ZEBCO Bullet KastKing Brutus Review! Best Alternative to Bait Cast or Spinning Reels?

Can a modern spincast reel be a viable alternative to a bait cast or spinning reel? We put two highly rated reels to the test to find out that answer and we see which one of them out performs the other. $100 vs $35....LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!
UPDATE: See my follow-up here: • ZEBCO Bullet Spincast ...
#zebco
#kastking
#spincast
#bassfishing
#kayakfishing

Пікірлер: 74

  • @rolandgdean
    @rolandgdean9 күн бұрын

    Considering that both Zebco and KastKing are owned by the same parent company, it's really just a matter of budget and they're all Zebcos in the end...just different models. You can also get 2 or more lesser Zebcos for the same as a Bullet too. Great video.

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    9 күн бұрын

    @rolandgdean interesting....they are both really good reels but you can feel the money difference for sure. I saw a Zebco the other day I had never heard of (don't remember the model) but it was in the $50 range. I almost got it just to see. Thank you so much for watching and commenting! And thank you for liking the video!!

  • @marvinmurakami8828
    @marvinmurakami88286 күн бұрын

    Huge price difference between the two, not fair. Man, what a nice fishing spot. Looks so relaxing. Runcl makes a spincast reel that's in the same price range and size as the Brutus that would make a perfect comparison. I've got the Zebco Delta reel that I like very much.

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    6 күн бұрын

    @marvinmurakami88 head to head without mentioning price isn't a fair comparison. My goal was to determine if the $70 difference was worth it. I think for the occasional fisherman that answer is no, but for the avid fisherman I believe it is. Luckily the place I filmed that is only about 15 minutes from the house so I get to frequent it often and it is very peaceful. I really appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment!

  • @howardb4
    @howardb4Ай бұрын

    once again, you nailed it. I am comfortable with spinning and baitcasters setups and I bought the kastking for one purpose...skipping docks. throwing a lure between pontoons is tough and likely going to end up with a back lash and unexpected bang against a dock. spincast won't backlash. I'm trying to nail down the best rod for this..maybe a short rod with a fast action that I can use for finesse baits. going to put 10 braid on mine with a lighter fc leader soon. thanks again for your great content.

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    Ай бұрын

    @howardb4 than you very much! I can't believe I didn't think of that... I can't skip without getting a backlash and it never occurred to me to try a spincast. That's brilliant!! Thank you for the idea, I'm gonna give it a try.

  • @PatriotPlus179
    @PatriotPlus1794 ай бұрын

    I'm a Zebco guy myself. I catch 3+ pound bass all the time on 33's. The newer ones don't last like the old ones did. I just ordered a Zebco Bullet 5:1:1. I'm headed to Guntersville Dam tomorrow to see how the bullet performs on double digit bass.

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    4 ай бұрын

    Good luck and I hope you hook some beasts! I actually had to return my bullet, it froze up on me during my second use. I think they are good reels but I just got a dud I guess? Thank you for watching and commenting. You are much appreciated!

  • @tommywalker742
    @tommywalker74219 күн бұрын

    Great video and comparison. I don’t see these reels bringing more people away from other styles. I like them though.

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    19 күн бұрын

    @tommywalker742 I agree. I had my dad in mind when I bought and tested these reels since he isn't experienced with baitcaster reels. But then I had a viewer comment the other day that spin cast reels were great for learning to skip since they don't backlash and so that's exactly what I'm going to do. I really want to learn how to skip a lure and this might just help me do it. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

  • @laffilmfest3759
    @laffilmfest37592 ай бұрын

    I appreciate ur demo! I'm going to get a bullet MG, there's just something about a spincast that screams easy peasy....fish on!

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    2 ай бұрын

    @laffilmfest3759 Thank you so much for the kind words and watching the video. I think you'll be impressed by the performance of the reel. It's butter smooth and quiet. Thanks again and tight lines my friend!

  • @thekracken4572
    @thekracken457217 күн бұрын

    I feel the same way about spinning reels! I do not like them, at all!!! I also don't care for bfs baitcasting. I can cast light lures further with a spincast reel. I just purchased a bullet and can't wait to try it. Hopefully I like it.

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    17 күн бұрын

    @thekracken4572 yes 💯 percent anti spinning reels 😁. I haven't tried a bfs baitcaster yet, not sure that I will to be honest. I had someone say the other day that they use their Bullet for skipping lures, so I can't wait to try that bim not good at skipping with a baitcaster. I'm pretty certain you are going to love the Bullet...it's a heavy reel but so buttery smooth for spincast. If you remember, send me another message and let me know what you think after you try it out. Thank you for watching and commenting!!!

  • @thekracken4572

    @thekracken4572

    17 күн бұрын

    @@yakkittymack will do! I'm also not the best at skipping a baitcaster. I would say about 75% of the time I try is successful. By successful I mean I don't blow the reel up. It's way less if I also count missing where I'm aiming at. 🤣🤣

  • @thekracken4572

    @thekracken4572

    13 күн бұрын

    @@yakkittymack So I received the reel!! You weren't wrong! It's a awesome spin cast reel!! It feels smoother then my SLX baitcaster!! It is definitely on the heavy side but not to heavy.

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    13 күн бұрын

    @@thekracken4572 right 👍 on my friend! It's cool that you enjoy the reel. That was probably the thing that shocked me the most... I thought the Brutus was smooth until I started testing the Bullet. That thing is like butter! Thank you for letting me know. It makes me happy to make content that people can find helpful or relatable. Tight lines!!

  • @ItsGluetimeyall
    @ItsGluetimeyall7 ай бұрын

    Hey Cuz, subscribed and it’s good to see you. Especially since you were so quiet all the time!

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    7 ай бұрын

    @girltwin64 Hello! I had to do some detective work to figure out which cousin. Thank you for watching 🙂 hope you are doing well!

  • @JohnZetty
    @JohnZetty2 ай бұрын

    Very good video. Thank you for this. I own two of the Brutus reels for a couple years now and am now looking at getting the zebco bullet. I have an omega pro and it’s pretty good.

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    2 ай бұрын

    @JohnZetty thank you! The Brutus is a good reel for sure, but I think you'll be impressed with the Bullet if you go that route. It's heavier, so be prepared for that. But boy is it smooth! I appreciate you watching and commenting!

  • @JohnZetty

    @JohnZetty

    2 ай бұрын

    @@yakkittymack I’m definitely looking at getting the bullet by mid summer. I’ve had and used xencos for many years and the most expensive one thus far I own is the omega pro which I found on clearance a couple or so years ago. I almost immediately pulled the trigger on the bullet when it first came out but held off to see what the reviews were like. Very glad you posted this one because I can totally relate and it helps me make it easier on my mind to do it.

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    2 ай бұрын

    @@JohnZetty that's great. If you get the Bullet and you remember, send me a message and let me know what you think. I'd be happy to hear how it works for you! Tight lines.

  • @bobsmoot2392
    @bobsmoot23927 ай бұрын

    I believe the retrieve was too fast for the lure to be effective. I'm sure some fish will hit it at that speed, but I've used that lure for years and found a mediun retrieve to be the most successful. I know... Its a reel comparison review. Great job, btw. Good and fair comparison.

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    7 ай бұрын

    @bobsmoot2392 you very well could be right. I've not used one much at all, I'm more of a walking bait guy and that is definitely slower. I'm actually a pretty inexperienced bass fisherman, but I'm trying to learn so I can fish some kayak tournaments next season. Thank you for watching and commenting. Very much appreciated!

  • @dangareau
    @dangareau3 ай бұрын

    Almost bought this reel since one of my spinning reels froze up on me but I found Penn Spinfisher VI 3500 for $120 so it was a no brainer for me. I live near the shore and have a lot of spinning and conventional reels but only 1 baitcaster. It's a Quatum Accurist ($99) and it was the only one, I could find with a flippin' switch. It was also available in left hand retrieve, my preference even though I'm a righty and use both. Kinda curious whether your right handed because every righty I know will cast with their right hand and switch hands after the cast. Funny thing is, I don't use it for flippin', I bought it for fluke (summer flounder) fishing while on the drift. The flippin' switch makes it easier to keep bottom, no need to crank the handle.

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    3 ай бұрын

    Thank you for watching and commenting! I am left handed and I've often wondered why so many reels are made right hand retrieve since most of the world is right handed and have to switch hands after casting. I've never understood that. I'm not sure how good the Bullet would be for surf or shore type fishing? It's good for freshwater though. I haven't seen a flippin switch in a very long time. I know Kastking makes a baitcaster without brakes that's designed for flipping, but I've never tried it. I appreciate you and hope all of your fishing journeys are a success!

  • @MAGAFISHING
    @MAGAFISHING2 ай бұрын

    Piscifun makes a push button. It has power. It casts far and it is made solid.. Even better than the bullet I have both.. I tried many for my son to fish for bass with. he has down syndrome and struggles with spinning and bait casters..

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    2 ай бұрын

    @MAGAFISHING thank you for watching and commenting. My stepson is autistic, so I can very much relate to you. The Bullet was something I was thinking about for my dad who isn't accustomed to a baitcaster, I have the Brutus for my stepson. I'm going to look up the Piscifun. Thanks again, you are very much appreciated!

  • @monzsterman
    @monzsterman9 ай бұрын

    I use a very old Zebco, which has finally started to give me issues, for worm fishing because I just can't get the hang of a baitcaster. All other lures I use a spinning reels. I had been looking at the KastKing series. This review couldn't have come at a better time. Thanks

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    9 ай бұрын

    @monzsterman I'm glad you enjoyed it. If you end up getting the Brutus reel, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

  • @bobsmoot2392

    @bobsmoot2392

    7 ай бұрын

    I think he WILL be disappointed. Mine fell apart after three used and no fish played.

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    7 ай бұрын

    @@bobsmoot2392 I actually had the opposite experience. My Bullet froze up after I made that video so I had to make a follow up. Now, I still believe the bullet is the better reel, but Zebco customer service was terrible so I just returned it. The Brutus still works great... sounds like you got a bad Brutus and I got a bad Bullet 😂

  • @scottnicholson408
    @scottnicholson4088 ай бұрын

    My wife loves the zebco bullet. She has 3 of them..

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    8 ай бұрын

    @scottnicholson408 I loved it too the first time I used it and was really hoping that Zebco would have sent me a replacement. Getting a refund was always an option, Amazon is great about that, but I wanted the reel for my dad. Their customer support is what did me in. Looks like he's going to be using the KastKing. Thank you for watching and commenting!

  • @fififornow8031
    @fififornow80318 күн бұрын

    Not fair comparing these when the bullet costs more than double the Brutus

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    8 күн бұрын

    I agree it's not apples to apples. However, I did make the price difference a point of conversation. I actually bought both for my dad and wanted to compare them mostly for him. Thank you for watching and commenting, I appreciate you!

  • @CrankingYanking
    @CrankingYanking6 ай бұрын

    Nice review, I actually picked up a KasKing Brutas a few months ago and have been planning a review once I have put it through the ringer - I don't think I could ever spend 100 bucks on a spincast which is why the bullet is not an option for me.

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    6 ай бұрын

    Thank you. I normally wouldn't spend $100 on a spincast, but my dad struggles with a bait cast so I was looking for something to give him. That's kinda what started the comparison. I've used the Brutus a few more times since and it works great for what it is. I'm bait cast all the way but needed something to toss a light rig and I don't like spinning reels. Thanks for watching!

  • @CrankingYanking

    @CrankingYanking

    6 ай бұрын

    @@yakkittymack I have tried to use a spinning reel, but I stink at it, which is why I needed the spincast for lighter tackle - crappie fishing

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    6 ай бұрын

    @@CrankingYanking right on 👍 finally met someone else that doesn't like spinning reels 😆

  • @marvinmurakami8828

    @marvinmurakami8828

    5 ай бұрын

    Take a look at Zebco's latest Delta 30 reel. It's not as fast as the Bullet but has a 3.6 gear ratio. It's all metal and cost about 65 dollars. I also think it's the best looking spincaster.

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    5 ай бұрын

    @@marvinmurakami8828 will do. I haven't heard of that reel. Thanks for watching!

  • @greenmile9496
    @greenmile9496Ай бұрын

    As of 2021 Zebco reels are manufactured in China🇨🇳 whereas Kastking is made in the USA🇺🇸 I’m going with supporting American made products if the quality is good 👍

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    Ай бұрын

    @greenmile9496 very interesting 🤔 I was not aware that Kastking was American made, in fact, I just assumed it was overseas because they are very competitively priced. I also will support American made any chance I get! Thank you for making me aware and thank you for taking the time to watch and comment. Tight lines my friend!

  • @greenmile9496

    @greenmile9496

    Ай бұрын

    @@yakkittymack “KastKing is a brand of Eposeidon Outdoor Adventure, Inc., which is an American company incorporated in the state of New York, with headquarters in Garden City, Long Island New York.” -Tom Gahan 08 Feb 2021

  • @jasonlopez4855
    @jasonlopez48552 ай бұрын

    The thing about it is just about what someone wants to use. Or can afford. Me Zebco is still in the car for everywhere to fish. Small to bigger one's wich one. Zebco 33, platinum 20 lbs Drag and smaller in size. When you throw the line don't use the reel to stop the line is not good for the reel. I know what happens is not good.

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    2 ай бұрын

    @jasonlopez4855 thank you for that tip, I didn't know about stopping the line with the reel possibly causing problems. I definitely prefer a spincast over a spinning reel! I'm a bait caster user for sure, but for really light tackle, spincast it is. I appreciate you watching and commenting!

  • @johnellenburg2297
    @johnellenburg22973 ай бұрын

    I carp fish with 3 kingkast brutus but my zebco bullets are in my clauset

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    3 ай бұрын

    Thank you for watching and commenting! I appreciate your input.

  • @loucifer4205
    @loucifer4205Ай бұрын

    I have both the brutus is nice but it doesn't compare to bullet or the omega

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    Ай бұрын

    @loucifer4205 I also think the Bullet is superior, especially for the more serious fisherman. The Brutus is a good reel for the price and good for the occasional fisherman in my opinion. I haven't tried the Omega. Thank you for watching and commenting!

  • @Archenhaust
    @Archenhaust9 ай бұрын

    Kastking Brutus versus Zebco 33? Closer in price range. I would like to see your comparison of the two.

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    9 ай бұрын

    Ok, I actually have a ZEBCO 33 and we are going camping next week, so I'll take them along and do a comparison. Thank you for watching and commenting!

  • @johnellenburg2297
    @johnellenburg22973 ай бұрын

    And i have the fish pics to prove it all over 20 lb fish ,16 lb test line

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    3 ай бұрын

    The Brutus is a great reel and I'm glad you are putting it to work. My favorite type of reel is a bait caster, so I preferred the Bullet because it felt and performed most like a bait cast reel. Thank you for watching!

  • @gabrielduarte3904
    @gabrielduarte39044 ай бұрын

    wow.. "clumsyness of the spinning reels" where did that come from??

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    4 ай бұрын

    Hahaha 😂 I actually hate spinning reels because I find them to be very clumsy. Have to use 2 hands, hold the line in my finger, and flip the bail back, use another hand for adjusting drag. Plus I don't like the balance of a reel underneath. The bait cast reels are the only way to go for me. I know a lot of people love them, but I'm just not one. Thank you for watching!

  • @gabrielduarte3904

    @gabrielduarte3904

    4 ай бұрын

    @@yakkittymack i really cant understand why would you say spinning gear is clumsy, whats clumsy about them, the use of two hands is too much for you? one could argue that baitcasters require more skill or dexterity to master, but spinnning reels? c'mon.. you must be joking. i get it, its your opinion (just yours btw) and i will respect that.

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    4 ай бұрын

    @@gabrielduarte3904 so using two hands isn't difficult but compared to a bait cast it's annoying. After years of using a caster where it's just point and shoot, using a spinning reel feels....well, clumsy. But hey, different likes for different folks. I would use a high quality spincast over a spinning reel any day of the week. But luckily I'm good with a bait caster so I don't have a need.

  • @gabrielduarte3904

    @gabrielduarte3904

    4 ай бұрын

    @@yakkittymack yeah, same here, spinners come second nature to me and most fishermen (i fish 98% saltwater inshore) and im also proficient with a baitcaster setup, and now, knowing that you also fish, for the most part, baitcasters, how does that hundred buck spincaster stack up againts a hundred dollar reel like a shimano slx, a daiwa fuego, an abu garcia revo x, lews classic pro (for about $80) or any other legit baitcaster on that price bracket? would you honestly use that one over a similarly priced baitcaster? and if so, why most fishermen dont have them on their boats or use them very often?? are they biased?

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    4 ай бұрын

    @@gabrielduarte3904 no, I would not recommend a spincast over a baitcaster especially in that price range. When I bought those reels I was looking for something that I thought my dad might be able to use when I take him bass fishing with me. I had him try a baitcaster the first time we went and it wasn't any good for him. So I bought a spinning reel and had him try that. It was better than the baitcaster experiment, but still not without trouble. So I thought, "well, what's the type of reel most people start out with" so I started researching spincast. I found the Kastking and the zebco so I bought them for the purpose of testing and reviewing for people that struggle using a baitcaster or spinning reel like my dad. The Zebco is nice and performs close enough to a baitcaster that it could be an option for people that struggle. People that fish on a regular basis like you and I, aren't who that reel is for.

  • @dwightstephenson_fishing5150
    @dwightstephenson_fishing51502 ай бұрын

    Two good brands but the Bullet is no contest above the Brutus.

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    2 ай бұрын

    @dwightstephenson_fishing5 I won't dispute that. The feel between those reels was night and day. The cost is what might give some people pause. For the very occasional fisherman I would recommend the Brutus. For the more serious or frequent fisherman, it's Bullet all the way. I appreciate you watching and commenting!!! Tight lines!

  • @dwightstephenson_fishing5150

    @dwightstephenson_fishing5150

    2 ай бұрын

    @@yakkittymack totally agree with your assessment! Just wish the Bullet had the weight of the Brutus 🙂

  • @gabrielduarte3904
    @gabrielduarte39044 ай бұрын

    i mean, i know every kind of reel has a time and a place, but there is no way in heck that i would spend a hundred bucks on spincaster over a hundred bucks baitcaster or a spinner, even at half of that, you can find a baitcaster or spinner that would blow each and any spincaster out of the water.. =/ and you wouldn't even have to look that hard.

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    4 ай бұрын

    I don't disagree at all, except for the spin cast. I don't use anything other than bait cast but my dad struggles with them so that's what caused me to buy the Bullet and test it out.

  • @rogercaruthers2584

    @rogercaruthers2584

    2 ай бұрын

    Having fished with this over a few baitcasters I would beg to differ. This is by far the most easy casting smooth retrieving reel I’ve ever used. Now I’ve never used braid with it. With that I would have to say baitcaster 100% due to the issues some have had with it. But that being said too…. There are baitcaster’s I’m sure that would look at these ratios and just laugh it off the boat. But ability to cast smoother retrieve smoother and cast farther so far goes to this from me.

  • @jonathanrollins7292

    @jonathanrollins7292

    2 ай бұрын

    You must not have any kids…. Setting my 12 year old up with a spincast reel has been a game changer. He used to make a tangled mess out of everything and get hung up in every tree. Would cause so much aggravation and made it impossible for me to fish, just keeping him going. Last summer I tried him out with a spincast setup and the difference was night and day! He totally loves fishing now, is much more confident, competitive, and it’s made it way more enjoyable for both of us

  • @gabrielduarte3904

    @gabrielduarte3904

    2 ай бұрын

    @@jonathanrollins7292 1st i do have kids, 1, but for kids its ok to have and use a spincaster but that's about it.

  • @Munchboxkid
    @Munchboxkid2 ай бұрын

    Yea spinning reels are 💩

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    2 ай бұрын

    @Munchboxkid Amen!!! I hate spinning reels. Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate it.

  • @Munchboxkid

    @Munchboxkid

    2 ай бұрын

    @@yakkittymack ty for the review. Thinking about the delta or the bullet. Not sure yet. I need a good creek fishing reel. I use bait casters in lakes but when I wade fish in the creek I need something a little more pin point and smaller rod.

  • @yakkittymack

    @yakkittymack

    2 ай бұрын

    @@Munchboxkid I'm not familiar with the Delta, but one little word of caution on the Bullet, it is a very heavy reel. That information might help you in your decision making since you'll be traversing some tight areas.