Is there a budget reel that can compete/ outperform the Shimano Caius B?

[Lucas G.]

I am looking for a debate where somebody can possibly change my mind or convince me to try a reel that is better that the Caius B for its price point.

The Caius B can cast up to 50 yards with very light baits and it is a very smooth, quiet, and light reel. For 80 bucks it is a great reel with centrifugal breaks and imo it cannot be beaten by a long shot. It has a great color scheme and is a great palmable reel with a sleek look. 

[Fishingmickey]

Probably not said this Shimano fan boy.

[Skunkmaster-k]

Zebco 33 . You’re welcome 

Jk

[J Francho]

9 minutes ago, Skunkmaster-k said:

Zebco 33 . You’re welcome 

Jk

But actually...does outlast count as outperform?  This is over 30 years old.

[Eric 26]

12 minutes ago, J Francho said:

But actually...does outlast count as outperform?  This is over 30 years old.

Are those Daiwa sol’s?

[Skunkmaster-k]

13 minutes ago, J Francho said:

But actually...does outlast count as outperform?  This is over 30 years old.

Most of mine do not look anywhere near that good , but they still work great. 

[J Francho]

5 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

Are those Daiwa sol’s?

Yes. I had three, plus and Alphas Ito Ai, two purple Alphas, and another Alphas F.  To say I liked that platform is an understatement.

[Eric 26]

11 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Yes. I had three, plus and Alphas Ito Ai, two purple Alphas, and another Alphas F.  To say I liked that platform is an understatement.

Although I never bought /used one I’ve long admired the same platform myself. I just started getting back into fishing when the Daiwa Sol came out. I’ll agree with skunkmaster-k those reels look amazing.

[garroyo130]

2 hours ago, Lucas G. said:

For 80 bucks it is a great reel with centrifugal breaks and imo it cannot be beaten by a long shot. 

 

We talking sticker or real world price? Because I've got 2 Daiwa Fuego CTs that both came in under $80 from Amazon. 

[new2BC4bass]

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

Yes. I had three, plus and Alphas Ito Ai, two purple Alphas, and another Alphas F.  To say I liked that platform is an understatement.

Wow!  Same reels except mine is two Sols and three purple Alphas along with the other two reels.  I'd like to say great minds think alike, but mine is far from great. 

[Eric 26]

3 hours ago, garroyo130 said:

 

We talking sticker or real world price? Because I've got 2 Daiwa Fuego CTs that both came in under $80 from Amazon. 

I bought a first gen Tatula Type R for $99.00 last year new in the box. Also as far as budget reels I’ve got a Daiwa CA80 I paid $65.00 pre tax with free shipping off Amazon, I have no experience with the Caius B but I do love my SLX. I’m seriously thinking about upgrading 1 maybe 2 reels to Fuego CT’s for next season.

[Lucas G.]

11 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

I bought a first gen Tatula Type R for $99.00 last year new in the box. Also as far as budget reels I’ve got a Daiwa CA80 I paid $65.00 pre tax with free shipping off Amazon, I have no experience with the Caius B but I do love my SLX. I’m seriously thinking about upgrading 1 maybe 2 reels to Fuego CT’s for next season.

I also love my SLX but I have an XT model of it. Instead of Daiwa Fuego I suggest getting  more SLXs and possibly one or more Caius Bs. The Caius can almost preform as well as my SLX with way lighter baits too. Depending on your budget or needs in a reel, you have a lot of choices.

[Bluebasser86]

I'd put my Daiwa CC80's up against it. I bought them to be beater reels for bank fishing and to haul around for kayak trips that I don't want to take my nicer gear but there's not much of a downgrade between them and my nicer gear. They'll cast baits a mile and don't have that cheap feel to them when fighting big fish like they're flexing and about to blow up at any moment. 

 

Same weight as the Caius, 1 more BB, $20 cheaper 

[Lucas G.]

6 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I'd put my Daiwa CC80's up against it. I bought them to be beater reels for bank fishing and to haul around for kayak trips that I don't want to take my nicer gear but there's not much of a downgrade between them and my nicer gear. They'll cast baits a mile and don't have that cheap feel to them when fighting big fish like they're flexing and about to blow up at any moment. 

 

Same weight as the Caius, 1 more BB, $20 cheaper 

I can indeed agree because I was also looking at the CC 80 but I did hear that a lot of people tend to receive faulty ones.

[Bluebasser86]

50 minutes ago, Lucas G. said:

I can indeed agree because I was also looking at the CC 80 but I did hear that a lot of people tend to receive faulty ones.

Haven't met a person yet with one that was faulty but that isn'tto say it couldn't happen. I believe the CC80 was the only baitcaster under in that price range that Tactical Bassin was actually willing to give their star of approval if that helps. 

[Lucas G.]

5 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Haven't met a person yet with one that was faulty but that isn'tto say it couldn't happen. I believe the CC80 was the only baitcaster under in that price range that Tactical Bassin was actually willing to give their star of approval if that helps. 

That is true however I do not like the magnetic breaks on it. I prefer centrifugal breaking instead of magnetic. 

[MN Fisher]

1 hour ago, Lucas G. said:

That is true however I do not like the magnetic breaks on it. I prefer centrifugal breaking instead of magnetic. 

Keep your eye on the used market - I've snagged two Pflueger Patriarchs (dual braking) for under $100 in the past year.

[Lucas G.]

39 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Keep your eye on the used market - I've snagged two Pflueger Patriarchs (dual braking) for under $100 in the past year.

The used market can bring some good deals but with that it comes patience and a lot of shopping. You need to also be careful on them used reels too because usually someone is trying to get rid of their own problems with that reel. I am starting to get into it but not too hot on it. The only reason why I would buy off the used market is to get an expensive and reliable reel for a good deal.

[MN Fisher]

25 minutes ago, Lucas G. said:

The used market can bring some good deals but with that it comes patience and a lot of shopping. You need to also be careful on them used reels too because usually someone is trying to get rid of their own problems with that reel. I am starting to get into it but not too hot on it. The only reason why I would buy off the used market is to get an expensive and reliable reel for a good deal.

I only go one place for used - Legacy. They inspect anything that comes in on their 'Trade Up' program, and rate it.

 

The Patriarch 7.9:1 I got last year was rated 'Good' - a bit of boat-rash was the only problem I found with it...used it my few outings this year and functioned like a new reel.

The Patriarch 7.1:1 I just picked up was also rated 'Good' - again, boat rash but my bench tests show it to also be in excellent working condition.