"Best" Baitcaster for $100.00? 2024
Bass_Akwards reply :
Headed to BPS in a little bit (got two gift cards for my birthday). I'm buying my first baitcasting reel. I want to spend about $100.00. Should I get something like the Pro Qualifyer? Or should I go with another brand entirely?
I was listening to Rick Clunn talk about how insanely important it is to have a killer breaking system to avoid most backlashing so I guess I'd want a great breaking system being sort of a baitcasting rookie and all.
Also, what line should I get to go with the reel you recommend? I fish lots of different cover like weeds and timber and rocks. I like making long casts with cranks and short casts to pitch and flip to heavy cover so a versitile long casting line that doesn't get nested easily would be great.
Thanks guys.
lsufan334 reply :
my buddy picked up three of the pro qualifiers this weekend and i just threw them around a little and they are really sweet reels. they feel and cast alot like my revos. should be a good buy for u.
I.rar reply :
i learned on a citica d. i thought the 6 pin brake was as simple as it gets. start at 3 on and go from there. spool tension is the only adjustment i make. imo , its a great reel at its price point and the d series are getting cheaper and cheaper.
i would suggest , as you may already know , to cast around the yard a bit before hitting the water.
Raul reply :
QuoteI was listening to Rick Clunn talk about how insanely important it is to have a killer breaking system to avoid most backlashing so I guess I'd want a great breaking system being sort of a baitcasting rookie and all.
This is the ultimate antibacklash system:
So better reels do have better braking systems, so if you are a rookie I strongly suggest you get a good, reliable braking system while you are in the process of learning. I would add another 20 to that budget and get a Citica.
SausageFingers23 reply :
*Edit* I just noticed the BPS part. Sorry.
Its just over $100 but the Revo SX is on sale at SportsAuthority.com for $129
hmongkidBee reply :
yes go with the shimano citica if you can. It's a great reel and like all of shimano's reels are newbie fisherman friendly.
LoneWolf reply :
Quotemy buddy picked up three of the pro qualifiers this weekend and i just threw them around a little and they are really sweet reels. they feel and cast alot like my revos. should be a good buy for u.
Great reel for the money.....i bought mine when they were on sale for 79.99.......i will be buying some more ......they cast so sweet.....
SimonDM17 reply :
I don't want to upset the Shimano crowd, I love their spinning reels, but I've been only moderately impressed by the Curado 101D I have.
I've heard very good things about the pro qualifier, and I definitely like magnetic brakes more than centrifugal.
Craiger12 reply :
The Citica E can be found new for ~$100. They can sometimes be found in like new condition here in the Flea Market section for ~$90 if you are willing to wait and be patient.
BassThumb reply :
QuoteThe Citica E can be found new for ~$100. They can sometimes be found in like new condition here in the Flea Market section for ~$90 if you are willing to wait and be patient.
+1
bwell reply :
Go with the Pro Qualifier, I have one and love it.
ToledoEF reply :
I love my pro qualifiers! I sold my curado e5 and a couplr of my quantums and I have almost all PQ's a carbonlite and a Patriarch.
Sqvedgis reply :
QuoteGo with the Pro Qualifier, I have one and love it.
X2
roadwarrior reply :
QuoteQuoteThe Citica E can be found new for ~$100. They can sometimes be found in like new condition here in the Flea Market section for ~$90 if you are willing to wait and be patient.+1
Just be patient, you will love this reel as much
as The Rooster:
http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1271721785
8-)
zero limit reply :
Quotei learned on a citica d. i thought the 6 pin brake was as simple as it gets. start at 3 on and go from there. spool tension is the only adjustment i make. imo , its a great reel at its price point and the d series are getting cheaper and cheaper.i would suggest , as you may already know , to cast around the yard a bit before hitting the water.
Same said from me, I picked up (my first ever b/c) off this site's flea market a Citica D nearly mint for $65. and have found it to be very easy to learn with. 2 months I've been using it, I've had only a couple minor overruns
0119 reply :
Knock 10 bucks off and get a Abu 4600 C3 for $90. It'll survive a rain storm better than the shimano or china made bass pro junk as I found out today. Now Im faced with taking 4 reels down to the inth degree. My old 4600 I could strip down totally relube and put back together in 20 leisure minutes. Sadly my curados dartanium disks didnt survive the rain and broke apart.
Dockhead reply :
QuoteSadly my curados dartanium disks didnt survive the rain and broke apart.
Huh?
The rain caused your Curados to "break apart??!!"
K_Mac reply :
QuoteKnock 10 bucks off and get a Abu 4600 C3 for $90. It'll survive a rain storm better than the shimano or china made bass pro junk as I found out today. Now Im faced with taking 4 reels down to the inth degree. My old 4600 I could strip down totally relube and put back together in 20 leisure minutes. Sadly my curados dartanium disks didnt survive the rain and broke apart.
I suspect many from the Shimano posse will take issue with this. I will speak for the BPS China "junk". I have fished in the rain many times with Extreme and Pro Qualifier baitcast reels. I had three of each on deck this past weekend. It rained ~1/2" Friday afternoon. All six never missed a beat.
The BPS Pro Qualifier at full price is a good value. I bought one on sale last week for $70. I don't think you can buy a better reel for the money.
Goose52 reply :
QuoteQuoteKnock 10 bucks off and get a Abu 4600 C3 for $90. It'll survive a rain storm better than the shimano or china made bass pro junk as I found out today. Now Im faced with taking 4 reels down to the inth degree. My old 4600 I could strip down totally relube and put back together in 20 leisure minutes. Sadly my curados dartanium disks didnt survive the rain and broke apart.I suspect many from the Shimano posse will take issue with this. I will speak for the BPS China "junk". I have fished in the rain many times with Extreme and Pro Qualifier baitcast reels. I had three of each on deck this past weekend. It rained ~1/2" Friday afternoon. All six never missed a beat.
The BPS Pro Qualifier at full price is a good value. I bought one on sale last week for $70. I don't think you can buy a better reel for the money.
x2. I have 5 PQs and they're all running strong. I fished in the rain today for 5 hours with a PQ with no problem (and that water exposure also included the entire rod and reel being underwater for about 2-3 minutes until I could fish it out of the drink [don't ask... ]).
Great reel, great features, great value.
Beastie Bass reply :
My first $100 BC was a PQ in 1994 (round reel) I still use it for catfishing! 
Cheap junk indeed I bought last years Clunn reel for about 70 and its SWEEET. I like it as much as my Revo S. The revo S can be had at wally world lately for $79
burleytog reply :
QuoteSadly my curados dartanium disks didnt survive the rain and broke apart.
Wow, I guess all of my reels are living on borrowed time.
L a r r y reply :
My best sub$100 reel would be the 09 Revo STX-HS
This is one unbelievable reel. Strong drag, very very good casting distance with any weight lure I throw.
0119 reply :
I fished out of a jon boat yesterday and the rods were stored balanced between the bench seats. I contacted shimano and got a quick reply to my email. I am a member of the shimano posse. Their quick replies were top notch service. As many years as Ive used curados, I was unaware that water could gain entry thru drain holes on the underside of the sideplates. With the reels hanging upside down between the seats thats what happened. Sadly Im a D series fan not a E series. Drag washers arent available anymore so Smooth Drag is my only option there.
rubba bubba reply :
QuoteMy best sub$100 reel would be the 09 Revo STX-HSThis is one unbelievable reel. Strong drag, very very good casting distance with any weight lure I throw.
Yes, but can he get the 09 STX anywhere for sub $100 right now?
bwell reply :
QuoteQuoteMy best sub$100 reel would be the 09 Revo STX-HSThis is one unbelievable reel. Strong drag, very very good casting distance with any weight lure I throw.
Yes, but can he get the 09 STX anywhere for sub $100 right now?
Sounds like he got the same deal i did during Christmas time at Gander Mountain... 99 bucks got you a 09 STX...
rubba bubba reply :
QuoteSounds like he got the same deal i did during Christmas time at Gander Mountain... 99 bucks got you a 09 STX...
Not too helpful to the OP looking to make a purchase without having to borrow someone's time machine, dontcha think?
bwell reply :
True....
bweave09 reply :
My extreme was underwater a few weeks ago (I wasn't thinking) and it still works like new. That being said, I love my citica...can't go wrong with either one. I wouldn't call the BPS stuff "Chinese junk" but I think the consensus here is that the Shimano is higher quality. I like them both.
Deep6 reply :
I am extremely impressed with the Quantum Catalyst's from Cabela's 90$. 6.3 and 7.0 great brakes, Backlashed the first time I used it (my fault, never used one before) haven't had a problem since, (as long as I don't take the brake off for a long distance cast.)
Goose52 reply :
I posted the story of this fish in the "Other Fish Species" forum but thought I'd post it here to as an example of the kind of fish my "Chinese junk" BPS ProQualifier reel could handle - 37.1 pounds of fish that didn't want to be caught... Pretty good piece of junk I'd say !
iceintheveins reply :
Go with the Pro Qualifier. Just got one and they are sweet and seldom backlash if you set it right.
KC Bass Fanatic reply :
I have 5 Quantum Accurist PT's and they have never failed me. 3 of them I've been using for 4+ years. Every winter I break them down and clean them and they perform flawlessly and I fish at least twice a week 10 months out of the year. They are solid and a good bargain.
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