Basic knowledge of the components of a Baitcasting Reel can help a lot in making an amateur angler to a professional one. It may seem complex at first but once you get the hang of it, it’ll help you in getting the glorious award.
Each Baitcasting reel is different from one other, with variances in quality of the line and casting accuracy. The one with the highest of these qualities will help you to catch prized fishes like largemouth bass, northern pike and even muskellunge from even the tiniest lakes, ponds or rivers.
Using a Baitcasting reel for the first time isn’t easy, but this will give you some insight:
- Measure how far your lure is, make sure that it is 6-12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters) from the rod tip and reel the line in.
- Get a good grip of the reel. Place your thumb over the reel spool rather than pressing the very flat of it on the line.
- Make sure that the reel handles point up and turn the rod accordingly
- Press on the reel spool release button
- Sway the rod about 30 degrees above a horizontal position, while doing so lift the thumb off of the reel spool
- When the bait reaches the target, press down the reel spool to stop the bait
The design of a Baitcasting rod is similar to that of a Spincasting rod. The main difference between both of them is the placement and direction of the spool. You can notice that the reel with the spool that is in line with the fishing rod is that of a Baitcasting Reel’s while spools that are perpendicular to the rod are that of a Spincasting Reel’s.
Contents
- 1 Things To Consider Before Buying Best Baitcasting Reels Under 100%
- 2 Top 10 Best Baitcasting Reels For The Money Under 100
- 3 Best Baitcasting Reels Under 100 Reviews
- 3.1 #1 Kastking Spartacus Maximus Metal Low Profile Baitcasting Fishing Reel
- 3.2 #2 Shimano Caenan A, Low profile Baitcasting Freshwater fishing reel
- 3.3 #3 Abu Garcia Black Max Low Profile Baitcasting Fishing Reel
- 3.4 #4 KastKing Royale Legend/Whitemax Low Profile Baitcasting Fishing Reel
- 3.5 #5 KastKing Speed Demon 9:3:1 Baitcasting Fishing Reel
- 3.6 #6 Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel
- 3.7 #7 KastKing Stealth Baitcasting Reel
- 3.8 #8 Kastking New Assassin Carbon Baitcasting Reel
- 3.9 #9 Lews Speed Spool LFS Baitcasting Reel
- 3.10 #10 Pflueger President XT Low Profile Reel
- 4 FAQ’s
- 5 Conclusion
Also check out our article on Top 10 Best Backpacking Fishing Poles/Rods In 2020 Reviews.
Things To Consider Before Buying Best Baitcasting Reels Under 100%
GEAR RATIO
This is the foremost and most important thing to find out, that is, the right gear ratio. Gear Ratio plays an important factor in a Baitcasting Reel as it affects the speed of the lure retrieve. Gear ratio basically means the number of times the spool is rotated when the handle is rotated once.
For example, if there is a ratio mentioned of 5:1 it means the spool will turn 5 times when the handle is rotated once. Make sure that the first number is the highest and this, in turn, will give you the fastest lure retrieve.
The ideal Gear Ratio is 5:1 which is pretty average, anything below that ratio (for example 4:1) is considered slow and anything above the average ratio (for example 6:1) is considered fast.
Deciding what Gear ratio to settle for always depends upon the lure you’ll be catching. A Gear ratio as low as 3:1 is best for diving crankbaits and large spinnerbaits. An average gear ratio of 5:1 is best for Texas rigs, jigs, and soft plastics. A fast gear ratio, 6:1 or 7:1 higher, is required for lures that need a fast action like spinnerbaits, buzz baits, and others.
On most brands, the gear ratio ranges from 5:1 to 9.1:1. An over arching trend remains that the professionals use high speed models, often ranging from 7.1:1 to 9.1:1. This is primarily because they are aware of the fact that it is rather easy to slow down a retrieve with a fast reel than it is crank faster with a slow speed model. But, beginners do find it rather difficult to control the high speed retrieve. This is why we would recommend a lower speed model of bait casting reel.
REEL SPOOL SIZE
A heavier line is required for handling large and strong fishes, but heavier lines take up more space on the spool. In situations like this, it is important to choose a deep spool so as to hold the heavy line. Larger fishes tend to take a lot of runs while you’re luring them in, that’s why you will need an extra line as well.
Ultimately, a nice deep spool will give you space to hold heavier and extra lines. Smaller spool for containing lighter lines can be used for bass fishing, somewhere around 12-pound test provides the strength that is required to capture such fish. You won’t have to sacrifice the accuracy and versatility of the Baitcast either.
ANGLER’S COMFORT
Comfort is the most important factor to consider while buying a Baitcasting Reel. If the Baitcast isn’t comfortable for you to hold and grip in your hands then it is of no use and you’re not going to get any benefit out of it. When buying a Baitcast make sure that there are a comfortable grip and a proper balance for rod and reel combination, this way it will help you to cast with more accuracy and make you an effective angler also.
With a comfortable baitcast even if you have cast so many times in one single day, it won’t compromise with the accuracy and provide you consistent results throughout. Use the help of trial and error method, try out multiple reels to find the best one which provides you utmost comfort. Test out the components, features, mechanism and reeling handles, etc.
Low profile allows the angler to palm the reel during casting and retrieving which is ideal for sports fishing when targeting bass and such kinds. On the other hand, a round profile reel generally holds much more line which is ideal for target species that take long runs. These can be especially good reels for trolling. In conclusion, choose wisely.
SET A BUDGET
Various models of Baitcasting Reels come with different features and components thus varying in prices also. There are models with minimal features which are very expensive, these don’t guarantee utmost performance and satisfaction while there are models available for a cheaper price, and feature packed and provides the best performance. Thus it is important to set a budget first and then start researching regarding the reels.
DO IT ALL REEL
The first Baitcaster you purchase should not be a single purpose but a multipurpose one, and it should satisfy your budget also. Try getting the one with a gear ratio between 6:2:1 to 7:0:1, this allows you to adjust the speed of retrieving easier than low-or-high speed reels.For example, if you are fishing buzz baits or Rat-L-Traps, you can set it up to a 6:2:1 reel and get a good result.
Give yourself enough time to explore the different functions and features your bait casting reel comes equipped with. Read a lot of reviews by professionals, watch a lot of YouTube videos. All in all, it is rather essential to know what you have got yourself, and invest time in it, before investing in another reel just yet.
LEARNING BASICS
Once you buy a baitcaster the reel won’t do all the work for you, you need to understand the basics and work it. To work one, it requires a lot of skills and practices that won’t come in a few uses but many. Components like the spool speed require your hands to grip on and work with.
We have compiled a list of Best Baitcasting Reels which are affordable, durable, and feature-packed. In this article, we have covered the bases of the reels and a little insight on usage as well. There is something for everyone’s budget in this article.
Top 10 Best Baitcasting Reels For The Money Under 100
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Best Baitcasting Reels Under 100 Reviews
#1 Kastking Spartacus Maximus Metal Low Profile Baitcasting Fishing Reel
At an affordable price of $99, this reel will give you optimum results and performance like any other high-end reel caster. The drag system in Kastking is equipped with 3 parts – normal drag setting using the rewind handle, a magnetic system and lastly a centrifugal system.
This reel has a really good finish, is pretty lightweight. This reel is so sturdy and light that it makes sure no water seeps inside and damages any components. This reel is a good choice for catching fishes like redfish and striper.
SPECS:
- Weighs at 259.7 grams
- Dimensions 6.1 X 4.9 X 3.5 inches
- The maximum drag of 11.3 kilograms
- Gear Ratio 6:3:1
- Brass Gear Shaft
- Aluminum alloy zero-flex bod and frame
- CNC Machined aero-graded aluminum spool
- Centimetre Per Turn: 70
- Inch Per Turn: 27.5
Pros
- Best Baitcaster for both beginner and experienced
- Easy to control and get a grip on while dragging
- Equipped with plenty of stopping power
- Provides smooth operation
- Equipped with a powerful aluminum spool which provides a lot of strength
Cons
- Setting up this baitcaster can take a lot of time
- This reel makes a lot of noise while being used
- So as to avoid bird nests you’ll need a lot of time and practice with this reel
#2 Shimano Caenan A, Low profile Baitcasting Freshwater fishing reel
The Shimano comes in a well-packed green Shimano box and inside it has a lot of packing protection and has the reel diagram literature. This reel can be used with square bill crankbaits, shallow spinnerbaits, shallow castable umbrella rigs, and medium depth crankbaits and get maximum performance. The reel can be used on freshwater and saltwater also without any sacrifices in its performance.
Also, the manufacturer is one of the top brands in the market who deals in providing fishing gears and equipment.
SPECS:
- Weighs 6.5 ounces
- Drag style – Star Drag
- Drag – 11 pounds
- Gear Ratio of 6:3:1
- Material – Aluminium
- Employs Stable Spool Design which leads to significantly reduced spool vibration and brings a smooth feeling while casting and luring
- Equipped with Variable Brake System that provides more consistent spool speed making it easier to manage and take advantage of reel’s maximum casting distance
Pros
- Drastically reduces the spool vibration with the help of Stable Spool Design
- Casting precision improved
- The reel has a low profile and compact interface leading to better usability
- Is equipped with spool management which is pretty impressive
- Has a sturdy design
Cons
- Only equipped with four ball bearings
#3 Abu Garcia Black Max Low Profile Baitcasting Fishing Reel
This type of fishing reel may require a lot of skill and take up your time to learn the basics but once you’ve learned it all it is worth all the efforts as it provides good performance for the price. There are two different cast drag settings equipped with this reel, one on either side and is easily operable.
It is equipped with 8 pounds of monoline and also it can hold a ton of it. Apart from the drag systems, the tension and brake mechanisms are also easy and quick to adjust.
SPECS:
- Weighs 1 pound
- Dimensions 7 X 5 X 3 inches
- Magtrax Brake system
- One-piece graphite frame
- Machined aluminum spool
- Power disk drag system
- Gear ratio 6:4:1
- 4 stainless steel ball bearings
Pros
- This reel is affordable
- Feature-packed
- Smooth running
- Efficient retrieving
- Quiet operations
- Whether you’re a beginner or an expert this reel is suitable for both
- It is pretty durable thus making it last long
- Stylish design
Cons
- This reel may be a little difficult to operate when used by novice fishers
#4 KastKing Royale Legend/Whitemax Low Profile Baitcasting Fishing Reel
What makes this fishing reel stand out is its sleek low profile style in black with its chrome features and red inlay. You also get a nice carrying case and its material is similar to that of wetsuits so you can keep your reel covered when not in use. A full set of instructions also included in the pack which shows all of the moving parts and components of this reel.
The manufacturer also gives you a $10 voucher with this pack and you can use this offer on your next purchase. Finally, this reel comes with 3 drag options for you to tune in your casts so as to avoid any backlash and bird nesting in your line.
SPECS:
- Weighs 7.7 ounces
- Dimensions 5.6 X 4.4 X 2.8 inches
- Gear ratio 5:3:1
- Delivers 8 kg of drag
- Highest quality, anti-corrosion shielded ball bearings
- Multi-level dual brake system
- Centrifugal & Magnetic Brake
- Brass Gear Shaft
Pros
- Gives a much more premium feel for the price
- Can be used in saltwater also without compromising the performance
- Improved cold water performance
- Durable and lightweight
Cons
- Nothing significant
#5 KastKing Speed Demon 9:3:1 Baitcasting Fishing Reel
The KastKing Speed Demon 9:3:1 offers much more than the price tag. The price of $69 is much less than other alternatives that the market offers. This reel has an amazing casting distance and has delivered amazing cast bombs also. Lightweight lures can also be handled without any problems with this reel. Many weightless soft plastics can be managed without the hassle. During spooling you’ll be able to notice how smoothly and compactly the line sits on the spool and also that no lumps or bumps can be found and both ends of the spool are evenly covered with the line.
At a cheap price, this baitcasting reel looks are a bomb on this reel. It has a matte black finish which is resistant towards boat rash and hooks scratches. Even higher-end look is given by the red accents which make the reel’s look pop out more.
SPECS:
- The gear ratio of 9:3:1
- MaxiDur Corrosion resisting shielded ball bearings
- Extra Durable stainless steel main shaft
- Drag system with 6 kg drag power
- Powerful precision matched brass gears
- Weighs 235.7 grams
- Dimensions 12 X 5 X 5 inches
- 115 mm handle
Pros
- It has a blazing fast speed of about 35 inches per crank of the handle
- Very affordable and has features which are worth much more of the price
- Looks and feels premium.
- Very easy to operate
- Is light and perfectly fits your palms
Cons
- Users have reported a noise that comes out of the reel while in use although it’s not much of a bother
- It’s not saltwater rated
#6 Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel
Torrent has an 18 pound Max Drag and is known as “Serious Business” according to the manufacturer Piscifun. Torrent has a bigger gear than other alternatives in the market and it’s a gear ratio of 7:1:1 which is faster than usual average letting you capture lures that have a fast movement. Compared to any average reels available in the market, Torrent’s gear is bigger, stronger, and more reinforced main gear. The body is completely made of Graphite Composite Body.
SPECS:
- 18 pound Max Drag
- Gear Ratio of 7:1:1
- Steady speed retrievals
- 3 premium carbon fiber drag washers
- Shielded Stainless Steel Bearings
- 0-10 Magnetic Brake
- 60s Lubricant Design
- Dimensions 5.1 X 4.5 X 2.5 inches
- Weighs 8 ounces
Pros
- Stronger and Sturdier
- Water-resistant
- Powerful – easy to handle big fishes with the help of advanced 3 washer
- Durable
- Unique side plate oil port for prolonged maintenance
Cons
- Piece aced in all respects hence making no room for improvement
#7 KastKing Stealth Baitcasting Reel
Stealth is used using the same braking system as the Royale Legend, despite it, this reel uses a different frame and outer shell. This super lightweight reel weight at 5.98 ounces and the handle is also made of carbon fiber making it light and super strong. Unlike its alternatives, this reel might not be that great in the look department but it’s great as per the performance. This reel also feels great when you are holding it in your arms with its snug fit and easy-grip hold.
SPECS:
- Lightweight carbon construction makes it as light as feather. Close alternatives in the market weigh around 7 to 9 ounces while Stealth is just 6 ounces
- There are 11 ball bearings present which is super smooth and quiet
- The pinion gear is bass and has a ratio of 7:1
- The reels have a dual braking system and use a combination of magnetic and centrifugal brakes
- Equipped with 4 disc drag system that provides up to 16.5 pounds of drag power
- Weighs 169.5 kg
- Dimensions 6.2 X 5 X 2.9 inches
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Powerful Drag system
- Stainless steel gears
- Incredible handle
- Much better than the old system
- Two distinct brake systems
- Optimum features – lightweight and durable
Cons
- Users have experienced a few backlashes
- Can take a fair amount of efforts to tame the spool
#8 Kastking New Assassin Carbon Baitcasting Reel
This reel weighs in at around 5.7 ounces that’s almost 2 ounces less than the Shimano Curado which weighs in at 7.6 ounces and 2.2 ounces less than Abu Garcia Revo, which weighs at around 7.9 ounces. Ounces, when held for a long time, can cause a huge difference at the end of the day making you pretty exhausted, that’s why 1-2 ounces extra or less does really make a difference. The reel has a dual braking system using two distinct systems to allow fine-tuning of spool’s speed and handling of casts.
It is a bulletproof carbon construction body, with side plates, and handle for extreme weight savings, corrosion resistance, and extra rigidity. This one is available with either right hand or left hand handle, as per users’ convenience. With its instant stop anti-reverse (for devastating hook sets) and braid line ready line guide insert, be ready to go on all sorts of fishing missions!
SPECS:
- Dual Brakes which has a combination of the magnetic and centrifugal brake system
- Equipped with a smooth 4 disc carbon fiber drag of 7.5 kg that gives a great stopping power
- Smooth and corrosion shielded MaxiDur ball bearings
- Aluminum gear shaft having a gear ratio of 6:3:1
- Weighs around 5.8 ounces
- Dimensions 5.6 X 4.5 X 2.9 ounces
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Super smooth
- Stylish design
- Brake system is better than the old ones
- Great handle
Cons
- Can take a little time to get used to
- May get backlashes while using the reel
#9 Lews Speed Spool LFS Baitcasting Reel
The speed spool LFS has an aluminum frame and handle and has a smooth spool operation with adjustable settings making it worth the money you have spent. It has a snug fit in your palms as it is pretty compact and small and has a great grip for you to hold on so that you can fish all day every day. The reel is very light and comes with a wider spool that holds 150 yards of 12-pound line. The reel also has easy adjustments and with just slight adjustment it can cast really well.
SPECS:
- One-piece die-cast aluminum frame
- Sturdy graphite side plates
- Easily removable palming graphite side plate
- Drilled, machine forged and anodized aluminum U spool
- High strength solid brass gearing
- 10 double-shielded stainless steel bearing system
- Weighs 9.6 ounces
- Dimensions 6 X 5 X 3 inches
Pros
- Price
- Smaller form factor
- Lightweight
- Smoothness
- Adjustability
- 10 ball bearings
- Aluminum handle
- Four models
Cons
- Some customers reported that there can be a vibration felt when you hold the rod too close to your torso
#10 Pflueger President XT Low Profile Reel
This reel has a one-piece aluminum frame which is pretty rugged along with an aluminum side plate handle too. The spool is made from machined, ported and anodized aluminum and is equipped with 9 ball bearings which are double shielded, stainless steel. This reel also fits perfectly in your palms giving a good grip for you to hold on comfortably. The control and precision of this reel can be controlled with the help of its adjustable 6 pins centrifugal braking system and it’s the highly capable drag system.
It is a low profile bait cast reel which is unsurprisingly enough, lighter and far more compact than conventional bait casting reels.
Altogether this reel is low stress, easy to operate that is pretty durable and will last longer. At this price range, you’re getting more than what you have paid for.
SPECS:
- 9 bearing system – corrosion-resistant stainless steel ball bearings
- XT Low Profile
- Magnetic brake system
- Aluminium Handle
- Soft Touch Knob
- Dimensions 5.8 X 4.4 X 2.4 inches
- Weighs 8 ounces
- A gear ratio of 7.3:1
Pros
- Smooth operation
- Is affordable
- Great for Bass and Panfish fishing
- Lightweight to carry
Cons
- Brake system adjustment a little hard to adjust
- Few customers have complained that the reel broke after a few years
FAQ’s
Conclusion
We hope you will be satisfied with at least one of the 10 best baitcasting reels under 100 we reviewed today. As it may be difficult to choose from all these baitcasters, one important thing to note down is your personal situation. Each baitcaster is suitable for a particular situation. Therefore do research on the same, not down whether you need a bait caster for fishing slow, low action fishes or high and fast action ones, also note down the kind of water you’ll be dealing with and most importantly the budget. Happy fishing!
