KastKing Brutus Baitcasting Fishing Reel, Graphite Frame, 7.2:1 Gear Ratio, 5+1 Shielded Stainless-Steel Ball Bearings,10 Button Magnetic Braking System, 17.6LB Carbon Fiber Drag, Aluminum HandleCarbonfree Certified

I bought this to do review and comparison along side a sougayilang BS8000 8.1:1 gear ratio baitcaster and Kastking by far exceed my expectations! The quality fit and finish of the Brutus is insane for the price! If your looking for a baitcaster and your not an experienced baitcaster angler and want something cheap but good quality then look no further than the Kastking Brutus! The brakes are phenomenal for the price point it has brass gearing and the casting and retrieving with this reel is super smooth and quite. Absolutely Worth the money and being a 7.2:1 gear ratio it's a great all around reel. You can use it for pretty much anything!

First thing out of the box the graphite frame provides a reel platform that is lightweight at 7. 7 oz yet strong enough for any fishing situation. The 5+1 ball bearings provide a smooth, steady retrieve for the high speed 7.2:1 gear ratio. And when you get in to the big ones, the reel has enough heft to fight larger fish with its 17.6 pound maximum drag. The ten button magnetic braking system provides effortless casts keeping you out of bird nest city. This breaking system works exceptionally well. I was impressed with the range of adjustment. The spool tension knob has easy, audible click adjustments for fine tuning the reel. The star drag makes it easy to adjust the carbon disk drag. Along with the comfortable handle, this reel becomes an effective fishing machine. And when you consider the price, it is an exceptional value. KastKing has a winner with this reel.

Bought this reel to be a work horse for jigs. You absolutely cannot beat this real for its price point. It’s very smooth, light weight, and a nice looking reel. That being said do not expect this reel to perform like a $200 reel. For its price point there’s no competition. 4th reel by these guys and haven’t been let down yet.

I’ve used several baitcasting reels over the years, and this one absolutely holds its own—even compared to some that cost twice as much. From unboxing to casting on the water, everything about this reel impressed me.🎣 What I Loved:• Smooth Casting & Retrieval: Right out of the box, the reel felt incredibly smooth. The bearings are tight and well-lubricated, which made for long, consistent casts without much effort. Reeling in is quiet and fluid with zero grind or catch.• Adjustable Brakes & Tension: I really appreciate how easy it is to dial in the brake system. After a few practice casts, I had minimal backlash and a ton of control, even with lighter lures in windy conditions.• Solid Construction: The frame feels tough and well-built, but it’s also lightweight, which is great for long days on the water. The handle has a nice grip, and the drag system has a smooth, consistent pull that’s handled everything from bass to small catfish so far.• Good Line Capacity: I spooled it with 12 lb mono and had more than enough line for casting long distances or fighting a fish that wants to run. No issues with line memory or slippage.⸻🛠️ A Few Usage Tips:• Backlash is always a possibility with baitcasters—take a few minutes to get the settings right for your lure weight and casting style.• Don’t overlook the drag—this reel has a surprisingly strong and smooth drag system that handles pressure really well.⸻✅ Final Verdict:If you’re looking for a dependable, well-made baitcaster that won’t break the bank, this is a great option. It’s smooth, casts far, and has the adjustability you need whether you’re a beginner learning the ropes or a seasoned angler upgrading your gear. I’ll be adding another one to my tackle box soon.

Last year I have bought this as my first baitcast fishing reel, And Hey… This has held up great, I had an issue where I was using spider wire and it would backlash like a son of a gun, But once i switched to Kast King braided It only backlashes once every-time i go fishing. I absolutely love this fishing reel. I would recommend it to anyone starting off, and when and if you do start off in baitcasting reels, and you want to use braided, Make sure to loop it though the hole, Then double knot it so it doesn’t move at all, All these people putting 1 star saying the line slips, It’s because they Didn’t tie on the braid properly, Trust me My cousin did the same thinking his drag was broken but was actually his braid not being tight on the reel. Then make sure you set the tension right then you’re basically all set after that. Happy fishing