Best all around baitcaster

[pondbassin101]

What would be the best single all around baitcast setup under $150. Something I could use for most techniques and conditions. Thanks for any help

[Kyle46N]

Lew Tournament MB.  130 on Ebay.  You won't find better at that price.  It's an opinion, but even if someone can come up with another brand at that price point...it's splitting hairs.  Lews has great customer service also.

[Hulkster]

I love my shimano  curado 200i PG. its around your price range.

 

just one idea there are tons of great reels out there

[new2BC4bass]

3 minutes ago, Kyle46N said:

Lew Tournament MB.  130 on Ebay.  You won't find better at that price.  It's an opinion, but even if someone can come up with another brand at that price point...it's splitting hairs.  Lews has great customer service also.

You should be able to find this reel for just under $110 on ebay....like $108.  Just did a search and found it on "bass distributing" for $99.18.  Don't know if they charge shipping.  

[Kyle46N]

You're right....I had my price wrong on that one.  I think I bought my last two for around 110 or so.  Thanks!

 

[new2BC4bass]

16 hours ago, Kyle46N said:

You're right....I had my price wrong on that one.  I think I bought my last two for around 110 or so.  Thanks!

 

Hey, I don't always remember what I paid.  Of course I have a good excuse.  Senior Moment.  

OP: 6'6" to 7'4" MHF.  Better to consider used...especially for the reel.  New Lightning Shock (or regular Lightning...which I prefer) or house brand rods such as a Cabela's Prodigy (I have 3 or 4) on sale or the H2O Express from Academy Sports are a few rods to look at.  See what combos Academy Sports offers with the combination of the Mettle reel and Ethos rods.  Both get good reviews.  I'm not up on house brands so can't offer much advice there.  I do have one of Dick's Sporting Goods original Tec Spec rods.  Not bad for $60.  Little more rebound in the tip than I like.  The Elite Tech looks to be nice.

EDIT:  We keep suggesting $95-$110 reels which isn't going to leave you much for a rod and still keep the total under $150.  All I can say is we get carried away with our enthusiasm.  I'd look for a good reel in the used market.  Wait for Black Friday and get a new rod on sale.  Another way to get a more expensive rod cheap is when a model is being closed out or updated.  My most expensive rod is a $300 spinning rod.........that I paid $75 for with free shipping.  Shipping is very expensive for rods which makes it hard to pick up a cheaper used rod.

Check out Shelton's Clothing on ebay.  They have the 6'8" MH-XF Powell Max 3D for $100.  Wouldn't leave you much for a reel, but you would be getting a $200 rod that is very versatile.  I picked up a couple Quantum rods from them at ridiculous savings a few years ago.  One of my better purchases....a Tour Edition and a Superlite.

[papajoe222]

If you're talking just the reel, take your pick of any in  6.3:1 or similar. If you're talking rod and reel, a BassPro Qualifier in that gearing paired to a M/H Mod.Fast in a length that suits you. 

[Jeff H]

Does "baitcast setup" involve both rod and reel or are we just talking reel here??

[pondbassin101]

Is the Diawa Exceler any good? It's $40 dollars off on eBay right now.

[bassbassontherange]

This question, or a variant of it, is asked at least once a week. You'll get a few common recommendations for new reels. 

I consider myself an enthusiast in every sense of the word, especially in low pro baitcasters. I would say, if you're buying new and in your price range, based on my experience I'd rank as such.

1. Shimano Citica I -(Or the Curado I... whichever. They're equally as good of performers. The absolute only difference I can find is in the anti rust bearings, which won't make any difference to most) 

1a. Daiwa Tatula Ct - I prefer how my hands fit the Shimano frame, but this is a solid reel.

2. Lew's Tournament MB or Tourny Pro -Really good value, and I like the braking system on these reels especially. Not the longest casters or the smoothest (really smooth out of the box, but the ones I've owned have gotten a little geary over time, but no big deal). 

2a. Shimano Casitas - Probably the best casting reel of the group in my hands. Some people just don't like a composite frame, myself included. No real particular reason for that. I've never had a problem with it from any logical standpoint... just how it feels.

You can't go wrong with any of those, and there are some other nice options from 1...3... fishing, Okuma, Abu, and others, but I haven't fished them enough to honestly provide useful feedback.

HOWEVER- I'd skip all of those if you're trying to get a great deal on a workhorse, all purpose reel. 

Buy USED! You can find fantastic deals on used Shimano's and Daiwa's. They are usually super reliable. In fact, right now there is a listing for Citica E's in our very own flea market on this site. $75 for a good condition Citica E is an awesome value. Buy one, or two from that listing and know that you have a proven reel that has an insanely loyal following. If you're not throwing super light finesse style baits, it's the perfect reel for almost all other applications. You'll notice I bought one just because of the great deal. I'm usually throwing pretty high end stuff, but that's just too great a value on a getting hard to find reel.

Uggh. Went to link that sale and someone just snagged the other Citica's. Sorry. I'd still keep an eye out. Don't pass up a deal like that if you see it. If you've got time, hold out for something like that. Some other reels I might suggest are Citica/Curado I's used, Tatulas used, or a T3 1016. All are great reels that you can find waaaay cheaper than what they cost new. Shimano and Daiwa just build reels that last! Because of that, you can usually buy with confidence on a terrific used reel.

 

 

[fishnkamp]

The answer to your question "is an Exceler reel good: is yes. Yes, it is a very good reel that retails for $99. It is often available for around $60 online. I fish two of them.  My friend got me hooked on the Daiwas and we often land  30+ inch stripers on those reels as well as some LMB and big cats. I prefer my Tatulas, Tatula Type Rs and Tatula CTs, but all of these Daiwas perform very well. If you get that Daiwa Exceler then go find a deal on a Berkley Lightning Shock rod, Gander Mountain Tournament Casting rod, or even an Abu Garcia Veracity from Fishing Factory Outlet.  They also have a good deal on a Fenwick HMX in both a 6'6 and 7 foot, Other good options would be an bu Garcia Veritas or a Dobyns Fury, The Fury is the most expensive rod I suggested at $109, but it is the best quality rod I suggested too,

[pondbassin101]

Should I look for specific rod length, power, and action?

[roadwarrior]

[Rbm18]

As far as the reel . I would say a shimano citica 200E. Best all-around reel for the money. In my opinion.

[S. Sass]

My personal first choice is a Lew's Tournament MB you should be able to find this reel for just under $110 on eBay. Or the Tatula as a second option since they are heavier, less drag, and have that audible t-wing clunk. Either of those are solid reels.

Then you have the Bass Pro Qualifier as a 3rd option that is even heavier and has less drag but it still a very capable aluminum framed reel. It can almost always be found under $100.

 

[new2BC4bass]

14 hours ago, pondbassin101 said:

Is the Diawa Exceler any good? It's $40 dollars off on eBay right now.

I haven't used this reel, but would take fishnkamp's word for its quality.  It wasn't that long ago that many thought you couldn't get a comparable quality Daiwa for less than $200.  I'd beg to differ with that opinion.  I bought a Procaster 100HN on closeout for $30.  This was a $70 reel with an aluminum frame.  Disengaging the clutch gives a very satisfying thunk.....kind of like the bank vault feeling from the original Zillions.  Palms quite well, but heavy by today's standards at 9 oz.  I'd grab the Exceler if I were you.  Post a link (or PM me with it) as I wouldn't mind trying that reel at that price.

2 hours ago, pondbassin101 said:

Should I look for specific rod length, power, and action?

I already mentioned this.  A 6'6"-7' MHF makes for a very versatile rod.  Personally I prefer the longer rod unless fishing from shore near obstacles.  I like my 7'2" rods.

[Mark888]

Daiwa tatula CT by far! 130$ on tackle warehouse 

[Mike L]

Go get a BPS Pro Qualifier.

 

Mike 

[d-camarena]

ive been using a shimano casitas reel i bought in fleabay for 79.99. Its an amazing reel. Seriously underrated

[bassbassontherange]

5 minutes ago, d-camarena said:

ive been using a shimano casitas reel i bought in fleabay for 79.99. Its an amazing reel. Seriously underrated

You're right. I fish mostly high end Shimano but I like to try everything. The Casitas is a heck of a performer.

[SMITTY0045]

Most people will probably recommend something from Shimano and Lews. But I really like the Revo SX. I have a few of them and they perform great. I would seriously take a look at them

[shaggydog]

whatever youre thtowing

[WPCfishing]

I bought a Lews MB reel for one of my toad rods. It cast well and is very smooth. The drag locks up nicely it's light and very comfortable in the hand. I believe it's the Best Buy on the market to date. I swapped the 80mm handle out for a 95mm. 

My other Frog and Toad reels are Lews Tournament Pro's. 

For open water baits I prefer my Lews Magnesium and Team Lite reels. 

Honorable mention would be my Lews BB1 reels.. I use them for baits I work slowly. Super Smooth, Cast a mile.. 

I would recommend you to take a look at the MB and the BB1 which comes with the 95mm handle and is available in 3 gear ratios.