What is a good quality low cost baitcasting reel option? Something under $60

Shimano Callisto. Like a little tank.

Academy Sports and Outdoors H2O Xpress Mettle Reel. Aluminum framed, 6.3:1 ratio, 10 bearings, six-pin centrifugal braking. Awesome reel!

Mettle Reel Link

Lowest quality baitcaster I would buy would be a Bass Pro Extreme. Many different gear ratios in right and left hand to choose from. I believe they are on sale right now as well. Our local shop sells them for about the price you mentioned. I've owned 3 of them and have yet to have any problems with them. I have replaced them with Lew's and Revos, but the guys I sold them to have yet to have a problem with them either. The paint doesn't really hold up on them that well, the oldest one I had that my co-angler got from me has ZERO of the markings on it. No numbers on the braking, the bass pro emblem on the side plate, all of it is gone. But it's still holding up and runs as smooth as it did on day one!

Abu garcia pro max they are 70 but they dont make them anymore. If you can find one get it it is a geat reel like it better than my revo s

I would buy an Abu Garcia Black Max $40 or Silver Max $55. Even though they are cheaper reels they are built with brass components and can be repaired. Most other low end reels (bps extreme) are built with plastic parts and can't be fixed.

Save your money or buy spinning gear.

Low cost baitcasters are just a headache waiting to happen. There are areas to skimp on in this sport, but baitcasting reels are not one of them.

BPS extreme's are on sale for $60 now, that's the route I'd take, lots of options (Left/Right, tons of gear ratios).

I have had two Pfluegers around that price range and had nothing but troubles with them.