Super User FishTank Posted October 2, 2018 Super User Posted October 2, 2018 It depends on your budget but I have liked my Shimano Caenan so far. It has been a no-frills reel but it works and gets the job done. I picked mine up for $60 on Amazon but I do see they are now priced higher. Quote
shovelmouth83 Posted October 2, 2018 Posted October 2, 2018 i liked the shakespear alpha. 6.3 i bought it close to 7 years ago and was doing good then the line leveler sprocket inside lost some teeth. i like it but i bought lews reels and they are my go to reel.but i am going to try some diawa. Quote
haggard Posted October 3, 2018 Posted October 3, 2018 $99 Shimano Caenan with 6.3:1 ratio. My first baitcasting reel, bought it a year ago knowing I wanted Not Junk but not over the top. Since then I've bought several "nicer" reels but last month thought I'd use it again for old time's sake. There's something about it that just feels great, so comfortable. High enough quality to instill confidence, but low enough quality to not obsess over it. This translates to focusing on the fishing, not the reel. 3 Quote
Joshua van Wyk Posted October 4, 2018 Posted October 4, 2018 The best reel under a $100 is without a doubt a Daiwa Fuego ct. You can buy this reel sub $60 on eBay and if you don't like eBay it can be had for sub $70 on amazon. This really an amazing reel for what you pay! On 10/2/2018 at 7:09 AM, Crankin4Bass said: Fuego CT is a solid reel for the money. It's surprising how good it is for the price. I had a BlackMax as my first baitcaster. The Fuego is miles better. There is also the new Shimano SLX at $100 I have both the fuego and slx, in my opinion the slx is a more "refined" reel, but the fuego definetly out performs it and it can be had for half the price. 1 Quote
Super User burrows Posted October 4, 2018 Super User Posted October 4, 2018 6 minutes ago, Joshua van Wyk said: The best reel under a $100 is without a doubt a Daiwa Fuego ct. You can buy this reel sub $60 on eBay and if you don't like eBay it can be had for sub $70 on amazon. This really an amazing reel for what you pay! The best or one of the best ? Because I’ll take a casitas over a fuego any day I don’t care if that fuego has an aluminum frame. I’m not saying it’s not one of the best but it’s certainly not the best. One of the best options for 100 reel is the slx and it’s evident as one tw bestsellers. 1 Quote
Joshua van Wyk Posted October 4, 2018 Posted October 4, 2018 1 hour ago, Burrows said: The best or one of the best ? Because I’ll take a casitas over a fuego any day I don’t care if that fuego has an aluminum frame. I’m not saying it’s not one of the best but it’s certainly not the best. One of the best options for 100 reel is the slx and it’s evident as one tw bestsellers. Imo the fuego is the best. I've fished the slx, casitas, and the fuego and the fuego is my preference. And the fact that I can get a fuego for half the price makes it better despite the casitas being able to cast a little bit farther. 1 Quote
Super User NYWayfarer Posted October 4, 2018 Super User Posted October 4, 2018 Still no word from the OP on what "budget" means to him. To me it is something in the sub-$50 range. If that's what I had to spend I would get a Kastking Spartacus. This reel and the Kastking Stealth are what brought me back to baitcasting. Quote
Super User JustJames Posted October 4, 2018 Super User Posted October 4, 2018 9 hours ago, Burrows said: One of the best options for 100 reel is the slx and it’s evident as one tw bestsellers. This one? Too bad if the accent color is red I would buy 2-3 more. Anyhow I plan to get one more when next sale come. My take on the SLX is pretty decent if you look pass that feeling of cheap black matte. The casting is just okay (compare to 70 and bantam) just like old VBS system where I have 2 on 4 off and spool tension pretty loose. The drag is okay but I can upgrade to cabbon drag pretty cheap. It feel more solid that those of Abu Blackmax but at double the cost. The most important part and why I bought this reel is size and comfort. I can never find a reel that small and comfort to palm like Shimano. Daiwa Fuego is huge and heavy I don't mind those for moving bait but anything else that required a lot of shaking/twisting SLX win hand down. To OP the best of me might not be your and the cheapest might not be the best option. Buying a reel just like small investment, you want the reel that suit you and last you for a long time and still hold some value when you wanna trade up. 3 Quote
Joshua van Wyk Posted October 5, 2018 Posted October 5, 2018 13 hours ago, Burrows said: The best or one of the best ? Because I’ll take a casitas over a fuego any day I don’t care if that fuego has an aluminum frame. I’m not saying it’s not one of the best but it’s certainly not the best. One of the best options for 100 reel is the slx and it’s evident as one tw bestsellers. The reason the fuego isn't one of tw bestseller is because who would buy a reel for $100 when it can be had for $60-$70 on Amazon? And I got my fuego on eBay for $47 with a promo code. This is cheaper than a kast king assassin and is a much better reel! 2 Quote
Super User burrows Posted October 5, 2018 Super User Posted October 5, 2018 1 minute ago, Joshua van Wyk said: The reason the fuego isn't one of tw bestseller is because who would buy a reel for $100 when it can be had for $60-$70 on Amazon? And I got my fuego on eBay for $47 with a promo code. This cheaper than a kast king assassin and is a much better reel! That’s cool bro but the fuego just got fuegoed by the slx... Quote
Joshua van Wyk Posted October 5, 2018 Posted October 5, 2018 1 minute ago, Burrows said: That’s cool bro but the fuego just got fuegoed by the slx... I fish both, and if I had to choose one it would be the Fuego. That is my opinion. Quote
Super User burrows Posted October 5, 2018 Super User Posted October 5, 2018 1 minute ago, Joshua van Wyk said: I fish both, and if I had to choose one it would be the Fuego. That is my opinion. Well you obviously prefer magnetic brakes that’s cool I prefer centrifugal brakes and I cast into the wind no problem no backlash whatsoever and a further cast. Quote
Joshua van Wyk Posted October 5, 2018 Posted October 5, 2018 1 minute ago, Burrows said: Well you obviously prefer magnetic brakes that’s cool I prefer centrifugal brakes and I cast into the wind no problem no backlash whatsoever and a further cast. I feel like I can't get the slx to it's full potential. I have 2 brakes on 4 off for almost everything and a lose spool tension. It casts far but not as far as my Fuego, I think I set up my fuego different than most. I have very lose spool tension and keep my external brake on 7. 2 Quote
J.Vincent Posted October 5, 2018 Posted October 5, 2018 Figure out a way to get two different reels; you won't be happy swapping reels ; plus with the presentations you mentioned you would want a 6.3 to 6.6 for medium cranking and a 7.3 for Jigs/Frogs. 1 Quote
Smalls Posted October 5, 2018 Posted October 5, 2018 I’ve got like 3 Garcia pro max reels. I think the reel is like $70, and the combo is $80. The rod is...meh. Better than a Berkeley Lightning. It’s a tough rod, just don’t expect a STEEZE. But for a combo, the reel is gold, and you basically get a free rod. I actually don’t understand how they sell the black max, when with the pro max you at least get a half decent reel for just $30 more Quote
Super User burrows Posted October 5, 2018 Super User Posted October 5, 2018 It’s funny how we’ve gone on and on and OP still hasn’t even replied or mentioned his budget yet ? 2 Quote
Super User NYWayfarer Posted October 5, 2018 Super User Posted October 5, 2018 10 hours ago, Joshua van Wyk said: The reason the fuego isn't one of tw bestseller is because who would buy a reel for $100 when it can be had for $60-$70 on Amazon? And I got my fuego on eBay for $47 with a promo code. This is cheaper than a kast king assassin and is a much better reel! The lesson to take away from this statement is never pay full price for a reel. Even Kastking runs 10-20% off deals combined with ebay coupons make them practically a steal. My KK Speed Demon cost me $35 shipped and is still one of my go to baitcasters. 1 Quote
Joshua van Wyk Posted October 5, 2018 Posted October 5, 2018 7 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said: The lesson to take away from this statement is never pay full price for a reel. Even Kastking runs 10-20% off deals combined with ebay coupons make them practically a steal. My KK Speed Demon cost me $35 shipped and is still one of my go to baitcasters. Agreed! I've never paid full price on a reel ever! 2 Quote
pauldconyers Posted October 5, 2018 Author Posted October 5, 2018 10 hours ago, Burrows said: It’s funny how we’ve gone on and on and OP still hasn’t even replied or mentioned his budget yet ? Budget friendly obviously doesn't mean $500. Most higher end reels can run around $300 so it would not mean that either. In this scenario I would say $80 and under. Most people had no problem recommending something in that range. Yes all people's budgets are different but when higher end items are around $300 I would think it would stand to reason under $100 was sort of implied. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted October 5, 2018 Super User Posted October 5, 2018 22 minutes ago, pauldconyers said: I would think it would stand to reason under $100 was sort of implied. I would too. I like my Assassin. It's held up well for two seasons. Quote
GeekOutdoors Posted October 6, 2018 Posted October 6, 2018 19 hours ago, J Francho said: I would too. I like my Assassin. It's held up well for two seasons. I first thought my Assassin was harder to dial in than my Royale Legend Elite until I found out the centrifugal brake ? I'm so dumb sometimes ? Really got to RTFM here and then ! Its a mater of personal preference but I also like the matte black finish, and it's grippier than slick clear finishes, which help. Happy to read it held so far Quote
bayvalle Posted October 7, 2018 Posted October 7, 2018 I would rather put money into a good rod than reel. After purchasing a KK Royale legend ($34) I liked it enough to get 2 more to replace some older reels and spend the money I saved on higher quality rods. The KK does everything I'd want a reel to do. 1 Quote
BDR Posted October 8, 2018 Posted October 8, 2018 There is no better bang for your buck than Kastking. Speed Demon or Assasin are my two fav Baitcasters. Or if you need a 5.x gear ration the royal legend elite. Quote
Super User Maxximus Redneckus Posted October 8, 2018 Super User Posted October 8, 2018 Are the fuegos aluminum framed and 60$ thats a deal for sure ..ive never had a issue with graphite frames some ppl have.IMO it just feels better all around with metal in hand Quote
Crankin4Bass Posted October 8, 2018 Posted October 8, 2018 10 hours ago, Maxximus Redneckus said: Are the fuegos aluminum framed and 60$ thats a deal for sure ..ive never had a issue with graphite frames some ppl have.IMO it just feels better all around with metal in hand Yes. Aluminum frame with graphite or composite side plates. Feels solid for $60. Quote
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