Is it possible to buy a quality bait casting reel for around a hundred bucks ? If so, please name your picks and why you like them. Thanks a bunch ! Ron

Cabelas Prodigy reel made by Diawa for $99.99 and can be had on sale for around $70. Smooth, cast well and ease of use.

Daiwa Exceler for around $80 but can be found on the internet for around $67. Cast well down to 1/4 oz and comes in three speeds to address any needs.

Shimano Citica, ABU Revo S, BPS PQ, Pflueger Trion are all $100 =/- and all have a following. The Daiwa Exceler is $80 but you hear less about them.

The Citica would be my choice.

The Citica would be my choice.

Mine as well. BPS PQ is a decent reel but I don't like the body.

If your not in hurry and don't need a brand new reel, keep your eye on the flea market forum.  I've picked up some REVO STX's for about the $100 your looking to spend...much better bang for your buck.

Abu Garcia C3 or C4 are good reels in this price range if you like round reels. I use the 4600 size for bass fishing.

Abu Garcia C3 or C4 are good reels in this price range if you like round reels. I use the 4600 size for bass fishing.

These are workhorse reels and too often overlooked, as I did myself.

The BPS pro qualifiers are going on sale for $79 at the spring classic.  Hard to beat at that price point.

Do the reel trade in and they are even better.

x2 on the pro qualifier

x3 on the PQ...

I have Shimano's, Daiwa's, Quantum's, Pflueger's and BPS' and really have no favorites. Except for the reel feeling tight and smooth don't worry about the number of bearings. Beyond about 3 bearingd don't increase castability. All the reel companies use the same quality bearings so to improve bearing quality you need to order after market bearings. I see little need to do that unless your bearings have failed and I've never had a bearing failure.

Watch for sales and pick a reel that seems right for you.

x4 on pq. probably grabbing a couple myself.

If your not in hurry and don't need a brand new reel, keep your eye on the flea market forum. I've picked up some REVO STX's for about the $100 your looking to spend...much better bang for your buck.

x2.

You can get a quality reel for about 2/3 it's MSRP.

Example - mint e7 $120.-Curado D $90.- Citica D $55.

These were all ex. cond and shipped

A Shimano Citica would be my first choice, and I would rather have a used Curado B than any BPS reel as a second choice. I like Revo S's enough to have a few, but I like Shimanos better, and I won't be buying any more Abu's unless I get a great deal on a dual brake STX. Don't discount Quantum, the old Accurist PT is one heck of a reel that can be had for $50-$60 bucks NIB right now. I have one of those and it's my favorite non-Shimano casting reel. I am not a Daiwa guy, at least for casting reels. I have had Tierra's, Fuego's, Advantage's, and the Cabela's/Daiwa Prodigy............not my cup ot tea.

You can't beat the Pro Qualifier for the money

The Citica for me also. Look around and you can find them on line for $99.

You can't beat the Pro Qualifier for the money

I agree...  You get dual braking for a reel that cost less than 100 bucks, you cant beat that. 

It seems most of your responses are between the PQ and Citica. My vote goes to the Citica....

Citica here also.

A Shimano Citica would be my first choice, and I would rather have a used Curado B than any BPS reel as a second choice. I like Revo S's enough to have a few, but I like Shimanos better, and I won't be buying any more Abu's unless I get a great deal on a dual brake STX. Don't discount Quantum, the old Accurist PT is one heck of a reel that can be had for $50-$60 bucks NIB right now. I have one of those and it's my favorite non-Shimano casting reel. I am not a Daiwa guy, at least for casting reels. I have had Tierra's, Fuego's, Advantage's, and the Cabela's/Daiwa Prodigy............not my cup ot tea.

These are great reels and had a pretty good review on Tackletour for the non PT models and the PT models are even better.

BPS Pro-Qualifier, nuff said.

ON sale now, buy 2.

I want all you Pro qualifier guys to come back in 5 years. I'll still be fishing my old (by then) Citica and Curado E's, my really old Citica and Curado D's, and my antique Curado B's, while your talking about the next "best" $100 reel.

I want all you Pro qualifier guys to come back in 5 years. I'll still be fishing my old (by then) Citica and Curado E's, my really old Citica and Curado D's, and my antique Curado B's, while your talking about the next "best" $100 reel.

Hmm...I guess disposable reels are sexy.

The most interesting thing is guys buying reels

from companies that have a well established

reputation for NOT supporting their reels

in the aftermarket.

Strong, smooth, silent and reliant...Shimano.

8-)

I have a Calais, a Chronarch, & a Curado. My son has a Citica. For the money the Citica is hard to beat. IMO