KastKing Sharky III Review 2022 – Best Valued Reel For The Money
If you are in the market for a quality spinning reel that doesn’t break the bank, the KastKing Sharky III may be the perfect option for you. This reel has many features that are similar to more expensive models, but it comes in at a fraction of the price.
Sharky III is available in five different sizes, so you can find the perfect one for your needs. It has a durable aluminum spool that is corrosion resistant and a smooth, 10+1 bearing system. The gear ratio is 5.2:1, which gives you plenty of power to reel in big fish.
One of the things that makes the Sharky III spinning reels so popular is its value. It is one of the most affordable quality reels on the market. It also has a very high rating on Amazon, with most buyers saying that it is a great value.
Benefits & Features:
If you are looking for a quality reel that doesn’t break the bank, the KastKing Sharky III should be at the top of your list. It has many features that are similar to more expensive models, but it comes in at a fraction of the cost of other brands.
Here are some of the top benefits and features:
- Low gear ratio with high torque for pulling in big fish
- Water-resistant and suitable for saltwater fishing
- Smooth, 10+1 bearing system
- Durable aluminum spool
- 5.2:1 gear ratio
- Affordable cost
- High Amazon rating
Features, Benefits & Differences of the 5 different sizes.
Let’s take a look at the 5 different sizes of the KastKing Sharky III spinning reel in this section.
Kast King actually offers reels in a variety of sizes, ranging from 1000 to 5000. These fishing reels differ in a few key ways:
- Size
- Max Drag
- Line Capacities for Mono and Braid.
- Retrieval Rate (IPT – Inches Per Turn)
- Total Weight off the Reel
The reels are almost identical in all other ways.
Pocket-friendly pricing
The KastKing Sharky is one of the most affordable spinning reels on the market. It lands towards the middle in the entire collection of KastKing reels. It’s at the low-to middle end of the market.
The Sharky III fishing reel is a great choice for beginners looking for a decent reel for a reasonable price. In terms of value, it’s truly hard to beat when you compare the price against the features and benefits offered. It’s literally one of the smoothest spinning reels on the market at one of the lowest prices in the market.
K.I.S.S. (KastKing intrusion shield system)
The Sharky III fishing reel is not completely sealed and waterproof. So it does not boast a IPX6 rating like some of the more expensive reels such as the Penn Spinfisher IV. But, it does have have a unique protection system named K.I.S.S. (KastKing Intrusion Shield System). KastKing also made sure to protect other components like the carbon fiber drag system adjustment dial in the front that is sealed by a o-ring. The stainless steel ball bearings are double shielded which protects them from saltwater. This KastKing reel also features stainless steel hardware, which allows you to have just a little more fishing fun instead of worrying too much about salt water spray or splashes which are bound to happen!
One thing to keep in mind though, the KastKing Sharky iii fishing reel is water resistant, not waterproof. So a splash or some saltwater spray should fine especially if you clean the fishing reel off after use with fresh water, but full submersion is not ideal and will likely cause issues.
Build Quality:
The KastKing Sharky 3 has the same quality build to that of a name brand spinning reel. It feels really solid and in our opinion the smoothest spinning reel for the money. It has a graphite frame as do most superb lightweight fishing reels, but also has a stainless steel main shaft and aluminum handle with high density EVA grips which allows for a super smooth retrieve. You wont find much plastic on this fishing reel, which is a huge bonus considering the price.
Weight:
When it comes to weight, the Sharky III fishing reel has a great feel, but is definitely on the heavier side. Some of the best spinning reels out there are heavy so this isn’t a bad thing, but most people, especially newbies will get worn out if they have to cast a heavy reel over and over again during a busy day of fishing out on the water.
So it’s definitely one thing I like to keep in mind. The larger Sharky III’s weigh 9-10 ounces while the 1000 size comes in around 7.4 oz.
Gear Ratio & Torque
The gear ratio on the Sharky III fishing reel is 5.2:1. This means every time you spin the EVA handle one full turn, the braid ready aluminum spool will spin around 5.2 times.
A 5.2:1 gear ratio is considered mid to low in the spinning reel world and pretty low compared to baitcaster reels. This gear ratio is a good balance though when it comes to being able to retrieve lures like deep-diving crankbaits, large swimbaits, and top water plugs at a moderate pace. This ratio suits jigging as well.
In regards to torque, the Sharky iii fishing reel’s silky smooth retrieve is well suited to land small and trophy fish alike. Whether you’re fishing for Redfish, Flounder, Snook, Trout, Bass, or others, you’re like to be happy with how your new reel performs!
The line retrieval rate (measured in inches per turn), depending on the size, ranges from 27.8 – 33.8 inches. Other factors being held constant, the retrieval rates will change due to the size of the spool.
All of these factors add up to the KastKing Sharky 3 being an excellent reel for beginners, but it’s not as well suited for experienced anglers when compared to higher ratio alternatives.
High Drag
If you are looking for more fishing muscle and plan to use higher test braid fishing line, the super high max drag on the KastKing Sharky iii fishing reel will not disappoint!
At 39.5lbs, this high quality reel boasts one of the highest drag capacities of all comparable fishing brands. Combined with the anti twist line roller (which prevents line twists) and instant lock anti reverse features (which can help prevent line tangles), the KastKing Sharky 3 is packing the pure power needed to land some of the largest trophy fish.
You’ll find the drag settings on the front of the Sharky iii spinning reels which allow you to loosen or tighten the drag depending on your particular fishing experience and targeted species. Combined with the proper test of braided line, you’ll be hard pressed to find a fish that can overcome this combo. Even decent sized sharks won’t out power this reel!
Ball Bearings
The KastKing Sharky 3 has 10+1 double-shielded stainless steel ball bearings in addition to a stainless steel main shaft. 10+1 can be confusing, but what this means is the reel has 10 ball bearings inside the main body and handle and then 1 extra bearing in the anti twist line roller, hence the +1.
At this price point, I honestly think this classifies the Sharky as one of the best valued fishing products out there! Even the best reels out there have far fewer bearings.
The bearings are double shielded and stainless steel which means they are saltwater resistant. This means they will hold up well against saltwater with proper care like rinsing after use around saltwater, but this does not mean they are sealed or completely waterproof. So if you were to completely dunk or submerge this reel in saltwater, you would likely have some issues, especially if you didn’t rinse it thoroughly after use.
Auto-Reverse
This reel has an anti-reverse feature. Honestly I’m still learning about the anti-reverse features in fishing reels and don’t know enough to really talk about it beyond mentioning that it exists.
Line Capacity
The Sharky fishing reel is brad fishing line ready with the rubber grips on the aluminum spool. There is no backing line or material needed. It also features a manganese brass pinion gears along with the other stainless steel inside components.
Sharky III Alternates
Some alternatives to consider compared to the Sharky III are the Penn Battle III, Penn Fierce, and Daiwa BG.
My Verdict
I truly believe the Sharky is one of the best valued reels on the market. I wish it was completely waterproof sealed and there were gear ratio options, but besides those two little details, this reel packs insane value for the price. It’s really quite amazing!