Suggest A New Sub-$100 Baitcasting Reel

[jason41987]

i just recently got into baitcasting with a small (135 yards of 12lb mono) round baitcaster.. unfortunately, i settled for a right hand retrieve which im quickly regretting, though ive grown to really like these baitcasters, ive never gotten used to switching hands to reel in so im looking for a left hand retrieve model.. the rod i currently have is a 6'6 abu garcia vengeance medium-heavy rod which is good for 1/4oz-1oz lures

 

criteria..

 

need:left hand retrieve, low profile baitcaster, under $100,

prefer: braid ready spool, and no red on it (sounds juvenile, but i simply hate the color)

 

some other aspects i would like more information on in making a selection is retrieve speed.. see roughly 5:1, 6:1, and 7:1 gearing.. why would i want a faster retrieve? why wouldnt i want a faster retrieve?...also, are braid ready spools really that useful? do they work as well in tying braid as having a backing of monofilament or tape?

 

as of yet, i dont have any brand allegiances, my current reels is the abu garcia 5600WS round baitcaster and a shakespeare spinning reel ive had for 10 years or more i got out of a kit

 

and what im looking for within that price range is a good value.. what will offer me the best quality and the best features for a specific price, so id even be willing to go with an inexpensive shakespeare baitcaster if the value was there.. but as of right now the reel im considering most is the abu garcia pro max.. only about $80, 15lb drag, plenty of bearings, and actually matches the color pattern of my vengeance rod perfectly, so theyd look like a perfectly matched pair

 

well, let me know what youd suggest, and why?

[pbizzle]

Silver Max is good for $60. 

[Dave P]

BPS Pro Qualifier

[jason41987]

im not sure how i feel about the abu garcia max series.. they use graphite frames and im not sure how well this is going to handle when the fish i typically go for are large.. northern pikes, walleye, and soon i intend to start fishing for salmon and muskie.. the BPS however does offer the aluminum frame

[Fishwhittler]

im not sure how i feel about the abu garcia max series.. they use graphite frames and im not sure how well this is going to handle when the fish i typically go for are large.. northern pikes, walleye, and soon i intend to start fishing for salmon and muskie.. the BPS however does offer the aluminum frame

 

IMO graphite frames have no place in baitcast reels, not even for bass.  They just aren't rigid enough.  In your case this is doubly true.  Between the Pro Qualifier and the Silver Max, I'd go with the BPS reel eleven times out of ten.

[jason41987]

ok.. im also not ruling out round baitcasters like the abu garcia c3/c4 reels, so im trying to find what the best "value" in low profile baitcasters for roughly the same price would be, and then see how that reel compared to a C3 or C4 reel to make my decision.. also, i do most my fishing on a lake shore.. no boat yet, ive considered a getting a longer rod for longer casts too.. but even a low profile can hold plenty of line for that if i use 20lb braided

[MDBowHunter]

I just picked up a Daiwa Aird, it was like $89 and seems to be a pretty nice reel so far. I got the 4.9:1 because I'm using it for a crankbait rod, but they come in 6.3:1 and 7.1:1 also. Oh and I'm using 20lb PP Braid

[Fishin Hard]

Lews speed spool for $99. You can find the tournament speed spool for around $110-120 on eBay if you look

[Diggy]

h20 express mettle

[jason41987]

ok.. so now added to the criteria since i want longevity and strength... no graphite frame reels, aluminum only..

 

i looked into the mettle reels.. aluminum frame, 10 bearings, they seem to offer a lot of features of a much more expensive reel at only $50, and normally, id be inclined to try a deal like this, but no left handed models and thats the #1 reason, could even be a sole reason why im looking for a new reel, i need something with a left hand retrieve

 

what id truly like to find is something customizable, modifyable.. something i can perhaps change gears in, find or make different crank handles for, upgrade bearings, whatever.. i like to tinker with objects and if i can find a baitcaster that lends itself really well to this type of person id be inclined to go for it

[Crestliner2008]

Try an "old faithful" - the Ambassadeur 5500C. Also made in left hand, if that's what you prefer. Probably around $80.00 these days. I have four of these round reels. Like the old Ranger once said, "it'll do to ride the river."

[Diggy]

ok.. so now added to the criteria since i want longevity and strength... no graphite frame reels, aluminum only..

 

i looked into the mettle reels.. aluminum frame, 10 bearings, they seem to offer a lot of features of a much more expensive reel at only $50, and normally, id be inclined to try a deal like this, but no left handed models and thats the #1 reason, could even be a sole reason why im looking for a new reel, i need something with a left hand retrieve

 

what id truly like to find is something customizable, modifyable.. something i can perhaps change gears in, find or make different crank handles for, upgrade bearings, whatever.. i like to tinker with objects and if i can find a baitcaster that lends itself really well to this type of person id be inclined to go for it

I missed that part, same reason I dont have one

 

check dicks sporting goods, many shimano citicas are on clearance for about 75 bucks 100 and 101 model in store...if there is one near 

 

 

c5500s were being thrown out also pretty cheap

[jason41987]

so far:

 

Abu Garcia Orra SX

Abu Garcia Revo S

Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C3

Lew's Speed Spool SS1HL

BPS Pro Qualfier

Okuma Citrix

Quantum Antix

Quantum Accurist

Daiwa Exceler

Wright & Mcgill Skeet Reese Victory

Shimano Citica

 

as of now, this is the list of reels that so far fit the criteria of offering left handed models and having aluminum (not graphite) frames

 

i will just edit this post to update the list

[JeziHogg]

Abu Garcia is releasing a new Orra, looks pretty neat.

[jason41987]

is it a redesign of current models or something new to the orra line?

 

also, which reel is the best to tinker with?.. im willing to get one that might have weaker gears or lesser bearings if im able to upgrade or tweaks to the reel

[moguy1973]

The new BPS Bionic Plus is on sale until Aug 1st for $60. Super smooth, aluminum frame, lots of gear ratios to choose from, left hand reel available, it's white, large spool capacity(not braid ready though), mag and centri brakes.

It's like the pro qualifier's baby brother.

Can't go wrong with the Pro Qualifier either.

[lmbfisherman]

If the Citica is at that price mentioned, Citica all the way over all the reels listed (Shimano is known to make reels last forever).  The 2nd choice would be the BPS PQ, look at Goose52's thread about his longevity tests for the PQ.

[lmbfisherman]

BTW if you look in the flea market right now, a member is selling a used BPS PQ LH reel for a very good price.  Check it out.

[basshole8190]

Silver Max is good for $60.

silver max best value plus its functional and versatile not to mention it can handle abuse

[jason41987]

whats the difference between the pro qualifier and the bass pro shops extreme?.. i notice it has more drag

 

also, will these low profile baitcasters do all i want? or should i consider a full size round baitcaster such as the abu garcia ambassadeur C3?

[jason41987]

im not alone in having issues with a right hand retrieve.. am i?.. i mean, surely other people think it dont make sense to both cast and retrieve with the same hand?.. maybe i should consider training myself to cast with my left hand?.. i dunno, but it would be a lot easier to find reels if i did that.. heck, id keep this 5600WS i have now (round baitcaster, looks identicle to a 5600c4, but is scaled down to hold only 135 yards of 12lb test)

[Fishwhittler]

im not alone in having issues with a right hand retrieve.. am i?.. i mean, surely other people think it dont make sense to both cast and retrieve with the same hand?.. maybe i should consider training myself to cast with my left hand?.. i dunno, but it would be a lot easier to find reels if i did that.. heck, id keep this 5600WS i have now (round baitcaster, looks identicle to a 5600c4, but is scaled down to hold only 135 yards of 12lb test)

 

You're not alone.  The trouble is that in the past most people have just used the RH-retrieve reels without questioning which is more efficient, including some people who would have probably been more comfortable with LH-retrieve reels all along had they been available.  In recent years there's been more of a trend as more and more anglers have begun using LH reels, liking them, and complaining that there aren't more LH-retrieve options.

 

I use both retrieves with a preference for LH.  I started out using LH-retrieve but trained myself to use RH-retrieve reels so as to be able to use more reels.  I still can't work a topwater stickbait with a RH-retrieve reel, but I can do most anything else.

 

If you do decide to try a RH-retrieve reel, it's simplest just to cast with your dominant hand and switch hands to retrieve.  Casting with your weak hand is probably something you can learn if you really need to, but it really doesn't take much time to swap hands and is easier.

 

Of the reels you've mentioned, I'd avoid the W&M Skeet Reese Victory like the plague.  Other than the braking, handle, and palm-side plate material, the Victory is the same as the Pinnacle Producer X, a reel that didn't last me a full fishing season.  It's life was probably shortened somewhat by my attempts at learning how to service and tune baitcasters on it, but that just makes it an even worse choice for you.

 

If you want an upgradable reel, you'll be hard pressed to beat a Shimano Citica.  I'd go with an E or D; you can probably find the D for less though it's much larger and may be more difficult to palm if you have small hands.  A Citica 100D will be easier to palm than a 200D, but they're also harder to find.

 

In terms of upgrade options the Citica E is better because of the new Chronarch E.  If you want you can buy a Citica 201E and then swap the gears out for 7:1 gears from a Chronarch, or swap the entire drag stack for 5:1 Chronarch gears if you want a power retrieve.  Bearings can be added until there are a total of 8+1, and there are lots of polishable parts on the inside.

 

The Citica 201G doesn't have so many gear options since the gears are only exchangeable with the Curado G, and overall the G isn't quite so nice as the E.  You can probably find a Citica E for cheaper anyway.

 

The Pro Qualifier is also a great reel to upgrade, though parts might be slightly harder to find.

[Jolly Green]

My choice would be one of the Abu round reels, but I have relatively big mitts; I know a lot of people don't find them comfortable to palm.

 

And speaking of palming, the LH vs. RH debate came down to just that for me. Initially I wanted a lefty because switching hands made no sense to me, but when I actually tried one, I realized that I was passing the rod to my left hand after casting anyway as part of the process of switching from a casting grip to a palming grip.  If you haven't done so, get your hands on ANY lefty reel and try it out first.  You may realize that you're a righty after all.

[jason41987]

i have an abu round reel right now that i like, but its a right hand model.. it has the thumb bar ive really grown to like.. on the abu C3 series though its a push button and on a left hand reel its on the left side which requires me to cast left handed.. doesnt really do me any good.. but the C4 has the same design as my reel now but i can get in a left hand retrieve.. i might go with basically that left hand version of what i have now.. but ill give the citica and pro qualifier equal consideration too... i wish someone near me stocked either of these, but they dont

[jason41987]

i dont think i really want any of the daiwas, akumas, or shimanos listed.. i like the orra sx and revo.. both 8 bearings, 15lb and 20lb drags respectively.. and i dont know much about the lews speed spool but thats the other one i think id consider

 

as for the revo S vs the orra SX.. i dont know what differences there are between the two besides the revo having more drag and id like to eat more info on the lews, and the quantums

 

lastly, whichever reel wins will then have to be compared in a low profile vs round baitcaster decision ill have to make next between this low profile reel, and an abu 5600c4