Baitcaster for Beginner 2024
Jacob P reply :
What is good baitcaster for a beginner in the $100-120 range?
burrows reply :
Shimano casitas most definitely! I'm proud to own one I also have the old shimano canaen that is also a great beginner reel.
Edited by BurrosAngry John reply :
I learned on a daiwa 153htsl. they can be found cheap and still a great reel today
Darren. reply :
Welcome aboard, Jacob!
Do a search of the forums for what you're looking for.
Lots of information has already been discussed.
But for your range, a Daiwa or Shimano is a tough
piece of equipment to beat! 
drew4779 reply :
Look to BPS. Their reels will go cheap come spring.
Although, I can't disagree with going either daiwa or shimano.
fishnkamp reply :
To me my recommendation does not change based on your experience. I do not like buying beginner equipment and upgrading later. So go straight to a Daiwa Tatula CT. It retails for $129. It is just like all of the Tatulas. The are built well, cast smoothly and have very good drag systems. They are easy to adjust properly even for a beginner I fish with 7 Daiwa reels in the Tatula family. The Tatula CT is the newest version in the lineup. They are just workhorses
Knightiac reply :
The Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier is THE best reel for the money come fall and spring when they hold their big sales. I believe it retails for $99.99 but drops to $69.99.
AC870 reply :
You don't have to spend that much. Get a Black Max. I know a guide who catches hundreds if not thousands of fish per year. He has Black Max and Silver Max on his high dollar rods.
Cody21w reply :
For that price range I would get a 7' MH/f Berkley lightning rod ($40) from wal mart or a fenwick rod from ffo tackle. I got a 6'9 MH/f elite tech smallmouth ($70) and a black max ($40). The new 3rd gen. black max have really surprised me. They cast surprisingly far, breaks are nice, drag is okay, and it is a smooth retrieve. I've had it for about 8 months now and it still works great. I got this for a "river beater" combo for a float trip so I wouldn't jeopardize one of my more expensive rods and reels. Once you want to get a higher end rod/reel I would recommend lews reels and Fenwick, Kistler, St. Croix, Falcon, Lews, Dobyns, and g loomis rods. For narrowing your search of the best rod for you, do a search on here and you'll find a lot of information.
cottny27 reply :
1st pic looks just like an Ardent reel.
JigMaster4 reply :
I would get the Daiwa Tatula CT
12poundbass reply :
I learned using the Abu Garcia Black Max. They're good and not expensive. Between the Black Max and the Silver Max I now have 9. Starting out I'd personally spend a little less on a reel and a little more on a rod for the sensitivity.
Bradfords Gone! reply :
I'm a new to baitcasting and I started with a tatula. Understand how your reel works. Just practice first it won't take long. Good luck.
Chance_Taker4 reply :
Lews Speed Spool LFS, 13 ***, Bass Pro Pro Qualifier, Bass Pro Carbonlite and my personal favorite Ardent Apex Pro
new2BC4bass reply :
On 11/4/2016 at 8:47 AM, Ohio Bassin said:Lews Speed Spool LFS, 13 ***, Bass Pro Pro Qualifier, Bass Pro Carbonlite and my personal favorite Ardent Apex Pro
A $130 reel currently priced at $95.11 at Walmart Online. Ardent seldom gets mentioned on any of the fishing forums I frequent, and when it does the comments usually aren't that good. I read the reviews on TW. Impressive if anywhere near true. I'm not afraid to try the unusual, and would give one a shot if I didn't already own a boatload of reels.
How about a review of your own?
standman reply :
Hmmm. Is it a baitcaster for beginner to fishing, or beginner to the baitcasting reels? Either way - wouldn't go crazy. The Okuma Stratus V (Dick's exclusive) is plenty good at $35 (when on sale). Or the Black/silver/Pro Max from Abu....
Chance_Taker4 reply :
On 11/4/2016 at 9:16 AM, new2BC4bass said:A $130 reel currently priced at $95.11 at Walmart Online. Ardent seldom gets mentioned on any of the fishing forums I frequent, and when it does the comments usually aren't that good. I read the reviews on TW. Impressive if anywhere near true. I'm not afraid to try the unusual, and would give one a shot if I didn't already own a boatload of reels.
How about a review of your own?
I would say performance wise and smoothness it is on par with reels in the same price category.
Positives: Light, Smooth, Easy cast ability, can balance on pretty much any Rod, decent drag system.
Negatives: High Maintaince,quite a bit of plastic parts for a higher end reel.
With the Ardent Apex reels I found that I have to relube and clean them more often than other reels to keep performance up. Also using other line besides the Ardent Reel Butter can have a negative effect on performance. All in All if you don't mind more maintaince more often these reels are on par but I think exceed in rod balancing which is a main factor for me when buying reels.
Angry John reply :
How about some good professional reviews. a used sol or the advantage. TT does great reviews give them a read
Yeajray231 reply :
On 11/3/2016 at 11:02 PM, cottny27 said:1st pic looks just like an Ardent reel.
What do you think about ardent reels ?
Chance_Taker4 reply :
On 11/3/2016 at 5:48 PM, Sugar said:Hmmm, many things to consider. Such as gear ratio, max drag, line capacity, etc.
As for the price, I'd like to recommend 2 reels. Piscifun SAEX Elite priced 100 dollars. Piscifun Thunder Saltwater Baitcaster priced 75 dollars.
You could check em out and see if you like em.
(Mod if it violates forum rules)
Piscifun Thunder Baitcaster
Everything about this reel screams Ardent
custer reply :
Pretty much all listed reels will work. I'm an abu guy who drives Chevies, a friend is full on shimano and he drives dodges, we both catch fish
When looking at your first bait caster the better your equipment the flatter the learning curve.
All I know is abu, so this is biased . the $135 revo sx will do all you want and it's pretty bullet proof.
However, going up one level to the stx series ($199) Now you have a reel with three adjustable features, magnet, spool tension, centrifugal brake. while this may appear overwhelming , the truth is you can counter many bad habits (look at the adjustability in golf clubs now) which allows you to spend more time with bait in the water rather then keeping professional overruns cleaned up.
If fishing is your love ( like most on this board) it's not an expense, it's an investment.
Good luck
burrows reply :
Shishamo 
18 bearings? Lol
just saying.
cottny27 reply :
On 11/4/2016 at 10:58 AM, Yeajray231 said:What do you think about ardent reels ?
I have no experience with them other than holding them in a tackle shop. I do think if you are buying and "off brand" reel then $100 is quite steep. I hope you get years of use out of that. It sure looks solid. I bought Kastking Stealth just for the heck of it and like it for beating up. It been good so far. $47..so who cares.
picassotrigger reply :
My first two baitcast reels were an Abu Silver Max and a Revo SX. Both were great, user friendly, beginner reels.
12poundbass reply :
On 11/4/2016 at 8:51 PM, Cheesefrank said:Shishamo
just saying.
Hydrographics on a reel? I'll bet it's at least a grand for that reel! Shishamo....took one quick look and thought it actually was a Shimano. Lol
the reel ess reply :
Pick a good one. At least one with a solid aluminum frame. If you don't, you'll probably not get great service out of it and you may become discouraged and end up yard selling it. You'll get recommendations to the contrary, but I'm right and they're wrong. J/K. You get what you pay for.
If money is an issue, may I suggest the Academy line of BC reels. They have all the features available that the brand names have and they're so much cheaper you can afford the rod too. They happen to have 3 on sale right now and anything above $25 ships free. Look at the customer ratings.
http://www.academy.com/shop/browse/fishing/fishing--reels?searchType=2&searchTerm=&facet=mfName_ntk_cs%3A%22H2O+XPRESS%22&beginIndex=0&orderBy=&pageView=grid&minPrice=&maxPrice=&pageSize=&
burrows reply :
I'm sending you a pm it's for sale since you need a beginner reel I'll give you a deal.
Yeajray231 reply :
I bought an ardent rod and reel spinning combo at Walmart. The rod broke in 2 seasons. The reel is on its 4th.
On 11/4/2016 at 9:03 PM, cottny27 said:I have no experience with them other than holding them in a tackle shop. I do think if you are buying and "off brand" reel then $100 is quite steep. I hope you get years of use out of that. It sure looks solid. I bought Kastking Stealth just for the heck of it and like it for beating up. It been good so far. $47..so who cares.
the reel ess reply :
On 11/4/2016 at 9:25 PM, Cheesefrank said:I'm sending you a pm it's for sale since you need a beginner reel I'll give you a deal.
I have the Lew's Tourney MB LFS reel in 7.5:1. I LOVE IT! I've used it for a whole season and don't think I've backlashed it yet. It's my frog and jig rod on a Hvy/F rod. I'll probably get another to replace my most recent worn out reel.
burrows reply :
The lfs is a solid reel, I'm more into shimano baitcasters and centerfugal brakes. But the lfs is a reel built to last many years.
freelancer27 reply :
I am throwing the Bass Pro Shops Qualifier in as well.
Good reel and can be had cheaper. It was a good start for me ! 
Bass Turd reply :
Used Shimano Curado 100 D. Find one on Ebay or here in the flea market by posting that you are looking for one. Right now they are selling for about $100 give or take. If you don't take to bait casting you can sell it for what you paid for it. It is an incredibly easy reel to learn on. It is very forgiving. Set it and forget it. It is built like a tank.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 11/5/2016 at 3:23 AM, Bass Turd said:Used Shimano Curado 100 D. Find one on Ebay or here in the flea market by posting that you are looking for one. Right now they are selling for about $100 give or take. If you don't take to bait casting you can sell it for what you paid for it. It is an incredibly easy reel to learn on. It is very forgiving. Set it and forget it. It is built like a tank.
One for sale on another forum (unmentionable here) for $110 shipped or $100 local pick up. Just serviced and cleaned. I am not affiliated with the seller in any way.
BrianSnat reply :
In that price range I'd look for a Lew's Tournament MB. I got mine on sale for under $120. Also Diawa Tatula CT. I have both. I like the Lews a bit better, but both are good reels for the money.
For a rod, the Berkley Lightning and Lightning Shock are really good values.
WRB reply :
You can buy a wide range of bait casting reels at your price point. My advice is to look at mfr's with a proven customer service, resale and parts history like Daiwa or Shimano both offer excellent reels.
Tom
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
On 11/5/2016 at 3:23 AM, Bass Turd said:Used Shimano Curado 100 D. Find one on Ebay or here in the flea market by posting that you are looking for one. Right now they are selling for about $100 give or take. If you don't take to bait casting you can sell it for what you paid for it. It is an incredibly easy reel to learn on. It is very forgiving. Set it and forget it. It is built like a tank.
How about this one
Ill let go for 80 bucks shipped.
dragger201 reply :
After 15 years my Shimanos are getting beyond rebuild/repair. Two Bantam Curados and 4 Citicas. Took a chance on an inexpensive baitcaster, the Kastking Assassin. After a couple weeks fishing with one, it will be the replacement for my Shimanos. Cost was under $60 from eBay delivered to my door.
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
On 11/6/2016 at 7:46 AM, dragger201 said:After 15 years my Shimanos are getting beyond rebuild/repair. Two Bantam Curados and 4 Citicas. Took a chance on an inexpensive baitcaster, the Kastking Assassin. After a couple weeks fishing with one, it will be the replacement for my Shimanos. Cost was under $60 from eBay delivered to my door.
That might not last a couple seasons or one PB instead of 15 yrars. Another thing to consider is part, it might be harder to find a replacement part for off brand reel.
WSOzzie reply :
Great question with, as always, great replies. I had been a spinhead for several years and asked the same question a couple of seasons ago. I ended up starting with an Exceler, then Lexa and now use the Tatula , almost exclusively. I have, however, kept all reels on poles in the boat. Watch the videos provided on how to set one up. It is ON POINT. Best of luck, don't get discouraged and tight lines!
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