What's the "Best" baitcaster for the $?

[CGray97]

Recently picked up an SLX 8:2:1 for my primary setup however, I feel there's got to be much better reels out the for around the same amount of money. I'm in the market for another reel (150 or less) and am curious what you consider the "best" for the money in terms of smoothness, manageability, control, etc? What's the best all around gear ratio for texas rigs, flukes, poppers, ploppers, spinnerbaits, and buzzbaits if there is such thing? TIA

[Sam Spade]

The SLX XT is pretty hard to beat at $130.  7:1 or 8:1 gear for what you need.

[Sam Spade]

Here's a good video on the SLX lineup.  I'm not crazy about the standard $99 SLX, although hard to beat at that price.  The SLX XT is a much nicer reel for a little more $.  

 

 

[CGray97]

4 minutes ago, Sam Spade said:

Here's a good video on the SLX lineup.  I'm not crazy about the standard $99 SLX, although hard to beat at that price.  The SLX XT is a much nicer reel for a little more $.  

 

 

Thank you much for the info. I may have to order one to try out. You think the 6'6 Triumph M/F and slx XT paired would make a good rig for topwater and small plastic rigs like ned rigs, senkos, flukes etc?

[garroyo130]

For the money ... Daiwa Fuego CT is still my pick. 

[Mojo Bass]

Abu Garcia Revo x……. 
 

durable brass gears and aluminum frame

 

simple and reliable 

[NHBull]

Buy used!

 

You can get a ton more reel for the $$$$$

 

Post an add in the classifieds

[optimator]

1 hour ago, garroyo130 said:

For the money ... Daiwa Fuego CT is still my pick. 

Same here

[Catt]

Hands down easily Lew’s Tournament MP

 

From 5.6:1 to 8.3:1

 

I have a MB & MP & so does my grandson, these reels are absolutely work horses. 

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, VanIsleBassin said:

Abu Garcia Revo x……. 
 

durable brass gears and aluminum frame

 

simple and reliable 

Don't have this reel, but my Gen 1 STX has been a good reel for me.  I'm a bit biased towards Daiwa so I'd probably recommend the Fuego CT at that price.  I do have an SLX 71 MGL to try out this year.  Everyone seems to like the SLX reels and the MGL spools.  We shall see.

[Sam Spade]

3 hours ago, CGray97 said:

Thank you much for the info. I may have to order one to try out. You think the 6'6 Triumph M/F and slx XT paired would make a good rig for topwater and small plastic rigs like ned rigs, senkos, flukes etc?

Yes, I think it would be a nice combo for the price.  It's hard to imagine a hands down better combo for less than $250.

[Fishingmickey]

     Kistler Graphite 7' MHF and a Diawa Fuego CT.  The Fuego is 110 or drop another 20 for the Tatula CT.  Kistler often has the Graphite on sale for a hundred.  So combo price is for 210 w/Fuego or 230 w/Tatula. 

     Other possibly great option is check the Bass Resource flea-market here.  I've bought several items from there and have been very pleased.

Fishingmickey

[Koz]

It depends upon how much money you're talking about.

[QED]

3 hours ago, Catt said:

Hands down easily Lew’s Tournament MP

[stuff deleted] 

 

For price-performance ratio, I also like Lew's reels.

[CGray97]

1 minute ago, Koz said:

It depends upon how much money you're talking about.

I'd like to stay under $200 

[JustJames]

If you are looking for significant improvement from SLX, better spend another 100 more. 
Can’t find anything better than SLX in this price range, quality, comfortable, casting distance and weight.

[CGray97]

20 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

If you are looking for significant improvement from SLX, better spend another 100 more. 
Can’t find anything better than SLX in this price range, quality, comfortable, casting distance and weight.

What do you suggest? I just have the basic SLX now

[DitchPanda]

A lews lfs speed spool is a solid reel for $100. I don't normally spend over that for a reel so I don't have anything to add after that.

[T-Billy]

I have the SLX XT and SLX MGL 71. They're ok. I like all my Lew's better, even the $99 LFS. The $99 LFS is maybe the best bang for the buck out there. The Fuego CT gets lots of love too in that price range. I won't buy another Shimano below the Curado, and depending how my new Hakai holds up, I may not buy anymore Shimanos. Fished with the Hakai for the first time today and I was impressed with it's performance. If it stays smooth there are more in my future.

[garroyo130]

1 hour ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

If you are looking for significant improvement from SLX, better spend another 100 more. 
Can’t find anything better than SLX in this price range, quality, comfortable, casting distance and weight.

 

Having only played with an SLX before, I can't comment about performance. I will say ergo is great on them. However, for me the fact that they do not have dual pinion support (x ship) is enough to place them in a tier lower than the Fuego CT. 

[LonnieP]

Scorpion MGL

[Koz]

2 hours ago, CGray97 said:

I'd like to stay under $200 

For under $200 I love my Shimano Curado 200K ($189). In fact, I like it more than my Shimano Curado MGL ($199), but not as much as my Curado DC ($249).

 

For years I was a fan of Lew's reel, and the ones I had were in the $129-$179 range. But then I bought the Curado 200K in the difference in quality and smoothness was startling. I'm not bad mouthing Lew's here - I still use my Lew's reels and their customer service has always been outstanding. 

 

But I was so impressed with the 200K that within months I bought the DC and the MGL - and I'm not one of those anglers that collects reels, at least not that quickly.

 

When I bought the Curado DC I also bought an Expride rod to pair it with.  My only regret with that is that I did not buy more Expride rods because they are now on backorder. Truth be told, I was not even thinking about the Expride but other Bass Resource members suggested it and I'm grateful for that. It's an awesome pairing with my DC.

 

I'm sorry to sound like a Shimano fanboy because there are a lot of other great reels out there. But by far these are my favorite reels.