Buying A Baitcasting Reel

[Topwater98]

I was wondering if anyone knows of a reasonable baitcasting reel in the 20-50 dollar range?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

For $50-$60 bucks you can find a second hand Shimano Curado 200B. These reels are built like tanks and are user friendly. Anything new in the price range you're asking about will be disappointing in performance as well as durability. For about $80 you can get a BPS Pro Qualifier on sale. These are good reels that will continue to perform as your skill level increases.

[new2BC4bass]

Some say this is a great reel for the price.

 

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-8482-mettle-low-profile-baitcast-reel-right-handed/pid-133325

[seekonkBass]

I can speak from experience. The BPS tourney special at 49.99 is great! It took me a little bit to get used to it (dual centrifugal brakes), but now that I have adjusted from magnetic brakes to mechanical ... Man it rocks!!

[Basswhippa]

Assuming you can't find a used Calcutta, do yourself a huge favor and buy a 4600C3 off Ebay in new or like new condition.  It will fit your budget and perform with the best of reels for years to come with a little maitenance.

[The Rooster]

The link new2BC4bass posted is for the H2O Mettle. It has an aluminum frame. I guarantee you won't find another baitcast reel with an aluminum frame anywhere else at that price. Not even used. I've never used it, but I've read a little about it from others who have. They say the gears aren't real smooth, but if you just need a solid reel and don't have a lot of money for one, this one looks like it could be a good choice.

[curtis9]

The link new2BC4bass posted is for the H2O Mettle. It has an aluminum frame. I guarantee you won't find another baitcast reel with an aluminum frame anywhere else at that price. Not even used. I've never used it, but I've read a little about it from others who have. They say the gears aren't real smooth, but if you just need a solid reel and don't have a lot of money for one, this one looks like it could be a good choice.

I've got two of them, and they are great reels for the price.

[Topwater98]

Thanks for the help. I will look at some of those suggestions. Also I plan to use the reel for fishing topwater baits, rapala minnows and other baits. What type of line would be best? How Strong?

[new2BC4bass]

Thanks for the help. I will look at some of those suggestions. Also I plan to use the reel for fishing topwater baits, rapala minnows and other baits. What type of line would be best? How Strong?

 

I like mono for those lures.  Sufix Elite is a favorite, but there are plenty of good lines out there.  I bought some larger spools of Big Game in 8# and 12#, but don't like its memory after it has set on a reel for awhile.  Do a search on mono lines.  8# on Medium power rods, and 12# on Medium Heavy power rods is my standard set up. I do have a reel each with 6#, 10#, 14#, 15# and 17# monos.  Also copolymer lines such as Yo-Zuri, Izorline XXX Super, Maxima, P-Line, Silver Thread AN 40 and Sunline (and others) would work.  I've read that Sunline Shooter Defier is simply the best...as it sould be for that price.  I personaly don't have any problems with lines costing 1/4 as much.

 

EDIT:  I used Trilene XL for a good many years.  Switched only because I wanted to try something different.  Look at my bag of lines and you will still see some XL in there. 

[ww2farmer]

 Most of my reels are either Shimano Curados or Abu Garcia Revos..............BUT............I needed a couple reels to throw on some rods earlier this season and I wasn't having any luck finding good used Revos or Curados in my price range. So I went cheap, thinking I would fully regret it. But let me tell you, I have been pretty impressed with the Abu Black Max reels. they have seen over 100 days of use this year, frogging, flipping, and getting beat on. I have actually tried to get them to break, and short of just smashing them with a sledge hammer, they have put up with any abuse I dished out. I have done nothing to them but lubed the spool bearings and worm gear, and they are still smooth, quite, and solid. They cast as good as anything else I have within "normal" casting gear lure weights, and have handled some pretty big fish out of thick cover with no problem. I don't expect them to last forever, but for $50 I have gotten my $'s worth out of them this year. The mag breaks are very user friendly and I can actually skip baits with these reels better than I can with my Curados . If they can last a season of my abuse, they should last anyone. When they die, I'll toss them out, or keep them for spare parts. Eventually I will replace them with Revos or Curados, but for now they are working fine, and have exceeded my expectations.

[Topwater98]

My only baitcasting reel right now is a Quantum Accurist AC500CX. Is this a good reel? I get backlashes with it quite a bit. I have tried changing the spool tension but I don't know how to set the brakes. I got this reel used and the words by the brakes were worn out. I know that it has a centrifugal braking system.

 

I have it on this rod. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Shakespeare-Wild-Cat-2-Piece-Medium-Heavy-Casting-Rod/21092421 The rod is so heavy that it is hard to use very much. I think I will use it for fishing heavy cover like frogs in lily pads.

 

What type of rod should I get to put a new reel on if I get one. I am thinking about getting the one that new2BC4bass recommended.

[Topwater98]

Has anyone heard of the gander mountain guide series reels? Are they any good?