KastKing Centron Lite Baitcasting Fishing Reel – Lightweight, Glass Fiber Infused Nylon Frame – 7.6 OZ – 5 + 1 Anti-Reverse Ball Bearings, 7.1:1 High-Speed Gear Ratio Fishing Reel with Compact Design

I’ve been fishing with baitcasting ("open face") reels for years, and decided to take a chance on a new brand that I'm becoming familiar with, KastKing. This reel completely exceeded my expectations in terms of performance, value, and overall build quality!Right out of the box, the Centron Lite feels solid but impressively lightweight. The sleek black finish gives it a sharp, high-end look. The ergonomics are spot-on – it sits comfortably in the palm and feels well-balanced on my medium-heavy rod.The casting distance is FANTASTIC, and once I dialed in the user-friendly magnetic brake system, backlash was almost non-existent. (HIGHLY RECOMMEND if you're relatively new to baitcasters). The 7.1:1 gear ratio makes quick work of burning spinnerbaits or retrieving crankbaits efficiently. I’ve hauled in both small & largemouth bass of various sizes, and the drag system handled it with no issues – smooth and consistent pressure all the way through.This reel is incredibly smooth for the price point. The 7+1 ball bearings definitely make a difference, especially when retrieving. I haven’t noticed any grinding or stiffness even after several full days on the water.After a few weeks of heavy use, it’s held up remarkably well. No corrosion, and a quick rinse, wipe, and light oiling had it working like new. KastKing’s build quality here really shows – especially at this price point.I’d recommend this reel to both beginners looking for an easy-to-learn baitcaster and seasoned anglers who want a solid, reliable backup or budget-friendly primary reel. It’s perfect for anything freshwater, and I don't see why it wouldn't even handle some in-shore saltwater fishing with proper maintenance and know-how.For under $50, you’re getting a reel that feels and performs like something twice the price. KastKing knocked it out of the park with the Centron Lite. It’s now a staple in my tackle setup, and I’ll definitely be looking at more gear from them in the future. I've been working their products into my arsenal over the past year, but always stayed away from their rods & reels, simply because of loyalty to my "go to" brands. I can officially say that KastKing has made its way into my "go to" brands for every product I've used, and this Centron reel just might be the best reel setup I've used in a number of years!LIFETIME CUSTOMER!

Love the reel, casts smooth, durable, lightweight and a great price!

Bought this on a whim to get over the threshold for free shipping. Figured if nothing else it might be a decent reel for my son to learn on.The good: Low cost, good mag brakes. Cheap mag brakes tend to be on the ineffective side, but these actually work quite well. Reel is smooth out of the box, but that may or may not last.The bad: for that low cost, you definitely get a cheap reel. There are tiny gaps around the edges of the frame and side plates - nothing serious or that might impact the reel's usability, but the tolerances are definitely those of a budget reel. There's a noticeable whirring noise on cast and retrieve that seems to be coming from the spool. Again, no actual issues yet, but if something is rubbing it may affect the long-term durability of the reel. Lastly, the drag was not smooth out of the box. I dismantled mine and greased it with Cal's grease, and now it's smooth as butter. There are actually two carbon fiber friction washers in the drag stack, which is surprising given the reel's cost, but there are also three white nylon/plastic washers that offer little to nothing in the way of stopping power and are only there for show. And which aren't going to be very smooth without grease.All that said, for what you pay it seems to be a good or even great reel. Only time will tell how it holds up, but if nothing else it's a good reel for my son to learn to cast a baitcaster on.

Everything I ever expected from a top tier Bait caster. 10 out of 10 HIGHLY RECOMMEND. 💯 Lightweight, smooth cast and quality grade. Stylish design, quiet and no issues with backlash. Vibrant color and compact. Easy to use for beginners and professionals.

Ive never have had a top dollar bait caster but for the money, this KastKing casts about as good as you can ask for. As with any bait caster, it all comes down to having a proper brake adjustment. This one checks the boxes. Looks good and casts even better with a smooth retrieve.

It is awesome! The reel is great for beginners like me! It is well made especially for the price! The look is awesome if you pair it up with a matching rod color. Overall totally recommend this product to everyone, and is a great starting point for beginners!

Very good cheap baitcaster hardly ever backlashes super good material although a little small it holds about 130 yards of braided line and it almost sounds like a dc reel

For the money it works well. The wiring faded after a day or two of hooking it up. Other than that you cant beat it for price for a baitcaster. Especially a white one.