Cheap Baitcast Reel

[Shaggie]

I just picked up the rod from an Abu Garcia Orra SX combo for $13. I need a relatively cheap reel to put on it. I've kind of got my eye on the Abu Garcia Silver Max since they just marked them down. My budget is around $50 as I'm just learning this whole baitcasting deal. Anyone?

[damian19s]

I have the Abu Garcia Black Max and I got it brand new on eBay for 38$. I have it on a Daiwa Laguna 7' Rod and the set up is amazing. That is my first baitcast setup and it's a great reel to get started with. 

[A fisher]

Have a black max and It's okaaaay.... But I would go with h2o mettle which is currently on sale for 50

[datkins]

I've heard good things about the h20 Reels, and my 2nd baitcast error which I wish had been my first was a shimano caenan. You could probably fine a new one some places for $50. 

[SenkoGuru]

The best reel you will get around $40 is the H2o Mettle. I have a laundry list of baitcasters and that little mettle can hang with any of them. I am still surprised at how good it is for the price.

[RCCA]

Mettle... best cheap reel! No doubt. 

[the reel ess]

33 minutes ago, SenkoGuru said:

The best reel you will get around $40 is the H2o Mettle. I have a laundry list of baitcasters and that little mettle can hang with any of them. I am still surprised at how good it is for the price.

I just looked it up and my I just say "Geez, you're right!" Aluminum frame reels usually costs a minimum of $80. Can't beat this with a stick.

[PGlaze]

i have an abu garcia silver max i'd sell to you for $30 to your door. Paypal ready.

[The Fisher]

Check out used Bass Pro PQs on auction sites.

[Fishinthefish]

You can't go wrong with a Blackmax or Silvermax.

[SPECIAL ENGINEER]

I learned with a Silvermax and was pretty happy with it. I didn't really have any issues until I hooked up to a couple of bigger pike. I think there was some frame flex that caused some of the internals to get misaligned and it developed some grinding in the gears. I also had some problems with the thumb bar sticking that I was able to fix with fine sanding and lubricating of the contact faces of the thumb bar. 

 

It it was a pretty good trouble free reel for about a year and a half. 

[RCCA]

Gold and silver max both have issues. I have them. Sometimes the handle spins backwards on a fish or even a jerk bait. Wish it wasn't true but it is. Mettle is the best cheap route, I promise. Have those too. 

[Bluebasser86]

I have 3 of the H2O Mettles. They'll outperform most any <$100 reel. I even used one to flip weeds with braid in the Everglades on vacation last year and it did it flawlessly. 

[gardnerjigman]

I've been very happy with all the H20 reels. I have the mettle, manic, and maxum. 

[S. Sass]

That is a pretty good deal for a alum frame reel. To bad its only 6.3:1 ratio. Also I didn't see what the drag was rated at.

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-mettle-mt2-baitcast-reel-right-handed 

[Bluebasser86]

Just now, S. Sass said:

That is a pretty good deal for a alum frame reel. To bad its only 6.3:1 ratio. Also I didn't see what the drag was rated at.

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-mettle-mt2-baitcast-reel-right-handed 

They have faster and slower reels as well. I bought a Manic this past winter in a 7 ratio and have liked it so far. Not sure the exact lb drag the Mettle has but like I said, it worked for flipping grass in Florida, so it must be fairly stout. Getting parts is the only bad thing about them, but I haven't needed any yet. 

[S. Sass]

Ahh I just went by the academy ad I linked to. Good info. 

[Lucas Julian]

I have the silver max it is a good reel and I would recommend it.

[drew4779]

My brother has had a caenan since the first year it came out and he still uses it and really likes it.  I clean it for him every winter and it is easy to breakdown and maintain.  I've heard good things about the h20, black max, and BPS extremes (which should be able to be had at a good price during their big sale here in a month or two) but have never used any of those.

There was a guy who posted that he was buying the Chinese knock-off reels on ebay about a year ago.  I never heard how that went for him but the features on some of these reels sounded nice.  

[Raul]

Problem with you guys recommending a H2O reel is that many times you don´t see the location of the OP, I don´t think there are a lot of Academy Sports store in Connecticut.

[RCCA]

No problem. Order online from Academy. Free shipping too. 

[Shaggie]

2 hours ago, Raul said:

Problem with you guys recommending a H2O reel is that many times you don´t see the location of the OP, I don´t think there are a lot of Academy Sports store in Connecticut.

Thanks for your concern. You are correct. We do not have Academy stores, but it is the day and age of ordering online. I wish it wasn't true. I'm the type that likes to touch and feel before I buy. So I'll shop locally and if I don't find something that I like I will take the chance of ordering it.

[pjd412]

I've heard decent things about the BPS Tourney Special but I think a used higher end reel would serve you better.

[Jaheff]

Curado I on sale at Walmart.com for 150. Alot of reel at that price.