Hey guys, I'm currently on a budget. I am looking for a casting reel that is smooth casting, light weight, and is around $75-$100. I'm open for ideas. 

-Thanks Nathan

Tatulas can be found for as low as $100.

Curado G/I, used.

BPS Pro Qualifier

Mike

tatula. can b found for 89

Daiwa Tatula: Shop around and you can find them for as low as $90. Great reel.

You can find Lew's LFS speed spools for ~$80. They are pretty awesome and lightweight.

How light is light?  Carbonlite would fall in that category 

at 7.9 oz the tatula doesn't really meet the lightweight component.  It is a nice reel, but a bit "bulky" feeling to me and i have fairly big hands.

Lew's for 99 bones. This is going to make some people mad around these parts, but if you pay MSRP just buy anything that's not a Pro Qualifier.

Check out the Pinnacle Producer LTE Casting Reel (PRD10LTE)

 

It's a good reel for the money.

 

Been review by several BR members

 

A-Jay

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/review-pinnacle-producer.html

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/reel-review.html

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/Pinnacle-Producer-LTE-review.html

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/pinnacle-lte-perfecta-DHC5.html

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/pinnacle-dhc7-producer-lte.html

Go with the Lews regular LFS speed spool or the Pflueger Supreme casting reel, I have the Supreme XT but just saw my friend's regular Supreme and it is really nice, I may add one myself for $99.99! The Tatula is a good solid reel but as buzzed bait already mentioned, it is heavy and the frame feels bulky because of the T-wing system. If you see a pro qualifier on sale at BPS, then that would be another option.

Since when is 7.9oz heavy?

Since when is 7.9oz heavy?

 

heavy/light is a relative term much like fishing deep or shallow....  but when compared to reels in the same price and spec range, it is one of the heavier ones in its class.

Go with the Lews regular LFS speed spool or the Pflueger Supreme casting reel, I have the Supreme XT but just saw my friend's regular Supreme and it is really nice, I may add one myself for $99.99! The Tatula is a good solid reel but as buzzed bait already mentioned, it is heavy and the frame feels bulky because of the T-wing system. If you see a pro qualifier on sale at BPS, then that would be another option.

+1 on the Supreme.  I like it almost as much as my Revo SX's

Since when is 7.9oz heavy?

 

Since 95% of reels in the $100 and up range are 7.5oz and lighter, the Lews LFS Speed Spool is 7.1oz and the Pflueger Supreme is 6.5oz and both have aluminum frames. 

 

EDIT: This is 100 size casting reels, not heavy duty or larger 200 size reels.

I believe the Lews LFS is only 6.9oz.  It is very tiny too I would go with that one.  I've gotten so used to fishing with sub 6oz reels that anything over about 7.5oz feels like dead weight.

I'd recommend the Lew's Speed Spools.

Can't go wrong with Lews!!!!!!

BPS PQ is a decent entry level reel. I have one on a M rod that I use quite a bit. It doesn't compare in cast ability and function to a Lews TSS. The cost difference is 20 bucks. Spend a little more and get the Lews.

I would get the Lexa off TW but they only have left handed models in stock

I just purchased a Lews Speed Spool, price is $99.99, but got mine at American Legacy for $79.99 on sale, very light weight, smooth and is an awesome reel I must say.

Another vote for the Lews Lfs!

There are many options for your price range. I'd consider lews as an nice option. Otherwise i would hunt down a used curado / Citica. Those are my opinions and what I personally have experience with. There are a lot of decent reels out there.

ive seena. few citica 200e go for 50-70 bucks. hard to beat what u get for that price