I am looking for a 5 weight fly reel to replace a low quality cabelas reel I had for three months that already kicked the dust. I would like to stay around $100. I don't need anything that would handle a mako, I just want something that can handle trout and bass. I also want something, if possible, that can be set pretty low without back lash when stripping line off. Low start up is important. I've been looking at the Lamson liquid, but I'm not sure if it fits my needs; if you know about this reel or another reel in my range let me know.

Lamson make a nice reel!

I have a guru g2 on a croix 5wt that has been awesome!

I have 3 Allen reels and love them all, I'd take a look at the Allen trout reel. I fish for bass carp and trout with it and it handles them all. Also fell on the reel when out, no scratches, no dents, and an ugly bruise on my arm. Very solid reels.

yeah, I say Allen or the Orvis Battenkill.  Either an arbor style reel, or traditional.

 

Good luck!

Wdy

I have the Orvis Battenkill large arbor and it's done what you want for over a decade, with no problems. Very solid.

Here's what you will want, something with a fully sealed drag. I have had an Orvis reel that was supposed to be "sealed", but after every outing that I acedently dipped the reel in the water I had to clean the drag out. Right now I have all Lamson's on my fly rods (Konics and Remixes) with a few rogue Sage 1800 series reels. Long story short, for that price range I would find a Lamson Konic or Konic II on eBay or go with the Liquid. All Lamsons have the same sealed drag technology independant of model and are just all around good reels.

So far I have only looked at disc drags, but would a click reel be as good or better? I have seen some like the redington drift or orvis battenkill that are in my price range. These are fully machined and it seems like they are pretty simple. For a reel that will last a while without much maintainence, and will be good with low drag, these seem good. Any input?

i own a few lamsons and they are all top notch.  I would keep an eye at sierratrading post.com as they often have lamson on sale.  I also picked up a sage reel, a basic one and it does surprisingly well.  I rarely use the reel for anything but line storage so it is more about getting the reel that balances my outfit the best.  I do like a nice fly reel though