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Don Barone

Articles by Don Barone

Why Swing Head Jigs Excel Over Others

Why Swing Head Jigs Excel Over Others

Don Barone Nov 28, 2016
Reel World Fishin’ Tips with db: Packing

Reel World Fishin’ Tips with db: Packing

Don Barone Apr 7, 2016
Dinner with Paul and Shaw: Lake Havasu

Dinner with Paul and Shaw: Lake Havasu

Don Barone May 13, 2015
Dinner with Paul and Shaw: The Delta

Dinner with Paul and Shaw: The Delta

Don Barone Apr 29, 2015
Dinner with Paul and Shaw: Lake Guntersville

Dinner with Paul and Shaw: Lake Guntersville

Don Barone Apr 8, 2015
Dinner with Paul and Shaw: Sabine River

Dinner with Paul and Shaw: Sabine River

Don Barone Mar 18, 2015
A Prayer For The Classic Anglers

A Prayer For The Classic Anglers

Don Barone Feb 20, 2015
Fishing, Family, Friends and Home

Fishing, Family, Friends and Home

Don Barone Nov 24, 2014
WHOOSH | Don Barone Goes Fishing

WHOOSH | Don Barone Goes Fishing

Don Barone May 28, 2014
My First Fishing Tournament | Shaw Grigsby

My First Fishing Tournament | Shaw Grigsby

Don Barone Nov 22, 2013
My First Fishing Tournament | Mark Davis

My First Fishing Tournament | Mark Davis

Don Barone Oct 17, 2013
My First Tournament: Paul Elias

My First Tournament: Paul Elias

Don Barone Sep 3, 2013
To the Tiny Booths of ICAST

To the Tiny Booths of ICAST

Don Barone Jul 16, 2013
Three Old Men and The Sea: Part 5

Three Old Men and The Sea: Part 5

Don Barone Jun 6, 2013
Three Old Men and the Sea | Part 4

Three Old Men and the Sea | Part 4

Don Barone Jun 4, 2013
Three Old Men and the Sea | Part 3: Captain Marcos

Three Old Men and the Sea | Part 3: Captain Marcos

Don Barone May 30, 2013
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Latest News

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Industry Updates

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Recent Posts

Showing off a freshwater striper caught in Georgia's Lake Lanier.

Follow the Birds to Find Where “Sodium-Free” Southern Stripers Are

Aug 18, 2026
A walleye angler shows off his catch.

Embracing Electronics to Jig Up Some Summertime Walleye

Aug 17, 2026
Initial Impressions The first thing I noticed when I picked up the Al-Ti Elite was just how light it felt. At only 5.6 ounces, it's lighter than most in this class. Paired with the Assegai flipping rod, the combo balances exceptionally well, making it comfortable to fish all day whether I was pitching into flooded brush, working matted vegetation with a frog, or repeatedly dropping creature baits into heavy cover. The aluminum frame feels rigid under load, and there was never a sense of flex when putting pressure on fish around thick cover. Much of that lightweight performance comes from the reel's titanium spool, which weighs only 6.9 grams with the shaft and bearings installed. KastKing says titanium is significantly stronger and harder than aluminum while allowing the spool to remain incredibly light, and from my experience that translates into noticeably quick spool startup. Whether I was making short, accurate pitches or longer casts across grass flats, the spool came up to speed effortlessly. The low startup inertia made casting feel smooth and predictable across a surprisingly wide range of lure weights. Specifications KastKing Al-Ti Elite Baitcasting Reel Gear Ratio: 7.2:1 Bearings: 9+1 MaxiDur Shielded + 2 High-Speed Spool Bearings Maximum Drag: 18 pounds Spool Material: Titanium Spool Weight: 6.9 grams Braking System: Halo Vortex 12-Magnet System Mono Line Capacity (pound test/yards): 12/100; 14/85 Braid Line Capacity (pound test/yards): 30/218; 40/165 Minimum Lure Rating: 1/16 oz Weight: 5.6 oz (159 g) KastKing Assegai Flippin Out Technique Bass Fishing Rod Technique: Flipping, Pitching, Frogging, Heavy Cover Rod Type: Casting Length: 7’ 5" Power: Heavy Action: Fast Line Rating: 15–30 pounds Lure Rating: 3/8–2 ounces Number of Guides: 11 + tip On The Water I spent most of my time fishing the combo exactly how it was designed to be used. Punch rigs, hollow-body frogs, Texas-rigged creature baits, and heavy jigs were constantly in the rotation, and the Al-Ti Elite handled them with ease. The Assegai rod has the backbone needed to drive heavy-gauge hooks home while maintaining enough tip to make accurate presentations, and the reel complemented that perfectly. Together they felt like a purpose-built setup for power fishing. One feature that impressed me throughout my time on the water was the Halo Vortex Braking System. KastKing uses a ring of 12 magnets that provides strong braking early in the cast before gradually backing off as the lure travels. After a few adjustment casts to match the lure I was throwing, I rarely found myself reaching back to fine-tune the brake settings. Whether I was skipping creature baits under overhanging limbs or making long casts with frogs across expansive vegetation, the reel remained remarkably easy to manage. Backlashes were minimal, and when they did occur they were the result of operator error rather than any shortcomings in the reel itself. The retrieve is also impressive. The combination of the Five-Point Coaxial Design, UltraDura90 brass pinion gear, aerospace-grade T6 aluminum main gear, and 9+1 MaxiDur shielded bearings produces a retrieve that feels refined and consistent. There's very little vibration through the handle, and the reel stays smooth whether it's under no load or pulling fish through thick vegetation. The 7.2:1 gear ratio proved to be an excellent all-around choice for the techniques I fished, giving me enough speed to quickly pick up slack after a strike while still offering plenty of control when working slower presentations. The 18-pound drag also performed exactly as I hoped. Fishing around heavy cover demands a drag that starts smoothly but locks down with authority when necessary. Throughout my time using the reel, the drag engaged consistently without hesitation, allowing me to steer fish away from submerged wood, grass mats, and other cover before they had a chance to bury themselves. Combined with the Assegai rod's powerful backbone, I always felt connected to the fish and in complete control during the fight. Comfort is another area where this reel excels. The compact 39 mm low-profile frame palms naturally, and the 90 mm aluminum handle with oversized 45 mm TPE knobs provides excellent leverage when cranking down on fish. Even after hours of repetitive pitching and flipping, I never experienced hand fatigue — something that's easy to appreciate during long tournament days or full weekends on the water. One aspect I particularly enjoyed was the reel's versatility. While it clearly shines as a power-fishing reel, the lightweight titanium spool allows it to comfortably handle a much broader range of lure weights than I initially expected. KastKing rates it from 1/16 ounce up to a little over an ounce, and based on my experience it transitions between presentations with very little adjustment. Although my primary focus was heavy-cover bass fishing, I came away with the impression that this is a reel capable of handling far more than flipping and frogging. Final Thoughts At around the $230 price point, the Al-Ti Elite enters one of the most competitive segments in the baitcasting market. Anglers have no shortage of outstanding choices from companies like Shimano, Daiwa, Lew's, and Abu Garcia. What makes the Al-Ti Elite stand out is the titanium spool, advanced magnetic braking system, lightweight construction, and ergonomics that combine to create a reel that feels innovative without sacrificing fishability. After spending time with the Al-Ti Elite and the Assegai Flippin Out Technique bass rod, I believe KastKing has built one of its most impressive rod-and-reel combinations to date. The reel is lightweight, casts with remarkable ease, retrieves smoothly under load, and stands up to fishing around heavy cover. The Assegai rod complements it well, providing the power and sensitivity needed for flipping, punching, frogging, and other heavy-duty bass techniques. While only years of hard use will ultimately determine its long-term durability, my experience on the water left me impressed.

KastKing Al-Ti Elite Baitcasting Reel Review

Aug 13, 2026
Lead image for op-ed about right-handed and left-handed baitcasting reels.

Right-Handed vs. Left-Handed Baitcasting Reels: Which Way Is Correct?

Aug 12, 2026
During the heat of summer, fishermen often look forward to dawn and dusk to fish the jumps — when packs of gamefish push the shad to the surface and go into a feeding frenzy.

You Need to Fish at These Times for the Most Exciting Bite of the Summer

Aug 11, 2026
Summer's a busy time on the water, but there are plenty of seasonal strategies for getting the bass to bite.

How to Catch Summertime Bass on Busy Recreational Waterways

Aug 10, 2026

Recent Videos

Two Summer Bass Fishing Lures That Produce

Jun 2, 2026

ChatterBait Tricks for Shallow Water Bass

May 28, 2026

How the Pros Tie the FG Knot

May 26, 2026

Master Shallow Topwater Fishing | Justin Lucas’s Tips

May 21, 2026
KastKing Baitcast Combo Giveaway

Win the KastKing Royale Legend Pro Baitcaster Rod and Reel Combo!

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