Recommend me a good cat fishing spinning reel in the $100 range please.

[NavyVet1204]

I haven’t bought a cat fishing spinning reel in almost ten years. I was given some early 2000’s shimano reel and rod combos that are way passed their prime so much so that I can’t even see what model of reel they are from all the wear. They have lasted a long time and were awesome especially since they were free to begin with. 
 

Do the lews Mach series rod and reel combos hold up pretty well?

[Boomstick]

For catfish I would imagine you probably want something designed for throwing 3 and 4oz egg sinkers, which is basically a heavier Carolina rig. The Rippin Lips Super Cat MH is supposed to be pretty good for this, or something like the Okuma Battle Cat heavy power.

 

What are you throwing for cats?

[NavyVet1204]

4 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

For catfish I would imagine you probably want something designed for throwing 3 and 4oz egg sinkers, which is basically a heavier Carolina rig. The Rippin Lips Super Cat MH is supposed to be pretty good for this, or something like the Okuma Battle Cat heavy power.

 

What are you throwing for cats?

I’ve always done pretty well with 1/2oz sinkers on a Carolina rig using 15lb mono. 

@boomstick

Edit: @Boomstick

 

*Using night crawlers or stink bait with an occasional cut bait of brim.

[Boomstick]

1 minute ago, NavyVet1204 said:

I’ve always done pretty well with 1/2oz sinkers on a Carolina rig using 15lb mono. 

@boomstick

If you're only using a 1/2oz sinker for cats the Lews Mach series should be fine.

[NavyVet1204]

2 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

If you're only using a 1/2oz sinker for cats the Lews Mach series should be fine.

@Boomstick

 

Thank you friend.

[Finessegenics]

I do some occasional catfish and sturgeon fishing in the river, where 2-6 oz sinkers are needed in most spots. I've used quite a few reels over the years but I'd recommend anything with a baitrunner system. I currently run an Okuma Avenger ABF 6000 because of the heavier weights. The 4000 size should be perfect for you. 

[mrpao]

I would recommend the Daiwa BG series or Emcast.

The BG is aluminum and built like a tank.

The Emcast has the baitrunner function for fishing live bait.

Both are around $100 or less.

Shimano Nasci is another decent reel.

[Yazman]

My channel cat set up is an Okuma RTX40S, it's on sale at Midway USA for $60 right now. Mines super smooth and it's only 8.3oz for a 4000 size.

[Spoons]

2 hours ago, NavyVet1204 said:

I haven’t bought a cat fishing spinning reel in almost ten years. I was given some early 2000’s shimano reel and rod combos that are way passed their prime so much so that I can’t even see what model of reel they are from all the wear. They have lasted a long time and were awesome especially since they were free to begin with. 
 

Do the lews Mach series rod and reel combos hold up pretty well?

I would go with Penn. Built very tough and great drag systems. Penn Spinfisher would be a great reel, especially since your location suggests big cats. Also, a great spinning reel for cheap are the Bass pro Catmaxx spinning reels. I use them for sturgeon fishing all the time and they hold up very well. Otherwise like other people have said, the daiwa BGs are very nice too. 

[jimmyjoe]

   Many catfish fishermen where I am LOVE the Daiwa SS tournament reels, especially the SS1600. They say that they're ultra-reliable, and the drag can't be beat.

   Now that I think about it, I believe that Daiwa originally marketed the SS Tournament series to carp fishermen. I know, that sounds crazy, but I could swear that I saw that somewhere. It would explain the drag.      jj

[bulldog1935]

I may be the only Tica fan here, but IMO, Tica Libra SX 3000 is the toughest $100 MH reel made.  It's derived from their offshore Cybernetic.  

Note their 3000 size equates to Shimano 5000.  

One of these has been in the salt 5 years now, I fished one of their diminutive Cetus on salt XUL 12 years.  

For L tackle, the Libra SX 1500 is a great size.  

For ML, their worm-drive Samira SAAT 2000 is choice. 

(their worm drive is derived from their big surf reel, which they also build for Daiwa)

all Ticas have selective anti-reverse and roller-bearing instant clutch.  

Their line roller blows Shimano's away (including Stella)  

Tica sells on Amazon, and TackleDirect stocks them.  

[bowhunter63]

Team Catfish has a new one with a bait runner Worth a look 

[soflabasser]

For around $100 you can get a Penn Fierce which is made for saltwater fishing. I have a couple and have caught big sharks with them so they are more than good enough for catfishing. These reels are very durable as well.

[redmeansdistortion]

22 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

   Many catfish fishermen where I am LOVE the Daiwa SS tournament reels, especially the SS1600. They say that they're ultra-reliable, and the drag can't be beat.

   Now that I think about it, I believe that Daiwa originally marketed the SS Tournament series to carp fishermen. I know, that sounds crazy, but I could swear that I saw that somewhere. It would explain the drag.      jj

They're d**n reliable.  I have both a 700 for trout and panfish and a 1300 for steelhead.  The 1300 is 25 years old, bought it brand new.  They aren't smooth reels, but they are probably the most durable.  Definitely the smoothest drag I've used in a spinner, even compared to more contemporary models costing more.

[spokey9]

I use okuma avenger baifeeders and Abu Ambassador c3 or c4 6500s on all but my heaviest catfish rods. The avenger are about 60 New and if I can usually grab a 6500 off eBay for 70ish watching the auctions.

[NYWayfarer]

While I didn’t buy this combo specifically for catfish it handles the occasional 4lb Channel Cat nicely.

 

Lew’s size 300 Speed Spin combo. $99 at DSG

[soflabasser]

Make sure to get a spinning reel that is proven to handle fish over 20 pounds since blue, flathead, and channel catfish can all grow to this size and much larger. The cheap reels are ok for small fish but you will be better off in the long run with something that can handle large fish.

[Bluebasser86]

On 1/22/2021 at 8:28 AM, spokey9 said:

I use okuma avenger baifeeders and Abu Ambassador c3 or c4 6500s on all but my heaviest catfish rods. The avenger are about 60 New and if I can usually grab a 6500 off eBay for 70ish watching the auctions.

X2 on the Avengers. Get a 30 size for the catfishing you're going to do. I use 2 of them for channel cats and they've been great for several years. I even handled a 40lb flathead with one last summer.