I have a two part question, so please bear with me.  

Assuming that I will only be purchasing one of the following brands, and be looking for a low profile baitcaster which brand and model would be the best?

Reels Brands : Bass Pro Shops, Abu Garcia, Team Daiwa, and Shimano

The first setup would be a $100 or cheaper reel for my 14 year old nephew.  He needs a good all around baitcaster, and this will not be his first.  His B-Day is coming up next month, and I promised his dad I would buy him a new rod and reel setup.  With already spending close to $130 on a rod I am set around $100 for the reel.  So, could someone please give me the best "Bang for the Buck" in this category.

The next setup will be for myself as a Christmas present from Santa.    I am looking for a reel between $150 to $225 that will give me the best "Bang for my Buck".  I already have a  6'6" MH rod picked out to put it on, so I just need the reel.   I want this reel to be versatile, and it will be used for everything from flipping into cover to making long casts for power fishing and covering a lot of ground in a day.  

Thanks for the help!  

Part one: An abu garcia revo s, and a st. croix premier 6'6" or 7" medium or medium heavy, defending on preference.

Part two: An abu garcia revo sx. Probably the best "bang for the buck" reel on the market today.

8-)

Best bang for your buck - $100 or less = Abu Garcia Revo S

Best bag for your buck - $150 - $225 = Abu Garcia Revo SX.

part one shimano citica

part 2 shimano curado

reelfishingdeals.com

Nephew:Abu Garcia Revo S

You from "santa": Abu Garcia Revo STX or Revo Premier for 30 extra bucks.

As much as I like my Revo STX, my Revo SXs perform just was well, and are $50 less.  The STX is prettier, though.  

Part 1...Revo S/Citica/Advantage (heard good reviews on each...haven't fished any of them)

Part 2...Daiwa Alphas

I got ahold of his BPS catalog tonight, and he had the Daiwa Megaforce w/ Twitching Bar circled in red three times.   ;D  

How are these reels?  

Just got one last week. For a $60 reel it is not bad! Ive wanted a Veinto for a long time because of that Twitchin' bar and this didnt break the bank. Very smooth and casts a mile. Has a graphite frame so how it will hold up, I dont know. Ive heard good things about the Daiwa Excellar also. 8 bearings and all aluminum for $69, might have to have one.

Part I  Shimano Citica

Part II  

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1192210829

                        Part I  Shimano Citica

Part II  

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1192210829              

X2

Part #1- Revo S

Part #2- Revo SX

You won't be sorry.

Falcon

1. Shimano Citica

2. Daiwa Zillion (It might put you a little over you budget but it is well worth it)

I gotta stop this.  RW has me feeling a tiny bit guilty and with that being said, I recommend Revo's across the board.  I do like my Shimano's very much but right now the uncontested "best bang for the buck" is coming from Abu Garcia in their Revo's.  You use one of these for a day and you smile so hard the corners of your mouth rip.

part one shimano citica

part two shimano chronarch

1) Pflueger Trion

2) Pflueger Supreme