Piscifun Carbon XCS Baitcaster Reel, 5.5 oz Baitcasting Fishing Reel, 8.1:1 Gear Ratio & Dual Brake System, Smooth Casting Frame, Black/Matte White

I own 3 Phantoms and 2 Alloy M casting reels. Love'em all.The Phantoms are locked in for the lures they are used for, topwater, e.g Rapala13's, unweighted Yum Dingers and Trick worms. The Alloy M's got put to the test as frogging reels last summer. Yowsa!One of my Phantoms is starting show its age after 5 plus years of hard, bang around bank fishing, so I thought I'd retire it and replace it with this.As soon as I took it out of the box, I realized it would be perfect on a Lamiglas X11 ultralight casting rod I bought years ago but had never used. It is a 2-8 lb 7ft-er. The two together weigh almost nothing.I also noted that it palms better than either the Phantom or the Alloy M.Despite its lightness, it feels rock solid and silky smooth.I decided to spool this reel up with some 15lb, 8 strand braid, .147 mm, to see if I could cast light lures.I set 2 inner brakes on and the outer dial to 4, tied on a 1/8 oz (3.5 grams) balsa plug, sans hooks, and sailed it an effortless 30-35 measured yards over 5 casts.I upped the overall weight to a 1/2 inch Thill weighted bobber plus a 1/16th jig and 2 inch tail, total just over 6 grams. Instant rocket launcher.I dropped to just a 1/16 jig head with a 2 inch trailer ( about 3 grams total). I got a little backlash, so I upped the outside dial to 6. It works!Here's the secret prize.I weighed the spool. I'm rounding here, and I didn't strip the spool.The spool on this jewel is just a tad over 10 grams without any strip down of bearings or brake plate. It is amazingly light. This means lighter lures can turn the spool.This puts it in the territory of all those expensive BFS reels for about $50!!!What we have here is a very smooth, very solid feeling casting reel that is easier to palm than the Phantom, as well as many other more expensive reels, and whose features give it a wider range of uses than any reel costing twice as much. OTH, now I'm going to have to get another one for tossing Dingers this spring.Good stuff!Okay, got the second one and spent some hours with it. This is $50 well spent dollars.It casts a Proberos/Megabass 110 jerkbait a mile. It casts a 1/2 oz poop bait a mile and a half. It pitches a jig 50 feet flawlessly.The ONLY beef I have is that the star drag is plastic. I never move the drag once I set it for a particular line test but some do.

The Piscifun Carbon XCS Baitcasting Reel is an absolute game-changer, redefining casting performance and delivering unbeatable results. As an ardent angler, I was eager to put this reel to the test, and it exceeded my expectations in every way.Long Casting - Dual Brake System (5/5):The highlight of the Carbon XCS reel is its remarkable dual brake system. Combining the best of both magnetic and centrifugal brakes, this reel offers unparalleled casting performance. Whether you're making long casts or precision shots, the dual brake system ensures even braking force, eliminating the dreaded backlash problem. The result? Longer, more stable casts with enhanced accuracy, even in challenging conditions.Ultra Light 5.5 oz Design (5/5):When it comes to weight, the Carbon XCS is in a league of its own. Crafted with a carbon fiber body and side covers, it achieves an impressive weight of just 5.5 ounces, making it one of the lightest reels in its class. This featherlight construction doesn't compromise on strength, ensuring that you can enjoy a more comfortable and fatigue-free fishing experience.Unbeatable Performance (5/5):Inside the Carbon XCS, you'll find high-quality internal gears made from 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum. This specialized process ensures precise gear engagement, leading to smoother operation, 20% increased strength, and 10% greater durability. With 7+1 stainless steel bearings, the reel delivers an ultra-smooth retrieve. The conical line guide minimizes outlet resistance, ensuring a smooth release every time.Humanized Design (5/5):Piscifun has considered every angler's needs with the Carbon XCS. The pop-out integrated and rotatable side cover simplifies the adjustment of the centrifugal brake while on the water, without any fear of dropping or losing the side plate. The ergonomically designed curve fits your palm perfectly, enhancing your grip and comfort throughout your fishing journey.Best-in-Class Experience (5/5):With an impressive 8.1:1 high gear ratio, the Carbon XCS delivers a faster retrieval and improved casting efficiency. It's perfect for tasks like pitching jigs or burning baits at high speed. Additionally, the reel's availability in both carbon black and matte white allows you to choose the style that suits your personal preference.In conclusion, the Piscifun Carbon XCS Baitcasting Reel is a true masterpiece in the world of fishing equipment. Its dual brake system, lightweight design, unbeatable performance, humanized features, and striking appearance make it a must-have for any angler seeking casting excellence. It has undoubtedly elevated my fishing game, and I'm certain it will do the same for you.

Setup and used the White matte version. Had to return it upon first use (two days later). Spool tensioner had to be cranked tight to stop lures from dropping fast. This caused the retrieve to be very tight. I then removed all my line and realized the spool tensioner was not working correctly. While it's set to a tight setting, the spool did not move as the handle is cranked, as if the drag was completely loose.Very disappointing, because I purchased the Alloy M less than 1 month ago, and it is the most superior reel in my arsenal so far.I'm reluctant to purchase another Piscifun reel because of this. They may want to tighten up on quality control.*****Follow up******Purchased another Carbon XCS. This one did not have any issues as the last one did.Setup it up as I did with all my reels, and casting and weight attributes makes this reel amazingly easy to fish with. The retrieval is unbelievably smooth, combined with the weight and the properly matched rod, my setup is in the range of a BFS setup.The Carbon XCS is in a small class of reels bordering bait caster and BFS.***Follow up 2***After using all of my reels in rotation, I’ve come to the conclusion that this is THE BEST casting reel I now own. The Carbon XCS reel will cast double the distance my others will go. I tried it with mono, and now have flouro on it, and there is no noticeable difference in casting. There is something about the dual braking system, weight , and I have to assume the spool that contributes to the smoothness of my casts. The reel is so unbelievably smooth with casting I had to purchase another. Bought a black one this time. And will be setting it up braided line this time.