Finest Baitcasting Reels Underneath $100 of 2024

In the event you pony up the large bucks for a premium baitcasting reel, it’s fairly laborious to discover a lemon, however figuring out one of the best ones for underneath $100 is extra of a crapshoot. There are many workhorses and situationally-specific gems on the market, but in addition quite a lot of lemons. In the event you’re not cautious, that discount will primarily be a paperweight after a yr.

Thankfully, I’ve performed the soiled be just right for you, discovering the true workhorses and specialised instruments that behave like dearer reels at a fraction of the worth. Whether or not you’re seeking to get your first bait caster on a restrictive price range or must put collectively a tournament-ready arsenal, listed here are my selections for one of the best baitcasting reels underneath $100.

How I Selected the Finest Baitcasting Reels Underneath $100

I didn’t make my picks primarily based on the out-of-the-box {smooth} cranking nor primarily based on the honeymoon section of the primary few casts. The reels I selected had been chosen primarily based on how they operate after banging by means of huge waves, falling on the deck of a ship, and muscling in a bunch of huge fish.

Finest Baitcasting Reels Underneath $100: Opinions and Suggestions

Finest Match Reel: H2OX Evo Baitcast Reel

Key Options

• Proper-hand retrieve
• 7.3:1 and eight.1:1 gear ratios
• 10 stainless bearings
• 5.8 ounces

Execs

• Light-weight
• Tremendous-smooth
• The hinged aspect plate gives easy accessibility

Cons

• No left-hand retrieve fashions
• No slower or mid-range speeds

I’d been fishing the $49 H2OX Premier baitcast reel for months and was constantly wowed by the truth that it carried out higher than many reels costing considerably extra. I saved ready for it to fail, and it by no means did. The one factor that made me put it down was the receipt of this still-economical Evo mannequin.

It’s what multiple-time Bassmaster Basic qualifier Stetson Blaylock makes use of when he’s competing for six-figure checks, and I discovered it to be a workhorse. From flipping to frogging to “burning a lure,” it forged lengthy distances and stayed {smooth} and cozy in my hand. They’d profit from a mannequin within the 6:1 gear ratio vary, however in any other case, you would construct a lot of a tournament-ready arsenal round this mannequin and be assured that you simply had been able to chase giants in any circumstances. If this reel is sweet sufficient to be on the deck of a pro-angler and it survived the whole lot I may dish out, it’s positively worthy to be among the many greatest baitcasting reels underneath $100.

Finest for Small Arms: Daiwa CA80 Casting Reel

Key Options

• Left- and right-hand retrieves
• 7.5:1 and eight.3:1 gear ratios
• 7.2 ounces
• 9 ball bearings plus one curler bearing

Execs

• Rugged however downsized aluminum body
• Snug padded handles
• Adjustable forged management knobs

Cons

• No gradual or average gear ratios can be found

The downsized body of the Daiwa CA 80 might make it appear like a bait finesse reel, however regardless of being small, it will deal with heavy-duty flipping and close-quarters cranking with the guts and soul of a a lot bigger reel. It’s sufficiently small for youth, ladies, and others with small fingers to palm, but holds fairly a little bit of 12 to 15-pound take a look at line or braid of that very same diameter. It’ll nonetheless deal with small lures properly, however the fantastic thing about this software is that it’s devised for all kinds of weights. It has an aluminum body and carbon aspect plates to deal with stress. Even if in case you have a catcher’s mitt sized fingers, this one ought to get the decision, because it gives consolation all day. I notably prefer it for sq. invoice crankbaits, chatterbaits, and pitching weightless Senkos.

Finest Multi-Velocity Underneath $100: Shimano SLX 150A

Key Options

• Left- and right-hand retrieves
• 6.9 ounces
• 6.3:1, 7.2:1 and eight.2:1 gear ratios
• Three ball bearings and one curler bearing

Execs

• Three widespread and helpful gear ratios
• Very light-weight
• SVS braking management system is straightforward and correct

Cons

• Restricted variety of bearings.

When producers put money into making a discount reel with high-end options, they typically restrict the variations to at least one or two-gear ratios or remove left-handed reels. Shimano, then again, is all-in on the SLX150A. They produce it in three of the preferred gear ratios, together with a lightning-fast 8.2:1, with out sacrificing a lot if something in the best way of options. It has its trademark Hagane physique and, maybe extra importantly, the SVS braking system so you possibly can modify your forged management to cope with any weight in any wind circumstances and really feel assured. I’ve used the DC model of this reel for some time earlier than getting this one and located it helpful with lures from mild unweighted plastics as much as 1-ounce filling-rattling spinnerbaits. It holds loads of traces in a variety of sizes to make it a one-stop store for constructing a match or weekend fishing arsenal.

Learn Subsequent: Baitcaster vs. Spinning Reel

Finest Bait Finesse Baitcasting Reel: KastKing Zephyr Bait Finesse Casting Reel

Key Options

• Left- and right-hand retrieves
• 7.2:1 gear ratio
• 5.6 ounces
• Six ball bearings, one curler bearing
• 1-year guarantee

Execs

• Strong 10 kilos of drag
• Extremely-lightweight
• Refined spool braking system

Cons

• Just one gear ratio alternative

KastKing has gone all-in on the fashionable and productive bait finesse approach, permitting anglers to make use of casting gear in conditions the place beforehand solely spinning deal with match the invoice. The Zephyr is a baitcasting reel properly under $100 and continues to be a remarkably machined software. In the event you’re simply dipping a toe into bait finesse, it’s an entry level with no draw back, however even in case you’re a grasp of sunshine line casting strategies, you don’t essentially must go dearer to have unimaginable success. I discovered the forged management system to be simple to tune and remarkably helpful, particularly as I received into the decrease lure weight ranges, and even with hard-pulling drag smashers (I inadvertently tangled with a 10-pound blue cat whereas testing the reel), it by no means stuttered or slipped inappropriately. It gained’t maintain a super-heavy line (until you’re transitioning to braid), nevertheless it’s not meant for that. With micro jigs and balsa crankbaits, it’s a deal with to forged all day and gained’t tire you out. In the event you’re available in the market for a BFS setup, the Zephyr is one of the best baitcasting reel underneath $100.

Learn Subsequent: Finest Baitcaster Combos

Finest for Shade Coding: Dobyns Maverick Casting Reel

Key Options

• Left- and right-hand retrieve
• 7.4 ounces
• 6.5:1, 7.2:1 and eight.1:1 gear ratios
• 11 ball bearings and one curler bearing

Execs

• Accent colours are a particular function
• Diversified retrieve speeds
• Overbuilt with additional bearings

Cons

• Regardless of the intense vary of choices, all of them have the identical line capability

West Coast native Gary Dobyns made his title within the match recreation earlier than turning to rods, and now he’s added reels that meet his strict efficiency requirements. The array of choices in a single body and spool measurement is awe-inspiring, and whether or not you want them for trend or operate, the totally different colour accents are a pleasant contact. You may select to have all reels of a single velocity or line kind in the identical colour, so that you instantly know what you’re choosing up. Past that function, the reels themselves are stable and long-lasting. They’re not the lightest fashions on this assessment, however they’re nonetheless ethereal for a reel that has 12 complete bearings, a titanium line information, and a contemporary magnetic forged management system.

Learn Subsequent: Finest Baitcasting Reels for Novices

Finest for Huge Fish: Lew’s Laser XL Spherical Casting Reel

Key Options

• 11.7 ounces
• Proper-hand retrieve
• 4.2:1 gear ratio
• Three ball bearings and one curler bearings

Execs

• Stout drag system
• Brass gearing and crankshaft for sturdiness
• Snug EVA deal with grips
• Nice for throwing huge lures or bait

Cons

• Just one velocity and retrieve hand is offered

In the event you just like the old-school spherical reel design, there aren’t many left, and positively not many underneath 100 bucks. I strongly favor low-profile reels, however in case you’re on the lookout for one thing you possibly can beat the crap out of, that is it. It has the toughness and look of reels from the Fifties and Sixties however with options extra befitting fashionable instruments. You’ll get up to date options like a sophisticated centrifugal braking system and an ergonomic 100mm deal with with EVA grips. Bass anglers will prefer it for large swimbaits and castable umbrella rigs, nevertheless it’ll deal with large stripers and muskies, too. There’s even an audible bait clicker so you possibly can “set it and overlook it” till the catfish of a lifetime has picked up your reside or reduce bait and begins transferring away.

Issues to Think about Earlier than Shopping for the Finest Baitcasting Reel Underneath $100

At what’s admittedly the decrease finish of the trendy value spectrum, you generally have to offer one thing as much as get underneath the hundred-dollar mark. Clearly, the producers and retailers assume that the dearer reels from the identical lineup are price extra, or they wouldn’t mark them as such.

Accordingly, whereas the reels listed above are mild years higher than even one of the best fashions from a technology or two in the past, the important thing to picking a baitcasting reel underneath $100 is prioritizing the next:

• Weight
• Gear Ratio
• Line Capability
• Braking System
• Supplies

By spending on the price range reels that present essentially the most of what you want greatest, you’re much less prone to miss their admittedly minor shortcomings.

Learn Subsequent: How you can Solid a Baitcaster

Closing Ideas on the Finest Baitcasting Reels Underneath $100

I’m a reel snob, embarrassed to confess what I’ve unflinchingly paid for quite a few baitcasting reels in sure years. I prefer to assume that the additional cash is price it and that I can inform the distinction, however after testing a fleet of sub-$100 reels, I’m much less satisfied. There have been some absolute stunners on this assessment that I might’ve sworn price $200, $300, or much more in a blind take a look at. It’s not simply how they really feel the primary time you employ them as a result of most reels are fairly spectacular at that time, however quite how they operate after banging by means of huge waves, falling on the deck of a ship, and muscling in a bunch of huge fish. These ones handed my grueling take a look at, and are for my part, one of the best baitcasting reels underneath $100.