KastKing's Orcas

In June of 2014, KastKing introduced its Orcas spinning reels to the angling world. They were designed with the saltwater angler in mind. A new and improved Orcas is in the offing, and anglers will be able to purchase upgraded models in January of 2016.

Until recently, KastKing has not been a name that ever rolled off the lips of Midwest finesse anglers. But during the fall of 2015, a veteran Midwest angler sent us a note about the new monofilament, braided, and fluorocarbon-coated lines manufactured by KastKing. On December 11, 17, and, 24, we published gear guides about its monofilament line and two of its braided lines.

After we published the piece about KastKing's Masters Monofilament Fishing Line, a member of the Finesse News Network suggested that we should inform Midwest finesse anglers and other anglers around the country about KastKing's Orcas, which he described as a relatively inexpensive but highly dependable spinning reel.

Here is what we found out about the Orcas:

Eposeidon Outdoor Adventure, Inc. of Garden City, New York, is the parent company of KastKing. According to Tom Gahan who is the marketing director for Eposeidon, this spinning reel is named after the killer whale Orcinus orca, which is often heralded as one of the world's most powerful predators.

When KastKing's staff field-tested and tested it in the laboratory, they were impressed with its durability and power, and they concluded that it possesses the wherewithal to "withstand and deliver endless punishment," which is why it is named Orcas.

The piscatorial rigors that saltwater anglers encounter on a regular basis necessitate an extremely durable spinning reel, and if the Ocras is as durable as KastKing has found it to be, it might last an angler who employs Midwest finesse tactics a decade or two. (This will be something that the Finesse News Network will keep an eye upon as the years and decades unfold.)

Gahan notes that its metal body, rotor, and spool are manufactured from a special aluminum alloy that is 18 percent lighter than the typical aluminum bodies of other brands of spinning reels of a similar price. The Ocras 1000 weighs 9.7 ounces, the 2000 weighs 10 ounces, and the 3000 weighs 11.25 ounces. What's more, this alloy provides a stronger frame than anglers can find in other aluminum-body spinning reels.

It is endowed with a set of 12 + 1 shielded stainless steel ball bearings, a stainless steel main shaft, and a CNC-machined aluminum spool and a CNC-machined aluminum handle.

The spool is also graced with a carbon-fiber skirt and a power casting lip that keeps weight down and heightens its performance.

Gahan says its drag revolves around a triple-disc system endowed with fiber-carbon washers. The drag is exceptionally smooth, and it has allowed anglers to win donnybrook after donnybrook with impressive saltwater specimens. He noted that the Orcas 1000 and 2000 models generate 26.5 pounds of maximum drag. The Orcas 3000 generates 30 pounds of drag, and anglers have used it to catch 50-pound redfish and 50-pound striped bass.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $94.98, but some online retailers were selling Orcas for less than $50 dollars in December.

Endnotes:

(1) Here is a link to a short history about KingKast and Eposeidon Outdoor Adventure, Inc.: http://www.eposeidon.com/about-us/.

(2) Here is the link to the gear guide about KastKing's Mega8 Superior Braid: http://www.in-fisherman.com/gear-accessories/kastkings-mega8-braided-super-line/.

(3) Here is the link to the gear guide about KastKing's Master Monofilament Fishing Line: http://www.in-fisherman.com/gear-accessories/kastkings-masters-monofilament-fishing-line/.

(4) Here is the link to the gear guide about KastKing's MaxThin8 Superior Braid: http://www.in-fisherman.com/gear-accessories/kastkings-maxthin8-superior-braid/.

(5) For decades we have contended that a spinning reel with a manual bail is the most efficient and durable spinning reel. And because KastKing caters to saltwater anglers, who often prefer manual bails, we asked Tom Gahan if KastKing had plans to manufacture the Orcas with a manual-bail option. To our chagrin, he said no, and he explained that the demand for them is too slim. It is interesting to note that since 1970 we have been using the same Garcia Cardinal Four spinning reels. These reels have been customized and converted into a manual-bail system, and across all of these decades they have performed flawlessly. Here is hoping that the angling world will eventually discover the virtues of the manual bail, and KastKing will manufacture spinning reels for these anglers. For more information about manual bails, please see the story at this link: http://www.in-fisherman.com/midwest-finesse/midwest-finesse-tackle-bass-rods-reels-and-lines/.

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