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Home McKeon Roberts

McKeon Roberts

McKeon Roberts is a videographer specializing in multispecies angling and kayak fishing. He loves to teach and tell a story through film while exploring and pursuing his lifelong passion for catching fish.

He served as a natural resource professional for six years, working with the limnological and biological aspects of lakes and wetlands across northern Minnesota. This subject matter is often woven into his how-to fishing content, and his love for tinkering with new angling techniques and gear. McKeon enjoys traveling to fishing destinations and playing music in his spare time.

Articles by McKeon Roberts

MLF Taps North Carolina for March BPT Event

MLF Taps North Carolina for March BPT Event

McKeon Roberts Dec 22, 2018
Choosing the Right Portable Fish House

Choosing the Right Portable Fish House

McKeon Roberts Dec 21, 2018
MarCum Lithium Shuttle Review – Ice Fishing

MarCum Lithium Shuttle Review – Ice Fishing

McKeon Roberts Dec 12, 2018
Live Bait Rigging Late Fall Pike and Musky

Live Bait Rigging Late Fall Pike and Musky

McKeon Roberts Nov 16, 2018
Target Bigger Panfish With Micro Lipless Crankbaits

Target Bigger Panfish With Micro Lipless Crankbaits

McKeon Roberts Nov 14, 2018
Downsize Flipping Baits for Easier Grass Fishing

Downsize Flipping Baits for Easier Grass Fishing

McKeon Roberts Oct 1, 2018
Target Walleye AND Bass With Paddle Tail Swimbaits

Target Walleye AND Bass With Paddle Tail Swimbaits

McKeon Roberts Sep 13, 2018
3 Drop Shot Colors That Work Everywhere

3 Drop Shot Colors That Work Everywhere

McKeon Roberts Sep 6, 2018
Texas Rig Basics for Grass Line Bass

Texas Rig Basics for Grass Line Bass

McKeon Roberts Sep 5, 2018
Avoid Kinked Fluorocarbon to Prevent Break-Offs

Avoid Kinked Fluorocarbon to Prevent Break-Offs

McKeon Roberts Aug 10, 2018
A New and Easy Method for Dock Skipping Bass

A New and Easy Method for Dock Skipping Bass

McKeon Roberts Jul 24, 2018
5 Must-Know Tips for Drop Shot Fishing Bass in Cover

5 Must-Know Tips for Drop Shot Fishing Bass in Cover

McKeon Roberts Jul 16, 2018
Drop Shot Baits for Largemouth vs. Smallmouth Bass

Drop Shot Baits for Largemouth vs. Smallmouth Bass

McKeon Roberts Jul 9, 2018
Frog Fishing Details That Result in More Bass

Frog Fishing Details That Result in More Bass

McKeon Roberts Jun 25, 2018
A Guide to Bass Fishing with Swinging Jigs

A Guide to Bass Fishing with Swinging Jigs

McKeon Roberts Jun 19, 2018
How to Load Your Boat with a Trolling Motor

How to Load Your Boat with a Trolling Motor

McKeon Roberts Jun 15, 2018
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Recent Posts

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

Joe Albanese 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?

Nick Petrou Aug 12, 2026
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