Less expensive ultralight baitcasters?

[billmac]

Are there any decent baitcasting reels that will throw 1/16 to 1/8 oz lures and are in the $100 range or less?

[jimmyjoe]

   Cheaper reel.

   Decent reel.

   Ultralight reel.

 

   Pick two.

 

   Unfortunately, that's the way the market is at this point. That's why spinning gear exists, for the really light stuff.  I keep hoping for some kind of freaky breakthrough, but I doubt it will happen anytime soon.  ??     jj

[papajoe222]

What you need for throwing that light stuff isn't a casting rod, but I think you already know that. I suggest you get a BPS MicroLite rod and a Plfuger President (their smallest offering). Why chance the headaches of using a casting combo.

[MN Fisher]

8 minutes ago, papajoe222 said:

and a Plfuger President (their smallest offering)

In his price range is also the President XT and the Supreme - both come in 25 size...which is what I use for UL...the 20 is just a bit too small for me.

[Jrob78]

35 minutes ago, papajoe222 said:

What you need for throwing that light stuff isn't a casting rod, but I think you already know that. I suggest you get a BPS MicroLite rod and a Plfuger President (their smallest offering). Why chance the headaches of using a casting combo.

Because it's fun.

 

Probably not going to do it for $100 though. Keep in mind the rod is just as important as the reel.

[JustJames]

While casting and not spinning?

It is not only reel but rod play a big part on light lure as well. If you don’t have any I think spinning outfit would be a lot easier and more budget friendly. 

If you insist on casting wait until @BaitFinessecomment on a reel and rod for you. 

[NYWayfarer]

7 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

There is also the Trulinoya XF50.  It's only $60 and can cast UL baits but is a graphite/plastic reel.  There are a lot of info out there on the Ray's spools and the XF50 reel. 

That's the reel Rawr Fishing has been using on his YouTube channel.

 

Interesting reel. He is able to throw marabou jigs and inline spinners with it. Things I would never associate with a baitcaster.

[billmac]

I like to use 1/8 and 1/16 rooster tails for trout and bass in the river rapids in my area.  I have and certainly use spinning tackle.  I have for decades.  I just don't like it.  Never have.  Frankly I would rather use spincast tackle.  But in the end, I'll use what I have to.

Thanks for all the info.

[MrFrost]

Ok, this response may not be popular, but I have the right solution for you.  My son just got this setup, and he can cast a 1/16th ounce jig head and crappie plastic much farther than I would have ever expected.  It's all relative, it won't outcast a decent spinning setup, however, it will cast far enough, that is for sure.  

 

All together it's under $80 before tax, so you can grab some jig heads, plastics, and a slip bobber and have a crappie slaying machine.  My son already has crappie in the freezer and he just got this setup Sunday.  

 

BassPro Crappie Maxx Baitcaster

 

Bass Pro Shops Crappie Maxx Signature Series Crappie Casting Rod

[billmac]

MrFrost: How far was he able to cast?  I actually prefer short casts when I can manage it.  I like to keep moving so other than fishing deep, which I don't do a lot of, I tend to move toward my target rather than standing off a long way and casting to it.

[nighthawk25]

Kastking Assassin with a shallow spool. I think i got mine off Alibaba or something similar. I have it on a glass cranking rod for small crankbaits. Haven't used it a whole lot but seems to be ok.

[MrFrost]

5 hours ago, billmac said:

MrFrost: How far was he able to cast?  I actually prefer short casts when I can manage it.  I like to keep moving so other than fishing deep, which I don't do a lot of, I tend to move toward my target rather than standing off a long way and casting to it.

With my limited knowledge and understanding of baitcasters, I expected something like 20 feet, but I was amazed that he was able to easily cast 40-50 feet, from my estimation.  He has 6lb mono spooled on it.  

[Big Swimbait]

One of the Your Lake Fork Guide's videos had him touting the Daiwa CC80 to throw the smaller, weightless jerk baits.

[papajoe222]

On 4/17/2019 at 7:51 AM, billmac said:

I like to use 1/8 and 1/16 rooster tails for trout and bass in the river rapids in my area.  I have and certainly use spinning tackle.  I have for decades.  I just don't like it.

Sorry about suggesting you what you needed earlier.

Here's what I did, though out of your price range for the combo. I built a casting rod on a Forecast spinning blank (6'6" L) I forget the model. I added a Wally Marshal casting reel. BPS no longer offers that crappie reel. I now use a Daiwa Sol on that rod for all my light stuff and have landed plenty of bass on the combo. You don't need a custom combo, but you may go through some combos until you find one to your satisfaction.  I knew what I wanted, so I went this route.

[wisconsin heat]

Thought I'd throw my $.02 in here.

 

I'd get the Tsurinoya XF-50 if I were you. It's cheap and it has a great reputation for ultralight presentations, look the reel up on youtube, other forums, etc. It's popular because it works.

 

I was in the market for a cheap BFS reel also, I was scouring through Ali Express oogling at all the pretty looking, super cheap reels and I wanted to buy a Seaknight POTM because it looked sweet and has good specs. What was holding me back was the fact that there was no real informative english review on it.  

 

I said what the hell and bought one anyways and sent to a youtube guy with the channel reeltest. I figured if I was going to spend the money to find out if it was worth anything, I might as well get the word out on it since I figured a lot of people were likely looking at it too. 

 

That reel ended up being not so great at casting because the brakes weren't strong enough; the spool would overrun everytime. Luckily I had a broken Shimano reel that I salvaged the magnets from and now the reel actually casts pretty well. 

 

If you want a cheap bfs reel I'd go one of two ways - the Tsurinoya XF-50; or a Daiwa Fuego CT($74)/ Tatula CT ($95)/ Tatula 100 ($120) with an aftermarket spool ($30) = $104-150.

 

The reason I'd recommend the daiwas over an Abu black max is because I've owned a handful of black max reels as well as a handful of Daiwas, and the Black Max is about as durable as the cheap chinese reels. They work well until they don't, and there's no telling when that's going to happen. 

[FishTank]

For what you are throwing I would stick with spinning gear.  Personal favorite with this is a Shimano Sahara 1000, 4lb or 6lb test mono, and a St. Croix Avid 6' ML or L, Fast. Shimano also has the Sedona in a 500 size but not one of my favorite reels.