Hi, this is my first post here, and I am looking for the best reel that fits what I need to do with it. I have the whole rod deal figured out. I am just getting back into bass fishing.

I know how to use casting reels, I had a few before I quit fishing for a year(Curado 200E7 and some shakespeare plastic thing..)

 

Heres what I need:

- Under $120 (including tax!) But I would prefer $100

- This will be my single combo along with a spinning, so it needs to be able to fish as many baits as possible, including frogs, cranks, jigs, plastics, topwaters, etc.

- Good quality that will last as long as possible, and warranties are nice.

- Large spool

- Basically a good all around reel

- Smooth, and as many bearings as possible

 

I intend on doing small local tournaments, and using many different baits.

 

(I am on a budget, and it needs to be my only casting combo, I cannot get more until I have enough saved)

 

Thank you guys in advance, and happy fishing!

 

BPS PQ, or look for a used reel on here or even ebay.

Lew's Speed Spool is a workhorse

Lews LFS for sure. Just a good all around reel at its price point.

Lews LFS for sure. Just a good all around reel at its price point.

Thats the same thing I was leaning at, and thanks the rest of you!

Lews LFS or a Citica.

I'm curious, why not get another Curado E?

H2o Xpress at acedemy. 60 bucks. It's a steal. Great feel and it cast a country mile. A good general purpose Rod is Wally worlds lightning rod mh power. Best budget Rod I think at 40. Total should be right at 100 without tax

Right now gander mountain has an awesome deal on daiwa lexa gear. Reels for 70, rods for $50. I highly recommend checking it out.

A great all around reel for me has been the Daiwa Exceler in the 6:1 ratio. They can be had NIB for less than $70 off ebay. They are powerfull enough to handle deep diving cranks, and can also toss weightless plastics with ease.

The PQ had an awesome sale but I think it's over for now. Always a good value though along with the Citica, Lexa, Tatula, Revo S or Lew's

Right now online at dicks sporting goods, you get a free pinnacle 7mh/f rod with any reel purchase over 49.99.

You can not beat this deal with a stick.

Get a daiwa lexa or any reel mentioned above, and you will get the all purpose rod you need for free.

Do it.

Then come back and post the obligatory " what's the best line for my new reel" thread so everyone can yell at each other.

I'm curious, why not get another Curado E?

Out of my current price range

Right now online at dicks sporting goods, you get a free pinnacle 7mh/f rod with any reel purchase over 49.99.

You can not beat this deal with a stick.

Get a daiwa lexa or any reel mentioned above, and you will get the all purpose rod you need for free.

Do it.

Then come back and post the obligatory " what's the best line for my new reel" thread so everyone can yell at each other.

Great deal, but sadly it will have to be a few weeks until I actually purchase it :/

Thanks loads for sharing this!

A great all around reel for me has been the Daiwa Exceler in the 6:1 ratio. They can be had NIB for less than $70 off ebay. They are powerfull enough to handle deep diving cranks, and can also toss weightless plastics with ease.

X2 the excelers  are a hard reel to beat for the price, they palm great , have choices in gear ratios , braking is consistent , after a little bearing flushing and proper lube they cast very well and they are super easy to dial in.  great everyday workhorse  and you can buy one for under well under 100 bucks,  you can't go wrong! 

Thanks for the recommendations everyone! much appreciated. So now its down to these reels:

 

1: Lews LFS

2: Daiwa Exceler 100

3: Citica?

Thanks everyone! and keep posting!

Is the Tourney MG worth the extra $30? compared to the LFS?

i'd put the lfs at the bottom of the list i purchased 2 when they first were released and i wasn't impressed and believe me i really wanted to like them, did i get a couple of duds maybe  but the braking system and just overall feel of the reel was just not what i was expecting. the brakes on the reel were horribly inconsistent. the diawa you can pretty much set the cast control on the loose side ( just enough to take side play out or even a tad of side play in the spool and set the dial on 4-5 and throw just about anything. they are very user friendly. the  tourney mg i cannot speak for.

I haven't used the LFS but the models that came before that (SSH1) were very solid. You can find Tourney Mg's on flea bay for a discounted price.

i'd put the lfs at the bottom of the list i purchased 2 when they first were released and i wasn't impressed and believe me i really wanted to like them, did i get a couple of duds maybe  but the braking system and just overall feel of the reel was just not what i was expecting. the brakes on the reel were horribly inconsistent. the diawa you can pretty much set the cast control on the loose side ( just enough to take side play out or even a tad of side play in the spool and set the dial on 4-5 and throw just about anything. they are very user friendly. the  tourney mg i cannot speak for.

Thanks, nice to see a dislike for once... Seems that a LOT of people like the SS's. I think I had better try them in person haha

Thanks, nice to see a dislike for once... Seems that a LOT of people like the SS's. I think I had better try them in person haha

that is your best bet and the good thing is any cabelas or  a well stocked dicks store should have the  diawa and lews in stock to handle. best of luck to you

I like my Lexa. I like my citica. Also, I liked my speed spool but sold it be I got a tournament pro.

I'll add that I learned to throw baitcast on Citica's.  They were great, but since then I've loaded up on Lews reels, Tournament Pro's.   I know for a fact, and of course this is hindsight, that my learning curve would have been easier with the Lews.    Citica's are great reels, don't get me wrong, but for that price point, you can get lighter and smoother reels.

Topic says casting reel, but I'm not sure if you are willing to spend $100 on the reel or if that $100 is suppose to be for both rod and reel.  If it is just for the reel, then I am going to make a couple more suggestions.  You've already gotten several good ones.  The standard Tatula can be gotten in your price range.  I have both the standard and Type R.  Liking them a lot.

 

My other suggestion is to look at the Pinnacle reels.  I received my first Pinnacle reel last week.  Obviously I haven't been out using it yet.  Can barely stand the cold as I sit here typing in my basement.    Reviews of their new reels have been positive.  I bought a hand-tuned model.  Not only is it a very nice looking reel (and very light), but it seems to be very smooth from the playing I have done with it.

I'll add that I learned to throw baitcast on Citica's.  They were great, but since then I've loaded up on Lews reels, Tournament Pro's.   I know for a fact, and of course this is hindsight, that my learning curve would have been easier with the Lews.    Citica's are great reels, don't get me wrong, but for that price point, you can get lighter and smoother reels.

Thanks for this!