Cheap Reels

[zpelletier]

Are there any bait casting reels under $100 that are actually worth buying? It seems like that $99 price point is when you are getting worthwhile options, but I’m curious if there’s any out there. 

[MN Fisher]

Find a Diawa Fuego CT, Diawa CA-80, or Shimano SLX on sale...you can usually find them under $100 with deals or on Amazon. All good reels (I've got 2 of the first, 1 of the second...the third is recommended by people here).

[garroyo130]

^ the last two Fuegos i picked up on Amazon were both under $80. Retail under $100, I have not found baitcasters I've liked. 

[Cranks4fun]

I have an Shimano SLX and many other pricier reels. The SLX performs just fine alongsong side of my Curados and Tatulas. Like MN Fisher says, the Fuegos are probably good too. I have read several times that they are really just Tatulas without the T-wing system.

[NYWayfarer]

The only reel under $100 that I have that I would recommend is the Abu Garcia Black Max. It’s actually under $50 

 

I find I use it more than some of my $100+ reels. Caught my PB pickerel and smallmouth in 2021 on it.

[BrianMDTX]

7 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

The only reel under $100 that I have that I would recommend is the Abu Garcia Black Max. It’s actually under $50 

 

I find I use it more than some of my $100+ reels. Caught my PB pickerel and smallmouth in 2021 on it.

I have a Daiwa Fuego that was less than $100 and it’s a nice reel. Having said that, I also have two Black Max’s, and truth be told, they ain’t that bad. Especially for that price. I’ve caught some nice bass on them. 

[Catt]

46 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

The only reel under $100 that I have that I would recommend is the Abu Garcia Black Max. It’s actually under $50 

 

Yes sir ?

 

Abu Garcia Pro Max $89.99

 

Lew's LFS at $99.99 is without a doubt the best entry level reel.

[Jigfishn10]

I got 2 Daiwa CC80H reels for saltwater use for somewhere in the mid-$60 range before last Christmas 2020. Recently I picked up a Daiwa CC80HS for around $70 ish. Really like em.

[Deleted account]

1 hour ago, zpelletier said:

Are there any bait casting reels under $100 that are actually worth buying? 

Yes.

[MN Fisher]

1 hour ago, Cranks4fun said:

I have read several times that they are really just Tatulas without the T-wing system.

Virtually identical. Tatula CT has the T-Wing and two more bearings....in the handle knobs, so no real benefit.

 

Frame, spool, main gears are all the same.

 

 

Course if you're patient - I've got two Patriarchs that I got from the ALF used area for under $100.

[TcRoc]

Abu Garcia Revo x .. don’t have it anymore but had zero bad to say about it. 

[Nick49]

I am surprised no one has mentioned the Piscifun Phantom.  I have several in the 7.0:1 gear ratio that I get in a left handed model.  They are extremely reliable and you would be hard pressed to find a lighter baitcaster.  $70.  

[Skunkmaster-k]

I’m enjoying the Lew’s Classic Pro I got a while back. 

I think I paid 65$ with tax 

[Cranks4fun]

I have read great reviews about some of the Piscifun and KastKing reels but I have not really fished with them. On some of the Fly fishing pages, the big-money guys ($600 reels & $1,000 rods) get upset when lots of the younger guys promote the $90 Piscifuns. I love it! I say buy what works and gives you enjoyment!

   I have a couple of cheap Shimano AX spinning reels ($19.99 new) that I bought about 10 years back for my youngest two sons. I use them for loaners now. I keep having to respool those things because they will not die even after LOTS of time and abuse on the water. I suspect there are baitcasters like that too.

[Phil77]

Plenty of good reels at or under $100 that will catch bass. The bass don't care if you're using an Antares or Zebco 33.

[newapti5]

Black Max, Silver Max, Pro Max, Abu's entry level reels are famously durable and reliable, and they're truly under MSRP $100, not like Daiwa Fuego riding on the edge of $99.  BPS Qualifier is pretty good as well, and you can find it under $100 during their Spring sale, which is coming up next month. 

[Kirtley Howe]

A lot depends on your needs and expectations. For example, I have one of those no name made in China 8.6:1 gear ratio reels that claims to have 16 bearings. I paid $27.00 including shipping for it. I bought it to have a high retrieve rate reel to use occasionally for very specific presentations. Does it really have 16 bearings? Who knows. What I do know is the stupid cheap thing works great. It is very light, has a quick release side plate, 10 magnet and centrical cast control, 18lbs carbon fiber drag (yeah, I actually tested that), casts like a dream, and is easy to palm. I have had it for over 2 years, and have used it more than 30 days of fishing. I find that I am using it more and more as time goes on. So far it has been foolproof. Will it last as long as a $100 reel? I doubt it, but for the price, who cares? It does everything I wanted it to do, and meets my needs.

[Aaron_H]

My first foray into casting reels was a Pro Max that I got on sale for $51. Had it a little over 3 years now and it's mostly held up aside from the thumb bar cracking in half but that's a cheap fix. It is sorely outclassed by reels like the SLX and Fuego, but a fine reel if you get it on sale. I would never pay MSRP for it since you can get the Fuego or SLX for a negligible price increase. My brother has a Silver Max he's had for almost 5 years and it's still trucking. I believe the Black/Silver/Pro Max series has been replaced with a newer Max series, however.

 

If I wanted to stick to $80 MSRP I would get the Shimano Caius.

[Deleted account]

30 minutes ago, Kirt Howe said:

18lbs carbon fiber drag (yeah, I actually tested that)

LOL

 

[zpelletier]

1 hour ago, TcRoc said:

Abu Garcia Revo x .. don’t have it anymore but had zero bad to say about it. 

They retail for $120 now, I think they were competitive at $99 but I’m not so sure they are anymore. Abu does have a bunch of reels under $100 but now there’s a new “max” series, and typically with budget products when they come out with a new version it’s not an improvement. 
 

And a Fuego retails for $109 now. Daiwa came out with a couple reels under $100 but are they worth it? Magnetic brakes but not magforce if I recall correctly. 

Im surprised an SLX is still $99, I thought all the rumors on the internet said Shimano was raising their prices across the board. I bought one for my son for his first baitcaster and I agree it’s very good for the price. The Caius is under $100, but I feel like it’s close enough that you should just step up to the SLX. 
 

With reels that used to be $99 now being more expensive, are they still worth it? Theres snow and ice on the water and while my toddler is napping I’m looking for reels and noticed that some of the $99 reels have gone up in price. That made me wonder what “cheap” reels are still worth buying. 

[Mobasser]

3 hours ago, Catt said:

 

Yes sir ?

 

Abu Garcia Pro Max $89.99

 

Lew's LFS at $99.99 is without a doubt the best entry level reel.

I'll agree with Cart here. Lew's LFS is very good to for money.

[WRB]

There are excellent bargains for high quality bait casting reels from time to time offered in the Flea Market Forum on this site.

Do you home work and be ready to make an offer.

Tom

[T-Billy]

I'll add another vote for the Lew's LFS. I'm up to three.

[Jmilburn76]

If you are left handed a seller named triacetackle2016 currently has Daiwa CA80 on ebay for $64.95 shipped. These have aluminum frames and retail for $99.99, they have two different ratios in-stock. I personally don't have one of these reels but have ordered Halo rods from the seller issue free.

[12poundbass]

I’ve had great luck with the Abu Blackmax and Promax. I have a few Kastking reels that have been pretty solid as well.