Buying A New Baitcaster @ $100 2024

Jazzybass reply :

New to the forum....looking to change out a new reel used about 6 times- a BPS Pro Qualifier. I put it on a Skeete Reese 6' M baitcast rod and do not get much distance on my casts, no matter how much weight on the line or power I put into it.

I'm thinking about an Abu Garcia Orra 2 SX, which seems to receive good reviews. I'd appreciate some help from other members in selecting the best reel for about $100. Should I also change rods to a 6'6" M for better distance, or will a better reel provide the extra distance I'm looking for when tossing crankbaits?

Thanks in advance for your help.

aavery2 reply :

On 1/3/2015 at 11:20 PM, Jazzybass said:

   New to the forum....looking to change out a new reel used about 6 times- a BPS Pro Qualifier. I put it on a Skeete Reese 6' M baitcast rod and do not get much distance on my casts, no matter how much weight on the line or power I put into it.

   I'm thinking about an Abu Garcia Orra 2 SX, which seems to receive good reviews. I'd appreciate some help from other members in selecting the best reel for about $100. Should I also change rods to a 6'6" M for better distance, or will a better reel provide the extra distance I'm looking for when tossing crankbaits?

   Thanks in advance for your help.

Personally I think your reel is fine, the PQ has proven itself to be a good caster. Two things you can do that may improve your casting distance would be to have someone help you flush the spool bearings and re-lubricate them with a good quality oil, a longer rod in the 7' range will also make a noticeable difference.

Alpha Male reply :

I use a pq and I can get good distance with it. Look at a longer rod or less brakes.

Alonerankin2 reply :

How much distance are you getting? How much weight? What line type are you using? I feel like this is more of a " Reel set- up issue " than anything. Even a 6' rod should give reasonable distance. Are you new to using baitcasters?

I prefer 7' on most of my crankbaiting, shorter rods can be sweet though in close/ tight quarters. On the small rivers a 6'6" is appreciated over a 7'

Jazzybass reply :

I use it for crank baits or topwater only, getting accustomed to baitcast gear after using spinning tackle for decades.

It probably goes 60 feet or so. I need more distance, as I want it mostly for deeper cranking on a clear lake and short casts will not get the bait down where it should be for any length of time. I fish off of a 165 Bass Tracker, and have ample room to cast.

FishTank reply :

There is a sticky from the top of this section in the forum that has a wealth info on setting up and getting use to a baitcaster.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/92295-how-to-set-up-a-baitcaster/

Give it some time and practice, and your casting distance will increase.

Also, since this reel is new and you state you are getting short casts, I would suggest cleaning out all the old grease and oil and give it a proper lubing up. Sometimes new reels are so coated with grease and oil that it hinders the casting distance. More than likely, you need to practice and get use to the reel.

If you are dead set on getting a different reel under $100, (if you can find one) the Shimano Citica are clearenced out most places. It is a great work horse reel for the money.

Jazzybass reply :

I believe I have 4 or 5 of the six pins disabled and the spool is very loose, so maybe re-lubing and trying the reel on a 6'6" or 7' rod will give me a better idea of what I should do. Thanks very much for your input, guys. I'll be reading up on previous posts to educate myself on baitcasters.

Tight lines in 2015!

Alonerankin2 reply :

I think you may need to back off the cast control a good bit, does that reel have both centrifugal brakes and magnetic? If so, set 2 cent. And start @5 setting... Use a 1/2 bell, bank, casting plug whatever you have... Are you using mono, or Braid?

MarkH024 reply :

As suggested a proper cleaning and adjustments to your settings after will most likely achieve better distance. A 7'+ rod is going to make a difference as well.

Also what line type and size are you using?

DogBone_384 reply :

I'll 2nd the Pro-Qualifier. I own three PQ's in different gear ratios and they all cast very well, especially after they're cleansed of the factory lubrication.

I just got my workhorse (you know, the one that's always in your car/truck) PQ back from Mike @ Delaware Valley Tackle. He cleaned & tuned it, as well as upgraded my drag - made it much smoother than stock.

If you can clean it yourself, try that before replacing it, or give Mike a call @ DVT. You might be able to gain big improvements by having him work his magic.

Best of luck.

HoosierHawgs reply :

Definitely go for a 6'6" rod for your setup. This will help. Advice given above is good as well. If you are hell bent on a new caster at that price range, get a Lew's LFS Speed Spool, they are $99. Good workhorse reel IMO Lew's casting distance is unmatched. Also, use the lightest line you can get away with. It will help greatly.

new2BC4bass reply :

Welcome to the forum. Plenty of guys are posting.....all with good advice....while I type this so a lot of what I am typing will have already been mentioned.

Sounds like you throw a lot of crankbaits. You definitely should have a longer rod for that. Many are 7'6" or longer. I have no experience with the PQ, but from all I've read about it I have to agree you should be getting another 10-15 yards more even with that 6' rod although I personally think that will be about the limit with that rod unless you are an expert caster. Mike at DVT can give the reel a thorough cleaning and proper re-lube. At least then you will know it isn't the reel's fault.

However, a 6' rod would probably be preferred by most rather than a 7" plus rod for topwater baits. I enjoy a 6'9" that I often use for topwater.

It takes time for some of us to get good with a baitcast reel. Practice is essential. I used spinning reels exclusively until I got back into fishing in '09 after a 23 year hiatus. Be sure to read the stickie on how to properly set up the reel. Once you get better you can then back off on spool tension a bit which will improve casting distance.

I wish you the best of luck in the upcoming year. Baitcast reels are a blast to use, and can become very addictive. The Bait Monkey is especially active at this time of year. I have more combos than I need, but find myself constantly looking for more at this time of year. It sucks when sitting at the computer is your only way to enjoy the sport.

roadwarrior reply :

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/Pinnacle-Producer-LTE-review.html

rippin-lips reply :

A good cleaning and some different settings are probably in order. A Pq was my first reel and it worked great. It's still in use today by a buddy I sold it to. When you say deeper cranks what are you meaning exactly? It's possible that your medium power rod might be overloaded.

Raul reply :

For 100 dollars a Tatula is a no brainer.

Jazzybass reply :

Again, thanks to all who took time out of their day to provide counsel on this topic.

I have used only mono on this reel- 12 lb test so far. I can downsize to 10, as most of my catches are under 2 lbs. on Lake Lanier (new to me). A friend who fishes tourneys has offered to clean my reel and allow me to try one of his 6'6" rods in combination with the PQ.

I will see what kind of distance I get after this and some practice, holding off on a new purchase.

Looking forward to reading lots of posts on all the topics and will see especially if there are tips on fishing Lanier, without expensive electronics. Most days were not productive for me after the spring. I do not use crankbaits as frequently as soft plastics like flukes and worms and love topwater, of course. I'm told brush hogs are a good bet here.

Lots of homework to do before I get on the water..... Like I used to say in meetings and committees: none of us is as smart as all of us.

Goose52 reply :

On 1/4/2015 at 1:39 AM, roadwarrior said:

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/Pinnacle-Producer-LTE-review.html

You crack me up RW. Nothing has even been diagnosed yet that indicates there is anything wrong with the reel and you are already pimping an alternative...

Howzabout putting that bad boy on the water for 1,000 days, and catch 1,000 fish (up to 50 pounds), then check back in 5 years with your results...

roadwarrior reply :

Topic: Buying A New Baitcaster @ $100 Quote: "...looking to change out a new reel used about 6 times"

I interpret this to mean that the OP is asking for suggestions on a reel other than the brand he owns, costing

$100 or less.

Goose52 reply :

On 1/4/2015 at 3:56 AM, roadwarrior said:

Topic: Buying A New Baitcaster @ $100 Quote: "...looking to change out a new reel used about 6 times"

I interpret this to mean that the OP is asking for suggestions on a reel other than the brand he owns, costing

$100 or less.

Yeah - good point! I thought it was your usual negative reaction to the PQ..

Still - it would be interesting if SOMEONE (not the 'ole Goose) would run a 5 year test on that $90 alternative you're proposing...

Jaderose reply :

You should definitely be getting more distance than that. Can I ask a question that is NOT meant to offend you? Are you sure you have all those brakes disabled? This was an issue for me when I got my PQ. I wasn't sure which setting was which. Quite simply, if they are "Clicked back" they are turned off. If they are free floating, they are turned on. Sorry if this is NOT an issue for you. Not trying to be condescending. I love my PQ but it took me more than 6 uses to get it really dialed in.

Jazzybass reply :

I believe I followed the instructions, which I still have. Maybe I should take them with me tomorrow when my fishing buddy cleans the reel. I'm not offended,Jaderose. When it comes to bass fishing, and most other things, I greatly accept suggestions and input. Though I have fished for a while, that was in the northeast (NY), not in the south and I always had spinning tackle, even when fishing the pads and milfoil.

I'm constantly on the lookout for ideas on lures and techniques that will work here on the artificial impoundments of my new state of GA. Not looking to get into tournaments, but catching is always better than fishing, though any day on the water is a good one, as long as I stay in the boat.

roadwarrior reply :

On 1/4/2015 at 4:05 AM, Goose52 said:
It would be interesting if SOMEONE (not the 'ole Goose) would run a 5 year test on that $90 alternative you're proposing...

Not many guys have the patience or technical skills that you have. Your report is probably the most unique piece

that has ever been written by a member of this Forum.

SALUTE!

*Hootie reply :

On 1/4/2015 at 1:39 AM, roadwarrior said:

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/Pinnacle-Producer-LTE-review.html

And now, a word from our sponsor..lol.

Hootie

Goose52 reply :

On 1/4/2015 at 4:22 AM, roadwarrior said:

Not many guys have the patience or technical skills that you have. Your report is probably the most unique piece

that has ever been written by a member of this Forum.

SALUTE!

Thanks for the high praise...but I "ain't" gonna run any more 5 years tests...

One problem with a test of 5 years duration is that by the time the test is over, the product being tested may have become obsolescent due to continually advancing technology and new introductions of competing products. Such is the case of the PQ. There is no doubt that it is a durable, proven value...but the competition have gotten better while the PQ has gotten "grayer"...

Goose52 reply :

On 1/4/2015 at 4:21 AM, Jazzybass said:

I believe I followed the instructions, which I still have. Maybe I should take them with me tomorrow when my fishing buddy cleans the reel. I'm not offended,Jaderose. When it comes to bass fishing, and most other things, I greatly accept suggestions and input. Though I have fished for a while, that was in the northeast (NY), not in the south and I always had spinning tackle, even when fishing the pads and milfoil.

I'm constantly on the lookout for ideas on lures and techniques that will work here on the artificial impoundments of my new state of GA. Not looking to get into tournaments, but catching is always better than fishing, though any day on the water is a good one, as long as I stay in the boat.

Lots of good suggestions - both on reel set-up, and for servicing issues like bearing cleaning. Let us know how it works out. The PQ has a good rep - I own 6 of them and all are good casters. The PQ 5-Year Challenge test reel could go 140-150 feet with a 1/2oz lipless crank in ideal no-wind conditions with freshly flushed and lubed spool bearings.

At the end of the day, the good thing is that you can always get BPS to refund your $$$ or, if you like the features on the reel, to exchange it for another.

new2BC4bass reply :

I have to agree with the Tatula at $100 should you want to go with a different reel. I hope to add at least one Pinnacle to my arsenal over the winter. They aren't popular, but have gotten good reviews on here. Pflueger is another brand of casting reels that seldom get mentioned, but I have used Trions and Patriarch XTs and found them to be quality reels. I especially like the XTs (older blue models).

lmbfisherman reply :

On 1/4/2015 at 4:09 AM, Jaderose said:
You should definitely be getting more distance than that. Can I ask a question that is NOT meant to offend you? Are you sure you have all those brakes disabled? This was an issue for me when I got my PQ. I wasn't sure which setting was which. Quite simply, if they are "Clicked back" they are turned off. If they are free floating, they are turned on. Sorry if this is NOT an issue for you. Not trying to be condescending. I love my PQ but it took me more than 6 uses to get it really dialed in.

Good point and I personally wouldn't take a offense to it. It's a good tip! I know a lot of guys who didn't know including myself when I first started.

Lots of good tips on the thread and I would just like to add my vote in that the PQ is a very solid reel and one of the best bang for your buck reels available.

fisherrw reply :

Welcome!!! Get a tatula it's a no brainer as Raul said..

deep reply :

Nothing wrong with them PQs. Clean and lube it, and if necessary get it checked out by a reel tech. If it still doesn't cast as far as you'd like, maybe try a longer/ more suitable rod.

Bass2124 reply :

On 1/4/2015 at 9:18 AM, fisherrw said:
Welcome!!! Get a tatula it's a no brainer as Raul said..

I third this. But I love my PQ and it casts very well especially after a thorough cleaning.

Maxximus Redneckus reply :

At the 100$ mark retail flip a coin....then hit the fleamarket and fleabay and then its a matter of a few bucks + or -

Jazzybass reply :

Latest update - My fishing pal cleaned off the original grease and re-lubed the reel. He recommended I add more line to the spool, as I had minimal yardage, to avoid backlashes.

The rod is actually 6 1/2' and is a cranking rod by Skeete Reese, so the equipment is right for what I use it for. I added more line, tried a few casts in the yard found I was getting bad backlashes, so I removed about 30' of line, dialed up the knob from 4 to nearly 6 and things were a bit better.

Conclusion: no need to buy a new rig. More practice is needed to minimize backlash and work on accuracy & distance. Since temps will be in the 20's-30's this week, I may wait a while to get back out, butmy goal is to be able to grab the rig when I want and not fear a backlash will keep me from wetting lines.

Thanks once more to fellow members for all your suggestions and help. Will spend lots of time on this site as I did today, watching videos, reading articles and learning more about this pasttime we all enjoy. Prespawn is only a few weeks away.

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