In Need Of A New Baitcaster

[AmatuerJames]

So for the last few years years I've been using a quantum burst combo and my reel finally had its final cast yesterday.. but I'm in the market now to replace it and I was wondering what people on the water prefer? My price range is under $150, under $100 would be even better. I've been eyeing the abu garcia revo s.. looking to find any other options though! Any advice or input would be awesome and greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[Skeeterboy1]

So for the last few years years I've been using a quantum burst combo and my reel finally had its final cast yesterday.. but I'm in the market now to replace it and I was wondering what people on the water prefer? My price range is under $150, under $100 would be even better. I've been eyeing the abu garcia revo s.. looking to find any other options though! Any advice or input would be awesome and greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

You can't go wrong with the Revo S. It's just over 7oz. and comes with 8 bearings. The Revo S also has 20lbs of drag which makes it very smooth. It is a great reel for the price. 

[LMB ANGLER]

revo s is a very good reel, i have friends that have that reel and he swears by it, he loves it. very good choice

[Snakehead Whisperer]

If it were my money to spend I'd get a BPS Pro Qualifier for $100. I'm assuming that you're looking for a low-profile baitcaster, but it's hard to go wrong with an Abu C3 or C4. 

[Bluebasser86]

X2 on the BPS Pro Qualifier. Get it on sale in the spring for around $80, even less if you trade another reel in. Another option would be the H20 Mettle by Academy. I got mine on sale for $30 and it's an amazing reel for the money. I don't think I'd do any heavy flipping and pitching or big swimbaits on it but it's been a great little reel for spinnerbaits so far, very smooth and cast a mile. The BPS Pro Qual is a workhorse though. 

[KyakR]

So for the last few years years I've been using a quantum burst combo and my reel finally had its final cast yesterday.. but I'm in the market now to replace it and I was wondering what people on the water prefer? My price range is under $150, under $100 would be even better. I've been eyeing the abu garcia revo s.. looking to find any other options though! Any advice or input would be awesome and greatly appreciated! Thanks!

What kind of fishing do you do?

[PotomacBassin]

X3 on the BPS Pro Qualifier.  I have 6 of these and IMO there's no better value.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The Revo and PQ are both good reels. The Shimano Citica, Daiwa Exceller, Pflueger Supreme are all good as well.

[Deleted account]

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-8482-mettle-low-profile-baitcast-reel-right-handed/pid-133325?N=46883185+101

[boostr]

I have the Cabela's Prodigy its low profile and works great. Its made Diawa.

[Arv]

Pq, revo s, citica are all that I have experience with and would recommend. Ive also heard good things about the daiwa lexa although I have not ever fished with one. If you can shop around you can probably find a lews tournament speed spool for 110ish which would get my personal vote over the others.

[crazy cranker]

Specifically what technique(s) do you plan on using the reel for?

[eatlessfish]

X4 on the Pro Qualifier. IMHO its the best reel for under $120 and if you get it on sale for under $90 you're a theif because at that price its a steal. But full price and it's still well worth it!!

[basshole8190]

Revos are a good bet at your price range and also a shimano citica is a nice reel plus you can do a few affordable upgrades and have an awesome reel for under your top budget price

[new2BC4bass]

I have a couple older Revos, but neither are an S.  However, I seem to recall the Revo S has always gotten good reviews.  The new Daiwa Tatula is getting great reviews.  The Daiwa Lexa is a bit cheaper, and well thought of by many.  You probably can find a Lews Tournament Pro right at your high limit if you look hard enough.  Or try a Tournament Speed Spool for less.

 

If you don't mind used, you can find quite a few good reels within the $150 limit.  Gen 1 or Gen 2 STX, Fuego, Sol, Patriarch, Chronarch 100A or B, President, Curado 50, etc.

 

However, if the Revo S is what you like, then go for it.  You are better off buying a reel that interests you rather than buying one that interests me.    I don't think you would be disappointed with it.

[AmatuerJames]

Specifically what technique(s) do you plan on using the reel for?

honestly everything that a baitcaster can cast.. i dont have a lot of money for multiple setups so covering a wide range would be the best. so basically i plan on using it for almost everything.. i have a spinning setup but i usually shore fish so carrying to rods isnt exactly ideal

[Snakehead Whisperer]

honestly everything that a baitcaster can cast.. i dont have a lot of money for multiple setups so covering a wide range would be the best. so basically i plan on using it for almost everything.. i have a spinning setup but i usually shore fish so carrying to rods isnt exactly ideal

If I were shore fishing with only 1 rod, I'd probably use a 7' M-F spinning rod. But that's just me.

[crazy cranker]

James, recently one of the major reel repair firms reported that Abu Garcia, Pfluger, Lew's, BPS, Cabela's and several others all purchase reels from a DoJo Korean reel designer and manufacturing company.  They are offered options related to materials, bearing quality, brake configuration, etc.  It appears that your budget will limit you to buying one of the Korean originated reels.  That's not a bad thing.  Chinese originated reels is a bad thing - LOL.  I would eliminate any Shimano reels in your price range as they have made some poor modifications over the past few years to their lower to mid-price range reels.  Take a serious look at a Pfluger Supreme XT which has the following specs:

 

• 9 double shielded stainless steel ball bearings
• Instant anti-reverse bearing
• C45 carbon infused side plates, lightweight with unmatched strength
• Double anodized aluminum handle with EVA knobs
• Rigid aluminum frame
• Non-detachable cam locking side plate allows quick break adjustments
• Retrieve Rate 26" (6.4-1 ratio)
• Mono Capacity yd/lb 175/10 145/12 100/17

   

  It has monster breaking at 20# while most bait casters average 12#.  The centrifugal breaking is very good, the spindle friction adjustment is very good and they are very smooth.  I would select the 6.4-1 gear ratio for general use

   

[new2BC4bass]

Pfluegers are the Rodney Dangerfield's of reels.  I've got a couple Trions and a Patriarch XT.  The Patriarch is a beautiful reel.  The Trions aren't.  However they perform very well.  Like my Zillions, they do better from 3/8 oz. up.  Their heavier spool lets them cast a mile with the right weights.  DVT cleaned one of mine, and I couldn't be happier with how well it performs now.  I've been using it with a 5/8 oz lure, and have had zero overruns with it since getting it back from Mike.

 

Speaking of DVT, it has been my personal experience that many times a cleaned reel in my hands causes less overruns and backlashes than a reel untouched from the factory.  Not all reels.  I've got a few that haven't been cleaned yet, but don't cause me casting problems...well, no more than usual. 

[Lip 'em!]

For $100 I would go with either the PQ like others have mentioned, a Lews Speed Spool, or an Abu Orra SX. All 3 are great reels for the money, just handle all 3 and see which you like best.

[AmatuerJames]

ok so ive narrowed it down to the abu revo s and the pfluefer supreme xt.. haha thanks so much to everyone who left their input, this is an awesome forum

P.S. input on these two is still appreciated

[Robert Oakden]

Brand new Revo stx 159 shipped on eBay.

[JTMONEY606]

save up a little more and get a curado the E is little better then the G series and you can find both used anywhere from 100 to 150 new. im a big shimano fanboy i have had alot of reels including team diawa stuff which is great aslo and lews but if i stick with one company its shiamno.