When fishing, there are a number of factors to consider getting the best out of the sport – natural factors such as weather, area as well as equipment to be used such as reels and lines depending on the kind of fishing activity you are to partake. Fishing equipment though essential can be a little straining budget wise; to get good piece equipment you have to pay quite a buck.
However, our team has done extensive research and ground testing to find excellent fishing equipment at a fraction of the price. Take for example baitcasting reels, you need them to really be dependable – swiftly and smoothly move as well as be able to sufficiently support your bait. Listed below are the 10 best baitcasting reels under $100 in 2023 that we have compiled and are guarantee to blow your mind and leave you asking “how did I possibly manage to get such high performing long lasting and top rated baitcasting reels for under 100?”
OUR TOP PICK
KastKing Rover Round
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Bullet proof aluminum housing with EVA grips
- Powerful with newly designed Cymbal Washer System with support of 30lbs
- Premium MaxiDur double shielded stainless steel ball bearings
- Versatile
- Available for both left hand and right hand users
Price: US$49.98
Housing material: anodized bullet proof Aluminum
Weight capacity: 30lbs
Ball Bearing: 6+ 1 BB for size 40, 4+1 BB for size 60
EDITORS CHOICE
Piscifun Torrent
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Advanced 4-washer gives powerful characteristics with up to 18lb carbon fiber drag
- Durable industrial strength and weather resistant gears and stainless steel ball bearings
- Versatile with a 7:11 gear ratio
- Unique side-plate oil port
- Strong double wind shafts and backlash-eliminating 0-10 magnetic dial-in settings
Price: US$39.99
Housing material: graphite composite
Weight capacity: 18lbs
Ball Bearing: 5+1 BB
BEST VALUE
KastKing Royale Legend
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- High performing low profile design baitcaster
- Precision cut brass gear structure and carbon fiber drag system
- 11 + 1 shielded MaxiDur corrosion resistant ball bearings
- State of the art dual brakes
- Two color anodized aluminum forged spool
Price: US$39.98
Housing material: graphite composite
Weight capacity: 17.5lbs
Ball Bearing: 11+1 BB
Abu Garcia Black Max
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- MAGTRAX brake system to boost range and accuracy of casts
- Low profile saltwater bait casting reel with sturdy and weather proof graphite body
- Smooth and fluid machined aluminum spool
- Power disk drag system with a drag capacity of 30lbs
- Mono and braid capacity of 145/12 and 140/30 (YD/LB) respectively
Price: US$40.00
Housing material: graphite
Weight capacity: 30 lbs
Ball Bearing: 4+1 BB
Abu Garcia Pro Max
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- One-piece graphite frame and side plates for strong and weather resistant properties
- 7 stainless steel ball bearings + 1 roller bearing
- Power Disk drag system which boosts up to 30lbs
- Duragear brass gear and machined double-anodized aluminum spool
- MagTrax brake system to boost casting range and accuracy
- High-density EVA handles for secure grip and comfortable casting
Price: US$73.95
Housing material: graphite
Weight capacity: 30 lbs
Ball Bearing: 7+1 BB
KastKing Speed Demon Pro
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- One of the fastest bait casting reels on the market with 9.3:1 gear ration
- Comfortable, super polymer golf style handle grip
- 6oz Feather light Carbon Body for easy operation
- 13 stainless steel ball bearings for smooth operation
- Triple carbon disc drag delivering a consistently smooth, 13.2 lbs./6kg of fish stopping drag
Price: US$89.98
Housing material: Carbon
Weight capacity: 13 lbs
Ball Bearing: 12+1 BB
Piscifun Phantom
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Harden Anodized gear for speed @ 7.0:1 gear ration
- 6 pin centrifugal brake for fine tuning and maximizing casting distance
- 0 – 10 magnetic brake offers precise adjustment for a variety of baits
- Rugged carbon fiber drag system up to 17 lbs
- Fast accelerating CNC hollow aircraft grade duralumin spool
- Oversized titanium line guide position
Price: US$69.99
Housing material: Carbon
Weight capacity: 17 lbs
Ball Bearing: 6+1 BB
KastKing New Assassin
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Centrifugal and magnetic brake for backlash prevention
- Dual brake system for maximum casting range and distance
- 4 plate bulletproof carbon fiber drag system with weight of up to 16.5lbs and gear ratio of 6.3:!
- CNC anodized aluminum spool to support light lines and lures
- Non-slip EVA padded foam grip
Price: US$59.98
Housing material: Carbon
Weight capacity: 16.5 lbs
Ball Bearing: 11+1 BB
Abu Garcia Ambassadeur
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Ergonomically designed compact bend handle
- Multi drag systems offers smooth drag of up to 255 yards
- Ideally round shaped for trolling, deep jigging and dropping applications
- 4 pin centrifugal brake system to enhance line lay and cast ability
Price: US$69.99
Housing material: Zinc and aluminum
Weight capacity: 17 lbs
Ball Bearing: 2+1 BB
KastKing Stealth
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Dynamic 4 carbon fiber disc with drag power of up to 16.5lbs
- Aero grade hardened aluminum gear and ultra smooth bearings with 7.0:1 gear ratio
- Comfortable 3.7” padded EVA handle for comfortable and secure grip
- 7 pin Centrifugal and magnetic brake for backlash prevention
Price: US$56.98
Housing material: carbon
Weight capacity: 16.5 lbs
Ball Bearing: 11+1 BB
How To Choose A Baitcasting Reel Under $100 – Buying Guide
Gear Ratios
When choosing the right bait casting reel to purchase, it is wise to look for certain factors to get yourself the right product. Gear ratio is one of those important factors that certainly affect the overall performance of your bait casting reel. Gear ration simply outlines how fast you reel revolves. The larger the ratio, the faster the reel and the ratio is normally represented as A1.A2:A3, A represents the value, e.g.: 6.4:1. A1 represents revolutions per turn whilst A1.A2 represents revolutions per turn on its handle.
Braking
Braking is an important factor on any reel as it prevents backlash which otherwise might ruin your whole fishing process. It is important to further review and understand your braking mechanism.
Line Capacity
Line capacity is normally listed in yards and on average for a bait casting reel it ranges from 150 to 350 yards. Round profile bait casting reels tend to hold more lines than low profile. So if you come across a value like 30/255, this simply means your reel has a weight capacity of 30 and a line capacity of 255 yards.
Right-Handed vs Left-Handed Baitcasting Reels
Baitcasting reels are normally available in right hand and left hand to better suit anglers and their equipment, according to whatever side is stronger for them. Always look out for this detail when choosing the right bait casting reel for you.
Bearings
Like most factors, quality is better than quantity. When looking at bearings, to a point, a larger number helps increase efficiency and smoothness however, bearing material is more important. Stainless steel and shielded bearing tend to help more wit smooth operation of the reel as well as they boast weather proof qualities and are anti corrosive.
Frame
The frame offers protection to your reel and as such you want good quality. A one piece framed reel is ideal and reduce hassles whilst material such as aluminum is favored. Aluminum is stronger, tougher and weather resistant (including anti-corrosion).
You might also like: Spinning Reels Under $50
Handle
Invest on a reel with a good EVA and padded handle. Additionally, consider the length of your handle, depending on hand size and your comfortability desire, a long enough handle. Think of it this way, you are fishing and the reel does an excellent job at speed and precision, but the handle is made that you don’t have a comfortable grip and your back is too strained. Now that will not be a memorable fishing experience.
Weight
Fishing activities involve moving and walking to your designated or desired fishing spot. You want to do this with minimal luggage. Furthermore, the activity is time consuming thus, you want to invest on equipment that is comfortable and will not cause any strain or bring fatigue to your body – thus, always purchase a lightweight reel at least less than 6 ounces.
Spool
The surface on which the line is held needs to be made out of quality material such as high grade aluminum, small spool size is ideal for shallower waters than larger sized spools because this affects their line holding capabilities. Round profile baitcaster are normally designed to hold more lines than low profile bait casters thus, round baitcaster are more suited for larger fish and deeper waters.
Drag System
Drag system is the ability of the spool to support with. The higher the drag system value, the more tension the spool can take thus, the reel is able to support more weight.
Brake System
Brake system prevent bait backlash and a bait casting reel will either have a centrifugal, magnetic or dual braking system. A magnetic braking system may be more suited as it is less mechanical and requires less effort. Nevertheless, both systems are useful as they are quite efficient at their job.
FAQs
Q: Why Use a Baitcasting Reel?
A bait casting reel offers more control than other reels when fishing and as such are ideal for medium sized to larger sized fish. Brands such as the Shimano baitcasting reels and Daiwa baitcasting reels are also known to be amongst the best and trusted baitcasters. And owning one of these badboys certainlty wont hurt.
Q: What Are The Advantages Of Using Baitcast Reel?
- Baitcasting reels provides overall more power and control than other types
- Allows for longer distance casting
- Has a higher weight and line capacity
- Experiences less line fumbling than spinning reels
- Incorporates adjustable features – such as brake systems to allow for casting range and accuracy adjustments
Q: How To Use A Baitcasting Reel?
The bait is reeled until it is a few inches (6 – 12”) away from the tip of the rod. The rod is then turned so the handle point upwards. Press the spool using your thumb at a comfortable angle to control flow of the line.
Globosurf Overview
The above baitcasting reels under 100 reviews have surely proven that at a fraction of the price and with proper research you can definitely get a good quality, efficient and super fast baitcasting reel. Gone are the days where you can’t get quality when you are on a tight budget. So all I can advise is pick your absolute favorite from the 10 best baitcasting reels under 100 listed above, pair them with the right rod and lines and you are guaranteed the same fun and efficiency as any other high quality bait casting reel would provide.
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