30 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

I'll add another vote for the Lew's LFS. I'm up to three.

 

I have 3 as well ?

 

Lew’s Speed Spool LFS

Features:
-One-piece aluminum frame
-Drilled, machine forged aluminum 34mm spool
-Solid brass Speed Gears
-New N2 Super Pinion bearing supported pinion gear
-9+1 Stainless steel ball bearings
-Externally adjustable Magnetic Control System (MCS)
-Anodized aluminum spool tension adjustment knob
-Durable Rulon drag system with 15lbs of drag power
-Anodized bowed aluminum 95mm handle with Soft Touch paddle knobs
-Oversized bowed audible click drag star
-Zirconia line guide
-External lube port

 

All for $99.99

Academy has a H2O XPRESS Ethos HD.  It's $85 but I found it on sale for much less (that's why I bought it).  Only right hand and I think just 2 speeds.  Had my doubts when I ordered but it's replaced the Revo X I was using.  

My aubu silver max isnt aweful. Its certainly serviceable.

Another vote for the Lew’s LFS. I have the regular and inshore versions. Inshore is $20 more.

 

Walmart has an exclusive Abu Garcia Max Z baitcaster for $54 bucks. I bought one to try this year. The silver grey paint job looks great on my St Croix Reign rod.  The reel is basically a copy of the $88 Max Pro with 1 less bearing.

4 hours ago, Catt said:

 

I have 3 as well ?

 

Lew’s Speed Spool LFS

Features:
-One-piece aluminum frame
-Drilled, machine forged aluminum 34mm spool
-Solid brass Speed Gears
-New N2 Super Pinion bearing supported pinion gear
-9+1 Stainless steel ball bearings
-Externally adjustable Magnetic Control System (MCS)
-Anodized aluminum spool tension adjustment knob
-Durable Rulon drag system with 15lbs of drag power
-Anodized bowed aluminum 95mm handle with Soft Touch paddle knobs
-Oversized bowed audible click drag star
-Zirconia line guide
-External lube port

 

All for $99.99

I think that once you hit that $99 price point you cross over into best band for your buck. It seems like the options at that price point are significantly better than anything priced lower. But I also think that with Lews offering a reel with that many features for $99 other manufacturers need to step up their game, not raise the price (I’m looking at you Daiwa)

I don’t have one, but these got really good reviews when it came out.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lews_Laser_MG_Speed_Spool_SLP_Casting_Reel/descpage-LSLP.html

Academy H2O Xpress 7:1 bait cast reel : Good quality all aluminum one piece frame , precision cut brass gears and 10 ball bearings . Only available in 7:1 gear ratio though . Watch for sales when the list price drops by $10 ~$15 . : https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-mettle-m3-baitcast-reel?gmc_feed=t&campid=71700000087427731&adgroupid=58700007424094169&device=c&keyword=92700066706370436&Channel=ps&&ogmap=SEM|PLN|GOOG|SHOP|c|OUT||Non-Brand-SmartShopping-Outdoor-Stream|Stream|||&gclid=CjwKCAiAo4OQBhBBEiwA5KWu_2NM90ESz5Y1ndeSG7_xOqlM5Wvdr_7hkb69j_t6Kps0JPZVKQw0EBoCpWYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

-Abu Garcia Black maxx

 

-OG BPS pro qualifier (not the pro qualifier 2; it looks like they are RE-releasing the OG soon)

I will probably get bashed for this. I have numerous Kastking reels that I paid less then a 100 bucks for and have not has any issues with them.

I’ve seen lightly used slx go for $60 bucks. I have used and abused mine for 3 years, bass fishing, catfish fishing, laying it on the bank in the sand, dunking it under water on accident, I haven’t cleaned it or oiled it and it still works fine. Probably needs a good cleaning though ?

I have a black max that i bought in 2015 as my first baitcaster, it hauled in a 7lb 13oz bass just a week ago and has handled two fish over 9lbs in its 7 years of life.

it's not as smooth as when I bought it, its scratched and I've had to scrape bits of the drag plate off of the inside of the main gear to fix the drag a time or two, but it's still going nonetheless.

 

Kasting is a mixed bag for me, I have two of their old reels from when they sponsored the forum here. a stealth and a royale legend.

both are the same price as black max roughly, and neither is quite as smooth. I seldom use them anymore but neither has broken and both caught fish over 7lbs.

 

I have a diawa laguna casting reel, it's my only left-handed reel because Walmart wouldn't let me return it, actually they tried to say i had already been refunded (i checked and i had not) and threatened to arrest me. that experience after two rods being shipped broken i will never deal with Walmart again. period.

it's a very smooth reel and casts good, but I can't speak for its durability as it rarely gets used due to being left-handed.

On 2/5/2022 at 8:11 AM, zpelletier said:

Are there any bait casting reels under $100 that are actually worth buying? It seems like that $99 price point is when you are getting worthwhile options, but I’m curious if there’s any out there. 

Been playing around with cdm reels lately in the 50$ price range, quality blows some 150$ reels out of the water, I don't like to support China but you don't really have any options nowdays so I'd rather buy straight from China than through lews/abu and their upcharge price and cheaper products

5 minutes ago, PressuredFishing said:

Been playing around with cdm reels lately in the 50$ price range, quality blows some 150$ reels out of the water, I don't like to support China but you don't really have any options nowdays so I'd rather buy straight from China than through lews/abu and their upcharge price and cheaper products

Instead of going Chinese - go Korean. Doyo makes most of the reels for other companies, just makes them to their specs. Pflueger, Abu, Lews - all their lower end reels come out of the Doyo factory.

16 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Instead of going Chinese - go Korean. Doyo makes most of the reels for other companies, just makes them to their specs. Pflueger, Abu, Lews - all their lower end reels come out of the Doyo factory.

Huh, maybe there is a doyo factory in China because my bmax smax and three presidentials have a made in China sticker. Maybe their higher end equipment is made it Korea. I tried buying some doyo lieger reels straight from the factory but they are like ghosts

On 2/5/2022 at 3:15 PM, Jmilburn76 said:

If you are left handed a seller named triacetackle2016 currently has Daiwa CA80 on ebay for $64.95 shipped. These have aluminum frames and retail for $99.99, they have two different ratios in-stock. I personally don't have one of these reels but have ordered Halo rods from the seller issue free.

I bought one and couldn’t be happier. You will find some who argue it’s not a real Daiwa but at $64.95 which is what I paid it’s been a heck of a steal imho.

4 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

I bought one and couldn’t be happier. You will find some who argue it’s not a real Daiwa but at $64.95 which is what I paid it’s been a heck of a steal imho.

I got one when Fleet Farm had them for $60 - specifically for my flip/pitch setup. The smaller spool means I don't need near the backing, and I'm only putting 40-50yds of 50# braid on it.

 

Aluminum frame, high speed (I got the 8.3), light weight...great little reel.

14 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

I bought one and couldn’t be happier. You will find some who argue it’s not a real Daiwa but at $64.95 which is what I paid it’s been a heck of a steal imho.

If I could reel with my left hand I would have ordered a few myself.

9 minutes ago, Jmilburn76 said:

If I could reel with my left hand I would have ordered a few myself.

Not trying to talk you into it but if seller has a good return policy you could consider trying out left handed retrieve. If it wasn’t for my brothers left hand retrieve Curado years ago I might not be fishing with a bait caster at all.

3 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

Not trying to talk you into it but if seller has a good return policy you could consider trying out left handed retrieve. If it wasn’t for my brothers left hand retrieve Curado years ago I might not be fishing with a bait caster at all.

I was hurt at work in May that ultimately caused a stroke and I have very limited use out of my left hand still. I can grip but have zero fine motor skills. I swapped the handle to the left side on a spinning reel to try and couldn't do it.

12 minutes ago, Jmilburn76 said:

I was hurt at work in May that ultimately caused a stroke and I have very limited use out of my left hand still. I can grip but have zero fine motor skills. I swapped the handle to the left side on a spinning reel to try and couldn't do it.

Im sorry to hear this? but it sounds like you’re still able to enjoy fishing. Best of luck and hopefully with time you will regain your skills in your left hand. Sending prayers for a full recovery ??

On 2/5/2022 at 9:15 PM, PotatoLake said:

I don’t have one, but these got really good reviews when it came out.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lews_Laser_MG_Speed_Spool_SLP_Casting_Reel/descpage-LSLP.html

Gets great reviews. 

1 minute ago, Eric 26 said:

Im sorry to hear this? but it sounds like you’re still able to enjoy fishing. Best of luck and hopefully with time you will regain your skills in your left hand. Sending prayers for a full recovery ??

Thanks, Im still figuring out how to fish but thankfully I have been able to adapt. Im just glad Im still here to enjoy it.   Sorry to the OP, didn't mean to derail the thread!

I've no experience with new models, but I'm sure there are some decent ones for less than a century.  The Academy H2O Xpress and Black Max both get good reviews.  Never used a Piscifun of any generation.  I did purchase some of their Sword fly reels to try.

 

I agree with WRB....keep an eye on the used market.  You can get some great deals  Same for closeouts.  The only problem right now is availability.  You aren't going to get deals like you could a few years ago.  I've purchased several new reels at 50% or more off regular price that were on closeout.  I picked up a used reel in VG condition for 74% off MSRP.

 

Sorry to hear bout your health issue Jmilburn76.  Wishing you the best.

find a daiwa fuego on sale. in my opinion the best $100 reel and it's not even close

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