Budget baitcasting reel

[basser27]

What the best in the $50-$60 range. Eyeing the Abu max x (the new version of a black max) what Else is out there that’s good 

[zell_pop1]

A used Daiwa Fuego CT or Shimano SLX would be better unless you have to have new. 

[Dan N]

Bass pro shops

formula- limited edition

bought my nephew one he likes a lot. 
Casted nice for me when I tried it

50$

[PBBrandon]

7 hours ago, zell_pop1 said:

A used Daiwa Fuego CT or Shimano SLX would be better unless you have to have new. 

+1 

 

one of the biggest performance jumps in reels is the jump to the 100 dollar msrp price point. If you can snag an SLX, Fuego, Lews LFS, or Abu Revo X used for 50-60 then that’s the best way to go. I’ve seen a few Fuegos on eBay for 70-80

[Eric 26]

I’ll agree with a used Daiwa, Shimano etc.  But a brand I like is Piscifun, the top of the line casting reel is a bit over at $90.00 but they have one called a Phantom runs around $70.00 and their website has a 15% off code for signing up for a newsletter and you can find them on Amazon or E-Bay discounted also. I will add to stay away from the low end Piscifun spark, I have one and find it hard to find it’s sweet spot. But I also have a low end Kast king Royal Legend 2 that I’m quite pleased with.

Edited April 20, 2022 by Eric 26
Added content

[scaleface]

I have four Piscifun Phantoms . So far I have not one complaint . One of them is going on its fourth year , has caught a thousand bass and performs like new .

[Tatulatard]

10 hours ago, basser27 said:

What the best in the $50-$60 range. Eyeing the Abu max x (the new version of a black max) what Else is out there that’s good 

Lots of things.  I have tried a few of them in that range or even cheaper and some are quite good in performance easily besting the magnetic brake max reels with centrifugal or even dual brakes in casting.  The max reels do have a much better reputation for lasting than these cheap china reels.  This depends on what you mean by "good".  You can get something that performs like a dual brake lews reel for $40-$50 but maybe doesn't last more than a year or two and when it does crap out good luck finding parts. On the other hand you have reels like the black max which perform, in my opinion, very average to bellow average when casting but have a good rep of lasting and are well supported.

 

I'm not posting links but take a gander at aliexpress centrifugal brake reels.  Hit me up with a PM if you want my option on a certain reel.  

 

Long story short though, just get a sale priced  Fuego CT, SLX, Lews, Okuma for under $100  It's worth it.  

[Jigfishn10]

Daiwa CH80. Very impressed with such an economical reel. I have a couple that survived a saltwater season. Cleaned them out and it looked like they weren't even exposed the the salty environment.

[NYWayfarer]

Walmart still has the Abu Black Max. They also have an exclusive Abu baitcaster, the Max Z

 

Both of these are decent reels for the coin.

[BrianMDTX]

12 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

Walmart still has the Abu Black Max. They also have an exclusive Abu baitcaster, the Max Z

 

Both of these are decent reels for the coin.

I have two Black Max’s. Do I like my Fuego and Tatula better? Yes. Do I still fish with them and like them? Yes. 

[Bird]

Over your budget but you won't beat a Shimano SLX for $100. Imo

Under that, I'd go black max.

[newapti5]

Are we talking about MSRP or market price? For MSRP, $50~60 mostly means graphite/plastic frame, which is strong enough for the majority of bass fishing. But for market price of $50~60, you could find some aluminum frame reels on sales or auctions, like BPS Pro Qualifier, some Quantum reels, even Daiwa Fuego CT. 

[zell_pop1]

22 hours ago, newapti5 said:

Are we talking about MSRP or market price? For MSRP, $50~60 mostly means graphite/plastic frame, which is strong enough for the majority of bass fishing. But for market price of $50~60, you could find some aluminum frame reels on sales or auctions, like BPS Pro Qualifier, some Quantum reels, even Daiwa Fuego CT. 

Not now with all the inflation. Even Pro Qualifiers are $100, buy used or new old stock for a better price.

Recently I did buy 2 Daiwa Aird Coastals for like $50 apiece that were a few years old but never used, yes a graphite framed reel but still very nice reels.

[Eric 26]

@basser27 not sure if you made your purchase but if you’re interested. 

 

[jdr99a]

If you’re looking at new, I’m a big fan of the lews classic pro at that price point. 

[FrnkNsteen]

I can't speak for recent, but the H2O Express Mettle has always gotten good reviews. Aluminum frame, 10 bearings and centrifugal brakes. Thwy only come in RH and 6.4 ratio. I had a couple and made nice spinnerbait, Chatterbait or cranking reels. Might be worth checking out if they haven't downgraded them.