Easy On The Budget

[Mobasser]

Some reels perform great for the cost.And, with routine maintenance they last much longer than expected. Here's a few budget reels that have worked out great over the years.                     1.Casting. Lews LFS Speed Spool.                                   2. Quantum Tour Grade.         3. Any Swedish made ABU. Mine are 4600c.                     Spinning.                                    1. Shimano Sienna.                  2. Okuma Avenger.                   3. Lews G Spin.                         4. Shimano Sahara.           I'm sure there are other reels which offer a great value for the dollar. These are some I've used with good results.                                             P.S. the little Okuma Avenger was a standout. Bought it at Wal Mart to originally take on a trout trip, as a spare reel. It lasted eight years of steady use on bass, crappie and trout. Smooth as glass the entire time. I think I paid 22.95 for it.                                        What are some reels you've used that have been very good for the cost?

[LCG]

I bought a Lew's Speed Spool LFS on sale in the spring. Fished it all season, I was so impressed I bought a second one in another gear ratio at full retail. Can't speak to longevity, but on the water experience with it has proven to be a winner. And at 1/3 - 1/2 the price of my other reels, it holds it's ground performance wise and compares well to my Daiwa and Shimano reels.

[crypt]

all of my Ambassadeurs.  all Sweedish made. some are over 30 years old. 

[Eric 26]

I’m impressed with my Daiwa CA80 and if you search a little you can usually find a decent deal on them. I’m a big fan of the 3 Piscifun Carbon X spinning reels I own also.

[bait__Monkey]

AlL uV Dem

 

[Bankbeater]

The Shimano SLX-150.  I didn't think for 99 bucks it would be as smooth or last as long as it has.

[WRB]

Keep your eye on the Flea Market forum for bargains.

Tom

[A-Jay]

What's this budget you speak of ?

A-Jay

[gim]

43 minutes ago, Bankbeater said:

The Shimano SLX-150.  I didn't think for 99 bucks it would be as smooth or last as long as it has.

I bought one in March 2022 for 75 bucks brand new. Pretty friggin solid reel for that kind of money. I really like the big grippy rubber handles it has.

[DogBone_384]

21 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

What's this budget you speak of ?

You always make me feel better about how much stuff I own .. Thanks A-Jay!

[greentrout]

Daiwa Crossfire LT 2500 spinning: Gear Ratio 5.3 :1, IPT 29.6, Wt. 9oz., Max Drag 22.    30 dollars.  

 

Kast King Royal Legend Elite Red BC: Gear Ratio: 8:1:1, IPT 34, Wt. 7.2oz, Max Drag 17.64.  70.00 dollars. Got mine for 40.00 dollars Amazon Lighting Deals Sale. 

[PBBrandon]

The Daiwa Regal LT and Pflueger President are 2 spinning reels that are awesome for 60 bucks. I’ve had both for years and they are still smooth. I have caught some big cats, bass, and carp, and flat out abused the President on my GX2 beater combo. You just can’t kill those things. 
 

Speed Spool LFS is the best 100 dollar baitcaster IMO. Can be easily found for less as well

[FishTank]

The Daiwa Regal gets my vote. I bought one for a fishing buddy and he loves it.  

[ElGuapo928]

Abu Black Max - bought one as a stopgap on a road trip 10 years ago when my Revo took up diving, and have since acquired 6 more. 

 

[T-Billy]

@A-Jay's collection is similar to mine, except his reels are clean, well maintained , and organized. Mine are ... well... That's a topic for another thread. 😁 

On the budget end of things, the Lew's LFS is king of the mountain IMO.

[TnRiver46]

I’ve got this one okuma spinning reel I “reely” like, I’ll post a pic once the sun comes out haha. I did break the handle but I keep old broken reels for parts so it’s still going. I think I paid $30 for it, which is ten dollars more than I usually pay 

[rgasr63]

I have a few Kastking Megatron spinning reels 2000 and 3000 size going on 3 yrs of service and they are still working smoothly. I got them off Amazon on some of their deal days I think the most expensive one was 45 bucks. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one again if I needed to.

[BrianMDTX]

6 hours ago, ElGuapo928 said:

Abu Black Max - bought one as a stopgap on a road trip 10 years ago when my Revo took up diving, and have since acquired 6 more. 

 

I have two. No issues with either of them. I think they outcast my Fuegos. 

[Catt]

14 hours ago, LCG said:

I was so impressed I bought a second one in another gear ratio at full retail. Can't speak to longevity,

 

I was so impressed I bought 3, a Tournament MB & MP.

 

The LFS are 4 yrs with zero issues.

[Bluebasser86]

The Daiwa CC80 and Daiwa Revros are my budget reels of choice. 

[BrianMDTX]

@Bluebasser86 For spinning reels, agree 100% on the Daiwa Revros. I have a LT2000 and LT2500 and both are great reels. Especially for the price. 

[papajoe222]

On 11/15/2023 at 5:29 PM, A-Jay said:

What's this budget you speak of ?

A-Jay

I believe you posted this pic before and I showed it to my wife. She though I was over the top when I purchased my 15th Daiwa baitcaster.........I now have 16 as I got a second Fuego this season.

I've only purchased 4 reels in the last seven years. Two Pfluger Presidents and those Fuegos. The fixed income I'm on no longer offers me the option of purchasing higher priced equipment.

[A-Jay]

8 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

I believe you posted this pic before and I showed it to my wife. She though I was over the top when I purchased my 15th Daiwa baitcaster.........I now have 16 as I got a second Fuego this season.

I've only purchased 4 reels in the last seven years. Two Pfluger Presidents and those Fuegos. The fixed income I'm on no longer offers me the option of purchasing higher priced equipment.

This pic is actually a couple of years old and doesn't exactly reflect the current deal.

My gear has been assembled of the course of the last 16 years.

Some of these have been replaced with others and there has been some 'additions'.

When I lay them all out for 'cleaning' over the winter I'll get an updated pic.

It always makes me smile when guys tell me that they show pics of my gear to their wives.

I'm usually showing my wife puppy pictures.

Fish Hard

A-Jay

 

[Skunkmaster-k]

For a cheap baitcaster I’m going with a Lews speed spool and Bluebasser beat me to the Revros for my spinning reel. 

[Hulkster]

I would argue the Curados would fall into this category simply because for $200 US you get a reel that can last 15 years. 

 

Isn't that better than a $100 reel that only lasts 5 or 6?