Final Preparements

[TouchTooMuch]

Now that I have a rod picked out (7' MH St. Croix Mojo) I need help choosing a reels, I went on TWH and found a few reels in my price range. This reel needs to be able to handle 3/8 oz jigs and plastics. I'm hoping if I give you guys the list you can give me some help! Thanks!

Abu Garcia Black Max

Abu Garcia Silver Max

Daiwa Laguna

Quantum Antix

Shimano Caius

[deep]

I haven't fished any of those reels; but have you considered buying used reels? Sometimes they are a great deal. Regardless, good luck with your setup.

[Mike L]

I haven't personally used any of those but a friend of mine just bought the Caius last week and he really like it.

It cast's smooth, but he felt it was a little heavy.

If you can, bring your rod and feel the balance before you buy.

Mike

[loodkop]

I have had the misfortune to use an Antix. I will not repeat the mistake. I don't have experience of the others but my gut feeling would be to go with Shimano.

[tstone]

Bass Pro Pro Qualifier over any of those reels. Great reel for the price.

[LgMouthGambler]

If you have to stick to those as an option, I would shoot for the Shimano. In my experience, those other brands dont make very good budget reels. Like tstone said, if you could spare few more $, I would go to BPS and get the ProQualifier, that thing will last you a lifetime, and I believe its on sale right now.

[smalljaw67]

Go to Bass Tackle Depot if you want a quantum, they have the Kinetic on sale for 80 dollars and it is head and shoulders better than an antix. Truth be told you should go with a BPS pro qualifier, the bigger companies less expensive offerings tend to be junk, it sounds harsh but it is the truth most of the time. Stay away from anything under $120 from Shimano, Anything under $170 from Diawa and anything under $100 from Quantum, Abu has better low price reels but the silver and black max are over priced, the pro qualifier is a better reel.

[freebie]

I agree with the above poster. for the money you really can't beat a pro qualifier. I own a black max and silver max. after replacing the black max with a pro qulifier I wish I had never bought the black max. much better reel. cast's better, smoother, and it has held up to the abuse I have given it. very solid reel for the money.

[Chris at Tech]

Stay away from anything under $120 from Shimano, Anything under $170 from Diawa and anything under $100 from Quantum, Abu has better low price reels but the silver and black max are over priced, the pro qualifier is a better reel.

One noteable Daiwa exception -- the Advantage TDA153HSTA. Great reel at a reasonable price. The only knock is that it's a bit bigger of a reel.

[gr8outdoorz]

Definitly go with a pro qualifer. I had a black max several years ago and it was horrible. It didnt cast smooth at all and I had alot of backlash problems with it. I sucked it up and got a PQ and love them (have 4 now). They cast well, are very durable, and you can dial in the settings on it so backlashes/overruns are not a problem.

[tomustang]

Don't cheapen out on a baitcaster, it will most likely ruin your experence with it and you'll be like the countless for sale ads that say 'I'm selling this baitcasting combo I used once and couldnt get it' that are all over craigslist and the like.