Fishing is an expensive game and the majority of the costs lie in buying both the rods and reels but, this doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality or pick a cheap baitcasting reel just because you’re looking for the best baitcaster reel around on a budget.
The same goes when looking for the best baitcasting reel for beginners, especially if you’re new to this style of fishing.
Some of the top baitcasting reels under 100 are all you need, it’s just a matter of finding them in a market full of so many different baitcasting reel options. And once you do, you’ll see your casting distance and accuracy go through the roof and leave your spinning reels at home on most fishing trips.
Luckily we are here to help you find the best baitcasting reel for the money and have lined up some of our tried and tested favorites to make choosing the best baitcasting reel for you, a whole lot easier.
The Best Baitcasting Reels From The Reviews
Top Pick
Lew’s Tournament MP Speed Spool LFS
This low-profile baitcasting reel is incredibly versatile. It’s a lightweight reel for tireless casting with enough drag and braid capacity to handle both fresh and saltwater species. Plus with the burly aluminum frame and side plates made from graphite, it’s going to last for years.
Lew’s Tournament MP Speed Spool LFS
One of the best baitcasting reel for the money is the Lews Fishing Tournament MP Speed Spool Baitcasting Reel and line.
This Fishing Tournament MP Speed Spool baitcasting reel does it all. It has a great drag, it casts very well, the retrieve is excellent due to the high gear ratio and it’s made of quality materials that last and block corrosion.
Simplicity is what makes this the best baitcasting reel in this price range. This incredible reel is very easy to use, extremely reliable, lightweight for all-day casting, plus it has enough drag and line capacity for bass fishing and inshore species too.
Best Value
KastKing Royale Legend
This baitcasting reel has a 10 level dual-brake that works on a dual system. The 10 levels allow you to tweak it for the perfect cast. It’s very sensitive and can take a while to learn but it’s worth the effort to get to the perfect casting setup.
KastKing Royale Legend
The best baitcasting reel for beginners and the top baitcasting reel under 100 has to be the KastKing Royale Legend.
At their price point, the Royal Legend baitcasting reels are insane value while delivering all the performance you need. This quality reel is easy to use, well made, and comes with a great braid capacity and awesome drag power that brings versatility into the reel frame.
You can fish in both fresh and saltwater, and go after both small bass and big snook all with this one fishing reel.
Editor’s Choice
Daiwa Tatula 200 TWS Baitcasting Reel
These baitcast reels are built to do it all and they can handle it too. Tough, durable, and all the tech you need for consistent performance and power in salt and freshwater. The drag and retrieve are incredibly smooth and the braking system is easy to dial in for great casting performance.
Daiwa Tatula 200 TWS Baitcasting Reel
The best baitcasting reel overall, and the one I’d choose, has got to be the Tatula baitcast reel. Consistent, predictable, powerful, and refined. It also has all the bells and whistles.
It’s the ideal baitcasting reel for fishing your bigger hard plastics deeper.
However, you can change to unweighted soft plastics and throw them into a decent breeze without a hassle.
There’s a refinement for the smaller stuff and grunt for the larger stuff with this baitcast reel. There’s a little more to pay, but the rewards are there for the added investment.
Our Best Baitcasting Reels For The Money
Top Pick
Lew’s Tournament MP Speed Spool LFS Baitcast Reel
This low-profile baitcasting reel is incredibly versatile. It’s lightweight for tireless casting with enough drag and braid capacity to handle both fresh and saltwater species. Plus with the burly aluminum frame and side plates made from graphite, it’s going to last for years.
Lew’s Tournament MP Speed Spool LFS Baitcast Reel
A light reel with everything going for it. The Lews is incredibly simple and reliable. You can take it anywhere, fresh or salt, and the solid spool capacity and drag power let you target large and small species from bass to jacks.
The Lews low profile baitcast reel doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles, simplicity is its thing that adds up to reliability that you can count on for years and on every fishing trip.
These baitcast reels are light at 6.9 oz and perfect if you plan on casting all day which is often the case when it comes to fishing structure for bass.
Casting
The dual brake system uses an internal centrifugal braking system and an external magnetic brake system – allowing you to set it at a lot of different tension levels. The combo of centrifugal and magnetic brake system is a tad overkill, to be honest, as one brake system is enough, and they could have dropped one of the braking systems to make the fishing reel even more affordable.
Due to the dual braking system, it is hard to get the right casting tension to begin with, and getting wrong will create a lot of backlashes. Once you get it right though, it casts like a dream!
The carbon fiber drag system on these casting reels is super smooth and incredibly reliable over time. Being a carbon fiber drag, it will battle off any corrosion so it lasts, and maintaining it through the lube port is super easy.
Drag & Versatility
When it comes to drag power, these baitcasting reels are a little lower than others in the line but at 14lbs it’s enough for most situations.
The solid gear ratios of 6.8:1 make for a fast retrieve and coupled with the 9 stainless steel ball bearings, it’s immensely smooth.
Plus when you hook up, the gearing stays aligned, giving you a load of crank under pressure.
The one thing about these baitcasting reels that might get on your nerves is that the aluminum spool is noisy on the cast, this isn’t a defect. Outside of that, it’s one of the best baitcaster reels around in its price range.
Specs
- Mono capacity LB/YD: 12/120
- Braid capacity LB/YD: 50/120
- Drag: 20 lbs
- Gear Ratio: 7.5:1
- Ball bearings: 9+1
- Weight: 6.9 oz
- Retrieve rate, per crank: 31 inches
- Retrieve Side: Left or right
Pros
- Excellent casting distance and accuracy once you learn it
- Great quality materials and build that last
- Smooth drag and retrieve, even under pressure
- Simple, reliable, and easy to use
- Solid spool capacity and drag power
- Versatile for multiple lure weights, species, and environments
Cons
- Takes time to learn its settings
- The spool is a little noisy
Best Value
KastKing Royale Legend Baitcasting Reels
This baitcasting reel has a 10 level dual-brake that works on a dual system. The 10 levels allow you to tweak it for the perfect cast. It’s very sensitive and can take a while to learn but it’s worth the effort to get to the perfect casting setup.
KastKing Royale Legend Baitcasting Reels
This great reel has a 10 level dual-brake that works on a dual system. The 10 levels allow you to tweak it for the perfect cast. It’s very sensitive and can take a while to learn but it’s worth the effort to get to the perfect casting setup.
The Royal Legend baitcasting reels are probably the best baitcasting reels around at this price point. They are incredibly affordable while retaining high quality and I’m not quite sure how KastKing even makes a profit with these quality reels.
The benefit of this is you can own a few of these baitcasting reels and have them set up with different light weights for different situations, so changing tactics on the water is quick and easy.
Durability
Built with a corrosion-resistant aluminum frame and side plates, these reels are tough despite their affordability and can handle both fresh and saltwater fishing. They are also light too, making a day of blind casting a lot less tiring.
Casting Performance
These low-profile reels have a 10 level magnetic braking system. The 10 levels allow you to tweak the magnetic brakes for smooth casting. It’s very sensitive and can take a while to learn but it’s worth the effort to get to the perfect casting setup.
The spool is noisy while casting, however, which some people find a little annoying.
Fish Fighting Abilities
The CNC machined aluminum spool fits a lot of fishing line on it. You can squeeze up to 110 yards of 50lb braided line on there, so if you’re fishing lighter, you’ll have enough line to let bigger fish like tarpon run.
The drag is super smooth and made of a carbon fiber disc system. It has a solid max drag of 17.6 lbs, more than enough pressure to subdue a trophy bass trying to tangle you up in a snag.
With high gear ratios of 7.0:1 and solid gear alignment, your crank rate is off the charts and it stays strong under pressure too. These reels really do have all the grunt you need in a fight.
TIP
It’s primarily designed for freshwater fishing but would be fine in salt water as long as you give it the proper maintenance like lubing it up, rinsing it regularly and cleaning it too.
Specs
- Mono capacity LB/YD: 10/130,12/110,14/90
- Braid capacity LB/YD: 40/130, 50/110, 65/90
- Drag: 17.6lb
- Gear Ratio: 7.0:1
- Ball bearings: 11+1
- Weight : 7.51oz
- Retrieve rate, per crank: 31.5 inch
- Retrieve Side: Right or Left
Pros
- Super smooth casting and reliable drag
- Excellent drag power and capacity
- A great braking system for easy casting
- Comfortable and easy to use
- Ideal reel for beginners and super affordable
- Great for salt and freshwater
Cons
- Sensitive brake adjustments
- Noisy during the cast
Editor’s Choice
Daiwa Tatula 200 TWS Baitcasting Reel
These baitcasting reels are built to do it all and they can handle it too. Tough, durable, and all the tech you need for consistent performance and power in salt and freshwater. The drag and retrieve are incredibly smooth and the braking system is easy to dial in for great casting performance.
Daiwa Tatula 200 TWS Baitcasting Reel
You can go fishing with these baitcasting reels all over the inshore waters from your vessel, or land-based, and fish it anywhere in the water column. You can cast a massive range of lures, particularly with the 6.3 gear ratio. The versatility of these baitcasting reels is hard to beat. It also has other gear ratio options available.
This is a good baitcasting reel, I love it. Many of us enjoy casting small unweighted soft plastics at topwater targets – and prefer not to stop when the wind’s up. I also like to skip baits under trees, jetties, and river banks without battling backlash.
Spool
The SV spool system uses air brake technology to achieve its brilliant casting manners. While the 7 stainless steel ball bearings, aluminum frame, and side plate ensure it’s super smooth and corrosion-resistant.
In many respects, I’d recommend this reel for baitcaster masters and absolute beginners. Once you’ve learned how to dial it in for your rig and conditions, you have to try pretty hard to mess up with overrun.
T-Wing System
While ticking all the boxes, it’s the casting that makes the SV TW a brilliant baitcaster reel. I’m also a fan of the T-Wing system. It reduces friction as advertised, and casts can be huge, even with the lightest of baits.
I made mistakes when I first used it and wasn’t getting the distance. However, it didn’t take long to work the braking system, and without instruction. Turns out I could put more effort into the cast than I thought.
Speed
Left and right-hand options, as well as 3-speed options, ensure we can refine our reel selection to perfectly suit our application.
There are 13-pounds of UTD (drag) Daiwa’s best. This offers plenty of head-turning power should you hook up big. Spooled up with 135 yards of 40-pound braid, you’re set to tackle genuine inshore monsters.
Easy Handling
The swayed handle is over 3 inches long. It feels great to crank it hard, yet delivers wonderful control when worked with refined dexterity.
Ergonomics are another winning feature of the TATULA SV TW reels. It sits beautifully in your palm, with all the dials and buttons placed for maximum efficiency.
Even the biggest club-hands can make a well-balanced DAIWA TATULA SV TW outfit feel like an extension of your arm.
Maintenance
As somebody who is a little slack with maintenance, I’d worry about keeping the Daiwa in peak condition. Servicing appears as though it should only be done by a pro.
The casting is so refined, I expect regular maintenance would be required to keep it operating at its peak. This may well be a big drawback for the more casual angler, unwilling to dedicate time to cleaning and maintenance.
All in all, this is one of the best baitcaster reels to own, and even though it comes at a higher price point than most baitcasting reels, it’s worth it for the sheer versatility of fishing options it gives you and that it’s a joy to go fishing with.
Specs
- Mono capacity LB/YD: 16/185, 20/150
- Braid capacity LB/YD: 30/190, 40/145
- Drag: 13.2 lbs
- Gear Ratio: 6.3:1/7.3:1
- Ball bearings: 7+1
- Weight: 8.1 oz
- Retrieve rate, per crank: 28.2 inches
- Retrieve Side: Right or left
Pros
- Casts like a dream
- Simple and easy to use the brake system
- Super smooth retrieve with 7 + 1 stainless steel bearings
- Wide selection of gear ratios over the models
- The ergonomics are fantastic
- Great for beginners and pros
- Casts both heavy and light lures just as well
- Great for all fishing situations, fresh and salt
Cons
- Not much room on the spool for a lot of mono line
- T-wing might suffer with heavy mono line leaders
- Requires regular maintenance
Abu Garcia Black Max Low Profile Baitcast Reel
The Abu Garcia black max low profile reels are another extremely affordable option and feature a fantastic build for their price point.
Abu Garcia Black Max Low Profile Baitcast Reel
The Abu Garcia black max low profile reels are another extremely affordable option and feature a fantastic build for their price point.
Build
The aluminum spool, frame, graphite side plates, and stainless steel handle build a baitcaster reel that lasts and should be a lot more expensive than it is.
This Abu Garcia reel has been described as feeling a little flimsy due to the light plastic feel, but it does mean it’s light for easy casting all day long. The spool is made from aluminum and is braid-ready for easy spooling.
You can take these reels anywhere, fresh or salt, treat them without care, and they’ll handle it.
This is not the lightest reel around, one thing these quality materials do is add a little too much to the reel weight. At 10.2 oz, these reels are not light, they’re 3 oz heavier than most other reels featured, and casting with them all day might get a little tiring.
Casting
The reels come with a magnetic braking system which is highly adjustable. This makes the brake system excellent for long-distance casts and minimal backlashes but it’s going to take you a while to get there.
Expect a few backlashes while you’re learning the braking system but don’t be put off. Keep going and learning to get used to it and you’ll be rewarded with great casting performance once it clicks.
Drag System
The drag on these Abu Garcia reels is smooth and powerful meaning you can go after a large range of species.
With 18lbs of available drag pressure, there isn’t much these reels can’t handle and they are ideal for hard pulling peacock bass in the jungle or bass at your local lake.
The retrieve rate and gear ratios are about average, so it’ll be quick and smooth enough for most situations but it’s not the smoothest retrieve.
With just 4 bearings, the load isn’t well spread and when cranking under the pressure of a fish, you might struggle. Luckily the gears are solid and back you up, making up for it.
Specs
- Mono capacity YD/LB: 145/12
- Braid capacity YD/LB: 140/30
- Drag: 18lb
- Gear Ratio: 6.4:1
- Ball bearings: 4+1
- Weight: 10.2 oz
- Retrieve Rate, per crank: 26”
- Retrieve Side: Right or Left
Pros
- Smooth and fine drag adjustment
- Excellent for casting with
- Fast and smooth-ish retrieve
- Reliable gearing that stays aligned
- Solid aluminum frame
- Great drag power for inshore fishing
- Amazingly affordable
Cons
- Hard to get the brake system settings right at first
- A little heavier than other reels
- Low bearing count
Abu Garcia Revo SX Low Profile Baitcasting Reel
This is the fourth generation of the Abu Garcia Revo SX Low Profile reel and is the most durable, powerful, and high-performance one yet. Unfortunately, it still has a few kinks to iron out though. The best thing about the Abu Garcia Revo SX reel is its simplicity
Abu Garcia Revo SX Low Profile Baitcasting Reel
The Abu Garcia Revo reels have everything going for them except for one major flaw.
This Abu Garcia reel has a side plate button that is easily engaged by accident when you’re casting. This leads to the plate falling off by mistake and it can get lost on a cast, ending your fishing day – be very careful with this issue.
Light & Durable
The best thing about this fishing reel is the amount of drag power and fishing line it can hold while being surprisingly light.
The Abu Garcia Revo fishing reel weighs just 7.83 oz thanks to the aluminum spool and carbon side plate that keep it lightweight while still being tough and durable.
Simple & Easy
The thing you’ll love most about the Abu Garcia Revo SX Low Profile is how simple and easy it is to use. The brakes are a piece of cake to dial in making casting almost as easy as using a spinning reel, well not quite but you get the idea.
It’s a great baitcasting reel for anyone leaving their spinning reel to move on to a baitcaster.
Drag & Crank
Cranking on this reel is smooth as butter. The gears are aligned and held in place well plus with 9 bearings, the load is well spread, which makes pulling in the biggest crankbaits or heavy fish under pressure is easy.
The gear ratios are also solid. The high gear ratio of 6.6:1 with a crank rate of 27 inches per turn and with the ergonomic wide handle, you can get some serious torque when you need it.
Drag System
The most impressive thing about these fishing reels is the carbon matrix drag system which delivers a wapping 25lbs of pressure
Having this kind of power in your hands puts you in control when a trophy fish is on the line and it means you can go chasing inshore monsters like big tarpon. If big fish are your thing, seriously consider this reel.
Specs
- Mono capacity YD/LB: 175/10, 145/12, 100/15
- Braid capacity YD/LB: 190/20, 140/30, 100/50
- Drag: 24lbs
- Gear Ratio: 6.6:1
- Ball bearings: 9+1
- Weight: 7.83oz
- Retrieve rate, per crank: 27 inch
- Retrieve Side: Right or Left
Pros
- Super smooth retrieve with 9 bearings
- Huge drag pressure for large fish
- Ideal for fresh and saltwater fishing
- Simple and easy to use
- Great for beginner baitcasters
- Lightweight with a long-lasting build
Cons
- The side plate button is poorly placed
- The side plate can pop out while fishing
KastKing Rover Round Baitcasting Reel
The KastKing Rover Round baitcasting reel is fantastic if you’re the kind of angler who likes to troll and baitcast, and you’re looking for one fishing reel to do it all with.
KastKing Rover Round Baitcasting Reel
The KastKing Rover round reel works as both a baitcaster and a trolling reel. The size 40-60 models come with a 2-pin centrifugal brake that’s good for casting. The reel is made mostly of metal and contains barely any plastic so it lasts.
Build Quality
The reel is made mostly of metal and contains barely any plastic, making for a high-quality, durable reel that handles corrosion. The gears are made of brass and stainless steel, while the spool, body, and side plates are built from aluminum.
The drag is formed of a carbon fiber disc system that’s super smooth and has a max of 30 lbs. That’s a lot of drag and you’ll not struggle to land some monsters with it.
In terms of casting, the spool lock does tend to slip, making a lot of backlashes. But with some good thumbing of the spool, you should be able to avoid this.
Weight
It’s a heavy reel and you’ll get tired casting it all day, this is mainly because it’s made for trolling and casting plus it’s a full metal build with no lightweight graphite or carbon side plates.
The spool has a huge line capacity but it could use a higher gear ratio and retrieve rate isn’t the quickest.
Even if the gear ratio is not that high, It’s not slow though, you’ll still get your bait in quickly and put some pressure on fish!
Specs
- Mono capacity LB/YD: 16/750, 25/540
- Braid capacity LB/YD: 45/750, 65/540
- Drag: 30lb
- Gear Ratio: 3.6:1
- Ball bearings: 5
- Weight: 22.8 oz
- Retrieve rate, per crank: 24.8 inch
- Retrieve Side: Right or Left
Pros
- Well made from quality materials for corrosion resistance
- Huge line capacity
- Massive max drag
- Works for trolling and baitcasting
- Simple to use
Cons
- Heavy
- Low gear ratios & crank rate
- The spool lock can release making backlashes
KastKing Spartacus Baitcasting Reel
For the price, you’d be hard pushed to find a fishing reel with more features than the KastKing Spartacus. It has everything you could want from a baitcaster along with high-performance brakes for easy casting, an awesome drag, and a big spool size that holds a ton of line. There aren’t many fish you can’t go after with it.
KastKing Spartacus Baitcasting Reel
The KastKing Spartacus is the ideal reel if you’re on a budget or a beginner looking to move on from spinning reels and find your first baitcaster.
It’s an incredibly simple and easy reel to use, just like the Kastking Stealth. Dialing in the magnetic brakes is simple once you learn how, which makes for easy casts that will surprise you when it comes to both distance and accuracy.
Just keep an idea on the thumb bar as it can disengage, it happens very rarely, but picking up on it will stop any backlashes.
Light and Tough
Everything from the spool to the frame is aluminum which keeps the weight down. At just 6 ounces, this budget reel is incredibly light and even once you add 200 yards of braided line to it, it’s still light. Making 1000 casts a day while covering bass-looking covers is quite possible with this in your hands.
Drag System
The drag is excellent – it’s smooth and is made up of a carbon fiber disc system. Its max drag is high and will handle some big fish.
The reel is smooth thanks to an aluminum braid-ready spool, 12 bearings, and precision brass gears. The gears can begin to grind after a while in some cases, but again this is rare.
The reel comes with instant anti-reverse for good hook sets. In addition, its excellent gear ratios mean you can wind fast and put pressure on fish trying to snag you.
Specs
- Mono capacity YD/LB: 10/140, 12/110, 15/90
- Braid capacity YD/LB: 20/270, 30/140, 40/115
- Drag: 17.64lb
- Gear Ratio: 7.2::1
- Ball bearings: 7+1
- Weight: 6 oz
- Retrieve rate, per crank: 25.5”
- Retrieve Side: Right or Left
Pros
- Excellent quality for value
- The drag is powerful and smooth
- Fantastic gear ratio and retrieve rate
- Packed full of features
- Very affordable
- Good in both salt and freshwater
- Super light for tireless casting
- Huge line capacity
Cons
- Gears can grind after a while
- Thumb bar can disengage
What is the best baitcasting reel for the money?
A tough question to answer mainly because only you, the angler can answer it. The best reel for you will match your specific preferences from what lure weight you’re casting, to drag pressure and the braking system.
It comes down to personal preferences but the main key is matching it to the fish you want to catch. A smaller lighter reel would suit bass fishing while a heavier reel with more drag would match inshore fishing from the beach for tarpon.
How much should I spend on a baitcaster reel?
How much you should spend on a reel comes down to your budget. Quality and price go hand in hand when it comes to fishing reels so you never want to buy something too cheap as it will probably break.
TIP
When I go buying new reels, I set a budget I can afford and only shop at the top end of it. Plus I never mind going a bit over, as it means I’ll have a reel for a lot longer.
What are you fishing for?
Your reel needs to be able to handle the fish you want to catch and the environments you want to fish in. It has to be of high enough quality to survive harsh environments and to land big fish without failing. Keep this in your mind when you’re looking for a new reel.
TIP
Match the materials to saltwater, the line capacity to the species of fish, and the drag power to the size of the fish. If all of this is right, you’ll never be outgunned on the water.
Does line capacity matter?
Line capacity is important, in both casting and landing a fish.
If you’re planning on fishing in freshwater for bass or trout, then most bait casters will have enough line for you.
TIP
If you want to go into the ocean and target larger fish, then you’ll want a big line capacity so you won’t get spooled.
What line is best to use with a baitcaster?
Braid is the line to use in this day and age. It can be tricky to spool correctly on your reel as it can slip. Most reels will come with a braid-ready spool to help you with this but just check before your reel purchase.
RECOMMENDATION
If you’re new to baitcasters, start with mono as it’ll be easier to learn to cast with and you’ll get fewer backlashes.
Once you have mastered mono, move on to braid as you’ll be able to cast larger distances and put more pressure on fish, as braided line unlike mono line does not stretch.
Why is the braking system important?
The brake on a baitcaster puts a little pressure on the spool while you cast to stop your line from backlashing and leaving a large tangle for you to deal with.
Braking systems can be dual or single, using either a magnetic or centrifugal system. The key to a good system is adjustability so that you can set the tension just right for maximum casting distances across a lot of lure weights.
What Is Anti-Backlash?
Backlash is a tangle that forms in your reel when the spool is moving faster than the line and spews the line out off the spool.
They usually happen when you’re casting and are a nightmare on the water as they take ages to untangle, wasting valuable fishing time.
Anti-backlash simply refers to the brake system in the reel which slows the spool down so it backlashes a lot less or not at all. It’s very useful to have and all the reels featured above come with it.
Check out tips on how to prevent backlashes in the video below…
Conclusion
Thanks for reading my article, I hope you enjoyed it and we have managed to whittle down your reel options to just one or two to choose from. Getting a good baitcaster on a budget can be done, especially if you pick from the above. If you’re still struggling to choose, here are our top three.
Top Pick
The top pick goes to the Lews Fishing Tournament MB Baitcasting Reel. Lews have been around for a while and are known for their quality. This reel can do it all. It’s a bit tricky to get used to but once you do, you’ll be casting like a dream. The drag is super smooth and strong – overall it’s built to last and the retrieve is excellent.
Best Value
The best value baitcasting reel is the KastKing Royale Legend. It’s well-made with the angler in mind. The brake is super sensitive and adjustable so you can get your casting just right. It’s a simple reel, easy to use and both the drag and retrieve are awesome. It’s durable and can also be used in saltwater fishing.
Editor’s Choice
If it was me, I’d spend a little more and go for the Tatula. This reel offers more versatility than any other. It casts small and large baits as well as each other, works well in both fresh and saltwater, and its brakes, drag, and retrieve are some of the best around. But, it does require regular maintenance to stay sharp.
Feel Free To Share!
Thanks again for reading! Please share the article with your fishing friends on Facebook, they appreciate it. After all, it’s not easy to find a good baitcaster that lasts at a low price point.
