Crankin’ In Whoppers With the KastKing Megatron 200

Spring has come and gone, and summer is blasting its heat, pushing fish deeper. I wanted to catch the big bass, but didn’t have a great setup for big lures (like swimbaits and deep-diving crankbaits) until a few months ago. 

KastKing offered to send the Megatron 200 baitcasting reel to test this spring and summer. I’ve taken it to several of my favorite fishing holes, including my pond and local lake, to toss around crankbaits, swimbaits, and other large lures, searching for that big bite. 

I was skeptical at first due to the lower price. I’ve used lots of cheap baitcasting reels in the past and have always wound up frustrated because they bird’s nest every other cast, are uncomfortable, or break in the middle of my trip.

In short: The KastKing Megatron 200 has blown past my expectations by casting well with a buttery smooth retrieve and plenty of power to haul in giant fish, but I’ve also found a few things that might just sway you away from buying it.

KastKing Megatron 200 Baitcasting Reel Review

I’ve only used the KastKing Megatron 200 to target bass so far. However, I plan to use it to target striper and catfish from my kayak. I have zero doubts that it’ll be able to handle 20+ pound fish and the big lures and baits it takes to catch ’em. I paired it with a KastKing Speed Demon Pro Deep Crankbait 7’10” rod.

Build Quality

I must admit that KastKing has made significant progress in the last few years. KastKing rods and reels didn’t used to hold up well, but they’ve definitely upped their game since I first started using KastKing products. The Megatron 200 shows just how far they’ve come, without skyrocketing the prices of their gear. 

The CNC aluminum U-shaped spool gives anglers more line capacity compared to 100-size reels. The eight-button magnetic system helps reduce overruns (bird’s nests), without bringing your cast to a screeching halt just 10 feet out.

The aluminum handle with 3A cork knobs is comfortable and gives you a little extra leverage for battling big fish. I’m not a fan of cork knobs because they’re not as durable as EVA foam. But these handles are pretty comfortable. I’ve left the protective plastic on them, so the cork has an added level of protection. The Triple Disc carbon fiber drag system ensures a smooth drag when you need it and the ability to crank it up to set the hook on big fish. 

The graphite low-profile frame has withstood bouncing around in my truck for the last few months, but I have protected it with a reel cover while transporting it, so it still looks new. I expected a reel of this size to be heavier, but it’s just bulky (which should be expected from a reel called Megatron), not excessively heavy.

So far, the reel has withstood the typical abuse I subject my fishing gear to. I’m excited to continue using it for the rest of the summer and into the winter with an Alabama rig.

On-the-Water Performance

I tied on a bladed jig for my first cast with the KastKing Megatron 200 and quickly had the brakes dialed in. Though the Megatron isn’t designed for bladed jigs, it handled it well, and I caught a couple of bass.

It’s a bit bulky, which makes casting and reeling a little awkward when you’re used to low-profile 100-size reels. I wouldn’t want to cast it all day due to that bulkiness. I used it for a couple of hours each time I went out and got more accustomed to it with each cast.

The most frustrating time was when I tried using a lightweight crankbait at my pond. It took me several casts to get the brakes just right and avoid creating a bird’s nest, but when I did, I couldn’t cast the crankbait as far as I wanted. I settled for not over-muscling my cast, and it worked out for the rest of the trip. 

What the KastKing Megatron 200 Does Well

The KastKing Megatron 200 is designed for casting big lures and handling big fish, and it excels in both areas. When a lure has enough weight to it, dialing in the brakes is a breeze. I enjoyed the smooth drag while fighting big fish, even though I’m using 30-pound braid and didn’t need it to avoid breaking my line. 

I’m also a fan of the 6.4:1 gear ratio because it forces me to slow down, but ensures my lures are acting as they should to entice a bite. The middle-of-the-road gear ratio also helps winch in giant fish or when the small ones get tangled in the weeds.

Where I See Room for Improvement

The two areas where I would like to see this reel improve are the braking system when casting lighter lures and the bulkiness. However, it wasn’t designed for lightweight lures, and it’s a size 200 reel, so I can’t complain too much. 

It was a little more challenging to use with a medium-diving crankbait tied on than I’d prefer. But it casts deep-diving crankbaits, large swimbaits, and bladed jigs very well.

Who Should Buy It

The KastKing Megatron 200 is perfect for anglers who enjoy throwing big swimbaits and spend most of their budget on the lures. It’s priced perfectly for the average angler to afford it without selling a kidney on the black market.

If you’re hunting for your next PB, then this reel will help you winch it in with ease. However, I don’t think it’s up to the standards of most tournament anglers. 

Conclusion: KastKing Megatron 200 Review

I’ve enjoyed casting and reeling in fish with the KastKing Megatron 200 baitcasting reel. It has withstood being tossed in the truck, rattling around in my rod box on my kayak trailer, and the general abuse rods receive while fishing.

It’s reasonably priced at $75 and has further opened up my arsenal of lures, especially as fish move into deeper waters for the heat of the summer. I can’t wait to see what I catch next with the KastKing Megatron 200.