$100 Baitcaster

[DBL000006]

I'm in the market for a Baitcaster at this cost. Any Reels jump up at anyone that's a Qualify Reel, but won't break the bank account?

[Mobasser]

Lews LFS. Great reel in that price range.

[InfantryMP]

I think Favorite has a couple of $100 entry level combos that may be worth a look. 

 

https://favoriteusa.com/collections/combos/products/favorite-army-casting-combo

 

[MN Fisher]

Diawa Fuego CT - I've got two and they've been rock-solid.

[garroyo130]

15 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Diawa Fuego CT - I've got two and they've been rock-solid.

 

^ Excellent reels for the money. 

[Happybeerbuzz]

Daiwa - Fuego CT
Shimano - SLX

[Boomstick]

I have got a Daiwa Tatula CT for $80 off ebay a few years back. The new version does seem to be running around $118 at the moment though.

[NYWayfarer]

1 hour ago, Mobasser said:

Lews LFS. Great reel in that price range.

I agree. 

[Plottman1974]

Daiwa Tatula CT.  Check your local dicks sporting goods.  I picked one up 4-5 months ago for $80 and it is awesome.  

[Fishnski48]

I know a lot of folks are not BPS fans but the Pro Qualifer is a workhorse usually $99 but  you can find them on sale at times for less.

 

[Catt]

3 hours ago, Mobasser said:

Lews LFS. Great reel in that price range.

 

1 hour ago, NYWayfarer said:

I agree. 

 

Agree! ?

[FishTank]

Shimano SLX....

[dodgeguy]

Lew's LFS is the best reel in that range.

[Hammer 4]

41 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

Lew's LFS is the best reel in that range.

Not trying to be a wise guy, but this begs the question... Did you test every reel made in that price range.?

[rtwvumtneer6]

Shimano SLX

[dodgeguy]

29 minutes ago, Hammer 4 said:

Not trying to be a wise guy, but this begs the question... Did you test every reel made in that price range.?

Not everyone but a bunch. Also going by others reviews and features.

[new2BC4bass]

The best $100 reel is a used $250 reel in good or better condition. 

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

The best $100 reel is a used $250 reel in good or better condition. 

Oh I know this personally - love what I paid for my Patriarch.

[new2BC4bass]

18 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Oh I know this personally - love what I paid for my Patriarch.

I've posted this before, but I got (extremely) lucky and picked up an older blue Patriarch XT in VGC for $65.    My third one of this model.  Great reels that are way under appreciated.

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

I've posted this before, but I got (extremely) lucky and picked up an older blue Patriarch XT in VGC for $65.    My third one of this model.  Great reels that are way under appreciated.

Better deal than mine - Patriarch (not the XT) used at Legacy...just a little rash...paid $70.

[new2BC4bass]

39 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Better deal than mine - Patriarch (not the XT) used at Legacy...just a little rash...paid $70.

[Revival]

Tatula 100.  Paid $113 for each of mine but can be purchased for $130ish.  

[jtharris3]

9 hours ago, Fishnski48 said:

I know a lot of folks are not BPS fans but the Pro Qualifer is a workhorse usually $99 but  you can find them on sale at times for less.

 

Great reel. It's currently on sale for $79.

 

Other reels in this price range worth buying are:

Lew's LFS Speed Spool
Shimano SLX

Bass Pro also puts their Carbonlite 2.0 reels on sale for $99, several times a year. 
You can’t go wrong with any of these.

6 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

The best $100 reel is a used $250 reel in good or better condition. 

Actually that’s not true. There are a good number of $100 reels out there that are very good reels and will give someone many good years of service. I just retired 4 Lews LFS Speed Spools which I used for a solid 6 years fishing. Keep them cleaned and oiled and you’re good to go!

There's nothing wrong with fishing within a budget or being frugal.

[NavyVet1204]

6 hours ago, Revival said:

Tatula 100.  Paid $113 for each of mine but can be purchased for $130ish.  

I second this. I paid $139 shipped for mine last year and it’s been dead nuts reliable and was easy peasy to dial in. I have it paired with an Abu Vendetta 6’9” M/L for my shakey head rig. Love this setup. 
 

edit: I also have it spooled with 12# Seaguar Red Label. I haven’t tried braid on this one and doubt I will as I have a Lews Tournament SLP that carries braid for top water only.

[new2BC4bass]

7 hours ago, jtharris3 said:

Actually that’s not true. There are a good number of $100 reels out there that are very good reels and will give someone many good years of service. I just retired 4 Lews LFS Speed Spools which I used for a solid 6 years fishing. Keep them cleaned and oiled and you’re good to go!

There's nothing wrong with fishing within a budget or being frugal.

Never said there wasn't.  I enjoy my Procaster 100HN.  Not light or small.  A $70 reel I got on closeout for $30.  Not as refined as a $200 reel, but a rock solid performing reel none the less.  I have a budget too.

 

BUT....if I can pick up a used $250 reel in VGC for less than $100 (my Patriarch XT was $65), then I will jump all over that before investing $100 in a new Fuego.  And I am a huge fan of Daiwa although I've accumulated (and like) several other brands over the past 12 years.

 

Now that I may no longer be working full time due to health problems, my budget is going to be very close to nada so I am extremely thankful I was able to invest in some very nice (used) reels at a great savings to me.

 

I understand that not everyone is comfortable buying used.  New is nice.  No getting around that, and low cost reels have been getting better and better.  So I've read.  Personally I'd jump all over a TD Fuego (in good condition, obviously) for $100 before the Fuego CT, but that is my personal preference. 

 

Being frugal is how many have to be in order to have a halfway decent life after retiring.  I'd say that is the way more people should be looking at life.   I wasn't frugal enough.    And thus why at 73 I was working full time until my recent brain tumor operation.