Budget Sweet Spot... Casting Reels

Reels are the hottest topic for TackleTour. Everyone wants to know what the latest and greatest is and how they compare to the old guard. What's the best for light stuff, or what's your suggestion for heavy cover. Do we really need different retrieve ratios? It's all in here.

What is your budget sweet spot when looking for a new reel?

Under $100
9
2%
$100 - $125
19
5%
$126-$150
38
10%
$151-$175
27
7%
$176-$200
84
22%
$201-$250
67
18%
$251-$300
34
9%
Budget? What Budget? Enthusiasts don't care about no stinkin' budget!!
100
26%
 
Total votes: 378

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Cal
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Budget Sweet Spot... Casting Reels

Post by Cal » Tue Dec 27, 2016 12:51 am

Once upon a time, manufacturers had clearly defined product in each, roughly defined price grouping. In an effort to gain market share, these price groupings were further segregated from $50 or $75 differences to now more like $10-$25 differences depending upon which price range you're shopping within.

Now it seems some manufacturers even have multiple product in the same price grouping making things only more difficult for the consumer to discern and decide. Are you feeling the confusion? What's your budget sweet spot when looking for a new reel, or do you even have one?
Cal, Managing Editor
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"

fati
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Re: Budget Sweet Spot... Casting Reels

Post by fati » Tue Dec 27, 2016 1:12 am

I believe a reel is a reel and a 500$ vs a 50$ one wont catch more fish. Its all about the pleasure that we have handling high end gear.

For my part, and prowly most of you folks, I learned that I prefer paying a little more for my fishing gear and never look back. So id go with the highest range withing 250-300 or Enthusiasts level.

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Finnz922
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Re: Budget Sweet Spot... Casting Reels

Post by Finnz922 » Tue Dec 27, 2016 2:46 am

Anymore I am buying used Tdz's, Alphas, and Zillions. Only new reels are Tatula CT's.

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Obz
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Re: Budget Sweet Spot... Casting Reels

Post by Obz » Tue Dec 27, 2016 4:02 am

I selected 250-300. Reels that retail for 250 are that next step up in preformance. I prefer to get a deal if possible, but I've definitely gotten swept up in high end gear. I have 1 $500 reel, a tranx for musky fishing it is worth every penny. Gear doesn't make the fisherman but it certainly doesn't hurt. I know I've caught more fish because of a long accurate cast from the back of the boat, even when the cast doesn't pay with a fish you still feel like a boss.

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Re: Budget Sweet Spot... Casting Reels

Post by adam lancia » Tue Dec 27, 2016 6:06 am

I choose $250-$300 but I have never paid retail for a casting reel. The most I paid for a reel was $260 for a J-Dream 3 years ago. I have bought TD-Z's, Steez's and Pixy's, all used and all great deals. I suppose if I were paying full retail, I'd be comfortable in that price range too.

webertime
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Re: Budget Sweet Spot... Casting Reels

Post by webertime » Wed Dec 28, 2016 1:57 am

Exactly what Finnz does, used TDZ, Fuegos and Zillions. Tat CT is the only new reel that is remotely interesting and with a ~$150 retail, but going for less than $100 on the bay and amazon, it's sort of hard to answer this pole.


So within that vein... how about a "Legacy vs Current" test. A good condition TDZ vs Curado 70 compare what $xxx gets you in new vs widely available.

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Re: Budget Sweet Spot... Casting Reels

Post by mark poulson » Wed Dec 28, 2016 10:20 pm

I am always looking for the last year's "greatest" model on sale for half price.
When light baitcasters became affordable and common+-, I bought a dozen that were half price, and they have been everything I need in a reel.
Other than the "I own one" factor, I can't see buying really high end reels, when there are so many good, inexpensive reels out there now.
Please don't tell the Enthusiasts I said that!

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njbasscat
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Re: Budget Sweet Spot... Casting Reels

Post by njbasscat » Fri Dec 30, 2016 12:26 am

My sweet spot is $600 or under. I'm not opposed to spending more though.

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Cracker
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Re: Budget Sweet Spot... Casting Reels

Post by Cracker » Fri Dec 30, 2016 4:28 am

fati wrote:I believe a reel is a reel and a 500$ vs a 50$ one wont catch more fish. I

Disagree on that one, I'll catch more fish by skipping jig or senko with Daiwa Steez reel vs any inexpensive model, just because I will have almost none backlashes with the Steez.

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LowRange
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Re: Budget Sweet Spot... Casting Reels

Post by LowRange » Fri Dec 30, 2016 5:01 am

Tatula CT reels are the budget sweet spot. You can stick a $35 DIY BFS spool into one and it suddenly a highly capable budget BFS reel or you can fish with the stock spool and have a reel with a great balance of distance and control for power applications. With the upcoming Tatula CT SV reels the control will be kicked up a notch most likely producing a reel that will excel at target casting and skipping.

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lil_man72
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Re: Budget Sweet Spot... Casting Reels

Post by lil_man72 » Sun Jan 08, 2017 2:00 pm

I picked the $250 to $300 range since that's probably where most of the reels I've owned fall into... I like buying used reels that started out over the $300 price then either with sales or being used fall into the sweet spot...
I've only paid over $300 twice I believe... a new Zonda Rosso and a mgxtreme 2 before it was available for sale..

I think most of the reels available today that are $129 or more are plenty capable of getting the job done...
He'll I've got a $40 black max that will throw a 1/2oz. Frog as far as any of my other reels... I'm sure with a graphite frame it will wear out a hell of a lot sooner than the others... But for $40 I'll just buy another

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Re: Budget Sweet Spot... Casting Reels

Post by OhioChamp183 » Sun Jan 08, 2017 9:24 pm

Ive owned many top end reels, $350-400 each, but after my garage fire back in 2012, i scaled down, and im just as happy!
Love my BPS old gold colored model Carbonlite reels ( own 4 of them) with orange seal bearings in them, they'll pitch and cast light baits as good as ANYTHING out there, and i got all 4, new, with patience, for around $60-80 each. And then theres my 4 Abu Garcia Revo Premier " gen 2's"!!!! Cant say enough about those!!! Also, bought all 4 new or in new shape for between $60 ( which was a steal!!!!!) and $125. These gen 2's are sweeeeeeeet!!!
Through in a couple Lews BB1 Pros for mid to deeper cranking , and a Lews Tournament MB 8.1 ratio when needing high speed, and I'm set waaaaaaay below what my budget was back before 2012, and im happier with what i got!

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Re: Budget Sweet Spot... Casting Reels

Post by FishGirl71 » Tue Jan 10, 2017 5:25 am

I tend to keep my reels under $200, and that works well for what I do. I found some KastKing reels last year that worked as well as my $150 reels that I was using - but they were much better in price. I haven't had any issues with them, so it seems like a good purchase so far. I know they wouldn't compare to the $500 and $600 reels some of you guys are talking about, but for half the price, they are comparable to my Pinnacles.

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Re: Budget Sweet Spot... Casting Reels

Post by Cristo » Sat Jan 14, 2017 12:22 am

At this point I say my budget sweet spot is what makes me happy it's been a long journey and a lot of different gear but I like where I'm at now \:D/

So on that note if you have the ability make it count and make it rain!!

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Re: Budget Sweet Spot... Casting Reels

Post by JigginOG » Fri Feb 10, 2017 5:47 am

With the current exchange rate, Metanium MGL is hard to beat.
I like to live lavishly.

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