if i might add, the Lew's carbon fire, for being an $80-90 graphite reel, holds up pretty well, it was my first baitcasting reel and i had gotten it on sale for $50, it doesn't "twist" nearly as bad as other graphite reels, many hours of practice in that reel with 15lb mono

 

the slx is my favorite $100 on the market, the Lew's LFS is a microscopicly close second

I’m going to add if you’re not in a rush, be patient and deals will be available. Most of my reel purchases have been when their on sale, bps trade in during the spring classic or exceptional finds such as my Daiwa CA80 from E-bay. The thing that scares me with E-bay is knock offs but if the seller has a solid reputation and is preferably a brick and mortar store  I’m in. One of my best purchases is a Tatula type R for $89.95 from a store I’m not sure I can mention ? @MN Fisher posts some great places for deals on leftover or returned reels. I’m going to add I have 2 low end reels 1 each from Kast King and Piscifun, I wouldn’t recommend them above a black max or equivalent but I do have several top of the range Piscifun spinning reels and 1 casting reel I’ve been using without any issues for several years now and wouldn’t hesitate to purchase a Piscifun phantom. Lastly I’ll add I’m fortunate in that I have a local tackle shop that buys and sells used gear. Good luck and happy bargain hunting .

Edited February 8, 20224 yr by Eric 26
Added content

11 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

One of my best purchases is a Tatula type R for $89.95 from a store I’m not sure I can mention

If it's ALF - we're allowed long as it doesn't become an advertisement for them.

 

That's where I got a pair of Patriarch BCs for under $100 each.

I don’t spend $100 on the rod/reel/line and tackle box all together haha

1 minute ago, TnRiver46 said:

I don’t spend $100 on the rod/reel/line and tackle box all together haha

Well I guess I am doing it wrong then!?

1 minute ago, FishinBuck07 said:

Well I guess I am doing it wrong then!?

Not at all! I’m just a cheapskate. It’s very eye opening when someone standing next to you on the rocks is out fishing you severely with a Mountain Dew bottle for a rod/reel. This has happened to me more than I care to admit haha

 

for affordable baitcasters I like used abu Garcia 4600s or 5000s from the 80s-90s 

Just now, TnRiver46 said:

Not at all! I’m just a cheapskate. 

Nothing wrong with that man!  I just meant you seem to catch more than I do!  haha

1 minute ago, FishinBuck07 said:

Nothing wrong with that man!  I just meant you seem to catch more than I do!  haha

It helps my cause that the top of the water isn’t frozen hahahaha

 

(although I have seen some ultra shallow coves frozen lately)

5 hours ago, GReb said:

You can find new SLX, Fuego, LFS, etc for $75-80 if you look hard enough. The Revo X and Quantum Accurist S3 have raving reviews. The Accurist even has a dual support pinion.

 

Be patient and deals will appear. I’ve bought a Tatula SV brand new for $99. New SLX MGL for $95.  Fuego for $55. Tatula CT for $78. Quantum Icon for $40. Etc

the Revo and Accurist are both $120 now

 

and where you finding all these deals?! I didn’t think they had sales like that anymore, not since pre Covid 

Just for fishing has leftover and demos listed at times which is where I got my Tatula type R.

Yes, Bass Pro Shop Pro Qualifier reels. They are pretty much bulletproof. I'm assuming they still have a one year, no questions warranty.

$100 reels are high end for this guy.

 

My 3 favorite baitcasters that I own.

(1) Abu Garcia orra SX 

(2) Shimano SLX

(3) Lews speed spool 

Can't imagine any better performance. 

I just purchased my fourth Piscifun Phantom , on sale for 50 bucks .  After heavy use for three years they perform like new . Perfect , no deductions . I have more expensive brand name reels , I like the Phantoms better than all of them .

Got a Daiwa CA 80 for 65.00 new and I like it a lot

Those cheap centrifugal reels like the phantom, spartacus and formula can be pretty decent performers for the money.  I like them more than the cheap magnetic reels because I can cast them harder and further when bank fishing.  The magnetic reels want to choke off the distance on a hard cast when set to not backlash.   I don't have any confidence in some of these cheap chinease reels lasting like the phantom but it is a good performing reel.  I think it depends on what you want. 

 

High performance disposable reel = chinease centrifugal reel with lightweight spool like the phantom. 

 

Maybe you can get parts for it after a few years or maybe not.  I don't even know how you could replace the cenfrifugal brakes once they wear and the brakes seem like a faster wearing plastic than SVS Shimano but I didn't have mine long.  Bought it to try out and gave to a friends son that was frustrated with his black max not casting far enough or balcklashing.  He has been very happy with it but I did have to explain that it was probably going to be a disposable reel and that he should save up $100 for a future reel.

 

Average to below average performance long lasting cheap reel = black max. 

 

Nothing extraordinary about an 18 gram magnetic spool but the reels are pretty solid for the price and should be pretty easy to get serviced or find parts yourself.  I see a lot of guys frustrated with these trying to bomb baits from the bank and getting bad distance and then getting backlashes when backing off the brakes to get more distance.  I'm convinced that centrifugal brakes are just better at this.  I think it comes from fishing spinning gear and whippin baits out there.  With the mag only you gotta just lob them out there on lower magnetic settings and they do alright.