Casting: In the realm of reel brands, many
companies, excluding those that own and operate their own factories like
Shimano and Daiwa, often rely on third-party builders and adopt very similar
cast control designs. While some of KastKing's earlier reels adhered to more
traditional casting weight systems, their recent baitcasters display unique
technology and patented designs. The Mg12, in particular, utilizes the
company's patented AMB (Auto-adjustment Magnetic Braking System),
incorporating adjustable disk weights mounted on the spool to interact with
a one-piece magnet ring on the sideplate during casting.
The Mg12 exhibits strong
casting in the mid-range and can fish everything from tube jigs to frogs
This design
replaces traditional weights or an inductor ring with moving plates, and
although classified as a magnetic system, it still employs centrifugal force
to engage the four magnetic weighted plates during each cast. A small
external dial located on the lower edge of the non-handle sideplate
facilitates the AMB system’s adjustability.
The Mg12 sideplate remains
connected when accessing the spool
I found the process of dialing
in the system to be quick and easy. The cast control exerts significant
pressure on the spool, so experienced baitcast anglers may need to dial it
back for maximum casting distance. On the other hand, novice anglers will
appreciate the system's effectiveness in preventing backlashes during the
initial cast, proving more forgiving than many competing systems.
Key to the reel's casting
performance is the proprietary AMB cast control system
Regarding
maximum casting distance, I discovered that while the cast control was easy
to adjust, fine-tuning the spool tension knob took some time to achieve
optimal results. The combination may be a bit more finicky than Shimano and
Daiwa reels, but once dialed in, the Mg12 truly excels with lures weighing
1/8 oz. and up.
Compact sliding magnetic
plates mounted on the spool interact with a fixed magnetic ring on the
inside of the non-handle side sideplate. The system is adjusted externally
and manages backlashes well
While it can handle lighter and heavier lures, the AMB
casting system is not as well-suited for very lightweight baits as the FAF (Flyout
Arc Finesse) system we observed on the Kestrel. Interestingly, both reels
can feel somewhat restrictive on the very light end of the spectrum
depending on how aggressive the settings are. In terms of
refinement there is a noticeable sound emanating from the AMB
system's weights during the cast. While this doesn't impact performance you
can definitely hear the weights at work.
The Mg12's spool (8.2g) is
significantly heavier than the Kestrel's Elite Spool (5.6g)
The sweet
spot for the Mg12 lies in the range of 1/8 oz. to 3/4 oz. lures, where it
feels the most natural and effortless. Once dialed in, the Mg12 proves to be
a robust caster for both short, pinpoint pitches and long-distance casts. I
found it easy to lay into the rods and sling hard when paired with this
reel, and noticed that I could confidently launch baits like 1/2 oz. bladed
jigs just as far, as reels that retail for significantly more.
The Mg12's spool is medium
depth and holds plenty of line for bass fishing applications
Retrieve and Power: Despite its compact size, the
Mg12 reel is equipped with 11+1 bearings, including stainless steel
bearing-supported knobs. The reel's main gearing, along with the main gear
shaft, is constructed from 7075 aluminum, while the pinion gear is made of
brass. The overall gear mesh is pretty tight, exhibiting minimal backplay in
the reel. Upon initial use, the Mg12 felt smooth and precise. However, a
lingering concern was how well it would endure over time, considering two
key drivetrain components are made of aluminum.
The carbon fiber handle on the
Mg12 is light and durable. It exhibited no flex whatsoever when cranking
down aggressively
Although I
didn't specifically employ the Mg12 for swimbait fishing, I did subject the
reel to many power fishing techniques, including deep cranking, over the
past few months. I was pleasantly surprised by the smooth performance of the
reel in most scenarios.
The Mg12 is great for winding
both plastics and reaction baits. Burning bladed jigs on a Dobyns Extreme
rod... check.
Notably, the reel exhibited strain only when
handling crankbaits that ran 20+ feet, showcasing its capacity to handle
larger, deeper-diving baits. However, the noticeable cranking power
required, coupled with detectable torque on the reel's gearing, is partly
attributed to the Mg12's exclusive availability in a brisk 7.5:1 gearing.
Despite its inherent
suitability for finesse applications due to its small profile and
lightweight body, I was pleased to discover that the Mg12 performed
admirably when used with reaction baits such as jerkbaits, blade baits, and
even mid-sized topwaters. The finesse to mid-range is where the Mg12 feels
most natural and often excels.
Plenty of power to battle
fish. The reel's aluminum gearing is light and yet has held up well thus far
While
aluminum gearing typically has a shorter lifespan compared to brass, it is a
logical choice in reels like the Mg12, where emphasis is placed on weight
and overall ergonomics. KastKing's hard anodized treatment on the aluminum
gearing appears to be fulfilling its intended purpose. After six months of
use, both in fresh and brackish conditions, the Mg12 remains close to its
initial out-of-the-box smoothness and operates just as quietly when cranked.
All knobs including the spool
tension feature audible clicks
Drag: The Mg12 boasts a traditional multi-material
drag system, and there is little to highlight or complain about in this
regard. With a rated drag of 15.4lbs, our lab tests confirmed an observed
pressure of 15.2lbs, essentially aligning with the specified value. This
substantial drag pressure for a reel of its size is more than sufficient for
bass applications. Equally important is the drag's performance, and in this
aspect, the Mg12 proved easy to dial in, providing smooth and reliable
performance from the initial set through each battle with fish.
While the composite drag star
looks cool it feels a but slick and plastic-y
The drag
star on the Mg12 is constructed from composite material and has a throwing
star-like design, shaped in a manner that makes it intuitive to operate.
While visually interesting, the star feels somewhat plastic-like, and the
glossy finish is a bit slick to the touch. While this star is lightweight it
doesn’t match the high-end look or feel of the reel’s carbon fiber handle.
A look at the Kastking Mg12
next to another new magnesium reel, the enthusiast class Abu Garcia Zenon
MG-LTX which weighs 4.7oz. but retails for $549 dollars