Decent reel on amazon for 50 or under

[Cgolf]

I got a gift card at work for 50 on amazon and was wondering if anyone knew of any good deals on reels on amazon? I could use either a baitcaster or a spinning reel. Don't want to go much if any over that though.

[Caliyak]

13 minutes ago, cgolf said:

I got a gift card at work for 50 on amazon and was wondering if anyone knew of any good deals on reels on amazon? I could use either a baitcaster or a spinning reel. Don't want to go much if any over that though.

I just purchased the Piscifun Rapid. The price was 39.99 and the reel is an aluminum frame reel. Most or all reels at this price are made of plastic/carbon fiber. Abu Garcia Black Max is a great reel for the same price. Kast King is the new and hottest kid on the block but plastic frame. Do some research and get the right reel for you. 

[Cgolf]

12 minutes ago, Caliyak said:

I just purchased the Piscifun Rapid. The price was 39.99 and the reel is an aluminum frame reel. Most or all reels at this price are made of plastic/carbon fiber. Abu Garcia Black Max is a great reel for the same price. Kast King is the new and hottest kid on the block but plastic frame. Do some research and get the right reel for you. 

 

Searching on their site which is overwhelming, I did see the Kast King reels. Where are these from, I have never heard of the brand? 

[fishnkamp]

For a baitcaster check out a Daiwa Aird. I have 1 Exceler, and 6 different Tatula baitcasters. That Aird is built with a lot of the same pieces and all of mine cast great. They go for around $58 bucks with free shipping. This is a 9 ball bearing, plus 1 roller bearing reel. This should be even nicer than my Exceler.

I would stay with a major brand reel myself. Daiwa and Shimano are the big boys for a reason.

For a spinning reel look at an Okuma RTX 30S. I have several friend that convinced me to try one of these.  This is a high speed composite reel that never feels weak. Hell my friend Bryan catches huge snakeheads with his while bass fishing.  This reel runs around $70.  For less you could go with a very reliable Pflueger President for around $45.

[Caliyak]

3 minutes ago, cgolf said:

 

Searching on their site which is overwhelming, I did see the Kast King reels. Where are these from, I have never heard of the brand? 

The company is from NY and the reels are made in Asia, like all the reels. They are light and easy to use from what I read and see on youtube. I want one so I will get mine soon. They have several models so look around on their website for specs. When you made your decision, go get it on Amazon. Right now, they have several on sale for Christmas. 

Amazon can be overwhelming but if you know what you are looking for, no problems. 

[Cgolf]

11 minutes ago, Caliyak said:

The company is from NY and the reels are made in Asia, like all the reels. They are light and easy to use from what I read and see on youtube. I want one so I will get mine soon. They have several models so look around on their website for specs. When you made your decision, go get it on Amazon. Right now, they have several on sale for Christmas. 

Amazon can be overwhelming but if you know what you are looking for, no problems. 

 

This was one model 'KastKing Royale Legend Baitcasting Fishing Reel – Perfect Baitcasting Reel – 11 + 1 Shielded Bearings – 17.5 Lb Carbon Fiber Drag - 7.0:1 Gear Ratio' that sounded like a good replacement for my Daiwa Megaforce that casted great when it was working.

15 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

For a baitcaster check out a Daiwa Aird. I have 1 Exceler, and 6 different Tatula baitcasters. That Aird is built with a lot of the same pieces and all of mine cast great. They go for around $58 bucks with free shipping. This is a 9 ball bearing, plus 1 roller bearing reel. This should be even nicer than my Exceler.

I would stay with a major brand reel myself. Daiwa and Shimano are the big boys for a reason.

For a spinning reel look at an Okuma RTX 30S. I have several friend that convinced me to try one of these.  This is a high speed composite reel that never feels weak. Hell my friend Bryan catches huge snakeheads with his while bass fishing.  This reel runs around $70.  For less you could go with a very reliable Pflueger President for around $45.

Daiwa might be big, but I have had horrible luck with their reels, I will say their customer service was very helpful though, I just needed to call them too often. I had an old regal spinning reel that was awesome as long as I had extra bail springs.

 

The new regals I had worked ok, but the anti reverse failed quickly, but they are still usable. I had a Daiwa magforce that casted great but the piece that lays the line on the spool would get out of sync often causing binding. My Viento I got on sale for 80 bucks has worked pretty well, but I haven't used it as much as my Quantum accurists which have been bullet proof for a long time for me. So long story short I am not sure I want another Daiwa reel.

[Caliyak]

1 minute ago, cgolf said:

 

This was one model 'KastKing Royale Legend Baitcasting Fishing Reel – Perfect Baitcasting Reel – 11 + 1 Shielded Bearings – 17.5 Lb Carbon Fiber Drag - 7.0:1 Gear Ratio' that sounded like a good replacement for my Daiwa Megaforce that casted great when it was working.

Dude, I was going to get the Spartacus. KastKing rep told me that they have an aluminum frame reel coming out. So I might wait for that reel. Royale is cool but again, plastic frame. If I had to get a reel today, I would get another black max. 

[12poundbass]

Abu Garcia Black Max for sure. Best reel for the price and a great reel all around!

[Cgolf]

10 minutes ago, Caliyak said:

Dude, I was going to get the Spartacus. KastKing rep told me that they have an aluminum frame reel coming out. So I might wait for that reel. Royale is cool but again, plastic frame. If I had to get a reel today, I would get another black max. 

 

1 minute ago, 12poundbass said:

Abu Garcia Black Max for sure. Best reel for the price and a great reel all around!

 

Looking at the Black Max and it looks like a good deal, and I have love my Abu Round Musky reels. 

 

Now I have to decide which model and find the best price on it, seeing a bmax3 and a bmaxC.

Will need to research to see what one would fit my needs if I go with the Bmax.

[Caliyak]

8 minutes ago, cgolf said:

 

 

Looking at the Black Max and it looks like a good deal, and I have love my Abu Round Musky reels. 

 

Now I have to decide which model and find the best price on it, seeing a bmax3 and a bmaxC.

Will need to research to see what one would fit my needs if I go with the Bmax.

black max 3 and the C are the same reel but the C is allegedly more compact. I have no clue if it's true. Go with the cheapest BM3 you can find and free shipping. 

[12poundbass]

9 minutes ago, cgolf said:

 

 

Looking at the Black Max and it looks like a good deal, and I have love my Abu Round Musky reels. 

 

Now I have to decide which model and find the best price on it, seeing a bmax3 and a bmaxC.

Will need to research to see what one would fit my needs if I go with the Bmax.

I have 3 black Max 3's and an old school black max. Not sure sure what the difference is but both are excellent. The pro max (I have 2 of them) are awesome too!

[new2BC4bass]

2 hours ago, cgolf said:

 

This was one model 'KastKing Royale Legend Baitcasting Fishing Reel – Perfect Baitcasting Reel – 11 + 1 Shielded Bearings – 17.5 Lb Carbon Fiber Drag - 7.0:1 Gear Ratio' that sounded like a good replacement for my Daiwa Megaforce that casted great when it was working.

Daiwa might be big, but I have had horrible luck with their reels, I will say their customer service was very helpful though, I just needed to call them too often. I had an old regal spinning reel that was awesome as long as I had extra bail springs.

 

The new regals I had worked ok, but the anti reverse failed quickly, but they are still usable. I had a Daiwa magforce that casted great but the piece that lays the line on the spool would get out of sync often causing binding. My Viento I got on sale for 80 bucks has worked pretty well, but I haven't used it as much as my Quantum accurists which have been bullet proof for a long time for me. So long story short I am not sure I want another Daiwa reel.

 

You've had some bad luck with Daiwas.  I've got about 30 of their casting reels and 6 spinning reels.  A used T3 MX 1016 stacks the line up on one side with the first retrieve after being wound on evenly.  (Done by holding the line while winding.)  A new T3 1016 cast control wouldn't put any tension on the spool.  Removing the plastic piece under the knob and then replacing...per a member's suggestion...cured that problem.  So far I can't find a problem with the MX.  My Alphas SV105 didn't perform like others.  Sent it out for cleaning and a little upgrading, and now it performs extremely well.  Never had a problem with quality control on any of my other Daiwas.

 

I do have a problem with a used 1300SS.  The drag doesn't pull evenly.  A used 1600SS I had sent directly to my brother-in-law also has a drag problem.  From everything I read these reels are known for having one of the best drags in the business.  Maybe new they did.  No idea how they were treated by previous owner(s) so pretty hard to blame Daiwa for an unreliable product in these two cases.

 

 

[JustinJ]

big fan of the abu garcia silver max, although they retail for around $59.99

[fishnkamp]

I am sorry you had problems with their spinning reels. The only Daiwa spinning reels I have owned were two perfect working Daiwa SS1300s.  I purchased them back in 1985 or 86 (whenever they first released them) My wife and I have used them extensively for river smallies.  They have been perfect the entire time. As for the baitcasters you mentioned.  I do not run any baitcaster that retails less than $125. Most reels that retail below $100 are just not worth getting. The magforce I believe runs around $60.  The Viento I have to say I have never heard of before.  It is one if Daiwas with the gimmick of a twitching bar on it. The reels I own are Excelers and Tatulas (both Type Rs and CTs)  I paid $60 for the Exceler but it retailed for $100. My Tatulas retailed for $130 to $200 roughly. I paid between $100 and $130.  Most of the reviews for Tatulas, Tat CTs, Excelers are positive. I suggested the Daiwa Aird because it share a lot of the same hardware as the reels I own and love. However maybe you should look for a Lewa or Abu Garcia based on your bad luck with Daiwas low end stuff.  

[roadwarrior]

[Cgolf]

10 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

I am sorry you had problems with their spinning reels. The only Daiwa spinning reels I have owned were two perfect working Daiwa SS1300s.  I purchased them back in 1985 or 86 (whenever they first released them) My wife and I have used them extensively for river smallies.  They have been perfect the entire time. As for the baitcasters you mentioned.  I do not run any baitcaster that retails less than $125. Most reels that retail below $100 are just not worth getting. The magforce I believe runs around $60.  The Viento I have to say I have never heard of before.  It is one if Daiwas with the gimmick of a twitching bar on it. The reels I own are Excelers and Tatulas (both Type Rs and CTs)  I paid $60 for the Exceler but it retailed for $100. My Tatulas retailed for $130 to $200 roughly. I paid between $100 and $130.  Most of the reviews for Tatulas, Tat CTs, Excelers are positive. I suggested the Daiwa Aird because it share a lot of the same hardware as the reels I own and love. However maybe you should look for a Lewa or Abu Garcia based on your bad luck with Daiwas low end stuff.  

The thing that sucks about the daiwas though, is they cast incredibly, from the mag force to an 80 dollar model I picked out for my father inlaw. The Viento does have the thitchin bar thing, but I think it was originally a 200 plus reel. 

 

I usually go go cheap on spinning reels and believe it or not Shakespeare reels in the 20 to 30 range have been really solid for over 10 years of hardcore River fishing. The original regal I had was a tank and loved it and used it off 15 plus years, just carried extra bail springs with. Not sure what happened on the second set, I got them on clearance, so not a lot was lost, but just disappointed that I got 2 reels I love from Daiwa and 3 that were essentially problem children. 

[BrackishBassin]

First baitcaster I bought (mind you, this was recently) was a Black Max combo from Dick's. Haven't had any issues so far, and I was able to get it for a steal ($39 total). If you can find something like that, snap it up! Great rod/reel to learn on, and not a huge loss of investment if/when it breaks.

[DroneFisher]

15 hours ago, Caliyak said:

Dude, I was going to get the Spartacus. KastKing rep told me that they have an aluminum frame reel coming out. So I might wait for that reel. Royale is cool but again, plastic frame. If I had to get a reel today, I would get another black max. 

I will say that I have had my Royale Legend for over two years. I have had ZERO issues with it. This is the Royale Legend, not the regular Royale.

[Cgolf]

Actually going with a Daiwa Laguna that is temporarily out of stock, but since I don't need it till spring I am good. Even with the issues I have had with some of their stuff I will give them one last shot. Will pick up a puzzle to get the free shipping and call it good. This is the reel I got form my father in law and had wished I had picked up one for myself. 

[Cgolf]

Thank you for all the input, I was really close on the black max but it didn't have the free shipping.