With the many different fishing reel manufacturers out there, deciding where to spend your hard-earned money on a fishing reel can be time-consuming! Piscifun Fishing reels are an excellent option, and I own them myself now!
Piscifun produces high-quality fishing reels similar to those priced much higher. Manufactured by the same companies that produce Abu Garcia and Diawa fishing equipment, Piscifun reels are built to the same precise standards and are excellent value for experienced and beginner fishermen.
Advertisements for Piscifun Fishing Reels have been regularly showing up on my social media for quite a while, and many of my friends have been using them. Even a couple of high-profile tournament anglers I knew were using Piscifun, so I, too, became interested in them!
When I was looking for a new baitcaster for my kayak, I was stunned by the high prices on most fishing reels and began to look for an alternative option! So, I decided to take a good look at the Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel (the one I ended up purchasing), seen below.
In the past, I have mainly fished with the Pflueger, Daiwa, and Shimano reel products. Overall, I have been very happy with their performance. But I decided I wanted to pick up a couple of Piscifun Reels to try out. But which one should I buy? I asked myself.
Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel vs. Top Brands
When you want to know if a particular reel is good, the best thing to do is compare stats with comparable abilities and see how they stack up against each other! I researched various fishing reels in the middle of the pricing pack and was hesitant about the $39.99 price.
Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel
The Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel is a top choice for kayak anglers seeking power and precision. It features a strong drag system and smooth, adjustable magnetic braking, making it perfect for casting and handling big catches. It is built with durable materials and delivers reliable performance in fresh and saltwater conditions.
I owned fishing reels for which I paid over $150.00 to $200.00+, and to pay less than $40.00 for a fishing reel seemed kind of out of line to me. How good could a reel actually be for that price?
Well, here’s how they stacked up against one another.
As you can see from the table below, the Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel reel is right in the middle of the pack of outstanding fishing reels and companies—at a far lower price point, too! I ended up purchasing the Torrent! (Pricing may vary between retailers and time of year.)
Reel/Price | Ball Bearing | Drag | Gear Ratio |
Piscifun Torrent $39.95 | 5+1 | 18 lb | 7.1:1 |
Shimano SLX XT $129.99 | 4+1 | 12 lb | 6.3:1 |
Daiwa Fuego $99.99 | 5+1 | 13.2 lb | 7.5:1 |
13 FISHING – Origin Chrome – Low-Profile $80.01 | 4+1 | 16.5 lb | 8.1:1 |
Plueger President XT $79.99 | 9 | 12 lb | 7.3:1 |
Abu Garcia Revo X Low Profile $99.99 | 7+1 | 18 lb | 6.6:1 |
Lew’s Speed Spool LFS $99.95 | 9+1 | 15 lb | 5.6:1 |
Other companies offer more expensive reels with higher-end features. However, I wanted to compare their entry and intermediate fishing reels directly to the popular Piscifun Torrent Baitcaster!
I found I could purchase two and even three Torrent fishing reels for what I’d have to pay for just a single comparable reel from some of the other manufacturers!
Remember that the Torrent Baitcaster isn’t Piscifun’s top-of-the-line reel, either! They also offer reels with additional features at a higher price point.
Take a quick look at the Piscifun Baitcasting Reel comprehensive lineup of reels for both fresh and saltwater fishing!
I enjoy casting baits with the Piscifun Torrent. It’s a smooth reel, and the drag has operated flawlessly so far!
Fishing reels with more ball bearings will operate much smoother than those with fewer bearings, but the difference is negligible with the Torrent.
Drag operation and line speed are comparable to reels, which cost five times more. I can say without a doubt that the Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting reel is a pretty good deal for the money!
Piscifun Viper X Spinning Reel vs. Top Brands
Initially, I looked at the Piscifun Viper X in the 1000 Series but decided to “upgrade” to the Piscifun Carbon X 1000 Series model after making the following comparisons.
Piscifun Viper X Spinning Reel
The Piscifun Viper X Spinning Reel is perfect for kayak anglers looking for smooth and reliable performance. Its lightweight design and strong drag system provide effortless casting and reeling, making it ideal for various fish. Built with durable materials and a corrosion-resistant finish, it’s great for freshwater and saltwater fishing.
The Carbon X had the same setup but with a carbon frame and rotor! I just had to go for it for much less than I would pay for a similar reel from another company! (Pricing may vary between retailers and time of year.)
Reel/Price | Ball Bearing | Drag | Gear Ratio |
Piscifun Viper X $34.99 | 10+1 | 8.8 lb | 5.2:1 |
Shimano Sedona Fi $73.99 | 3+1 | 7 lb | 5.0:1 |
Daiwa Exceler LT $79.99 | 5+1 | 8 lb | 5.2:1 |
13 FISHING Creed GT $89.99 | 10+1 | 11 lb | 6.2:1 |
Plueger President $64.95 | 9+1 | 8 lb | 5.2:1 |
Abu Garcia Revo Max STX $42.99 | 5+1 | 6.5 lb | 5.2:1 |
Lew’s Speed Mach 2 $79.99 | 9+1 | 8 lb | 5.2:1 |
As you can see, both models of Piscifun reels, baitcasting and spinning, line up nicely with their competitor reels. With everything relatively equal except for the price, this was an easy decision to make!
My Experience with Piscifun Reels
If I were to close my eyes and you handed me a Piscifun Torrent baitcaster, I’d have difficulty distinguishing it from my Shimano reels as far as handling them goes.
Once I filled the reel with 20 lb of braided line, took it back, and made a few practice casts, I knew I would be adding more of these Torrents to my kayak in the future!
Last summer, when fishing smallmouth bass, the reel showed no signs of “cutting corners” in its production. The drag was buttery smooth, and I could feather my casts and drop spinning baits and topwater plugs right where I wanted.
The Carbon X spinning reel did double duty from my ultralight crappie and panfish rod during the summer and found a place on my ice rods over the winter!
It never gave me issues once while I was fishing light plastic jigs for crappie, and the drag and reel never froze up on me during the winter either!
If you’re looking for a solid baitcaster reel, definitely check out the Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel.
You cannot go wrong with the Piscifun Viper X reel for a high-quality spinning reel. I really like this reel, and it performs, too!
Overall, I would have to say Piscifun makes a darn good reel despite what the brand-name users say!
Where Are Piscifun Fishing Reels Made
Piscifun reels are made in China, with offices in the Chaoyang District of Beijing. The same company that manufactures Piscifun reels also manufactures Daiwa reels. The Piscifun Carbon X and Viper X are built on the same frame as the Daiwa Tatula and Fuego LT.
Most of today’s mainline brands are either manufactured in Asian countries or source a vast majority of their parts from those countries.
Fishing Reels Made in the USA
Still, there are many fishing reels made in the USA. Most are expensive and built for fly fishing and saltwater fishing. And as a rule, you won’t find them in your local discount box stores!
Here are some of the companies that make or source their parts in the USA for reels they sell.
- Abel Reels – Fly Fishing
- Aspen Reels – Fly Fishing
- Avet Reels – Saltwater
- Ross Reels – Fly Fishing
- Seigler Reels – Saltwater – Conventional and Fly Fishing
The History of Piscifun Reels
Founded in 2013 by two friends with a passion for fishing, they set out together to provide high-quality, affordable fishing gear by reducing the circulation expenses other Big Name Brands had to cover.
One of the friends already owned a facility where he had been manufacturing fishing gear for over 20 years and supplying other well-known brands with their fishing products. He was also capable of designing his own original products.
Enter his buddy, an avid fisherman who has traveled to and fished many amazing fishing destinations, such as New Zealand, Malaysia, Florida, etc.!
Ben and Peter launched Piscifun and now bring their high-quality fishing equipment to you!
Piscifun’s Business Model
Piscifun works with numerous pro fishermen worldwide to gain knowledge and insights into what the fishermen need and want. They are based on being devoted to their customer.
By focusing on anglers’ needs, they design and develop the best and most cost-effective reels and products on the market.
It is with this belief that Piscifun strives to produce top-notch equipment at affordable prices. And from what I’ve seen with the few reels I’ve fished, I’m convinced they are what they appear to be.
Related Article: The Best Length Rod for Kayak Fishing – 5 Tips!
Have fun, and stay safe out there!