We could earn income from the merchandise accessible on this web page and take part in affiliate applications. Study extra ›
Stepping as much as a baitcaster is a sign that you just’re able to take your angling sport to the subsequent stage. However that step doesn’t have to come back with a visit to the financial institution. Even skilled anglers have a tough time shelling out severe money for a single reel. Most of us have realized to unfold our cash round on a number of budget-minded combos to have a wide range of choices on deck as an alternative of regularly retying with each lure change.
Dozens of baitcasters can be found underneath $100, however treasured few provide the sturdiness, match, and end to remain in your angling arsenal for greater than a season. Novice and skilled anglers alike will recognize any of the reels from the next checklist. In actual fact, I’m undecided I’ll ever spend greater than a C-note on a reel once more after placing the next baitcasters by way of their paces. Listed here are one of the best baitcasting reels underneath $100.
Our Picks
How We Examined Reels
Having greater than 40 years of expertise on the water, I’ve fished recreationally and in native bass fishing tournaments most of my life. The entrance deck of my first bass boat all the time had at the least three baitcasting reels on the prepared. Right this moment, that quantity has tripled, with a unique rig for each new presentation. And I spend, give or take, 50 days a 12 months on the water, testing rods, reels, and lures to fine-tune my setups.
I’d like to say that I get merchandise from producers regularly, however the fact of the matter is that, like many outside writers, I pay out-of-pocket for my gear, so price range pleasant is a lifestyle. My picks are based mostly on private expertise with these reels over the last 12 months in pursuit of America’s primary sport fish: largemouth bass. And all of my picks are based mostly on freshwater bass fishing purposes. When you’re on the lookout for saltwater reel choices, take a look at our information for the finest saltwater reels.
Specs
- Supplies: Aluminum body with graphite aspect plates
- Weight: 7.9 ounces
- Ball bearings: 7
- Braking system: Magnetic
- Gear ratios: 5.4:1, 6.6:1, and seven.1:1
Professionals
- Extraordinarily sturdy development will outlast most reels on this worth vary
- Nicely-tuned magnetic braking system
Cons
- You could want to buy gross sales to catch it on the $100 mark
I’ll admit to being a little bit of a fanboy of Abu Garcia reels since my father put that first iconic spherical Ambassadeur in my palms roughly 40 years in the past. However I’ve stayed with the model as a result of its gear has by no means disillusioned me. As the bottom mannequin of Abu’s Revo line, the Revo X casting reel is the Ford F150 of the angling world. Certain, there are chromed-up King Ranch editions accessible, however that is the one I maintain turning to for frogging, flipping, and cranking after I need a workhorse that isn’t afraid to get a bit soiled.
The magnetic braking system makes it straightforward to regulate solid management from the outside of the reel, and the high-quality bearing units maintain issues rolling easily. The advisable checklist worth just lately inched above that century mark, however you may nonetheless discover gross sales almost year-round to get it for lower than a C-note.
Specs
- Supplies: Aluminum body
- Weight: 7.3 ounces
- Ball bearings: 6
- Braking system: Centrifugal
- Gear ratios: 6.6:1 and eight.1:1
Professionals
- Sturdy aluminum body
- Clean drag
Cons
- Braking system beneath aspect plate
- White matte end exhibits dust and dirt
With an aluminum body and a few added comforts of higher-end choices, I can’t determine how 13 Fishing retains the value of this hidden gem so low. The bearing set gives a mix of two high-speed Japanese bearings on the spool and 4 customary stainless-steel bearings for added sturdiness and efficiency. The addition of a hook keeper on the body is a pleasant added contact.
Making an adjustment to the braking system does require eradicating a aspect plate, and I nearly fumbled it into the lake after I popped it free. However the changes themselves are easy with a close to idiot-proof numbered dial. After a 12 months of use, I’ve seen the white exterior tends to gather dust from a day’s value of use, however some minor beauty scuffs needs to be anticipated after heavy put on and tear.
Specs
- Supplies: Aluminum alloy body
- Weight: 7.1 ounces
- Ball bearings: 9
- Braking system: Magnetic
- Gear ratios: 5.6:1, 6.8:1, 7.5:1, and eight.3:1
Professionals
- Wonderful mixture of high part options
- Aluminum wiffle spool and aluminum body
Cons
A metallic body and spool plus a 9-bearing development for $100 appear a bit too good to be true, however that’s what the Lew’s LFS delivers. Just like the Revo X, this Lew’s providing has an easy-to-adjust magnetic braking system that learners could discover useful. The controls for the braking system are exterior, so there’s no have to tear the reel aside to make fast modifications on the water to fine-tune your setup after a lure change. This reel additionally is accessible in 4 gear ratios for left- and right-handed customers, which often just isn’t the case in reels at this worth level, so I’ve to applaud Lew’s for the added choices.
I’ve by no means been a fan of the huge paddle-style grips Lew’s tends to make use of on their reel handles. The slender stem nearest the deal with tends to be arduous to seize securely whenever you’re shocked by a chew or have fallen right into a chunk-and-wind routine. The drag additionally appears to play out line a bit too simply for flipping or frogging till you will have it nearly maxed out. However for smooth plastics, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits, you’re going to be hard-pressed to discover a higher possibility underneath $100.
Specs
- Supplies: Aluminum alloy body
- Weight: 7.2 ounces
- Ball bearings: 9
- Braking system: Magnetic
- Gear ratios: 7.5:1, and eight.3:1 gear ratios
Professionals
- Good aluminum wiffle spool saves line
- Comfy deal with
- Externally adjusted braking system
Cons
- Solely accessible in increased gear ratios
- Reel physique is sort of too small when palming
This metal-framed baitcaster skates in just below the $100 mark. Matched up with a medium-action rod, the CA80 may be the right weightless worm or mild drop shot reel for many who don’t need to resort to spinning rods and reels. The compact reel physique did take some getting used to after I palmed it, however the reel dealt with stress from hooksets properly. The deal with is a bit smaller than different baitcasters on the checklist, however as a result of it’s swept in towards the reel physique, it carried out properly and delivered sufficient torque to show fish.
The reel additionally has an aluminum wiffle spool like older, pricer fashions. This gives elevated casting distance and saves you from spooling a bunch of backing line close to the spool’s middle. The CA 80 is barely accessible in increased velocity fashions. This isn’t an excessive amount of of a hindrance, nonetheless, as a result of its compact measurement and development are far more suited to smooth plastics and light-weight shows than heavy cranking obligation. If you wish to pair up some finesse shows with a power-fishing mindset, this would possibly turn out to be your favourite reel.
Specs
- Supplies: Hagane alloy body
- Weight: 6.9 ounces
- Ball bearings: 3
- Braking system: Centrifugal
- Gear ratios: 6.3:1, 7.2:1, and eight.2:1
Professionals
- Extraordinarily light-weight
- Sideplate retainer helps maintain issues collectively
Cons
- Low bearing rely
- Should take away aspect plate to regulate braking
The SLX collection has been round for a number of years, however this newest iteration has seen vital modifications. Some look like small downgrades to maintain the value underneath that magical $100 mark, however Shimano streamlined a number of issues within the course of. It’s nonetheless based mostly on Shimano’s Hagane body—a elaborate acronym for a stout aluminum alloy body that’s extraordinarily sturdy.
The old-school 6-pin centrifugal braking system could take a bit tweaking to get dialed in, but it surely’s a traditional characteristic that you just recognize when you discover ways to modify it. The aspect plate nonetheless must be eliminated to change the brakes, however there’s a useful retaining rod to stop you from dropping it. The low bearing rely would possibly look unhealthy on paper, however due to the remainder of the reel’s design, I haven’t actually seen a horrible distinction between this reel and others I carry on deck.
Choose a Baitcaster
Shopping for a high quality price range baitcaster takes a bit extra thought and inspection than shopping for a high-end reel. Anglers have to know what supplies, gear ratios, and bearings to search for to ensure that the reel gained’t cease working after one season. Keep in mind these issues earlier than shopping for a baitcaster underneath $100.
Body Building
Most producers will get monetary savings on their price-conscious choices with frames and inside elements of polymer, graphite, carbon composite, or another fancy approach of claiming plastic. There’s a motive you gained’t discover any reels designed for musky and different large sport targets made of those supplies. They simply don’t have the rigidity or sturdiness wanted for a lifetime of cranking and winding or combating large fish. Add within the excessive stress most baitcasting reels obtain from a day of palming the reel and dealing a bait and also you’re going to wind up with a cracked or weakened body and grinding gears. Magnesium and some different high-end alloys aren’t accessible underneath the $100 mark, however with some looking, yow will discover aluminum-framed reels that retain wonderful sturdiness and don’t really feel like an anchor on the finish of the day. Don’t accept something aside from a metallic body.
Gear Ratio
Reels are often provided in a number of gear ratios. Not solely does gear ratio impression the velocity the lure is retrieved with a single crank of the deal with, but it surely can also play a component in how a lot effort is required to drag in opposition to a hard-fighting fish or deep-diving crankbait. Reels with low gear ratios, like 5.4:1, could look like snails in comparison with a few of the newest line burners that boast 9.1:1 retrieve charges. However crank a Strike King 6XD all day with a type of rockets, and also you’ll perceive why these slow-pokes nonetheless have a house on the deck of a deep-water angler’s boat. Sooner reels provide two nice benefits: They allow you to take up slack line rapidly to set the hook with jigs and smooth plastics, and so they additionally stop your arm from feeling such as you pitched a full sport of baseball on the finish of the day.
Bearings
Bearing rely and high quality are each vital to the smoothness of the solid and retrieve. Because the bearing rely will increase, friction factors are lowered, including to the smoothness. However don’t be bought merely on excessive numbers right here. Cheaply made bearings could have pitted surfaces or deformities that result in poor efficiency. Japanese-made bearings like these present in Shimano reels are the gold customary for reel producers. Persist with bearings made by respected firms like Shimano, Daiwa, and Abu Garcia, as they’ve a confirmed observe report with high-tolerance bearings.
Weight
Preserve issues mild. Most of right now’s fishing rods have lightened as much as the purpose that the heaviest factor in your hand goes to be the reel. Baitcasters are going to be a bit extra substantial than most spinning reels as a result of they’re constructed to take a bit extra punishment from each the fish and the fisherman. Nonetheless, reels within the $100 worth vary typically lighten issues up by utilizing graphite (sure, plastic) aspect plates. So long as it doesn’t go any additional than that, this can be a nice method to preserve the sturdiness you want and shave a number of ounces of undesirable weight that you just’ll discover after a full day of casting within the sizzling solar.
FAQs
Q: Why do professional fishermen use baitcasters?
Baitcasters are the first model of reel used on the skilled stage as a result of they’re extraordinarily versatile and environment friendly. Baitcasting reels are most well-liked for any presentation that requires overlaying water rapidly to seek out the fish. One other benefit baitcasters have over spinning rods is the extra accuracy and management the angler has on every solid. Pinpoint precision is far simpler to realize when flipping, pitching, or roll-casting to brush piles, docks, or different construction.
Q: Is baitcasting higher than spinning?
Each baitcasters and spinning rods have their place in angling, and a wise angler will turn out to be well-versed in each. Spinning rods excel with mild line and finesse methods, however the added flex in these mild setups makes an angler really feel much less in management when a big fish is on the road. Baitcasting reels are far more suited to fish crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and shows that require reeling rapidly to set the hook, similar to Carolina-rigged and Texas-rigged smooth plastics and flipping jigs.
Q: What’s the best reel to solid?
There’s little doubt that baitcasting reels take a bit extra time to be taught than different reel varieties, however the added advantages they provide are value the additional bother. Spinning reels and people outdated Zebco closed-face push-button setups will allow you to get on the water rapidly, however a baitcaster will maintain you there. When you’re simply beginning out, search for a baitcaster that has a centrifugal braking system and set it to the utmost quantity of braking. Use a lure presentation with a heavy weight, like a Carolina rig, and set your spool pressure correctly. Preserve that thumb floating over the spool on the solid to stop the dreaded backlash.
The phrase you get what you pay for has by no means been extra true in the case of fishing tools. Excessive-dollar reels include many bells and whistles die-hard anglers recognize after they spend a whole bunch of days on the water every year. Weekend anglers could not get to the lake sufficient to note these added options, particularly if you happen to’ve dipped into your gasoline cash to swing the additional money for a brand new reel. The reels advisable above provide nice options and rock-solid efficiency with out reducing into your fishing fund.
Why Belief Us
For greater than 125 years, Subject & Stream has been offering readers with sincere and genuine protection of outside gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outside, and that zeal comes by way of in our product opinions. You may rely on F&S to maintain you updated on one of the best new gear. And once we write a couple of product—whether or not it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cowl the nice and the unhealthy, so you already know precisely what to anticipate earlier than you resolve to make a purchase order.
