but I keep trying because it is the enjoyment of getting out and thinking today is the day I land a big one knowing it probably ain’t gonna happen but I gotta keep trying. I have over 60 years of that kind of fishing experience and I honestly don’t regret a day of it. Not only that I get to spend quality time with my son on weekends since I got him interested in fishing a couple months ago.

I love YouTube. It is full of opinions and contradictions that basically keeps you guessing wondering which “expert” to believe. But like they say, an opinion is like an a$$, everybody’s got one.

I bought a Jon boat a month ago and only use it on weekends with my son and through the week I fish from the bank. Actually I find it a pain in the posterior considering my advanced age and physical disabilities. Even with my son’s help which I will never admit to him. I just grin and bear my pain because I don’t know how many days, weeks, months or years I have left so I just keep on eating my pain meds and make believe I am fine.