I just purchased a Quantum Code Red bait caster it lists for $99 on sale for $54 at fishandsave they have a reel sale this weekend. It looks like a decent reel?

There in the spincast section.

They are back up to $59 now.  Bill, it looks like you will have to become the official reviewer for the lower cost fishing segment. 

 

Nothing wrong with saving money.  Do it whenever possible  You just have to do a little research before buying.  In baitcast reels, I've got a $30 reel (New on closeout.  Rest are all used.), 3 that cost $100 as a package deal (so $33.33 apiece for the mathematically challenged ), one for $45, one for $50 and another package deal for a pair at $110 ($55 each).  All perform very well, especially considering what I paid for them.  The $55 reels are capable of casting light weights (tested with 3/16 oz. Shad Raps so far) along side a reel that cost me almost 3 times as much (4 times if you count the money I spent getting it repaired and upgraded).  My $30 reel is solid like a vault and has an aluminum frame.  The $33.33 ones handle light lures (light for normal bass fishing) and cast very well into the wind.  The other 2 excel for lures from mid-range weights on up (say 3/8 oz. up).

 

Having said this, I must also add that cheap isn't always good.  I was at the river boat ramp tonight to practice with 3 of my outfits.  There was a gentleman there with his family.  He asked if I was any good with the B/C reels.  He has one he bought a few years ago for $79.  Told me the brand, but couldn't remember the model.  I won't mention the brand because I have 3 by that manufacturer, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with their casting abilities.  He said he had a hard time casting it without backlashing even tho he had tried different spool and brake settings.

 

I offered to let him try my Zillion 50th Anniversary which is mounted on an IMB843 custom built RX7 Rainshadow.  This is a 7' MHF rod rated 1/4-3/4 oz.  Had on a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait.  Apparently he wasn't use to rods this long.  Within 2-3 casts he was casting it as far as I normally do.  Needless to say he was thrilled, and is now considering upping the ante by investing in a more expensive reel.  I did tell him about the Pro Qualifier and Lews reels just in case he didn't want to invest too much. 

I'm finding there is a big difference in quality. But we can get a lower priced reel that will work but how long will it last. I'm moving up slowly having fun and learning as I go. I started out with a $12 Shakespeare baitcaster first. I have to learn what the cheaper ones are like before moving up to the better ones. At the sametime I can see the improvements too. I'd like to learn about it all in quality, function and how it handles. I'm having fun. Plus I'm out fishing too. Bill

Most of my BC reels are older Quantum 600ti's. I think I paid around a $100 piece for them at the time. They have been great reels and are easy to take down and work on. Once they are set up corrrectly, they work like a charm. I also have a newer Quantum 7:1 reel that has been great. It's all about maintenance. Buy the best that you can afford and take care of it.

Cabelas has the quantum Kinetic for $10 dollars more, $69,99 and it is a much better reel than the Code. When it comes to Quantum the lowest reel I would buy would be the Accurist PT.

I'm up near the $99 reels now. We'll see when the code red bait caster gets here. But so far my smoothest is the BPS bait caster I think it was $59 on clearance. The Chinese imports seem good too. I think there prices won't be so cheap for long. There is no way they can continue to manufacture them for $29 plus 5 for shipping. I really haven't seen any bad reels between my discounted $12 Shakespeare to my on clearance BPS bait caster they all seem to function ok. I think the biggest difference is longevity and the amount of bearings it has besides the angle on the gear teeth. All the crank gears are metal so far. Right now I think a decent bait caster for the average fisherman starts between $40 to $99. Watch for the sales and clearances too. Some places are having a Halloween sale too which isn't too bad.

I just purchased two rod/reel setups that the reels lite up when you crank them for Christmas. By spring he should be ok to use them with some help. Fishandsave has them in spinning and In a spincast reel too there a roddy brand.