KastKing Valiant Eagle Fishing Reel Review: Best Budget Reel?
Anglers everywhere are constantly searching for high quality reels that don’t break the bank. In this article, I’ll be detailing a KastKing Valiant Eagle spinning reel review for you all. It’s a budget-friendly option that promises performance without the hefty price tag. Having traditionally relied on the Penn Pursuit and Battle series for my light tackle setups, I decided to put the Valiant Eagle to the test. Here’s how it’s fared in the surf so far.
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First Impressions
Right out of the box, the Valiant Eagle impresses with its sleek black and gold design. The reel feels solid yet lightweight, thanks to its graphite frame and rotor. The handle is comfortable, and the overall build quality suggests durability which is a pleasant surprise given its sub-$50 price point.
Technical Specifications
- Gear Ratio: 6.2:1 for quick retrieves
- Drag System: Sealed carbon drag with up to 22 lbs of stopping power
- Bearings: 10+1 stainless steel ball bearings for smooth operation
- Weight: Approximately 9.8 oz for the 4000 series
These specs position the Valiant Eagle as a versatile reel suitable for various surf fishing applications.
Performance in the Surf
Paired with my go-to rods – the Okuma Celilo (8’6″ MA) and the Okuma SST (8’6″ MA) – the Valiant Eagle has performed with no shortcomings whatsoever. Casting etc. has seemed no different to me in comparison to my Penn Battle other than the slightly different shape of the bail. But most impressively, the reel’s smoothness has been a huge upside and surprise to me. It honestly hasn’t degraded one bit in the first year of use. The drag system has handled croaker, corbina, spotfin croaker, shovelnose guitarfish, bat rays, small leopard sharks and surf perch with ease, providing consistent pressure without any jerks or slips.
Comparison with Penn Reels
I spoke a bit about comparing this reel to the Penn Battle in the above paragraph, but I will reiterate and expand upon that thought.
To get straight to the point, here’s my ranking of my four most commonly used reels.
The Valiant Eagle holds its own, especially considering its price.
Compared to the Penn Pursuit, the KastKing Valiant Eagle fishing reel is a better reel and a cheaper reel in my opinion. My Penn Pursuits have all lost their initial smoothness within the first year and this KastKing reel simply has shown no signs of slowing down. I’ve also had a couple of anti-reverse problems and gear breakdown problems on the Pursuit that the KastKing shows no signs of either.
It’s lighter than the Penn Battle III 4000 and offers comparable smoothness in retrieval. At this point, I simply trust the battle a bit more and it feels like it’s built out of longer lasting materials but we’ll see how things progress.
For swimbait setups where exposure to splashes is frequent, I still easily prefer the Penn Spinfisher VI due to its fully sealed design and higher-quality materials.
Durability & Maintenance
After a year’s worth of outings, the Valiant Eagle shows no signs of corrosion or wear. Its sealed drag system offers protection against saltwater intrusion, but it’s worth noting that the reel isn’t fully sealed. Regular rinsing with fresh water after each use is recommended to maintain its longevity.
Value for Money
At under $50, the Valiant Eagle offers exceptional value. It delivers performance that rivals reels twice its price, making it an excellent choice for anglers looking to upgrade their gear without a significant investment.
In my opinion, this is easily the best budget surf fishing reel on the market right now.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Lightweight and ergonomic design
- Smooth drag and retrieval
- Affordable price point
- Great Durability
- Compact
Cons:
- Not fully sealed; may not be ideal for heavy splash conditions
- May not match the durability of higher-end reels like the Spinfisher VI
Final Verdict
The KastKing Valiant Eagle is a winner in the budget reel category. For light tackle surf fishing targeting species like croaker, corbina, and surf perch, it offers performance and reliability that exceed expectations. While it may not replace higher-end reels for more demanding applications, it’s a worthy addition to any angler’s arsenal and a no-brainer for beginners.
I hope you all enjoyed the KastKing Valiant eagle reel review and if you have any questions about gear or anything else, don’t hesitate to post in the comments below!
Best Rods and Reels For Surf Fishing – Previous Articles
During early Covid, I stocked up on 4 Penn Pursuits when they were on clearance at Walmart. I think I paid around $23 each. They also had the Uglistik GX2 9ft on clearance, so I bought 2 for around $39 each. I run 2 sand spikes, one for a hi/low rig, the other for a fish finder rig. I found your experience with the Pursuit the same as mine, despite tuning them 2 times during my surf fishing season which runs April through Thanksgiving. I think I will try out one of these reels for one season and see how it goes. I’m usually reluctant with reviews and recommendations, but I’m willing to give this a try since we have similar experiences with the Pursuit and we fish the same local breaks.
For sure! Good to know it seems accurate.