Hey gys,

     I bought a bc for 30$ and have to say I was not impressed. I can't get any decent distance from it or accuracy, even buy using a half ounce weight. I did set it up by reading a "how to" somewhere. Someone is going to say practice but I have had it for 2 years and will spend some time every now and then working with it but nothing changes. I am thinking a better quality unit will help. I am not hung up on brand names so any suggestions will work. I am willing to spend around 80$. Thanks.

Paul

Shimano Citica w/ rebate is $90.

Cabelas Prodigy was on sale for $60 something not sure if it still is and I've heard tons of great things about it.

Shimano Citica w/ rebate is $90.

You will be very pleased. From that point on, it's not "the equipment". :

http://www.deloscustomtackleshack.com/reels/shimanocitaca.html

8-)

Abu Garcia 5500C3

Citica's are awesome reels at this price point and I own three of them, but if you're looking for something even less expensive, I have been pleasantly surprised by a Cabela's Tournament ZX reel I bought back in 2004.  It's not quite as smooth as the Shimano, but it casts and pitches well.  It's been a solid reel.  I think these sell for just under $70 now.  

I like my advantage hsta and you can ebay one for around 120$

Abu Garcia Pro-Max or Silver Max.

Try the Browning Midas combo on sale at BPS for $89.00.  I would rate it as a middle of the road quality rod but the reel is very nice.  Just my opinion but I know that I didn't want to spend too much on a baitcaster until I knew that I could learn how to use one and that I would enjoy using it.

Revo S or Pro Max

In my opinion, you can't get much for under about $100. the Citica with the rebate is a great deal. I have two of them, and they are terrific. I favor the 100 size.

the only lower priced BC reels I've ever owned that I really liked are my old round garcia 4600 C's. they cast a mile, and hold up well over time. They don't have all the ball bearings, anti-revers, etc. you get on the new stuff, but they are a classic and high quality.

revo s

Pflueger Trion Narrow Spool

BPS  Extreme 6.3:1

Cabelas Tournt xz

I have used all three. My favorite is the Trion, it's all I use now

Most people will say shimano, abu, or diawa, but I've had the best experience with quantum.  I don't have any experience with "high end" reels.  I own two Quantum AC500CX baitcasters, and they are my favorite out of anything I've tried.  The reels retail for $90 but can be bought on sale right now at cabelas for $55 if the same sale is on that was last week.  Extremely nice reel for $55; one piece aluminum frame, casts a country mile, really solid, smooth drag, look dang nice, and has a flippin switch which is actually out of the way so you don't accidentally hit it all the time.  

Revo S or Pro Max

x2. I cant personally recommend the Promax but i hear its good. I would save an extra 20$ and get the Revo.

I have a question: Back in 2005, I had a similar question and everyone told me to get the Curado. After some research, I found it's the #1 bass fishing reel sold. So, I bought 3 of them @ $129 each (100 series). One year later, I grab the new 2006 BP Catalog and the Curado price went up to $199 each! Yeow! And they are still $199 today. Sup with that??

I have a question: Back in 2005, I had a similar question and everyone told me to get the Curado. After some research, I found it's the #1 bass fishing reel sold. So, I bought 3 of them @ $129 each (100 series). One year later, I grab the new 2006 BP Catalog and the Curado price went up to $199 each! Yeow! And they are still $199 today. Sup with that??

They improved on them greatly.

Abu Garcia Pro Max or Silver Max.

If you can afford the extra $20.00 The Revo S.

Falcon

I have a question: Back in 2005, I had a similar question and everyone told me to get the Curado. After some research, I found it's the #1 bass fishing reel sold. So, I bought 3 of them @ $129 each (100 series). One year later, I grab the new 2006 BP Catalog and the Curado price went up to $199 each! Yeow! And they are still $199 today. Sup with that??

They improved on them greatly.

They redisigned and re-branded their BC product line. The Citica was upgraded a bit, and put in the price point of the old green Curado. The new Curado is nice, but I wouldn't say greatly improved. I think Shimano was smart to change their price points and capitalize on the success of the Curado name. The old green Curado is probably the best quality reel ever for the money, and with so many Curado fans out there (myself included) it was easy for Shimano to move us up to the $200 price range. It was primarily a branding and marketing plan, and I'd say it's worked well, especially with the rebate deals.

id reccomend the citica or BPS extreme for LP

and the ambassador 5500 C3 for round

The Shimano Citica is a very nice reel.Daiwa also has the new Magforce with a twitchin bar and a 7.1:1 gear ratio for $60.00

While #30 is pretty low you should be able to throw a 1/2 oz. pretty far. Accuracy and backlash free is a matter of practice and distance will also improve as you improve. I suspect you aren't set up as well as you might be. What kind of a rod do you have?

I'd go to a tackle store and see if someone there could help me. The store would not necessarily be a Cabela's, BPS, Dick's and certanly not a Wally world unless you get lucky and find someone who fishes.

The Shimano Citica is a very nice reel.Daiwa also has the new Magforce with a twitchin bar and a 7.1:1 gear ratio for $60.00

While it's not a bad reel, I feel the OP could do much better than the Megaforce for what he's willing to spend.

I've got a Megaforce and it's okay, but I wouldn't buy another one.

I have a Shimano Cruxis on a 7' Castaway medium-light rod and two GM Pinnacle LP100 combos on 7' medium-lights and I have to say that I like my 79.00 GM combos (buy one get one 1/2 off) better than my 189.00 Cruxis combo.

The Cruxis is smooth and quiet but I can cast the LP100's about 10-15 yards farther on the average.

I agree with Shadcranker when they increased the Curado price I looked carefully at the improvements and couldn't see a 67% improvement in the product. While I'll never buy a new Curado or a Citica it was a good move on their part. More profit dollars for Shimano and hopefully their dealers. Profit is not a four letter word.

It evidently wasn't that good of a move, Shimano had to offer rebates to move inventory and/or meet the competition (Daiwa and Abu) who had comparable reels at lower price points.