Good point. Once again a guy asks about a budget reel, in a price range and is flooded with pushes to more expensive Shimano porducts, like they are the holy grail of reels,geezz!!!!

Here's one i've heard nothing but praises on.The daiwa procaster 6+1.

Here's one i've heard nothing but praises on.The daiwa procaster 6+1.

The old aluminum-framed Procaster 6+1 has apparently been discontinued, but the Procaster Rojo is still available. It's basically the same reel with two more bearings, a drilled spool, and a flipping switch. Cabela's lists them for about $90, but you can find brand new ones on Ebay for $60-$80. I just bought one the other night to replace the Daiwa Megaforce I have on my jig rod.

Another "Procaster" option is the Daiwa Capricorn 100XTC from Dick's Sporting Goods. It's a Procaster Rojo without the flipping switch. I've got one on my worm rod and have absolutely no complaints. They run between $60 and $80, depending on what sale they have going on at the time.

If you keep an eye on Ebay, you can usually find decent used Procasters and occasionally new ones for decent prices. I scored a "standard" Procaster 6+1 for $27 this morning.

i own 2 shimano citicas and absolutley love them. best reel out there in the 100 dollar range in my opinion.

i own 2 shimano citicas and absolutley love them. best reel out there in the 100 dollar range in my opinion.

What other 100 dollar reels and brands have you used , in order to make this comparison?

all of the max series from abu are good reels.  i don't think you can get a great reel for less than say $100. (revo s or revo sc from cabelas)  i have also heard that pinnacles aren't bad.  never tried one just hearsay from a buddy.

i own 2 shimano citicas and absolutley love them. best reel out there in the 100 dollar range in my opinion.

What other 100 dollar reels and brands have you used , in order to make this comparison?

Just going off what I have seen so far. My REVO S came in yesterday.

The Citicas seem to be put together a lot better IMO.

The REVO S seems to be smoother but not as quiet.

When I went home and opened up my Revo I was happy but the Centerfuge Brake system doesn't look as good as the Citica IMO. The VBS system of the Citicas are very nice. Plus the access to the braking system on the Shimanos is a LOT easier to get to than the Revo. Took me a bit to find out how to even get to the REVO S brakes.

So who knows for right now. Until I fish them I won't have an opinion that really MATTERS. On looks alone the Shimano system looks more "sturdy" and well built.