Best baitcast reels?

[AO2point4]

If you're a beginner, I'd recommend the BB1 Pro from Lew's.  The external dial to adjust the braking system is super easy to get dialed in, which was one of my biggest concerns when I first started throwing a bait caster.  

 

Otherwise, just pick one you like.  All reels above the $100 price range, generally, will be of good quality.  Lew's guys will recommend Lew's, Shimano guys will recommend Shimano, and so on.  So just pick one you like and you'll start to form your own preferences on what you like in a reel.

[The Next KVD]

THE BEST reel that I use in my opinion is the Shimano Metanium 13 XG.  Can find the MGL version for $280 plus shipping.   That's my money is no option high end reel choice.  Going lower I 'd get a Shimano Curado 70XG $150-180 online, anything under that the Daiwa Tatula CT series dominates and can be had for $90-100.

[drew4779]

It's been said over and over...but why not say it again?...shimano or daiwa. 

[frosty]

Like others have said it's going to come down to what you like best. I like my lews, but other than a quantum casting reel that was my dad's from the mid-90's I have no experience with casting reels. Any decent casting reel will probably serve you well. 

[lonnie g]

look at the revo stx they are out there for 125$ free shipping.  great reel!

[blades]

older green curado cu200b5 and cu200b, a little polishing here and there,and upgrade drag, hard to beat 

 

[iabass8]

Fishdrop Shisamo.

18bb reel

Greased from the spit of Zeus and lubed with the tears of a unicorn.

[DogBone_384]

On 1/7/2017 at 4:07 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

If your budget is $125> you almost can't go wrong among any of the big name brands. It's just a matter of picking the features that most interest you. 

What Mike said, and welcome to the forum!

[MDbassin]

I've used lots of reels my top 3 would be Shimano, Daiwa, and Lews. Have used or owned everything from there budget reels up to around the $300 mark for lews this is there high end flagship for shimano that would be a mid range price point. (I'm not spending no 500 bucks on a reel).

 

For a angler on a budget I would actually say look at the BPS pro qualifier great cheap reel. My favorite reel tho when I consider all factors: price, castability, smoothness, line cap, comfort, etc.

 

My go to would be the Shimano Curado for the price it is my favorite.... My actual favorite is the Shimano Chronarch but to be honest i dont feel the difference between the curado and chronarch when comparing the price.

 

The chronarch may last longer as it is made in Japan and the curado is made in Malaysia but I've never had a problem

[new2BC4bass]

This was the OP's only post and he never visited the thread after the day he posted it.  So suggesting any reel is a waste of time if you think you are going to help him.  However, there will be others reading the thread now that it has recently brought to the top again.  Personally I prefer to suggest gear to someone that might actually read my reply.

[MDbassin]

Wow I didn't even realize how old the thread was... who's the knucklehead that resurrected this

[Further North]

There is no "best".

 

What there is...is an intersection of your willingness to spend money and the performance of the reels...heavily impacted by what features/style you you like.

 

1. Determine your budget...
2. Figure out what you like...
3. ...and just as important, what you don't like...
4. That'll knock it down to two, maybe three reels.
   1. All will be excellent, given your budget and the feature set you like...
5. ...at that point, buy the one like best/has the best price, depending on what your individual driving motivators are...

Can't go wrong...Don't let other people's opinions sway you.

 

Then...set up right, go fishing....

On 1/8/2017 at 7:12 PM, drew4779 said:

It's been said over and over...but why not say it again?...shimano or daiwa. 

...or Abu Garcia, or Quantum...depends on preference...

[Deleted account]

State specific reels? Really? I'm pretty sure your NY (Let's go Rangers! Olvi sucks!) will work, mine did. 

[DaveT63]

Two of the best deals out there right now are the Daiwa SV103 and SV105 at TW.  They are on sale at $169 and $149 respectively, and even cheaper if you but the gift cards at 10 percent off first and use them to pay for it.  Of course, they only have the 103 in Left Hand, 6.3:1, and the 105 in Right Hand, 5.8:1.  But still, that is a steal for either one of those fantastic reels.

[Zibass]

Shimano metanium mgl and daiwa steez sv tws, which one better for squarebill?  It will pair with 13  7'2 mh angel. Thanks for advices. 

 

[BigAngus752]

On 12/25/2017 at 8:04 PM, MDbassin said:

Wow I didn't even realize how old the thread was... who's the knucklehead that resurrected this

LOL!  I hate it when I get suckered into one of these!  I'm gonna go back and try to find a thread about VCR repair...

[Kelvin]

Googan's latest steaming turd in a box of course.  It's Fyyyyre, Lit to the Xtreme! And other stupid catchphrases aimed at the ADD addled kiddies.  

[CrankFate]

On 1/7/2017 at 12:33 PM, WRB said:

Welcome to the BR site.

Both Shimano and Daiwa offer a wide range of bait casting reels depending on your budget

Do you have a preference which reel manufacturer you like?

Tom

C’mon, just say it. People have been waiting 4 years for this....

 

On 1/8/2017 at 7:03 AM, Yudo1 said:

If you want the best, go straight for daiwa or shimano

 

[bulldog1935]

Marketing has programmed us from a young age to feel good about our purchase choices, and about brand loyalty to "rather fight than switch"

 

There just isn't a best brand.  

Good thing, there are a lot of good reels out there.  

[ATA]

Shimano  is what you looking for, Specially DC versions. I am not brand loyal, I am quality loyal, I have Quantum,Kastking,Abu Garcia,13 Fishing, Penn and Daiwa more than 30 reels for every application. My last 10 reels since last year was  Shimano Dc reels, you can find what fits your budget and type of fishing.

I highly recommend Curado DC.

[Choporoz]

Think he's still trying to figure out what reel to buy?

[shackman]

Shimano as a kid 

40 yrs later, Shimano ?