Kestrel Finesse Casting Rod

I grew up on baitcasters and wanted something that could handle light lures as a bait caster. Mine has 6 pound line on it and works great. I use braid for the main line and it casts smooth. I tend to use either a split shot sinker and 1/64 oz jig or a 1/64 oz jig above a 1/32 oz jig. It casts both of these super smooth. I prefer the medium light rod due to many lakes by me having weeds and snags and I like the extra power but I have the ultralight rod as well. It has hauled in the expected species (gills, perch, sunfish) but has also landed large bass, walleye, drum, and catfish and has had no problem. I would highly recommend this reel for someone looking for a fun bait caster setup on a smaller scale. I know kastking has since launched some new versions of this reel and I’m curious how much better the upgraded one is, but from my experience, the Kestrel I own handles a wide variety of fish and has been an absolute blast. It’s my first rod and reel I grab when I hit the water

It took a little time to get this rod but it was worth the wait. I bought the 7'2" model for casting small crankbaits and paired it with a baitcaster spooled up with 10lb flouro. The rod has enough backbone to handle a 7 pound largemouth and enough tip to cast a 1/4 ounce crankbait 60-70 foot with ease. Great rod at a great price...I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Absolutely love it super fun to catch anything for bluegill to bass, get some 10lb braid on their and you can cast some tiny little things a mile.

I got the 2 piece 7'2 rod because I wanted a little longer rod for a BFS setup. I also have and love the 6'9 3 piece which I love. This rod was just what I was looking for. I am mostly bank fishing for bass, blue gill and crappie. I broke it in with a nice 2 pound bass.

Was very pleased with the reel was easy to setup almost no back lashes the only reason I have had a couple was because of the braid I was using would get knoted up when I would real in a fish and put the line to thight on the spool but once I change line it has been great now for the rod I love it but I did already break the tip by just casting had my line down 12” to 18” from the tip when I brought it forward the jig head hit the tip of the rod and broke it I think cause I did hear snap sound but didn’t feel it hit only noticed when I was trying to reel it in and realized tip was broke other than that I love it still would buy again and plan to get the mega jaws next

This rod punches well about its price point imo. Perfect bass rod and panfish rod!! Especially in the 1 piece!!