KastKingMegaJaws Elite Baitcasting Reels, Patented AMB System Eliminating Backlashes, Flipping Switch Function, 6.4oz Aluminum Frame Fishing Reel with Carbon Fiber Side Covers

I heard about this on YouTube a few days ago. I bought one of the 7.2:1 models, and it arrived two days ago. My background: I fished with spinning reels for 60 years. A few years ago I bought a couple of baitcasters. I'm not good at all casting with conventional baitcasters - for me a good sidearm cast was maybe 60 feet. Preventing backlashes always cost me distance. In the promotional information this reel is presented as "no backlash", and that's what got me to buy one.I rigged it on a 7' Kalex XPS medium heavy rod, with about 100 yards of 30 lb PowerPro braid, using no backing. (On the reel it says that it holds 110 yards of 12lb test line, but doesn't specify the line type or diameter.) I tied on an 11 gram (.38 oz) hookless plug, adjusted spool tension, and took it out to the backyard in cold Central Massachusetts.The reel is very light, and palms very comfortably. Everything works smoothly, and the drag feels very smooth and adjustable. The flipping switch is easily turned on/off and is easily accessible for quick adjustment. I like how the spool tension knob clicks when adjusted.I started casting (sidearm) and had fairly amazing results immediately. Without thumbing the spool at all, except to stop it at "splashdown", I had no backlashes - zero. This was even with magnetic braking set to "0". The casting plug weight was at the low end of what's recommended for this particular rod, which is 3/8-1oz. Nonetheless, I easily cast over 100', almost twice the distance I can manage with my conventional baitcasters. The cold weather finally drove me inside after a few dozen casts.The only thing I don't like about the reel, has nothing to do with the reel itself - it's what comes with it. The documentation is for a generic KastKing baitcaster, and really doesn't apply to this one. It has zero information specific to this model. It might be useful to include some AMD casting tips. Tips on setting the magnetic brake would be helpful. For example, if braking is "automatic", how is the magnetic brake supposed to be used? Is it just to allow for casting into the wind, or something? It would also be nice to see a chart of line weights & capacities, too.Final thoughts: I'm really glad I bought this. The reel works great, even better than expected. Having no backlashes was terrific, but the big increase in casting distance was totally unexpected. I cast nearly twice as far as with my conventional baitcasters, first time out. I'm an old Yankee cheapskate, but I think pricing is fair. The flipping switch will be useful for many people, and I'll check that out later when I'm on the water in my kayak.Update after fishing it for two months:. The automatic backlash control works fine for lures that have very little wind resistance. It does not work effectively with lures with a lot of wind resistance, such as spinnerbaits. That's a big disappointment

I gave this reel a workout for a couple days before writing this review. I am also a Shimano Curado angler so that is my main reels to compare with this Kast King Mega Jawa Elite reel. For those who want a quick statement about it. Its very comparible to the shimano curado K line of reels at a lower price point. I dont notice any lack of quality to get the lower price. It is a more attractive reel than the Curado series. I love all the gold trim especially the milled handle with Gold on the chamfer.As far as performance it has 10 settings for braking. unlike the Shimano Curado where you have to remove the cover to adjust the brake by flipping one of four levers, the Mega Jaws Elite has a dial recessed on the side. The optimal setting for me was between 3-4. I am an experienced baitcast angler but would not describe myself as advanced or expert. That group can probably set it lower. I got great casting distance at that setting and no backlashes with just a slight amount of thumb pressure at the end of cast. You can dial it in to cast with no thumb pressure but you will sacrifice some distance. That makes this a great reel for both beginners and advanced anglers.This reel is also about an ounce lighter than the shimano curado. The reel is smooth but I would give the edge to Shimano on that one. This might be due to the guide on the megajaws is longer than the shimanos which you can feel a little more friction as the braid moves through. probably would not notice with Mono or flouro. I did spool it with 50lb braid and did some pitching and flipping with a Jig. This reel has a flip switch where the thumb bar disengages as soon as you release pressure on it instead of cranking the reel handle. It takes getting used to as it changes how I have been programmed for flipping baits. I am not a fan of it but with some practice I am sure it works great. Like most bait casters the spool tensioner needs to be adjusted depending on the weight of the bait to avoid backlashing. Overall this is an excellent reel at its price point and to me it was simple to adjust and use.

There are more expensive baitcasters out there, but I feel like past this it's rapidly diminishing returns. If you go below this price point, you get poor quality reels that just don't perform and feel cheap. I've tried a lot of baitcasters, and IMHO this Kastking MegaJaws Elite is the perfect balance point, the absolute best bang for the buck.This baitcaster is made of high-quality, saltwater resistant aluminum. It feels very high quality. The gears and retrieve is smooth and feels polished. It's about as backlash resistant as you can expect. You can still backlash it, but under normal use with an experienced user, backlashes are rare.I spool mine with 30 lb braid with a 20 lb mono leader to fish for pink salmon and coho salmon. The reel performed great in this capacity. I have three of these reels, that's how much I like it. It's the only reel I use for salmon fishing in southeast Alaska.

Casts a great distance. I ordered 3! Casts farther than my more expensive 230 dollar reel, not as smooth reeling and has plastic parts. The drag is plastic but the reel is great. The flip function is fun, and useful. It seems solid. I don't write reviews so that is saying something about how much I like this reel.Has a nice sound to it when you cast. Light weight lures cast far when your dialed in. If your new to baitcast, watch a youtube video. This is great for beginners also, very little backlash if you don't set it. When it is dialed in you don't have to hold your thumb on the reel at all! That's huge when taking others fishing.Like I said, I liked it so much I bought 3. I rated the reel 4 out of 5 because of the plastic parts. I really wish it was all metal. But still a great reel for the price.

Everything about this reel is awesome.It's got all the adjustments you need.Casts long, great drag, "ALLMOST never have a backlash".Mistake on my part can and will cause a backlash.It has a flipping switch, but I don't use it.Like the Megajaws so much that I today, ordered the regular Megajaws.It' the same reel only no flipping switch.It's at least comparable to the Scoot Reece Icon reel that I purchased.Just a bit more heavy duty.