What are some good option for a baitcaster under $150 for light cranks and jerkbaits- 3/16-3/8 oz berkley flicker shads, shad raps, 75-100 size jerkbaits.

Daiwa Tatula 7’0” ML/R hands down. Love that rod. Excellent for 1/4-3/8oz cranks and jerks. 
 

I’ve thrown jerkbaits from X-80 trick darters all the way up to Vision 110s on it and it works great. Also my favorite rod for 6th Sense Curve 55 and Crush 50X cranks.

Tatula 80 or SLX MGL.  

Oh I thought you were talking about a rod not a reel my bad lol.

 

+1 on SLX MGL or a Tatula 80. You can get a great deal on one from Japan.

If you can squeeze an extra 10 bucks, the Daiwa Alphas SV is a phenomenal reel

 

SLX MGL is great for those lighter baits, and if you want to get into flipping/pitching down the road just change the line and put it on another rod because it excels at both. Also a few places have it on sale for $100 right now.

I've been using an SLX 150.  It works good with 1/4 ounce baits.

SLX MGL

Tat 80 gets my vote, but the tat 100 would be great as well.

I have large hands so I don't care for the 70 and 80 reels as much with  the way I hold a rod so I've been using a curado 150mgl for small cranks.

Take your pick.

What gear ratio you guys prefer? I’ve always been under the impression a moderate gear ratio would be best for these kind of baits. I’m working in current so i have to be able to move some line.

52 minutes ago, Bdnoble84 said:

What gear ratio you guys prefer? I’ve always been under the impression a moderate gear ratio would be best for these kind of baits. I’m working in current so i have to be able to move some line.

You want a faster gear ration then, not slower. Faster for picking up line in between twitches, as well as fishing in current if the bait is swimming with the current. 

Megabass levante FSS on sale. 

On 3/25/2024 at 7:11 PM, steves191145 said:

I have large hands so I don't care for the 70 and 80 reels as much with  the way I hold a rod so I've been using a curado 150mgl for small cranks.

I have large hands as well, and only use my 80's for moving baits...no palming.

@Bdnoble84 I would go with a 7:? Gear ratio. The  7 speed is fast enough and you could always reel a little faster if needed when the conditions warrant it but a 7 speed is very versatile imho. 

The Shimano SLX MGL 70 is a bargain at it’s price point.

Tom

I wanted to see if the Kast King reels were any good, or just Amazon Chinese junk.  Had some points and Kast Kings were on sale.  The normally $60 reel for $40.  Had points enough it was free.  Ordered a 7:1.  Even a lower level Kast King, mind you.

 

I am impressed.  It has been my prime jerk bait reel all winter.  I'm retired and have fished 55 days so far this year, 22 in December, and about that in November, and that reel has been used hard every day.

 

I'm be buying more next time I buy reels.  I'll probably try some rods also.

 

You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars for a quality reel.