I am looking for an inexpensive baitcaster to pair with my Avid-X 7' mhf rod. I am on what can only be called an austerity budget at this point. I have looked around a lot for reel that is inexpensive but has decent features and good reviews. So far, the best I have found that is in my price range is this reel. Based on the reviews on the Bass Pro site, it appears to be an excellent value. But I tend to take those reviews with a grain of salt. Does anyone here have any reel world experience with these reels, and if so what do you think of them? Any other suggestions for a reel that is $60.00 or less instead of this one? Please note that the price on this reel is $59.99 with free shipping (plus tax of course) which is already at the top of my price range. I plan to use this as a "carry in the truck" combo, and really can't justify more money. Thanks in advance.

The Abu Max X is the upgrade of the older Black Max - well thought of for a 'cheap' reel. $50 + tax and shipping

https://www.amazon.com/Abu-Garcia-Profile-Baitcast-Fishing/dp/B08X1JH2XP/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=6QCGTNSSQQQ&keywords=Abu+Garcia+Max+X&qid=1691620653&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=abu+garcia+max+x%2Csporting%2C114&sr=1-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

I’m not sure if you’re a righty or lefty but the flea market section has a lefty Lews lfs  for $50.00 shipped to your door. 

I am a righty when it comes to baitcasters. And the reason for looking at bass pro shops is I have some gift cards for there. If I didn't have them, I would not even be looking at reels right now.

Bass pro only offers the Max X as a combo, for $89...out of my budget

Look at the Flea Market forum pages 2 and deeper, several right hand bait casting reels listed under $50 shipped!

Tom

Bass pro only offers the Max X as a combo, for $89...out of my budget

Also...as I said above....the only reason I can even consider a new real at this time is that I have Bass Pro gift cards, so the reel pretty much has to be something offered by them. 

@Kirtley Howe Thank you for pointing out the gift cards and hence the need to purchase from them. If there is anyway you can up your budget by $10.00 I would highly and I mean highly recommend the Abu Garcia Revo X that is currently on close out available through Bass Pro. Available in 6 or 7 speed with an aluminum frame and graphite side plates. You’ll hear horror stories of people loosing the side plate but I’ve never lost mine and feel if you use common sense you won’t either.  If you must purchase the Tournament Special all I can add is I’m a fan of BPS products and just as importantly the warranty they offer which I’ve never had to use but I know is 1 year on that reel.

@Eric 26 Thanks, but the budget is pretty much set in stone (just ask my wife). Big question still is has anyone here ever actually owned or used the Tourny Special reel. I really would like to hear from someone who has practical experience.

 

@Kirtley Howe, When I worked for BPS, we sold a ton of the Tourny Special reels. We rarely had any come back as defective returns. Don't misunderstand, all reel companies have some come back defective. Some more than others. Take the BPS Formula series baitcaster's as an example. We had a bunch of those come back defective, a bunch. I could never recommend them. Also, for what it's worth all BPS products have a minimum one year return warranty.

I don’t get to see a lot of late model entry level reels but I can tell you in broad strokes the BPS models compare favorably to ABU and Lews with similar features and price point. 

Ordered the Tourny Special today. Should arrive by the 15th. I will let you all know how it works out.

The reel came in today. I must say I am impressed with the quality of the reel for the price. I have not fished with it yet, but did some practice casting in the back yard, and the reel performed well. Easy to set up, and cast great. I left it with 2 brakes on as it came from the factory. I will play with it more on the water and see if that is the optimum set-up, but it feels right as is. I like the fact that it is an all aluminum body so it feels very solid without feeling heavy. It is a bit (.03 oz) heavier than some of my other reels, but that is not enough weight to turn me off in any way. Can't wait to get it out on the water.

Got out with the new set up today. Arid-X 7' MHF rod, BPS Tourney Special casting reel. 14lb. test Excel mono. I threw 1/4 oz jigheads with a 3" grub tail with no problem and for good distance. Also threw 3/8oz. crankbaits, 1/2oz crankbaits, both weighted and weightless wacky worms, Buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, Whopper Plopper, etc.. The set-up more than exceeded my expectations. For the money, I can't imagine a better value.

How's the Tourney Special holding up for you @Kirtley Howe?

I have owned various sub $60 reels in the quest to find the best value.  By far, the best have been the aluminum frame reels from Aliexpress. 

 

They're mystery reels that aren't from established brands but that actually doesn't matter.  Abu doesn't make reels.  Lews doesn't make reels.  Bass Pro doesn't make reels.  They're brand names that sell OEM reels from mysterious manufactures.  If you're buying an OEM reel then the brand name on the outside is completely meanless.  The only thing that matters is the substance of the reel in its design and material construction.  I don't care if it says Lews or Leydun on the outside.  If the Lews is $40 for plastic reel and the Leydun has an aluminum frame, conical level wind, 110mm power handle with a double supported pinion and metal clutch, then I am going with the Leydun for my $40.  No amount of Lews branding, marketing or reviews will change the substance of the reel.  

 

I've got the Piscifun Alloy M, Seasir Megacuda/Leydun G6 and Histar Black Mamba for under $50 each.  I also have the Black Max 3, Bass Pro Formula, Piscifun Carbon XCS, Liwang something or other plus numerious other plastic reels.  Non of them hold a candle to the cheap alloy reels.  Every one of those plastic abominations has the handle winding resistance increase 2000% with a weed or fish on line as the frame flexes and the cranking efficiency falls off a cliff. 

 

Out of those three alloy frame reels the only one still available at that low price is the Seasir Megacuda/Leydun.  Same reel but in different colors and branding.

Consider: Piscifun Torrent and KastKing Royale Legend II. KK also offers, for a minimal cost, an ultralight aluminum spool for some BFS applications for the KK Royale Legend II.

 

Plenty of reviews on the web. 

 

Good Fishing

On 9/24/2025 at 11:41 PM, Bazoo said:

How's the Tourney Special holding up for you @Kirtley Howe?

Very well. I have had zero problems with it. The only thing I have noticed that could be considered a detriment is that he outside of the case scratches up easily. That has no effect on performance, but the reel looks "beat up" pretty quickly. I personally don't care, but I know some people are bothered by that.