Best $200 and under reel

[HookingDreams]

i have $200 to spend on a baitcaster. i want to know what you would suggest. i mainly throw weightless plastics. Suggestions?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

"Weightless " plastics are far from weightless in many circumstances and don't require anything special. At your price point any of the name brand offerings will perform and last if given even the most basic care. Pick one with the style and feature that appeals to you and go fishing. 

[FrankN209]

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/13_Fishing_Concept_C_Casting_Reel/descpage-CTCC.html

[optimator]

Curado K.

[LxVE Bassin]

Daiwa Tatula SV

[Tywithay]

Going solely based on reels that I own, and use regularly, I'd buy another Tatula SV, Gen3 Revo Premier, or look for a deal on a Lew's Hyper Mag. The first two are readily available around $150 and the Lew's can be found under $200 when ebay has coupons or good deals. You might be able to snag a Chronarch MGL if you really shop around as well. There's one sitting in my local Cabela's bargain cave right now for $175. Just keep you eye out for good deals and try to get a $300 reel for under $200, so you can stretch your dollar further.

[Graham]

Check out a shimano, you won’t regret it.

[puddlepuncher]

44 minutes ago, Tywithay said:

You might be able to snag a Chronarch MGL if you really shop around as well. 

^^^This.  I had a rule about not spending more than $150 on a reel for 30 years until I picked up a Chronarch on Ebay.  The MGL spool is a pleasure to throw plastics just on their own.

 

The Tat SV is also a fine reel, I just don't like the magnetic braking system.

[lmbfisherman]

8 hours ago, Tywithay said:

Going solely based on reels that I own, and use regularly, I'd buy another Tatula SV, Gen3 Revo Premier, or look for a deal on a Lew's Hyper Mag. The first two are readily available around $150 and the Lew's can be found under $200 when ebay has coupons or good deals. You might be able to snag a Chronarch MGL if you really shop around as well. There's one sitting in my local Cabela's bargain cave right now for $175. Just keep you eye out for good deals and try to get a $300 reel for under $200, so you can stretch your dollar further.

X3 no brainer at that price for a Chronarch MGL.

[fishnkamp]

I would go with a Daiwa Tatula CT if you are fishing plastics that weigh over 5/16 OZ., counting the hook + lure +the  weight.  If so, the CT will perform fine. Below that weight I always prefer to use a spinning setup.

That reel will be very versatile depending on the rod you have it matched with.  The Tatula SV TWS is a great version of a Tatula reel. I is built on the CT frame but uses a special "SV" spool. That spool includes a set of special brakes that allow it to handle lighter baits as well as handle skipping docks and things. It is a great reel but will hold less line and is not as versatile in my opinion.

Either way I would recommend the Tatula series reels.  

[Tywithay]

1 hour ago, fishnkamp said:

I would go with a Daiwa Tatula CT if you are fishing plastics that weigh over 5/16 OZ., counting the hook + lure +the  weight.  If so, the CT will perform fine. Below that weight I always prefer to use a spinning setup.

That reel will be very versatile depending on the rod you have it matched with.  The Tatula SV TWS is a great version of a Tatula reel. I is built on the CT frame but uses a special "SV" spool. That spool includes a set of special brakes that allow it to handle lighter baits as well as handle skipping docks and things. It is a great reel but will hold less line and is not as versatile in my opinion.

Either way I would recommend the Tatula series reels.  

The SV holds 100 yards of 14lb line. I don't know of anyone that can cast that far, unless they're throwing a couple ounces. It will handle pretty much any bass technique without an issue.

[Dtrombly]

Tatula SV is a great value at $200, you can even get them alot cheaper on eBay. I got mine new from an authorized dealer for $129 shipped. I use mine for weightless Texas rigs, wacky/neko rigs, and anything else 1/8oz and lighter. 

[JustJames]

$200 reels, you have a whole bunch of selection new and slightly used, shimano,daiwa,Abu Garcia, lews and etc. that capable of throwing weightless plastic. The best for me or other might not be the best for you. There are so many varieties  to consider like size and comfort, line capacity, brake system. The best for you is to try it out yourself. Goto store and try to hold different reels on the rod, pick the system that you familiar with(mag, centrifugal, both DC.), try to stay with name brand, shimano/daiwa so if you don't like it you can  sell without loosing a lot of money.

[thebillsman]

Tatula SV.

[burrows]

Curado k

[camman]

Another vote for the Tatula SV

[jeffo21]

Lew's tournament mb or one of the other Lew's reels

 

[new2BC4bass]

Kind of partial to Daiwas.  The Tat SV at less than $150 is excellent.  Any Tat is good.  For pure value a Fuego CT for just under $67 is tough to beat.

 

You should try several reels on a rod you use to see what feels comfortable for you.  You may not like what I like. There are many good reels in that price range.  Lew's offers quite a few under $200.  Two brands that aren't likely to get mentioned are Okuma and Pflueger.  I like my Helios, but haven't had much time with it yet.  The Patriarch and Supreme XT are also fine reels.  I have no experience with the newer Shimanos, but the Curado 70 and 200K are well liked by many on here.