"Best" Baitcaster for $100.00?

[Bass_Akwards]

Headed to BPS in a little bit (got two gift cards for my birthday). I'm buying my first baitcasting reel. I want to spend about $100.00. Should I get something like the Pro Qualifyer? Or should I go with another brand entirely?

I was listening to Rick Clunn talk about how insanely important it is to have a killer breaking system to avoid most backlashing so I guess I'd want a great breaking system being sort of a baitcasting rookie and all.

Also, what line should I get to go with the reel you recommend? I fish lots of different cover like weeds and timber and rocks. I like making long casts with cranks and short casts to pitch and flip to heavy cover so a versitile long casting line that doesn't get nested easily would be great.

Thanks guys.

[lsufan334]

my buddy picked up three of the pro qualifiers this weekend and i just threw them around a little and they are really sweet reels.  they feel and cast alot like my revos.  should be a good buy for u.

[I.rar]

i learned on a citica d. i thought the 6 pin brake was as simple as it gets. start at 3 on and go from there. spool tension is the only adjustment i make. imo , its a great reel at its price point and the d series are getting cheaper and cheaper. 

i would suggest , as you may already know , to cast around the yard a bit before hitting the water.

[Raul]

I was listening to Rick Clunn talk about how insanely important it is to have a killer breaking system to avoid most backlashing so I guess I'd want a great breaking system being sort of a baitcasting rookie and all.

This is the ultimate antibacklash system:

So better reels do have better braking systems, so if you are a rookie I strongly suggest you get a good, reliable braking system while you are in the process of learning. I would add another 20 to that budget and get a Citica.

[SausageFingers23]

*Edit* I just noticed the BPS part.  Sorry.

Its just over $100 but the Revo SX is on sale at SportsAuthority.com for $129

[hmongkidBee]

yes go with the shimano citica if you can.  It's a great reel and like all of shimano's reels are newbie fisherman friendly. 

[LoneWolf]

my buddy picked up three of the pro qualifiers this weekend and i just threw them around a little and they are really sweet reels. they feel and cast alot like my revos. should be a good buy for u.

Great reel for the money.....i bought mine when they were on sale for 79.99.......i will be buying some more ......they cast so sweet.....

[SimonDM17]

I don't want to upset the Shimano crowd, I love their spinning reels, but I've been only moderately impressed by the Curado 101D I have. 

I've heard very good things about the pro qualifier, and I definitely like magnetic brakes more than centrifugal. 

[Craiger12]

The Citica E can be found new for ~$100. They can sometimes be found in like new condition here in the Flea Market section for ~$90 if you are willing to wait and be patient.

[BassThumb]

The Citica E can be found new for ~$100. They can sometimes be found in like new condition here in the Flea Market section for ~$90 if you are willing to wait and be patient.

+1

[bwell]

Go with the Pro Qualifier, I have one and love it.

[ToledoEF]

I love my pro qualifiers! I sold my curado e5 and a couplr of my quantums and I have almost all PQ's a carbonlite and a Patriarch.

[Sqvedgis]

Go with the Pro Qualifier, I have one and love it.

X2

[roadwarrior]

The Citica E can be found new for ~$100. They can sometimes be found in like new condition here in the Flea Market section for ~$90 if you are willing to wait and be patient.

+1

Just be patient, you will love this reel as much

as The Rooster:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1271721785

8-)

[zero limit]

i learned on a citica d. i thought the 6 pin brake was as simple as it gets. start at 3 on and go from there. spool tension is the only adjustment i make. imo , its a great reel at its price point and the d series are getting cheaper and cheaper.

i would suggest , as you may already know , to cast around the yard a bit before hitting the water.

Same said from me, I picked up (my first ever b/c) off this site's flea market a Citica D nearly mint for $65. and have found it to be very easy to learn with.  2 months I've been using it, I've had only a couple minor overruns

[0119]

Knock 10 bucks off and get a Abu 4600 C3 for $90. It'll survive a rain storm better than the shimano or china made bass pro junk as I found out today. Now Im faced with taking 4 reels down to the inth degree. My old 4600 I could strip down totally relube and put back together in 20 leisure minutes. Sadly my curados dartanium disks didnt survive the rain and broke apart.

[Dockhead]

Sadly my curados dartanium disks didnt survive the rain and broke apart.

Huh?

The rain caused your Curados to "break apart??!!"

[K_Mac]

Knock 10 bucks off and get a Abu 4600 C3 for $90. It'll survive a rain storm better than the shimano or china made bass pro junk as I found out today. Now Im faced with taking 4 reels down to the inth degree. My old 4600 I could strip down totally relube and put back together in 20 leisure minutes. Sadly my curados dartanium disks didnt survive the rain and broke apart.

I suspect many from the Shimano posse will take issue with this. I will speak for the BPS China "junk". I have fished in the rain many times with Extreme and Pro Qualifier baitcast reels. I had three of each on deck this past weekend. It rained ~1/2" Friday afternoon. All six never missed a beat.

The BPS Pro Qualifier at full price is a good value. I bought one on sale last week for $70. I don't think you can buy a better reel  for the money.

[Goose52]

Knock 10 bucks off and get a Abu 4600 C3 for $90. It'll survive a rain storm better than the shimano or china made bass pro junk as I found out today. Now Im faced with taking 4 reels down to the inth degree. My old 4600 I could strip down totally relube and put back together in 20 leisure minutes. Sadly my curados dartanium disks didnt survive the rain and broke apart.

I suspect many from the Shimano posse will take issue with this. I will speak for the BPS China "junk". I have fished in the rain many times with Extreme and Pro Qualifier baitcast reels. I had three of each on deck this past weekend. It rained ~1/2" Friday afternoon. All six never missed a beat.

The BPS Pro Qualifier at full price is a good value. I bought one on sale last week for $70. I don't think you can buy a better reel for the money.

x2. I have 5 PQs and they're all running strong. I fished in the rain today for 5 hours with a PQ with no problem (and that water exposure also included the entire rod and reel being underwater for about 2-3 minutes until I could fish it out of the drink [don't ask... ]).

Great reel, great features, great value.

[Beastie Bass]

My first $100 BC was a PQ in 1994 (round reel) I still use it for catfishing! Cheap junk indeed  I bought last years Clunn reel for about 70 and its SWEEET. I like it as much as my Revo S. The revo S can be had at wally world lately for $79

[burleytog]

Sadly my curados dartanium disks didnt survive the rain and broke apart.

Wow, I guess all of my reels are living on borrowed time.

[L a r r y]

My best sub$100 reel would be the 09 Revo STX-HS

This is one unbelievable reel.  Strong drag, very very good casting distance with any weight lure I throw.

[0119]

I fished out of a jon boat yesterday and the rods were stored balanced between the bench seats.  I contacted shimano and got a quick reply to my email. I am a member of the shimano posse. Their quick replies were top notch service.  As many years as Ive used curados, I was unaware that water could gain entry thru drain holes on the underside of the sideplates.  With the reels hanging upside down between the seats thats what happened.  Sadly Im a D series fan not a E series.  Drag washers arent available anymore so Smooth Drag is my only option there.

[rubba bubba]

My best sub$100 reel would be the 09 Revo STX-HS

This is one unbelievable reel. Strong drag, very very good casting distance with any weight lure I throw.

Yes, but can he get the 09 STX anywhere for sub $100 right now?

[bwell]

My best sub$100 reel would be the 09 Revo STX-HS

This is one unbelievable reel. Strong drag, very very good casting distance with any weight lure I throw.

Yes, but can he get the 09 STX anywhere for sub $100 right now?

Sounds like he got the same deal i did during Christmas time at Gander Mountain...  99 bucks got you a 09 STX...