When anglers go fishing, among the many things they consider is their fishing reel. You can’t go without having one that could not give you a good catch! Of course, while you need a quality baitcasting reel, you also don’t want to spend a lot of money on it. What, then, are the best fishing reels that would not cost you much but would give you enough quality for a great catch?
There are quite a few parts of a fishing reel that we need to consider when choosing one. Indeed, there’s its handle, body, gearbox, spool, adjustment knobs, bails, and anti-reverse switches. You have to consider these features and make sure that they work efficiently. Of course, you also want to evaluate the spinning reel’s weight and capacity.
Top 10 Best Baitcasting Reels Table
| Image | Name | Ball Bearings | Gear Ratio | Max drag (lb) | Weight (oz) | Hand Orientation | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. KastKing Royale Legend | 12 | 5.3:1 to 8.1:1 | 17.6 lbs | 7.2 oz | Right Hand |  |
 | 2. Abu Garcia Black Max | 5 | 6.4:1 | 18 lbs | 7.3 oz | Right Hand | |
 | 3. Sougayilang Baitcasting Reel | 12 | 7.0:1 | 18 lbs | 7.68 oz | Left Hand | |
 | 4. Entsport Classic Baitcasting Reel | 11 | 6.3:1 | 12 lbs | 7.4 oz | Left Hand | |
 | 5. ROPHAL Baitcasting Fishing Reel | 15 | 6.3:1 | 17.5 lbs | 7.0 oz | Right Hand | |
 | 6. Fiblink Baitcasting Reel | 11 | 7.3:1 | 17.6 lbs | 7.62 oz | Left Hand | |
 | 7. Shimano SLX | 4 | 6.3:1 to 8.2:1 | 11 or 12 lbs | 6.9 oz | Left Hand | |
 | 8. Abu Garcia Revo X | 8 | 5.4:1 to 7.3:1 | 18 lbs | 7.9 oz | Right Hand | |
 | 9. Lews Speed Spool | 10 | 5.6:1 to 7.5:1 | 15 lbs | 7.1 to 7.2 oz | Right Hand | |
 | 10. KastKing Crixus Armor X | 10 | 7.2:1 | 17.6 lbs | 6.8 oz | Right Hand | |
Top 6 Best Baitcasting Reels Under $100
Here are six inexpensive baitcasting reels you can choose from:
1. KastKing Royale Legend Baitcasting Reel
Because of its small size, this baitcasting reel could easily fit in your hands while giving you the amount of comfort you crave when it comes to fishing. It measures around 2.87 inches by 1.63 inches and weighs only up to 17.6 lbs. Made for tournaments, this baitcasting reel includes quite several gear ratios. It features eleven bearings that are made of stainless steel and are double-shielded. The main gear, made of aluminum, is treated specially with heat, providing remarkably excellent durability while at the same time making the reel stay lightweight.
The carbon disc of this reel is super smooth and powerful, giving up to around 17lbs of fish stopping powers. You can have a left and right-handed reel.
Pros
- It fits in the hand
- Varying speed options
- Convenient to fine-tune
- Great brake system
- Very smooth when used
Cons
- Not very rigid
Anglers admire this reel’s size and how it could fit their hand. Despite this size, however, they can get a big catch with the help of this reel. They highly recommend this product to other anglers who want to save yet enjoy a competent catch with its excellent brake system and affordable price.
2. Abu Garcia Black Max Low Profile Baitcasting Reel
Weighing 0.32 ounces, this inexpensive fishing reel has its side plates and frames made of graphite. It features a machined aluminum spool and four stainless steel ball bearings.
Its magtrax brake system allows remarkable castability, exerting steady brake pressure, boosting the range and accuracy of your cast. Its bent handle is compact to ensure a user-friendly grip.
Pros
- Great brakes
- Very easy to maneuver
- Very smooth
- Small enough to fit in the hands
Cons
- Requires a couple of practice before it can be used conveniently
- Some rod holders may not be able to accommodate the reel
Those who have tried this fishing reel commented that they only needed to learn how to use a baitcasting reel to be very familiar with how this product works. They admired the price and quality of the product while at the same time giving praise to how it could hold a ton of fishing lines. They said that trying this for the first time may require a bit of getting used to, but once you’ve learned, this product would never be a disappointment.
3. Sougayilang Baitcasting Reel
This baitcasting reel is lightweight at 215 grams, so you can easily carry it around and use it in fishing with ease. It is made of carbon construction bodies and is resistant to any corrosions. Aside from this, it also features a magnetic brake system and a side cover you can conveniently remove. Its line guide is ceramic, making it durable and smooth and accommodating fishing lines of any kind. Its handle knobs are covered with a rubber cork, preventing your hands from slipping through it even when they’re wet during use. It has a drag power of 18 lbs.
Pros
- Magnetic brake system
- Lightweight and smooth
- It does not create too much noise when used
- Easy to adjust the brake system
Cons
- The brakes may act up sometimes.
Anglers who have used this baitcasting reel expressed their joy in this lightweight and powerful tool. While some noted the noise that the casts make, they nevertheless find this baitcasting reel helpful in giving them a good catch. This is highly recommended by users who have experienced using different fishing reels.
4. Entsport Classic Baitcasting Reel
Its composite body is made of titanium alloy, and this casting reel promises toughness and durability. Its magnetic brake system is reliable and easy to adjust for a uniform cast control. This casting reel’s stopping power is because of its smooth drag system. The Entsport Classic casting reel provides a handlebar covered with a soft non-slip foam attached to an aluminum handle for easier grip. One remarkable feature about this product is its push-button lock system, preventing the side cover from coming loose or be removed easily.
This casting reel features 11 Ball bearings and has a maximum brake force of approximately 5kg. It comes with one fishing reel and one protective bag with a year warranty.
Pros
- Easy to access
- Very smooth cast
- Works best in salt and freshwater
- Smooth retrieve
Cons
- The casting button may come off after constant use
- The line may spool in one place after several hours of use
Not only are customers satisfied with how this fishing reel performs, but they also commented that sellers easily reach out to them when they raise concerns about this product. Because it is lightweight, most anglers find this reel very helpful as it is easy to use and could fit one’s hand conveniently. They expressed that this reel could be of great help, especially when one is fishing in shallow waters.
5. ROPHAL Baitcasting Fishing Reel
The Palm fishing reel guarantees smooth casting with its fifteen bearings made from stainless steel and its one-way clutch system. It has a gear ratio of 6.3:1, weighing only around 220 grams, and a maximum drag capacity of up to 17.5 lbs. Its aluminum spool is double-anodized with an increased line capacity. Featuring an anti-reverse and a magnetic brake system, it promises brass gear that is durable and reliable.
Its rubberized handles provide comfort to the users and make gripping more manageable and more ergonomic.
Pros
- Smooth casting
- Anti-reverse system
- Inexpensive
- Lightweight and handy
Cons
- Requires a lot of getting used to
Anglers who have purchased this reel showed their interest in buying more because of how it casts smoothly. After taking it into several tests, they commented on how great the retrieves are for a reel of a very affordable price.
6. Fiblink Baitcasting Reel
This durable fishing reel works smoothly because of its spool made of aluminum alloy and its instant anti-reverse system and line guide inserts that are ceramic-made. Its nylon body is strong and can resist corrosion.
Featuring eight bearings made of stainless steel and a pair of Japan NMB bearings, this fishing reel integrates a handle with cork knobs, making it comfortable to use and easy to grip. It has a gear ratio of 6.2:1, could drag up to 12lb, and has a line capacity of 12lb/120 yards.
Pros
- The excellent grip provided by cork handles
- Strong brass gear
- Comes with reel, protection bag, and protection box
Cons
- Issues on reel adjustments
This fishing reel generally receives positive reviews and feedback from those who have tried it. They commented on the functionality and convenience of the handles and how it provides an excellent grip. Although they had some issues with the reel adjustments, they expressed their desire to buy more of this product, as it is not very expensive and is excellent, especially for beginning anglers.
Final Thoughts
Your catch will never be complete without an effective reel. There are reels of different brake systems, ball bearings, and line capacities. From these options, you can choose which fits you best and which could give you much comfort. Of course, you also need to check the price of what you’re buying and make sure what you get is worth what you pay!
Hopefully, these six best baitcasting reels we reviewed will give you enough options in choosing the right one.