Today, we’re going to take a look at another value priced reel from KastKing. We reviewed one of their first products, so when they came out with their light weight reel, we had to find out what it was like to fish.
This reel is named the Stealth. You’re probably coming up with images of aircraft, matte dark grey in color and insanely fast that avoids detection from radar. Okay, but we’re talking fishing gear here, right?
Yes, that’s correct. However, the Stealth does have that almost black, matte finish to it with the accents being a combination of brushed stainless steel and gold in appearance. It also sports a grille in the front that has something unique to casting reels. That being a line keeper in the same style of a spinning reel.
Yup, you don’t have to tie something to your line on this reel when you’re removing it from the rod. Instead, just tuck the line under the triangular keeper and you’re off to the races.
Getting Down to Brass Tacks
The Stealth is a carbon fiber based reel. Frame, sideplates, the swept handle, thumb bar, drag star – all carbon composite. This allows the reel to come in with a weight of just 5.9 ounces.
There are reels this light on the market that skimp on line capacity, but the Stealth holds a respectable 165 yards of 12# line which makes it a little more versatile as a general purpose reel.
It also boasts an 11 bearing system to make it smooth both on the cast and retrieve. Not buttery or silky but, for the price, surprisingly fluid.
The thumb bar is concave as opposed to flat which gives it a nice feel when pushing it down as though your digit is cradled while using it.
The braking system is the same dual system used in the Royale Legend which features an internal, 4 element centrifugal brake along with an externally adjustable 7 magnet, magnetic brake. All of this so that the angler can fine tune their casts based on what bait they’re using.
The Stealth shares dimensions and the same foot print with the Royale Legend as well as the 7.0:1 gear ratio and the easy to use side plate locking mechanism.
Let’s Spool it Up
We chose to spool this reel with 12# line initially just to begin our testing. We started by using a variety of crankbaits that range in weight from 1/4 to 5/8.
While the Stealth was capable with all of these weights, it is more comfortable with 3/8 and above. In this range, you can achieve distances that rival much more expensive reels.
For lighter baits, the distances were about average and required extra effort making sure that the cast control systems were all well tuned to avoid the dreaded professional overrun.
So distances aside, how does the reel handle a hard day of fishing?
The EVA foam handles are comfortable and maintain a good grip even after getting wet over and over again. The thumb bar, thanks to its concave shape doesn’t become a burden and the weight is nothing to handle over the grind of an 8 hour day.
Hooking Up
Of course the gotcha moment is when you set the hook on a fish! How does the Stealth handle the load?
First of all, like its sibling the Royale Legend, there is a little back play in the handle. We mentioned in that review that it seems to be engineered into the reel as it was consistent over the months we were testing it.
The Stealth is exactly the same. There is that same back play which has been there from day one and continues to this day without changing in the slightest. So here again, we have to assume that it is engineered into this reel.
However, it does not interfere with playing and landing a fish. This reel handles that aspect of the job as consistently as can be. Much like the retrieve not being buttery smooth, neither is the time fighting a fish. Mind you, its not rough but rather a connected feel that doesn’t dampen what is happening at the moment.
The drag has performs consistently well. It can be a little jittery and abrupt in starting and stopping, but well above average for reels that are twice its price.
This reel will be a consistent performer no matter what you use on it especially within the sweet spot for weight that we mentioned earlier. Its consistent reliability is its greatest single feature especially considering its price.
The Stealth is a real bargain for either the beginner or the seasoned angler who is watching their dollars.
| Eposeidon's KastKing Stealth Casting Reel | |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating |    |
| Another incredible bargain from KastKing | |
See ya’ on the water …