Need to purchase another all purpose baitcaster in the $115 and under price range. I have Daiwa, Shimano, Abu Garcia, and Lews baitcaster already. Was thinking of getting a different brand and was wondering if anyone has any reviews on the pflueger president XT baitcaster? Was wondering since I don't have any baitcaster from that brand, or is there another good option in that price range? I already own a Daiwa Fuego but wouldn't mind another if they're the best

My fishing partner uses nothing but Okuma and really likes them.

You also have Kastking and 13 fishing reels if you just want to try something different.

For that $115 price range, hard to beat the Shimano SLX. imo

I have both the President XT and Fuego CT - get the Fuego.

Variety is the spice of life brother, try whatever you wish.

55 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I have both the President XT and Fuego CT - get the Fuego.

What don't you like about the pflueger?

I have several Fuegos and I love them. I would add that my newest Fuego is not of the same quality as my older Fuegos, but I would not hesitate to buy another new one. If you have the opportunity to grab an older used model I would definitely recommend that.

4 minutes ago, Speedy Turtle said:

What don't you like about the pflueger?

Not that I don't like it....just that the Fuego has better brakes.

Okuma Hakai. $200 reel for $90 new. Walmart has them for $100. Only had mine out once, so I can't really give much of an opinion other than it wasn't hard to dial in and was getting decent distance.

Fishermen's Source

Okuma Hakai DT Low Profile Baitcasting Reel

The new generation of Hakai DT Low Profile Reels was developed with the latest technology and insights from top anglers across the globe. The main body uses Okuma's® LiteCast™ magnesium alloy construc

BPS has the Tatula CT for $100. I'm biased a bit towards Daiwa, but TBH I'd go with the Hakai. You can also find used Helios reels for less than $100. Any Pflueger from the Supreme up are pretty good reels. I have an old aluminum frame Trion that does very well on the 6'10" HF rod I have it on, but I personally wouldn't go with the newer Trions (newer than mine) that don't have the aluminum frame.

Long timer here has mentioned that the older President XTs held up well for him.

Patriarch XT can be found used for less than $100. I have three of the older blue models. Love them. Like my Supreme XT as well. I personally think they are nice looking reels (both of them). I don't know how long the handles are on the Supreme XTs, but they are longer than most of my other reels if that's a plus for you.

The used market can be a great place to find slightly used reels at great prices.

Also if you can find an Okuma Helios Air that's in good condition and within your price range, I can highly recommend one. The first cast I made with one had me impressed. Here's one for $89.

eBay

OKUMA Helios Air 7.3:1 SUPER lightweight Baitcasting Ree...

This is a super lightweight reel that's casts and fishes great. It's right handed and a 7.3:1 gear ratio with a line capacity of 130 yards of 12 lb test.

The bass pro shops johnny morris carbonlite is an aluminum frame doyo reel and basically the same thing as a lews speed spool but the brake system is a dual centrifugal / magnetic system so it's basically better than the last or current gen lew's model. Right now if you sign up for their credit card you get a discount that puts it in that range and I'd argue it's the best out there at that price. Or if you can afford a few dollars more I'd personally opt for an SLX XT A although the tatula X also looks good and is in the same price range.

On a side note I recently put that same brake system from my last gen lews kvd reel into their last gen speed spool lfs (because the color on the kvd makes it look like something my mom would walk out of nordstrom with and i basically hate it) and those msb brakes on that reel are awesome. I didn't see too much online about others doing that but all you need is a micro screw driver to swap that disc with the magnets in the side plate and then swap the spools and side plates and it fits like a glove after that. Now the heavier 7.5 ratio kvd reel with the lipstick paintjob is a spare (which is where that reel and that old mcs brake system belong IMO) and I've got a nice 6.8 normal looking reel for my old victory rod and that combo is awesome...but my point is that BPS reel is basically the same thing.

For $150 new I hear the new tatula x is killer

3 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Not that I don't like it....just that the Fuego has better brakes.

Any concerns about the side plate coming off? Heard some complaints about that happening on the XT

Hasn't happened to me...long as you fully engage the locking mechanism, it's solid.

I’m going plus 1 on @new2BC4bass’s recommendations. I have 2 Dream Tackle reels which are pretty much Okuma Hakai reels and feel they’re great reels all around. I’ll also echo the many recommendations for anything Daiwa and have zero issues from my CA-80 to my Alphas 800, the nice thing about going with Daiwa or Shimano is the parts should be more readily available as far as servicing or even upgrading if that’s something you’re considering. Although I don’t have the current Tatula CT I have the previous generation and love it, it’s clear they are being blown out for the newest generation Tatula X and at $100.00 it’s worth it imho.

7 hours ago, Eric 26 said:

I’m going plus 1 on @new2BC4bass’s recommendations. I have 2 Dream Tackle reels which are pretty much Okuma Hakai reels and feel they’re great reels all around. I’ll also echo the many recommendations for anything Daiwa and have zero issues from my CA-80 to my Alphas 800, the nice thing about going with Daiwa or Shimano is the parts should be more readily available as far as servicing or even upgrading if that’s something you’re considering. Although I don’t have the current Tatula CT I have the previous generation and love it, it’s clear they are being blown out for the newest generation Tatula X and at $100.00 it’s worth it imho.

I have one of the OG Tatula Type R and think it's a sharp looking reel. Personally dislike the look of the next generation...the CT Type R. Also have the red Limited Edition that was for the Southeast Asian market. Haven't been able to make myself use it yet. Just too pretty. 😁

I've never seen a Dream Tackle reel. Care to expand on it a little?

@new2BC4bass First off I’m with you on the second generation Tatula CT Type R, I’m not the biggest fan of the two tone color scheme. Mine is a first generation and I have a matching Cabelas Arachnid as well. As far as the Dream Tackle reels the company Dream Tackle manufactured or at least designed the spool for the Okuma Hakai. They also used the same “mold” for their reels they named “Formula D” Reels that are magnesium framed with short shaft spools that came in both 7 & 8 speeds and at least the 8 speed was offered in a bfs version as well. As far as marketing went I found out about them through YouTube searching for Okuma Hakai reel reviews. They were sold on Amazon and also through Nako Tackle who sold tungsten weights. I have both the 8 speed I bought first and also a 7 speed. All in all I’m glad I bought them and I believe both were around $130.00 apiece but I would have to search to be sure. The biggest downside is the company has zero customer service support but as I’ve said before I’m pretty sure the parts would swap with the Okuma Hakai parts if I really needed work done as long as parts are available for them as well. I hope that answers most of your questions but I’ll happily answer any others if you need me to.

If I needed another reel in that price range I'd get the Daiwa, or a Shimano SLX. That said, my local WM had an Abu Garcia Revo X on clearance for $61. I bought it.

https://www.basspro.com/p/quantum-pt-smoke-s3-baitcast-reel

Older reel but $100 when it was originally $180. The Fuego is probably just as old though.

If the $115 is a hard line, I'd go with the Fuego. If another $15 won't put you in the doghouse, you can get a JDM SLX 70 with the MGL III spool for $130.

I have the SLX 70 XGS with the earlier MGL spool as well as the Fuego CT (a fine reel that punches upward and the best non-t-wing Daiwa baitcaster that I an aware of.

Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier Baitcast Reel - Right - 7.5:1

4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value.

Sale

$79.98

$99.99

SKU: 3840381

Save $20.01

Good Fishing

9 hours ago, GreenTrout said:

Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier Baitcast Reel - Right - 7.5:1

4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value.

Sale

$79.98

$99.99

SKU: 3840381

Save $20.01

Good Fishing

I missed out on the $100 Tatula CT's, so I was looking at the Pro Qualifier to replace another old inexpensive reel. So far I haven't found a lot of reviews (outside of Cabelas/Bass Pro) on these.

28 minutes ago, wvhunt said:

I missed out on the $100 Tatula CT's,

Just go with the Fuego CT - only thing the Tatula CT has over the Fuego is the T-Wing system....those extra two bearings are in the handle...just makes the paddles spin freer, doesn't affect the actual reel function.

I haven’t had a Daiwa baitcaster in years. But the lews LFS speedspool is no slouch in that price range. I love the couple I have.

I think you should look at the Skeet Reese Kastking reel. I have seen nothing but great things about it from reviews that are not Kastking sponsored. Getting an Aluminum frame for 99 bucks is tough now. I throw every kind of reel from a Piscifun Torrent to a Shimano Antares. I can say the the the last 3 Kastking reels I have purchased have really impressed me. From what I can tell people need to get off of the "they are cheap junk trip." They have made huge improvements in their reels. Yes they still make some cheap sub 80 dollar reels, but their stuff priced over 80 bucks is really good. If you want to try something different its a great option...

I can hear all the groans from the Kastking haters now...

If you're looking for a casting reel for under 115, the Shimano Caius is a great option. No matter what lure I throw with it, I can make long, accurate casts while never having to adjust the breaks. It's smooth and has a decent gear ratio at 7:2:1. I like throwing bladed jigs and spinnerbaits in particular on the combo.

On 2/6/2026 at 8:26 PM, zell_pop1 said:

https://www.basspro.com/p/quantum-pt-smoke-s3-baitcast-reel

Older reel but $100 when it was originally $180. The Fuego is probably just as old though.

That's a steal for that reel. I have two and will probably grab another at this price. Mine have been flawless for the past 5 years.