Best $100 or Less Baitcaster

For years, I fished Shimao Citica and Curado reels up to about 2000, and I could get them for $100-$120. I tried the Cruxis, which was the replacement for the Citica in the early 2000s, and they are ok, but now I'm interested in some new reels that won't break the bank.

November 21, 2018 09:52:32 AM

I purchased the Abu Garcis Revo X and the Revo X spinning reel this year. They are $99.99. Through one season, I have liked them a lot. Get good casting distance and the drag has stood up to some pretty good tests. Check them out here --> https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=c1UQEdGla5o&mid=38416&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tackledirect.com%2Fabu-garcia-revo-x-spinning-reels.html

November 21, 2018 12:52:27 PM
The Dean - professor

I have twenty of those old Curado's Clarence. Best reel ever made. I started phasing in Lew's last year. I really like the speed spool last year. Good performance and durability so far. Price point is a little higher $159. But I really like them.

November 21, 2018 01:59:07 PM
Brent Harrison - sophomore

I agree on everyones statement regarding Shimano Curados back some time ago without a doubt ive had many.
Im just now getting back into competitive bass fishing, had to take some time off for a very bad hip at 45 and finally found a doc that would replace it and did a hell of a job too, but all that to say, Im coming back excited as can be and had a Citica that i liked bit was no Curado, and it sropped out of my hands and hit the deck of my Skeeter. It cracked the housing and broke off a drag lever. Which i didnt even think about routine drop on carpet and kept fishing with it and needless to say it was all jacked up after a bit. Anyways, I called Shimano and got a pretty rude rep twice that tried to send me to a repair center, Im by no means special in any way, but tue treatment i received was appauling compared to what it used to be. So I decided right then to drop Shimano and start looking for my next fishing equipmemt supplier. I was totally shocked at their lack of support, care, and more. Hell I called in anout a year old rod I had bought they had one on my door next morning and told me to cut up the old one and send it back. Many cases like that in past and It just broke me of Shimano.

Ive been trying reels I wouldnt even consider before and have to say Ive been shocked. I bought a Abu Garcia Revo X that I enjoy using, BPS Carbonlite 2.0 that i really like, I stumbled on an Abu Garcia Black Max at Academy that was left hand retrieve (im a weird one :-) and grabbed it to test, I have been absolutley floored by that reel.

So Shimano conflict Im actually happy about now because of the open minded trying many more brands have stepped up their game since I had all Shimano everything.

Hope I didnt bore anyone with that story, but I felt it was an important back log to share in order to understand what you can miss by being closed minded and only use one brand as an competitive bass fisherman.

Im also ordering me some Quantum PT Smoke casting amd Spinner version models to finish out my new arsenal and hear great things about Quantum and again, neber gave other reels a second look in the Shimano good ole days apparently.

November 21, 2018 02:39:03 PM
The Dean - professor

Great story Brent. I agree, Shimano was the only game in town for me back in the day as well. Many companies have caught up. I have heard good things about the Quantum Smoke. Good luck with that one. As I noted above, I seem to becoming a Lew's convert. They are making some great gear right now. Congrats on your new hip! Have a happy Thanksgiving.

November 21, 2018 09:53:58 PM
Rick M. - freshman

I honestly prefer the Daiwa Tatula 100's now. Bigger spools with the T wing line guides.

December 6, 2018 06:24:42 PM

I was a Garcia man for many years,but the line Paw never lasted very long. I now have nothing,but Lews reels and have had zero maintenance problems.

January 23, 2019 09:23:40 AM

I was a Daiwa guy and still use them, the Fuego is a nice $100 reel but last year I began using SixGill rods and reels and have been impressed. I buy when the have sales and accumulated many setups in the past year and a half. They are running a buy one get one free right now on their Cyclone reels which is normaly around $90 but is now 2 for one. I recently learned that Fred Roumbanis, will be using the SixGill Wraith casting reel this year for MLF.

January 27, 2019 12:34:14 PM
registered guest - freshman

I used to fish Quantum for years. The1310’s to newer. Shopped and changed over the last year or two and have grown very fond of the Bass Pro Carbon lite series. You can get reel and rod of your choice right now for $99

February 18, 2019 06:29:01 PM

I have everything from the bottom of the bargain bin to the highest of elite reels and so far ive really become attached to the 13 Fishing Origin TX Casting Reel which is under 100$. consistent casting with fluorocarbon is not a problem. i liked it so much i bought a second one for a braided line application and still super happy with both setups.

April 1, 2019 11:17:04 AM
504LipRippa - graduate

I grabbed an Abu Garcia Black Max from academy as a replacement reel...when i first seen it I was kinda sketchy bc I prefer my reel to come in a box, not in open plastic... the drag didn't click when turned or it wasn't ultra smooth either, but it was like 40$ so i gave it a try and honestly it preforms like a 100$ reel....cast really well, 16lbs of drag I believe and I've caught some hogs with it... Dont sleep on that reel you will be surprised for the price

May 8, 2019 05:43:41 PM
David Graham - freshman

I own quite a few different brands in the $100 or less range. Right now I'd have to say, for the features per dollar, the Daiwa CA/CG/CR 80's will cover you for a wide range of uses. When the deals hit, though, it's hard to beat a Tatula CT for $100. Just have to watch for sales.

That being said I do also own, and use every tournament, Abu Silver Max reels. There's nothing special about them, they don't even look that good. But the internals are dang near the same as the Revo SX minus a couple bearings. They're work horses that, when kept clean and lubed, will last a long time.

June 9, 2019 09:19:03 AM
Jondoe67 - graduate

That price point cant beat a lews very forgiving on back lashes

May 30, 2020 07:03:14 PM
Jondoe67 - graduate

I have ton shimano reels Curado or Higher... Have Diawa have Abu Garcia premiers... Have mid range lews to high lews. Hands down if had to stick to 99 dollar reel it be a lews... Ive not gone down to the Mach crush or lower end stuff but usually the i think called tournament pro LFS is like 99 to 129 best non or rare backlash free reel for money that LASTS

May 30, 2020 07:09:10 PM
Jondoe67 - graduate

That price point cant beat a lews very forgiving on back lashes

May 30, 2020 07:13:35 PM

Ive recently started using the Lews LFS reels. As Jondoe67 said, they're easy to find at around $99. I have 3 so far and ive been very pleased with them. also the garcia black max reels have held up very well for me.

February 16, 2021 08:10:48 PM
Jondoe67 - graduate

Think I have 12 curados love em
Did not care for the curado k. Line always gets caught in thumb bar, tomorrow trying it with 12lb test see if cures it, im lite line guy this might be problem.
I also have high end Lews and couple lower end like $129 tournament pro. And they hard to beat.

July 15, 2021 01:23:48 AM
ZamBam44 - senior

Lew's LFS are amazing for the $99 price.. they cast well and are easy to dial in.

July 16, 2021 11:42:14 AM

Totally with you on the Lew's Pete.

The SS1 LSF is an incredible value. Very easy to disl in, even for skippin.

I first started on Lew's BB1s back in early 80s, when choices were few. Now, with too many choices, these Lew's really stand out as true quality reels at an affordable price, even for those of us on a fixed income.

December 8, 2021 01:25:16 PM
OkiePapist - senior

Lews LFS is a great one. I have hands on experience with the Piscifun Alloy M and it is very solid. They're $89 normally but on sale you can find them less than 70. It casts really well. Aluminium frame. Easy to dial in. Been a rock solid cranking reel for me.

December 8, 2021 03:31:59 PM
Phia - senior

I think in today's market (2021 - 2022) the Shimano SLX, SLX-XT are very hard to beat. Just excellent, excellent reels for their price point. Funny story, I got a chance to throw a Abu Max bait casting reel this weekend and was really surprised how good it was. Easy to dial in and decent casting distance, just not as smooth and tight as a SLX, but almost half the price.

December 27, 2021 04:15:51 PM
Dusty Johnson - freshman

Reels 100$ or less pflugers president and monarch and amazing reels surprised nobody has mentioned them yet. An the black max is under rated an being so cheap is the cause of it in my opinion there good reels

January 15, 2022 06:06:55 AM
Tree_N1nj@ - freshman

I'll add H2O Express Ethos reels, from Academy, to the mix. They are at least as good as my Lew's, Abu, and Daiwa reels at the same price point.

February 11, 2022 03:23:45 PM

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