MegaJaws Elite Spinning Reel

On October 23, 2023, I had the opportunity to try out my new KastKing MegaJaws 2000, and I wasn’t disappointed. I paired the reel with a St. Croix 6’4” Trout Series Rod (Light Power, Fast Action) and was fortunate enough to land eight trout. Two were 18.5 inch plus Rainbow Trout that weighed 1.5 and 2 pounds, respectively.

This reel is lightweight and smooth, and the purple and black color scheme is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The drag system is very smooth as well; however, the “clicking” isn’t as loud as my other Kastking Spinning reels. There is no issue there whatsoever. The casting is outstanding. While using 6 lb. test monofilament and jerk baits and spoons that weighed between 1/10 and 1/8 ounces, long casts of 20 to 25 yards were almost effortless. Granted, using a 6’4” rod does facilitate longer casting versus rods of a shorter length. I also appreciated the 6.2.1 gear ratio when it came to dealing with swifter waters during the trip. The reel only boasts 15.4 pounds of drag, but for trout weighing less than 10 pounds, this is more than adequate. The reel is saltwater-rated, but upon inspecting underneath the drag adjustment knob, I found that there was inadequate grease to prevent the possibility of water leaking in. Minor problem, as I added some Kastking reel grease to the area.

In summary, I own several “high end” Kastking reels (Kapstan Elite Saltwater 3000, Kestrel SPS 1000 reels) and the MegaJaws, and it’s apparent that Kastking is seeking to compete with some of the more “high end” brands such as Daiwa and Shimano. For the price, you will not find a better spinning reel. This reel met my expectations and then some. Trout are finicky and line-shy fish; however, in the future, I may remove the monofilament and go to a light braided line with a fluorocarbon leader. If I do, I’m confident the MegaJaws will handle that setup admirably. If you’re looking for a "high-end" spinning reel that would cover the spectrum from panfish to walleye and perhaps some smaller inshore species, the Kastking MegaJaws will not disappoint.

FISHED WITH THIS REEL SEVERAL DAYS GREAT PROFORMANCE GREAT VALUE.

One of the best reels I've used. Casts and retrieves flawlessly.

Excellent reel that should work well for bass

I loaded this reel up with 30lb braid and I'm very happy with it. It's really light for it's size, and the cast and retrieve are smoother than any of my other reels. This will work great next salmon season for drifting.