When it comes to landing giant bass, having the right gear can make all the difference. In this 2026 fishing review from Lake Baccarac, we put KastKing reels to the test in real-world bass fishing conditions. From finesse techniques to big bait presentations, these reels proved reliable, smooth, and powerful enough to handle trophy-sized fish. Whether you're targeting largemouth bass with a dropshot, or chatterbait, this guide highlights the top 4 KastKing reels that every serious angler should consider adding to their tackle box. Read on to discover how each reel performed and why they stood out on the water.

Trip Overview

On January 16, 2026, I returned from my annual trip to Mexico, where we'll fish either Lake El Salto or Lake Baccarac with Pro Bass Adventures. This year we fished Lake Baccarac and the largemouth bass were biting. We had some tough conditions as day two started out with 49-degree air temps and day three produced a vicious thunder and lightning storm, which is rare for down there this time of year, but sometimes, you get what you get.

Based on previous years I knew I'd bring gear for the Alabama Rig (A-Rig), a dropshot, a power shot, Chatterbait, and an underspin for single swimbaits. I was hoping to exploit a horizontal bite, but that front really slowed things down making the dropshot and power shot my two most productive presentations.

Daily Schedule and Amenities

The lodge provides a structured daily schedule to maximize fishing time:

• 5:00 AM – Wake-up

• 5:15–5:30 AM – Breakfast

• 5:45 AM–11:30 AM – Morning fishing session

• 11:30 AM–12:30 PM – Lunch at the lodge

• 12:45–5:30 PM – Afternoon fishing session

Boats included Ranger bass boats equipped with Minn Kota trolling motors, Garmin or Lowrance electronics with LiveScope/ActiveTarget II, and coolers stocked with ice, water, and soda or beer. This setup ensures anglers can focus on catching trophy bass efficiently.

Rods, Reels and Line Setup

Here's the gear I brought and used throughout the trip:

1. Megatron 200 Baitcasting Reel spooled with 20 lb Flourokote Line for Alabama Rig fishing.

2. Spartacus II Baitcasting Reel with 20 lb Destron Braid for the Power Drop Shot (Senko) and Underspin setups.

3. Royale Legend II Baitcasting Reel spooled with 30 lb Destron Braided Fishing Line for Chatterbait presentations.

4. MegaJaws 3000 Spinning Reel for Dropshot fishing, paired with 20 lb Flourokote Line as leader material.

I brought the KastKing Valiant Eagle Passage Travel Rod 7'6' heavy power and that rod performed great casting 1/2 oz. Chatterbaits. For the other presentations I use rods provided by the lodge ranging from 7'3' MH power to 7'5" heavy power.

Baits and Presentations

• Dropshot: 5" Keitech Shad Impact (Gizzard Shad)

• Power Shot: 6" Senko (Orange/Gold Fleck or Watermelon/Red Fleck)

• Alabama Rig (A-Rig): Keitech 3.8 & 4.3 Fat Swing Impact (Pro Blue or Alewife) on 3/8 oz Squadron Jigs

• Underspin: Keitech 3.8 Fat Swing Impact (Pro Blue) on 1/2 oz Stormin Hornet, silver blade

• Chatterbait: Bluegill dressed with Big Bite Baits 5.5" Tour Swim Worm (Watermelon Ghost)

Fishing Depths and Trophy Bass Catchs

My best depth was between 7- to 22-foot on 45-degree sloping banks. In the morning casting toward the shore with either the underspin or the Alabama Rig (A-Rig) was a very good bite that produced a 2- to 4-pound average, and it also gave up my big fish of the trip a stout 8 lbs. 10 oz. on the A-rig.

The drop shot produced the most fish with the biggest at 7 lbs. 13 oz.  The power shot was my next best presentation producing good numbers of fish and the biggest was 7 lbs. 3 oz. Just before the lunch break our guide set us up on various shoals that were 6- to 9-foot deep falling off into a 24-foot basin. I'd cast the underspin along the top of the shoal and get some bites, my biggest fish doing that was 5 lbs. 4 oz.

During the last hour of the afternoon sessions, we're return to the bank casting Chatterbaits into shoreline buck brush and that produced some quality bass with my biggest 7 lbs. 9 oz.

Overall Experience 

This Mexico trip was not only productive but also a much-needed break from bone-chilling winter conditions. The combination of KastKing reels and the lodge's excellent setup ensured maximum fishing efficiency. For anglers looking for a high-quality bass fishing adventure and reliable gear, this trip reinforces why KastKing products are a top choice.

Whether you're planning tournament fishing, chasing trophy bass, or experimenting with multiple presentations, these insights offer actionable guidance for your next fishing trip.

About the Author

Captain Burnie Haney is owner/operator of New York Fishing Adventures, Army veteran and retired Sergeant Major with a 38-year military career. A tournament bass angler since 1992, he has won five Angler of the Year titles, set the NYTBF five-fish weight record, and qualified for two National Championships. Burnie holds two International Game Fish Association (IGFA) New York State line class records (walleye and smallmouth bass) and the IGFA All Tackle Length World Record for Chain Pickerel. He is a lifetime member of B.A.S.S. and member of the New York State Outdoor Writers' Association. Haney was inducted into the New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame in 2017. Today, Burnie focuses on multi-species seasonal fishing adventures.

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