I know I should spend atleast $150 but my budget is $100 max. Like super maximum. 

 

I've looked at the Lews Xfinity, Abu Garcia Promax, and a few others as possible choices but have no experience with them.

 

I do own a Lews American Hero 7' MH and love it and an Abu Black Max 6'6 M and like it as well.

 

I'm looking for a 6'10 to 7'3 MH that I'm going to put fluorocarbon on. 

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I've been adding Daiwa Fuego CT reels to my arsenal, you can get them around $75-80 on average. I have 3 of them now and love them. I'd say it would be a great reel if you're looking for a great budget reel. I'd say save up a little as you go and you could get a pretty nice setup for rod/reel for $150.00. With Christmas coming up in a couple months you might be able to find some good deals. That's just an idea.

Are you looking for a reel or a combo ?

I'd second the Fuego and put it on an Aird-X rod. Go through Amazon and you can get the pair for around $120-$130.

My 2 choices for sub $100.00 reels are, diawa fuego and bass pro shops pro qualifier.

 

I have 2 pro qualifier reels I got on sale for $50.00. (they are usually $99.00).

So far I have been very impressed for a low cost reel. 

I'm looking for a combo. I'm sorry I didnt mention that before. I know for $150 I can get a Lews Mach II or an Abu Revo X combo and would love those. The budget though..... was given to me by my wife!!! So saving isnt the issue. I dont want to push my luck when I got the ok to get another one for one $50 more. 

I’d spend the $100 on a Fuego myself... maybe get it Black Friday for $80.  Better off putting money into the reel first and foremost.

 

Save the $20 until the next sale or when you have another $30 and buy a Berkley Vengeance rod.  
 

Awesome combo and you won’t look back and wish you’d have bought a better reel.  

1 hour ago, Russ E said:

My 2 choices for sub $100.00 reels are, diawa fuego and bass pro shops pro qualifier.

 

I have 2 pro qualifier reels I got on sale for $50.00. (they are usually $99.00).

So far I have been very impressed for a low cost reel. 

I also have both and think they are great reels. I prefer them to my Shimano SLX, which is sacrilegious according to many. Next spring when the PQ goes back on sale for 50 I plan on buying a few more.

1 hour ago, Russ E said:

I have 2 pro qualifier reels I got on sale for $50.00.

The BPS Pro Qualifier has always been a good reel. I wonder if they are still made out of that factory in Korea, (Pure Fishing) a lot of good reels came out of that factory. I see they sell a combo for 149.97, that could even drop to 99 during the holidays. (BPS use to do that between Black Friday and Xmas.) I started my boys out on those reels and it wasn't long until I started using them when they started chasing girls. They are a solid reel for sure. I don't think you can wrong with the Pro Qualifier @Luke Barnes.

If I can get the reel for $50 then its definitely an option because I have $100 to spend on the whole combo. That's why I was thinking like a Lews Xfinity. 

Out of the ones you mentioned I like the Lew's Xfinity green and orange combos. They are like budget versions of the Mach 1 and Mach 2 combos. The green Xfinity combo is a budget Mach 1 and the orange Xfinity with the Winn grip knobs is a budget Mach 2  

Abu Pro Max combo is like $85 on the amazon.   I picked one up last month and it has been good.

Academy had the cammo H20 rods for 23 dollars . I bought two of them . My local Farm store has Quantum Qx36 for thirty dollars , I like that rod   . It handles well , bends in the right spot and light weight . Its in my starting lineup . Keep an eye out on rods , capable  ones can be found inexpensively .

Shimano SLX HANDS DOWN!!

KastKing Royale Legend Elite Ragin' Red ... 75.00 ... KastKing Perigee II 3 pc. 7' rod medium and medium heavy tips ... 59.99 ... or 1 pc. 49.99 ...

 

be using mine tomorrow ...

 

good fishing ...

If you can't wait for the Holidays to try and get a better combo, just spend 50 or 60 on a Black max combo save the money not spent and get a better combo down the road.

 

Another option would be to look on the facebook marketplace for a used combo - I got a Tatula combo for 100 bucks off there that was only tried out once.  

I got the Kastking Crixus combo for Father’s Day. That was my first Kastking set up, it is really smooth. 

 

The Abu Blackmax and Promax combos are great too! 

Hard to find a combo for $100, but the Quantum Throttle baitcast combo fits this perfect.  $99  Comes in three different rod lengths.  I have not used the rods, but have used the reel, it is surprisingly good for the price.  

The daiwa Fuego ct and Garcia revo x can be had for 75 or so. Can't beat for that money and in my opinion it's an investment.  Buy a 75 dollar combo and the reel will likely not last years.  The Fuego or revo likely will with a lil maintenance.  I tried the new pro qualifier this spring and it lasted 4 trips before it crapped out. Still have an older qualifier I've had for 5 or 6 years that's still slick. I'd buy a fuego or revo x and look for a steal on a decent stick. Dicks had the skeet rods for 30 bucks a cple months ago and lews carbon fire rods for same.  As stated already the slx combo is hard to beat if u can swing the 139 for the combo 

I think all these people telling you to go over your budget need to:

A. Spot you the extra dough

B. Ask their wives what they think of this!  ?

 

But seriously everyone here is giving you solid advice and most if us have been down the road of buying cheap stuff only to regret it.  It really can cut down on your enjoyment.  

 

Look into the facebook marketplace because those people can meet locally sometimes. 

8 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said:

I think all these people telling you to go over your budget need to:

A. Spot you the extra dough

B. Ask their wives what they think of this!  ?

 

But seriously everyone here is giving you solid advice and most if us have been down the road of buying cheap stuff only to regret it.  It really can cut down on your enjoyment.  

 

Look into the facebook marketplace because those people can meet locally sometimes. 

True. Story. Haha. I have 6 combos so it was hard to convince the wife to get a 7th so I'm not pressing my luck!!

 

Someone above said a Black Max. I already have one. I like it. But I dont want 2. Promax I am considering though.

 

But I'm really eyeing those Lews Xfinity combos hard. My American Hero combo has hauled in many many fish and not showing any signs of wear. I oil it and clean it every now and then and it's like new after a year. 

 

I'm not serious enough of a fisherman to actually need or notice the difference in a Xfinity or a Tourament Pro Ti combo. I know the higher end ones will be smoother but so far my cheaper lews has held up well. 

Get a Shimano Caenan 150 and a Daiwa Aird-X rod, should be able to find both for about $50 each. That would make a great budget friendly combo!

26 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

I would try to avoid plastic frame reel and linear magnetic brakes.  

 

Rod: Berkley Lightning Rod $40

You now have $60 to find an aluminum frame centrifugal or dual brake reel.  A PQ for $50 would be great.  A Bionic Plus for $59 on sale would be OK.  Personally I think the SLX combi is what you should try and get.

 

I like this idea.

 

My travel combo to Florida this year cost me under $100

 

Rod: Berkley Cherrywood $25

Reel: Lew's LFS (got it on sale for $70, marked down from $99)

I bought two Pro-Qualifers for $50 each. I also have a Lewis that cost $350. It fishes better than a Pro-Qualifier, but not 7 times as good. 

Nothing wrong with an abu black max to get you goin.. as others have said you can get a good deal on a daiwa fuego On amazon i bought one not long ago for 65$..
For a rod try academy brand ethos micro, daiwa airdx, or a falcon HD all are really good rods less than 100$.

Your total setup is gonna run over 100$ though