Narrowed my choices down to a few reels and would like some opinions from people with more knowledge/experience than myself.

Shimano Caius $80

Daiwa CC80 $60

Daiwa Tatula $100

Abu Garcia Max STX $69

Abu Garcia Revo 5X $105

Lews Classic Pro Speed Spool (SLP) $60

What would yall say is the best reel for the money of these options?

I had also been looking at Shimano SLX A for $100, but not sure i like the fact that it has no external brakes. Or is that really that big of a deal??

Thanks for any info, baitcasters are still pretty new to me.

The Lews for $60 is the best value.  The Tatula is also great and you can upgrade it over time with aftermarket or other Diawa spools and parts (elite long cast, BFS ect).  If you're just going to fish them bone stock forever the $60 Lews is the best value.

I agree with @Bigbox99 about the Lews. 
 

I would also advise against any Abu reel from the Max line. They are firmly in the “junk” category for me. Just my opinion. I started with a black max 15 years ago and it felt like junk, so I upgraded to a silver max and that was even worse but more expensive. Upgraded again to a Pro Max and it just equaled more expensive junk. So now I don’t even consider Abu reels. The only reel company that I’ve used that felt so junky and cheap, across 3 different reels. Now of course they were budget options, but there are so many budget reels from other manufacturers that are great reels that perform and function well above their price point. Abu Max reels aren’t them. 
 

No external brakes isn’t a big deal to

me so I wouldn’t rule out the SLX because it has internal brakes. Besides taking the side plate off which should only take 2 seconds, it’s just as easy to set internal brakes as it is external ones. 
 

If it were me, I would go with the Tatula, the SLX, or the Speed Spool. 

I would personally grab the Tatula 80 or the 2024 Tatula 100 over any other cheap reels. Newer Tatulas feel noticeably better than something like a Curado, let alone an SLX or some crap like the CC80.

Out of the listed options, I'd take the Tatula as well. But may I suggest take the JDM used market route? It's much cheaper, even after shipping. 

 

 

29 minutes ago, Jar11591 said:

If it were me, I would go with the Tatula, the SLX, or the Speed Spool. 

So, would you say these 3 are pretty equal as far as smoothness, castability etc? Especially for somebody somewhat new to baitcasters?

At $60 dollars the Lews is hard to pass up. Especially since i wont be fishing it a whole lot.

And i can take the $40 i save and buy an extra fly reel!

7 minutes ago, newapti5 said:

Out of the listed options, I'd take the Tatula as well. But may I suggest take the JDM used market route? It's much cheaper, even after shipping. 

I found a Tatula CT listed for $99.99 it was cheaper than a Fuego

1 hour ago, jt7 said:

So, would you say these 3 are pretty equal as far as smoothness, castability etc? Especially for somebody somewhat new to baitcasters?

I haven’t used an SLX so I can’t speak to it but Shimano makes quality casting reels and its rated highly. Between the Tatula and the SS, the Tatula is a noticeably better reel. Speed Spools are however perfectly serviceable, comfortable to fish with and durable, and for $60 hard to pass up.
Generally it’s easier to learn on a higher quality reel as they can be more user friendly/forgiving but I think either reel is perfectly fine to learn on. These are just my opinions based on personal experience. 

 

 

The Lews is a good deal, and probably the choice to go with.

 

I have a handful of SLX reels, the internal brakes are super easy. 3 on, 3 off, set your spool tension just enough to eliminate side to side play and you're good to go. And like it was already said, if you did want to change them it's very quick.

52 minutes ago, Aaron_H said:

The Lews is a good deal, and probably the choice to go with.

 

I have a handful of SLX reels, the internal brakes are super easy. 3 on, 3 off, set your spool tension just enough to eliminate side to side play and you're good to go. And like it was already said, if you did want to change them it's very quick.

 I just ordered the Lews, couldnt pass on it for the price. If i decide to upgrade in the future i'll probably add the SLX, seems like lots of people like them.

I've been using a KastKing Royale, and it doesnt seem too bad, but i'm sure the Lews and Shimano are upgrades 

My 2 cents….
Tatula is the easiest to cast and has great control but fit larger in hand

Lews is best ergonomically and simple to adjust however not the most refined

Revos cast a country mile, have strong drag and are great for power fishing however some have QC issues 

SLX is an old design that just works. No frills but good across the board. 
 

External brakes are overrated. 
 

 

Tatula or SLX A, which ever fits your hand the best. For me the SLX is set and never touch again 

1 hour ago, jt7 said:

 I just ordered the Lews, couldnt pass on it for the price. If i decide to upgrade in the future i'll probably add the SLX, seems like lots of people like them.

I've been using a KastKing Royale, and it doesnt seem too bad, but i'm sure the Lews and Shimano are upgrades 

As someone who owns and owned quite a few of your choices including a SLX which I still regret selling although I have a SLX 71MGL I would probably say the SLX would have been my first choice followed by the Tatula CT only because as others have said the Tatula CT is a wee bit bulkier. Now if you were referring to the latest Tatula 100 I may have changed my response. As far as upgrading from the Kast King I currently have a Royal Legend 2 and all of your choices above and especially the Daiwa Tatula & Shimano SLX are going to be 100% more refined.

If you're just starting baitcasting I would get the SLX. Like stated above internal brakes are fine. I run 2 on and 2 off. It palms pretty well and is a workhorse. I sold all my expensive reels to get nothing but the new SLX70. It is so smooth, cast very well, and fits my palms perfectly. 

1 hour ago, Eric 26 said:

the SLX would have been my first choice

The SLX actually is my first choice but no more than i bass fish anymore i guess it was easier to justify spending $60 than it was $100. But if the Lews doesnt pan out i am just gonna bite the bullet and get the SLX! It didnt help that last night i made a big purchase of a couple of fly lines and other fly fishing stuff.

28 minutes ago, jt7 said:

The SLX actually is my first choice but no more than i bass fish anymore i guess it was easier to justify spending $60 than it was $100. But if the Lews doesnt pan out i am just gonna bite the bullet and get the SLX! It didnt help that last night i made a big purchase of a couple of fly lines and other fly fishing stuff.

The bait monkey is saying you need both the Lews AND the Slx😉 You can justify it by buying different gear ratios.

42 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

The bait monkey is saying you need both the Lews AND the Slx😉 You can justify it by buying different gear ratios.

THIS is the perfect solution! But then i might have to figure out how to put a fly line on a baitcaster!!

If it was me, Tatula all day. Tatulas have been decent reels, but I never liked that oddball shape, it made the reels feel bigger than they were.  The new Tatula 100 isnt just much more ergonomic, its butter smooth.  Your thumb effortlessly finds that recess at the top of the frame, giving you a solid connection.  The 80 is really nice too.  It doesn't have that recess, but its so small it doesn't need one.

The SLX , set the brakes 50/50 and forget it about it.

16 hours ago, jt7 said:

The SLX actually is my first choice but no more than i bass fish anymore i guess it was easier to justify spending $60 than it was $100. But if the Lews doesnt pan out i am just gonna bite the bullet and get the SLX! It didnt help that last night i made a big purchase of a couple of fly lines and other fly fishing stuff.

 

You could always jump up to the SLX XT or (IMO the best reel in the SLX line) the 70A. Both have an external brake dial for finer adjustments if you prefer it.

On 6/27/2025 at 11:50 AM, Bigbox99 said:

The Lews for $60 is the best value.  The Tatula is also great and you can upgrade it over time with aftermarket or other Diawa spools and parts (elite long cast, BFS ect).  If you're just going to fish them bone stock forever the $60 Lews is the best value.

Take this back.  I thought the Lews was the last gen LFS.  Either way it will be perfectly functional bass fishing reel for $60.  

19 hours ago, jt7 said:

The SLX actually is my first choice but no more than i bass fish anymore i guess it was easier to justify spending $60 than it was $100. But if the Lews doesnt pan out i am just gonna bite the bullet and get the SLX! It didnt help that last night i made a big purchase of a couple of fly lines and other fly fishing stuff.

Fly fishing can quickly get more expensive than bass fishing.  I have an old GL3 8wt. that I want to try bass fishing with.  And a 6wt. for lighter bass lures.  The 3wt., 4wt., and 5wt.s will be reserved for panfish.  Hard to find trout in Florida lakes  but they were purchased while I still lived in PA.  

On 6/27/2025 at 12:41 PM, jt7 said:

What would yall say is the best reel for the money

 

Do you own any baitcast reels now?  If so, what brands?  I own Shimano, Diawa, Abu, 13, and Lews reels.  I find Shimano and Diawa the best overall quality and reliability, sort of the Honda/Toyota of the fishing world.

 

If the membership's not already said so, go to your local stores and handle as many reels as you can.  Like rods, there's a very subjective element when purchasing reels.  How they feel in your hand can be as important as how it functions.

 

Good luck picking out your reel.

I know you've likely already decided, but the SLX is the best reel on this list, and it's not even close.

In my opinion, of course. 

3 hours ago, JackstrawIII said:

I know you've likely already decided, but the SLX is the best reel on this list, and it's not even close.

In my opinion, of course. 

Yea, i already ordered the Lews. If it doesnt work out it'll go back and i'm going to get the SLX. 

7 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

 

Do you own any baitcast reels now?  If so, what brands?  I own Shimano, Diawa, Abu, 13, and Lews reels.  I find Shimano and Diawa the best overall quality and reliability, sort of the Honda/Toyota of the fishing world.

 

If the membership's not already said so, go to your local stores and handle as many reels as you can.  Like rods, there's a very subjective element when purchasing reels.  How they feel in your hand can be as important as how it functions.

 

Good luck picking out your reel.

Only baitcast reel i have, or have ever used, is a Kast King Royale Legend GT. It seems ok to me but as another member has pointed out, any of the reels on my list will be a big upgrade over the Kast King. I did go to the closest  Academy, they really didnt have much selection of reels in the price range i was looking at. I did look at the SLX there, it was very nice. If the Lews i ordered doesnt suit me im going back and getting the SLX

7 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Fly fishing can quickly get more expensive than bass fishing.  I have an old GL3 8wt. that I want to try bass fishing with.  And a 6wt. for lighter bass lures.  The 3wt., 4wt., and 5wt.s will be reserved for panfish.  Hard to find trout in Florida lakes  but they were purchased while I still lived in PA.  

YES, without a doubt, fly fishing spending can get out of hand quickly! I spent way too much money this past week on a couple of new fly lines and some other accesories. And i'm kinda in the same boat as you, no trout streams in South Mississippi! So its about 9 hours to somewhere like North Carolina/TN or 20 plus hours to Northern New Mexico/Colorado. And i'm still HOPING one day to get to Montana or Wyoming