Best Baitcaster ~$100

[Jake P]

Of course it's beatable - it goes on sale every few months and then you can get it for $79.

And THAT is truly unbeatable!

[rockchalk06]

Of course it's beatable - it goes on sale every few months and then you can get it for $79.

I got my PQ here with 4.7:1 gears for 50 shipped. There were two like new in 5 ratio for 110 shipped last month here. The flea market is killer for deals.

[rockchalk06]

I will probably be laughed off the board but my very favorite reel is a Pflueger Echelon. Hubby got it for me and he ended up loving it so much (and using it so much!) that I bought him one so he would leave mine alone. Watch for a good sale and you can get two for the $100.

If it works flawlessly, you like it and it makes you happy that's all that matters.

[j.bruno]

Id check out a pro qualifier for that price range.

[jparker98]

Any opinions on the Shimano Caius? Was at Dick's yesterday and they had a combo with that reel and a Field & Stream rod for $80. Looks like it has a lot of the same options as the higher priced models, but more plastic.

They also had a Quantum Escalade HD on sale that looked nice, but wasn't sure about it.

[Diggy]

Id rather the pq out of those listed in the OP

leave that shimano combo at dicks sporting goods on the shelf

[retiredbosn]

IMO what to look for in a reel is an aluminum frame, quality bearings, and gears. I believe strongly in quality bearings and will buy an aluminum frame reel with 5 quality bearings over a graphite frame with 11 so so bearings even if the aluminum frame reel is twice the price. I will come out in the long run, the reel will last longer and perform much better

[Arv]

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPage?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&mode=article&objectID=31583

This gives a good layout of what goes into a casting reel and what to look for. You won't find anything top of the line for 100 bucks but you can definitely get something quality (BPS Pro Qualifier, Lews Speed Spool, or something used). Like mentioned above, I would leave the combos on the shelf. You may get more for less in those combos but I firmly believe in getting something that will perform well and that will endure. If you're going to buy new I would strongly urge you to look at the PQ or SS, and if I had to choose between the two, I would choose the PQ.

[jparker98]

Cool, figured I'd ask...thanks for all the feedback. I'll save up a little more money and get a Citica, Curado or something on their level.

Do places usually put fishing gear on sale during the winter months?

[JaxBasser]

Lews Speed Spool. Great real for a great price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lews-Speed-Spool-Baitcast-Freshwater-Fishing-Reel-7-1-1-Right-Hand-RH-SS1SH-/270852890423?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f10171f37

[TNBassin']

For $129 you can get a Gen 2 Revo SX. Super nice reel.

[Mike L]

Also for 100.00 you can find a Gen 2 Revo S..

Mike

[Quillback]

Cool, figured I'd ask...thanks for all the feedback. I'll save up a little more money and get a Citica, Curado or something on their level.

Do places usually put fishing gear on sale during the winter months?

Yes, on Black Friday there will be sales. Keep some moola on hand for that day.

[Capt.Bob]

Lews Speed Spool. Great real for a great price.

http://www.ebay.com/...=item3f10171f37

No way to buy a better reel for 50 dollars more, you would be very surprised with the quality and performance of this reel!!

[UWBass]

Abu Garcia Pro Max retails for 80, comes in a high speed 7.1:1 R or L retrieve, is very smooth. Highly recommend that one.

Also have Lew's Laser MG ($80) for cranking reel and is very light, powerful and smooth. Great "cheap" reel!

[kickerfish1]

I am one of the few people that don't care for the pq. I have sold the ones I had.

For your price range my recommendations would be:

1. A shimano citica e

2. Lews speed spool

3. If you include used reels check the flee market or eBay for reels that would have been out of your price range new that will be a bit better quality and higher performance.

On a side note the quantum escalade is junk. I had 2 and now the gears grind beyond my liking. I got 2-3 years out of them with regular maintenance.

[jparker98]

I am one of the few people that don't care for the pq. I have sold the ones I had.

For your price range my recommendations would be:

1. A shimano citica e

2. Lews speed spool

3. If you include used reels check the flee market or eBay for reels that would have been out of your price range new that will be a bit better quality and higher performance.

On a side note the quantum escalade is junk. I had 2 and now the gears grind beyond my liking. I got 2-3 years out of them with regular maintenance.

If you were going to buy new would you get a Citica G or a Lew's Speed Spool?

[Arv]

If you were going to buy new would you get a Citica G or a Lew's Speed Spool?

I would say to go with the Citica since it has centrifugal brakes. I've got two that I like a lot.

[retiredbosn]

I am a fan of centrifugal brakes over mag, if I have an over run its mid cast. I have a stupid thumb I guess

[Capt.Bob]

I would say to go with the Citica since it has centrifugal brakes. I've got two that I like a lot.

For the money like I said the Lew's can't be beat, you want centrifugal braks and Magnetic, go here, this was what I replaced a Curado G6 with, and am glad I did, best $118.00 you can spend. I spent $108.00 on the one I got, if you watch I am sure you will catch one cheaper, but there worth the 118.00. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lews-Speed-Spool-TS1HL-Left-Hand-Retrieve-Bait-Caster-Reel-6-4-1-/140838890838?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20caa6ed56

[K_Mac]

I have 4 PQs that work very well with a lot of use. They are often on sale for $80. Whether they are the "best" in the price range is a matter of personal preference. They are what I spend my limited dollars on...

[jparker98]

Man that Lew's Speed Spool SS1S for $80 brand new is pretty tempting...Then again they have the new Citica G's for $99...decisions, decisions...might have to break out the credit card tonight and order one of them.

From the feedback, it sounds like I'll be happy with whichever one I decide to go with, thanks for all the replies and opinions guys.

[Arv]

For the money like I said the Lew's can't be beat, you want centrifugal braks and Magnetic, go here, this was what I replaced a Curado G6 with, and am glad I did, best $118.00 you can spend. I spent $108.00 on the one I got, if you watch I am sure you will catch one cheaper, but there worth the 118.00. http://www.ebay.com/...=item20caa6ed56

I've got both the Curado G6 and the TS1HL and I really like each reel. If I had to pick one I probably would pick the Lews too, because it fits in my hand better, is a bit smoother and I like having both braking systems. In my opinion, either reel would be a great choice. But at 118 for a Tournament SS, I might have to consider getting another one haha. I'm pretty sure someone put up two 5.4:1 Tournaments in the flea market for really cheap. But between the Citica and the SS, I would choose the centrifugal brakes over magnetic. Just my preference though.

[iceintheveins]

The PQ is hands down the best, I own five of them. In fact the old Curado E is only somewhat better, mostly with casting light baits, though the PQ does a fair job on that still.

[jparker98]

I found a Lew's TS1SH reconditioned for $85 shipped do you think that's a better deal than the SS1SH brand new for $80 shipped?