best casting reel for 100 bucks?

[Obz]

My bass club buddy only has spinning gear, he asked me for combo advice. He said he could spend around 200. I told him to go 7'mh st.croix for a rod. I have an avid and mojo IMO they are about as versatile as it gets. They take a beating and warranty is also good. I personally haven't been to fond of the reels I have purchased in $100 price range. I have citica(first generation) and it casts well but there is too much play in the handle. I have a lexa, its solid but it doesn't cast as well as my citica. I'm a big Abu hater so that is off the board. I played with a $100 ardent reel at gander, the spool seemed to spin for a long time when I flicked it and the handle tolerance felt very good. Any advice?

[Markanthony404]

Finding A great casting reel for $100 is going to be difficult. I recommend your buddy should up his budget a little bit and maybe shop on eBay or other sites that have discounts. The latest shimano curado would be my choice. I believe they retail for $179 but they can be found on eBay for around $135 or other sites for $150.

The Daiwa Tatula would be another one to look at, you can get it at Cabela's for $130.

These two reels are both quality products. Both have an aluminum frame, smooth gears and bearings and will out perform and last longer than most reels that retail for $100 from other companies.


http://www.cabelas.com/product/DAIWA-TA ... lsrc=aw.ds

https://jet.com/product/pdp/d6513976c53 ... hgodXYUMpQ

https://jet.com/product/detail/d016c72b ... hgodIscLew

[oops]

I'd look on your local craiglist to see what's out there. I wouldn't be surprised if you could find a $400+ combo for under $200 on there relatively easily.

Chronarch 100a, Chronarch 100sf and Curado 100b/200b regularly sell for under $100 on eBay. I don't own any casting reels in the $100 retail range, but I've fished other people's reels before and I can tell you that these older premium reels feel and fish a whole bunch better than the cheaper new stuff to me.

Or just up the budget to $130 and get a Curado 200I on eBay.

[MRQturbo]

I saw on ig that shimano was having a promo now with dealers... New caenan and crucial combo for $199 sale.. Your buddy should look into that...

[Obz]

I saw on ig that shimano was having a promo now with dealers... New caenan and crucial combo for $199 sale.. Your buddy should look into that...

Thanks man.. will do. I was afraid the answer was going to be buy something higher quality. This is TT after all. He is a retail kind of guy, I just wanted to say "get this". He is used to buying a $40 shimano spinning reel and $60 rod and calling it good. Thanks all of you for the input.

[Obz]

Finding A great casting reel for $100 is going to be difficult. I recommend your buddy should up his budget a little bit and maybe shop on eBay or other sites that have discounts. The latest shimano curado would be my choice. I believe they retail for $179 but they can be found on eBay for around $135 or other sites for $150.

Thanks man
The Daiwa Tatula would be another one to look at, you can get it at Cabela's for $130.

These two reels are both quality products. Both have an aluminum frame, smooth gears and bearings and will out perform and last longer than most reels that retail for $100 from other companies.


http://www.cabelas.com/product/DAIWA-TA ... lsrc=aw.ds

https://jet.com/product/pdp/d6513976c53 ... hgodXYUMpQ

https://jet.com/product/detail/d016c72b ... hgodIscLew

[Obz]

You rock TT

[slipperybob]

That $100 is the break price point. It is a huge performance difference (depending on exactly which products) of what you get. I totally understand the retail purchase mentality, cuz I am that way myself. That's what sales and clearance bargains are for. When I look at $100, I am looking at under $100. Stretch it out to $125-150.

Anyway, spool spin and handle free spinning does not equate to performance. Cuz you have to consider loading performance as well.

[Pen3]

If you are considering the Caenan, i would shop around for a Tatula instead.

[new2BC4bass]

The standard Tatula at about $95 from ebay is a great reel at that price. Some think it is a bit wide, but it doesn't bother me. I'd say my hands are about average size. I'm about 5'10". My latest reel is a Lew's Tournament MB for $109 off ebay. Very nice reel. If manventureoutpost ever gets more Pinnacle Primmus reels in...and keeps the $104.10 price....you won't find a better reel anywhere near that price, IMHO. Smooth, light, good looking, trouble free casting and excellent casting distance. Although I don't have a Supreme, I own a couple other Pfluegers, and don't think it would be bad advice to consider one if buying new. A friend has a couple of the Supreme XTs and likes them better than some of his more expensive reels.

The best $100 rod is a used rod in good shape. The older Tatula and Elite Tech Smallmouth rods are excellent. At full price, I like the Fenwick HMG. Check out FFO. They have a 7'3" MHF for $58.88, and at $74.88 Smallmouths in 6'9" MHF, 6'9" M-XF and the 6'10" MH-MF. I own all three. I feel they were exceptional rods at the $130 full price....a steal at this price.

13 Fishing makes some very good rods for the price. I have zero experience with No. 8 Tackle, but they are getting excellent reviews. H2O Express rods also get good reviews.

It would be interesting to know what combo you two decided on.

[JWR075]

http://tackletour.com/reviewdaiwaexeler.html

[Obz]

The standard Tatula at about $95 from ebay is a great reel at that price. Some think it is a bit wide, but it doesn't bother me. I'd say my hands are about average size. I'm about 5'10". My latest reel is a Lew's Tournament MB for $109 off ebay. Very nice reel. If manventureoutpost ever gets more Pinnacle Primmus reels in...and keeps the $104.10 price....you won't find a better reel anywhere near that price, IMHO. Smooth, light, good looking, trouble free casting and excellent casting distance. Although I don't have a Supreme, I own a couple other Pfluegers, and don't think it would be bad advice to consider one if buying new. A friend has a couple of the Supreme XTs and likes them better than some of his more expensive reels.

The best $100 rod is a used rod in good shape. The older Tatula and Elite Tech Smallmouth rods are excellent. At full price, I like the Fenwick HMG. Check out FFO. They have a 7'3" MHF for $58.88, and at $74.88 Smallmouths in 6'9" MHF, 6'9" M-XF and the 6'10" MH-MF. I own all three. I feel they were exceptional rods at the $130 full price....a steal at this price.

13 Fishing makes some very good rods for the price. I have zero experience with No. 8 Tackle, but they are getting excellent reviews. H2O Express rods also get good reviews.

It would be interesting to know what combo you two decided on.

I sent him screen shots of the elite tech mhf smallmouth rods. I have an HMG and I think it's a good stick, I just don't know if he needs a 7'3", I prefer mh rods. I sent pics of the Tatula and lews tournament MG as well. Thanks man

[IlliniDawg01]

If he has a Cabelas nearby, check out the Tournament ZX rods. Very good rods and often on sale under $100.There is a code for 10% off and free shipping right now.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/ ... _104822280

DaveJ

[new2BC4bass]

If he has a Cabelas nearby, check out the Tournament ZX rods. Very good rods and often on sale under $100.There is a code for 10% off and free shipping right now.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/ ... _104822280

DaveJ

Stopped at Cabela's today and handled a couple Tournament ZX casting rods. Pretty light. Don't like white. Could overlook that, tho. I didn't think they were on sale. Regular price is $100.

[Draethe84]

From personal experiences I would recommend the Tatula, I have some brilliant top end JDM custom reels but seriously the Tatula still feels special, everytime I pick it up I know it is a quality reel that will never let me down.