Best Baitcaster Under $125

[jtesch]

O.K. lets start a fun topic. What is the best baitcaster  you have ever owned for under $125.00, New or used

 

mine is a Daiwa td-x 103 hsdf

got it on the Bay for $65 in near mint condition.  put a Zillion bent drag star on it for $25 and a stock Zillion handle that I had laying around and bright gold handle nut and retainer from Mike's for $15 for a total of $105. It is now my go to pitching reel and the only reel I own that I can actually cast all the line off the spool if I don't watch what I'm doing.

[Mike L]

BPS Pro Qualifier hands down!

 

 

 

Mike

[Arv]

Lews tp

[flyfisher]

Shimano citica new curado used...

[aavery2]

I purchased two Daiwa Fuego reels for 100 ea.   A magnesium framed reel in great shape for 100 dollars is a great deal in my book.

[John G]

Shimano Citica 200E

[jtesch]

aavery2, I'm with you. I love some of the older Daiwa's and pick them up when I can. Even if they need a little work it's fun to upgrade them and you can end up with a truly great reel at a nice price. I have cleaned, tuned and upgraded 3 Daiwa x's so far and a Sol is next in my sights

[ww2farmer]

I have gotten some great deals right here on BR..................the two that come to mind right away are the Curado 51E I got from webertime for $100, and a Gen1 LH Revo STX from Shane J for $60.

[aavery2]

The Daiwa reels are fun to clean, tune and upgrade.  They end up being unique and they are still some very nice reels even by todays standards.  I like the Sol's as well, I would like to find a good used one and do a little work on it.  I will say that I don't understand why the Sol is the more popular reel than the Fuego.  The Fuego can be found much less expensive and with a spool upgrade it casts great and is very smooth.  Something you might think about.

[Jeff H]

Daiwa Tatula 100H  NIB  $116 

 

TD-A  153 HSTA (3)  bought used for $70 ea.  2 In perfect shape, not a scratch on 'em, 1 has a few minor scuffs but after cleaning all 3 work like new.

[supreme]

What's your thoughts on the Daiwa Tatula. I'm thinking about getting one to thow light topwater baits?

[jtesch]

Daiwa Advantage HSTA is a really nice real for the money. Very under appreciated in my view

[Jrob78]

My favorite sub $125 gems are my like new Alphas Ito 103, NIB 153HSTA, NIB Pflueger Patriarch and 2 gently used Curado 100d's I got for $80 each.  

[The Next KVD]

I got a good deal on ebay a few years back on my ALL-TIME favorite reel series: Shimano Chronarch 100BSV for $119.

That and any old Curado 200b can be had all day long on ebay for $80.

[kickerfish1]

Chronarch 100sf. I purchased this reel used for $120. Smoothest and one of the furthest casting reels I have owned. The only downside was it was a bit heavier and difficult to palm compared to the other reels I own.

[iabass8]

brand new under 125 would have to be curado 51e when they were discontinued and being sold at TW for 99$. such a steal.

[SudburyBasser]

People are going to laugh but the best cheaper BC I've ever used: BPS Extreme.

[Salamander12]

BPS Pro Qualifier hands down!

 

 

 

Mike

I just got the BPS pro qualifier combo for the black Friday sale, I used it for the first time yesterday and I couldn't believe how well it performed especially for only $70 with a rod. It out performed my revo s. Also I got very lucky and got the last one on the rack.

Also I really wanted to try out the viper baitcaster that they had for only $40 but for some odd reason they only make those in right hand retrieve. I couldn't believe they would do that. Does anyone have an idea why they would do something like that?

[Jrob78]

The Daiwa Ballistic just went on sale for $125, that might be next bargain score.

[Mike L]

I just got the BPS pro qualifier combo for the black Friday sale, I used it for the first time yesterday and I couldn't believe how well it performed especially for only $70 with a rod. It out performed my revo s. Also I got very lucky and got the last one on the rack.

Also I really wanted to try out the viper baitcaster that they had for only $40 but for some odd reason they only make those in right hand retrieve. I couldn't believe they would do that. Does anyone have an idea why they would do something like that?

 

Even tho more and more folks are switching to left hand reeling,

the predominate market still is right hand reeling, but it's slowly changing.

 

When more and more demand happens, manufactures will have to offer both to keep or maintain thier market share.

 

 

 

Mike

[Smallmouth Hunter]

The Daiwa Ballistic just went on sale for $125, that might be next bargain score.

Shhhh.

[michael68w]

I like the diawa tatula. I know it's MSRP is 149.99 but you can get them off eBay new for around 119 and that's a lot of reel for the cash.

[Montanaro]

lews

[livetofish28]

Lew's tournament mg get all the factory lube out of it and clean and lube it well and then your casting 1/4 baits with ease

[Jeff H]

What's your thoughts on the Daiwa Tatula. I'm thinking about getting one to thow light topwater baits?

 

I have to be honest and say I have not used them yet (I just bought 2 last week) and likely won't until next spring.  My "out of the box" impression is....likely to get more.  Very nice!  Very very smooth.  I don't know that the standard Tatula would or would not be the right choice for light baits, the Tatula Type R might be better suited to that task.  I would guess anything 3/8 oz or better would not be a problem for the Tatula.

 

Daiwa Advantage HSTA is a really nice real for the money. Very under appreciated in my view

 

Not by me.  I love 'em.  These are my current favorite "do it all" utility players.