Best Baitcasting Reels Under $100 of 2024

For those who pony up the large bucks for a premium baitcasting reel, it’s fairly onerous to discover a lemon, however figuring out the most effective ones for underneath $100 is extra of a crapshoot. There are many workhorses and situationally-specific gems on the market, but additionally quite a lot of lemons. For those who’re not cautious, that discount will basically be a paperweight after a yr.

Thankfully, I’ve executed the soiled be just right for you, discovering the true workhorses and specialised instruments that behave like costlier reels at a fraction of the worth. Whether or not you’re seeking to get your first bait caster on a restrictive funds or have to put collectively a tournament-ready arsenal, listed below are my selections for the most effective baitcasting reels underneath $100.

How I Selected the Finest Baitcasting Reels Underneath $100

I didn’t make my picks based mostly on the out-of-the-box {smooth} cranking nor based mostly on the honeymoon part of the primary few casts. The reels I selected had been chosen based mostly on how they perform after banging by massive 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

Professionals

• Light-weight
• Tremendous-smooth
• The hinged facet plate offers 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 persistently 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 Traditional 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 solid lengthy distances and stayed {smooth} and comfy in my hand. They’d profit from a mannequin within the 6:1 gear ratio vary, however in any other case, you may 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 situations. 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 finest baitcasting reels underneath $100.

Finest for Small Fingers: 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

Professionals

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

Cons

• No sluggish or reasonable gear ratios can be found

The downsized body of the Daiwa CA 80 might make it appear to be a bait finesse reel, however regardless of being small, this can deal with heavy-duty flipping and close-quarters cranking with the center and soul of a a lot bigger reel. It’s sufficiently small for youth, girls, and others with small palms 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 device is that it’s devised for all kinds of weights. It has an aluminum body and carbon facet plates to deal with stress. Even you probably have a catcher’s mitt sized palms, this one ought to get the decision, because it offers consolation all day. I notably prefer it for sq. invoice crankbaits, chatterbaits, and pitching weightless Senkos.

Finest Multi-Pace 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

Professionals

• Three in style and helpful gear ratios
• Very light-weight
• SVS braking management system is simple 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 1 or two-gear ratios or eradicate 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 way in which of options. It has its trademark Hagane physique and, maybe extra importantly, the SVS braking system so you possibly can regulate your solid management to take care of any weight in any wind situations 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 strains 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 warranty

Professionals

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

Cons

• Just one gear ratio selection

KastKing has gone all-in on the stylish and productive bait finesse method, 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 device. For those who’re simply dipping a toe into bait finesse, it’s an entry level with no draw back, however even should you’re a grasp of sunshine line casting methods, you don’t essentially have to go costlier to have unimaginable success. I discovered the solid management system to be simple to tune and remarkably helpful, particularly as I acquired 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 solid all day and gained’t tire you out. For those who’re available in the market for a BFS setup, the Zephyr is the most effective baitcasting reel underneath $100.

Learn Subsequent: Best Baitcaster Combos

Finest for Colour 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

Professionals

• Accent colours are a particular function
• Various retrieve speeds
• Overbuilt with further bearings

Cons

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

West Coast native Gary Dobyns made his identify within the match sport 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 dimension is awe-inspiring, and whether or not you want them for style or perform, the completely different shade accents are a pleasant contact. You possibly can select to have all reels of a single pace or line sort in the identical shade, 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 evaluate, however they’re nonetheless ethereal for a reel that has 12 complete bearings, a titanium line information, and a contemporary magnetic solid management system.

Learn Subsequent: Best Baitcasting Reels for Beginners

Finest for Massive Fish: Lew’s Laser XL Round Casting Reel

Key Options

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

Professionals

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

Cons

• Just one pace and retrieve hand is out there

For those who just like the old-school spherical reel design, there aren’t many left, and definitely not many underneath 100 bucks. I strongly desire low-profile reels, however should you’re searching 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 Nineteen 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 dwell or minimize bait and begins transferring away.

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

At what’s admittedly the decrease finish of the fashionable value spectrum, you typically have to provide one thing as much as get underneath the hundred-dollar mark. Clearly, the producers and retailers suppose that the costlier reels from the identical lineup are value extra, or they wouldn’t mark them as such.

Accordingly, whereas the reels listed above are mild years higher than even the most effective fashions from a era or two in the past, the important thing to selecting a baitcasting reel underneath $100 is prioritizing the next:

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

By spending on the funds reels that present essentially the most of what you want finest, you’re much less more likely to miss their admittedly minor shortcomings.

Learn Subsequent: How to Cast a Baitcaster

Ultimate Ideas on the Finest Baitcasting Reels Underneath $100

I’m a reel snob, embarrassed to confess what I’ve unflinchingly paid for plenty of baitcasting reels in sure years. I wish to suppose that the additional cash is value 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 evaluate that I might’ve sworn value $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 fairly how they perform after banging by massive 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, the most effective baitcasting reels underneath $100.