Are you trying to find the best baitcasting reel under 100?
An important goal of Fishing Discoveries is to remove barriers so that people can simply “Go Fish”. With that in mind, here’s a guide to the best baitcasting reel under 100 US Dollars or £GBP. For this guide I wanted to use a range of users’ experiences from your fellow anglers. That way you’ll get straight opinions from folks out there who do what you do (and not marketing promo language).
The other advantage to including user reports is that it helps to get a longer-term view. That perspective is difficult if you rely on a single reviewer’s experience. My hope is that by reading this guide you’ll be more confident in making a good choice and sticking to your budget. I also wanted to keep this guide as simple and easy to use as possible.
The end goal is to give you the best chance of having a good experience on stream and reduce the chances of buying something that you want to return. To help with that I'll split the information between "super-tight budget" and "up to $100" categories. I'll also split it out according to different fishing styles/target species.
If you're interested in a particular reel in this article, just enter it into Google and it should help you to find the best deals local to you. Availability and special offers will be different from what's visible from my current location.
Baitcast on a TIGHT Budget
Is the Black Max the best baitcasting reel under 100 dollars?
When I was asking for user experiences – one reel came up time after time. The Abu Garcia Black Max sits around the $50 dollar mark and so many baitcasting anglers say that it was the reel they learned on. Not only that, they often still use them years later. Here’s just three examples of feedback from members of Bass Fishing Fanatics on Facebook
Adam Drake
I've got an Abu Garcia Black Max and it has performed great for years. I'm almost exclusively Largemouth fishing but it's handled several 3 pounders in its time no problem. I want to say I've had it for 4 years now?
Andrew Wolf
Adam Drake same! I learned to Skip baits with it as well. (Had her since 2016) First baitcaster & still going strong 
Mikee Nolen
I started on a Black Max..
Fished it for nearly 3 years and handed it to someone else for starter reel. My biggest fish caught with no problem on it was 6.5 lbs.
Great little reels
Unbelievably, it's possible to get the Black Max Reel PLUS a rod for less than $100
This is my Amazon Associates link and while it does not alter the retail price you pay - any qualifying purchases earn me around 4% commission (with my thanks). Paul.
My friend Gareth (and colleague at the Wild Trout Trust) is a ninja with a fly rod and he’s been working on his baitcasting in the UK these last few years. He chose a Black Max and is really happy with it. Here is Gareth's reel (below) – always on his rod ready to go!
The Abu Garcia Black Max continues to get a lot of love
Affordable Mods to the Black Max...
Did You Know?
Gareth’s experience reflects another Another MAJOR reason that this reel is at the top of the page in this guide.
It’s one of the cheapest and easiest reels to modify to create a Bait Finesse System (BFS) version – with both bfs spools and even bearings kits available cheaply.
In other words, you can basically end up with a regular baitcaster and a bait finesse system reel – and STILL stay under $100.
Piscifun Torrent - Exceptional Value for Money
Just around $30 - and a choice of 5.3:1 or 7.1:1 gear ratio - plus very convenient oil port and a respectable 17lb drag. OK, that all sounds great - but how does it pan out in use?
Antonio Allen
Piscifun under $40 for the reel can’t beat it. Just make sure you oil it before using and it’s ready to go after you set it after a few casts.
It gets the job done.
...going to try and catch some more hogs tomorrow
Soloking/Doviello ACURA HICC 50: High-end BFS performance for an unbelievable price
In the first version of this article, the BFS spot was taken by the Fishband GH100. Then it was the Dark Wolf Ultra. Now, though, as the manufacturers continue to make incredible progress in the affordable reels market, there's another new kid on the block. This is the Soloking ACURA and it boasts a very light stock spool. The brakes are strong, reliable and also function exactly the same between left hand and right hand wind models. It's available in a 7:1 and an 8:1 gear ratio - and the 11+1 bearings make it extremely smooth. Probably one of the biggest selling points for me is the double spool option - one shallow, ultralight spool for super ultralight BFS - and the other (still very light) medium depth spool with capacity for 120 yards+ of braid.
Soloking ACURA HICC 50: Compact, stylish and exceptional performance
Unlike some more expensive reels (where you need to buy a separate, after-market ultralight spool), the Soloking ACURA has a spool that is a mere 5.7g in weight. For ultralight lures, this could well be the best baitcasting reel under 100 dollars right now (though this needs constantly updating!) - and with the second, deeper spool it also handles larger lures extremely well also.
Soloking ACURA HICC 50 reel with the medium-depth spool (still casts a 4-gram bait really well!)
If you'd like to keep up with the latest developments in the world of BFS - then just now you can get a free lure as a welcome gift to new members of my Bait Finesse System & Finesse Lure Fishing newsletter:
Paying up to around the "100" mark for a great baitcasting reel
Shimano SLX: Punching above its price-point
Another message that came over loud and clear was just how impressed folks are with the Shimano SLX. Owners of this reel went out of their way to vouch for it as you can see from these sample messages here:
I see a few have mention the Shimano SLX. I would agree it needs to be part of your article.
As a college fishing coach it is important to find and partner with the companies that can offer the best products for a reasonable price point. Shimano hit it out if the park with this reel.
Once you get the low purchase price out of your head and start using it, you swear it costs more. Very smooth and long casts. I fish tournaments as well so I own a few just to prove how durable they are. The SLX XT cost a few dollars more but with the additional braking adjustments makes this model hard not to include.
More photos from SLX Fan Troy on Instagram @tandttackle
Shimano SLX - A serious contender for the best overall buy under $100
"Z"
So I have two baitcaster reels I bought….One is the Shimano SLX, it's not the DC version and its priced at 99 USD and by far its the best baitcaster I have tried.
No backlashes or birds nest.
The breaking system is great too. Also another reel is the Abu Garcia Black Max.
Shimano SLX Price range: UK around £80 - £90 and USA $99 - $109
You Can Check Current Pricing and Availability via my Aliexpress and Amazon Affiliate links below:
![](http://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/S3f58bf4b6039452daf57e1ce6abb503c7.jpg_350x350.jpg")
Abu Garcia Revo X: Stepping up from the Black Max
As much love as the Black Max gets - there's probably just as much respect and apprecation for the Revo X from Abu Garcia. PLUS - you can use the exact same BFS spools and upgraded bearings (links in the Black Max section). This creates a formidable BFS reel as shown in the "Reel Test" channel video here:
Bradlee Oestreich
I'm a northern MN guy and my first bait caster was actually the Abu Garcia Revo X. Had it 4 years and still is on one of my go to rods and fishes with ease like the day I got it. Definitely one hell of a reel for the price point
Mikee Nolen
Under 100 bucks?
You can't go wrong with Abu Garcia Revo X models.
I own 2 of them. Solid technology and super durable.
The top reel (in photo below) is Lews crush..a little higher in price than the other 3.
From Top To Bottom: Lew's Crush (a little above the price range for this article), 2x Abu Garcia Revo X in the centre and then Lew's Smash at the bottom. See next section for Lew's reels...
Abu Garcia Revo X Price Range: At the time of writing, expect to pay around £77 GBP in the UK & $90 USD in America.
Lew's Baitcasting Reels Under 100 Dollars
Lew's reels are just recently starting to be offered in the UK. This will be welcome news for British baitcasting fans who see how often these reels feature in baitcasting YouTube channels from the USA. Their range of models is very wide - with plenty in the $200 and up - as well as $100 - $200 and sub $100 categories. The photo above (in the Revo X section) shows the Lew's Mach Smash in red and the more expensive Lew's Mach Crush (too expensive for this article at around £146 GBP for UK buyers). But what do our reel-owners think of the less than $100 models?
Josh Sosebee
Lew's Mach Smash, Lew's American Hero (black), Abu Silver Max, Abu Black Max are all decent for under 100.
I dont know what the difference is in the Lews AH black and AH Camo, but the camo was super gritty from the get go, both mine and my buddy's, just felt way cheaper than the black version even though it comes at a $10 higher price tag
Cris Weiss
I’ve never been able to afford mad expensive rods and reels. I just recently got the Lew's Xfinity Bait Caster Combo from Walmart for $97 and before that was using the Abu Garcia Black Max Pro 3 on a Profishiency Rod ($80 for both)
... the Lew's has gone above and beyond the Black Max. It’s absolutely fantastic and I plan on doing a review post on it within the next 2-3 weeks.
Given the favourable comparison to the Black Max, the Lew's models chosen by users in this article make a strong argument for contenders in the "Best Baitcasting Reel under 100 dollars" category.
Lew's Price Range: Lew's reels come in at a vast range of price points. UK anglers currently have a more restricted selection - unless you want to pay shipping from ebay or other suppliers in the USA. However the Xfinity Rod & Reel Combo is exceptional value for US anglers at $97 USD, the Mach Smash (around $70 USD) and Lew's American Hero BLACK (around $60 USD) are all good buys. Just make sure to follow Josh's advice and go for the American Hero in BLACK rather than the Camo version. At the time of writing, the AH Black is listed on Amazon UK - but showing as out of stock.
I Fish Saltwater or Big Predator: Now what's my best baitcasting reel under 100 USD/GBP?
Piscifun Alijos: Large Line Capacity 300-size reel and Multiple Reel Configurations
As well as users noting the spool engage switch (handy when flipping into cover), the Alijos comes in a wide range of gearing ratios, handle configurations and is also saltwater rated. Beefy 33lb drag and a robust aluminium frame/double line-winding shafts - plus a spool which takes 190m of 0.330mm braid - make it a solid option for big pike, muskies and saltwater predators.
BLACK model: Gear ratio 5.9:1 with power handle or regular double handle crank options
Grey/Gold model: Gear ratio 8.1:1 with power handle or regular double handle crank.
So, depending on what your natural pace of reeling is (and whether you need to really burn baits through the water), there's great options available. The single/power handle could be a boon for you if you're fighting heavy fish too.
Capable of throwing big swim-baits and saltwater rated - a good option for big predators
Ken Anderson
Piscifun and abu garcia slivermax for flipping reels
Piscifun Alijos 300 Price: Expect to pay around $80 to $100 in both UK and USA. As with most items marketed from China, delivery times can vary quite a lot. There will sometimes be a longer wait compared to items shipped domestically. For Pricing and availability check out my Aliexpress Affiliate or Amazon Associates link (this doesn't alter the price you pay - but helps support my website content via small commissions):
![](http://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/H922e263ec932472b9f4d893a2997c11cF.jpg_350x350.jpg")
Maybe go "Old-school" for your best baitcasting reel under 100?
Here's a bit of a left-field option to consider. EBay nearly always has a good selection of some vintage baitcasting reels. While I was refurbishing my grandfather's Pflueger Summit (below), I searched on eBay for spare parts.
Those searches turned up plenty complete reels (and other models) for between $20 and $100. Not only that, but spare parts and screws are still available to buy - which is amazing given the age of some of these things. These reels always come with their own sense of history. As Luke Jennings said it's great to imagine the fish they've already caught over the decades.
This does come with one major condition though...
One reason to look for reels under the $100 mark is because you want to try baitcasting for the first time.
If that's you, then going vintage could either be the BEST or the WORST decision to make. It just depends on what kind of personality you have.
These reels that are 40, 50, 60-plus years old will be REALLY unforgiving of your casting. Depending on how you learn best - that constant punishment of mistakes will either make or break you.
The model below has no "free spool" function. When you cast, the handle spins right in time with the spool (watch your knuckles!). You can also forget magnetic or centrifugal brakes! There won't be any...
BUT - if you are a real "student of the game", you couldn't wish for a better training tool. Yes, you'll need to have the patience of a saint in order to deal with the birds' nests. At the same time, it will force you to learn thumb control and a good casting stroke. When you take that foundation and apply it to good, modern reels you'll find a lot of control, great distance and accuracy.
With that said, constantly having a reel punish you could stop your progress (and enthusiasm) dead. If you feel that's a risk for you - then working backwards from a modern reel with good brakes is definitely the best option.
Rounding up
This article is always going to piss people off - because it won't include every single great option for baitcasting reels in this budget. That means your favourite reel might well be missing from this page.
Instead of trying to capture every last reel, the idea is to take some of the stress out of choosing something that will serve you well. In other words, offering you reliable, safe options. For that reason, I've kept the number of different suggested reels for each style of fishing to a really short list (sometimes just one reel!).
Here's a really quick rundown of selected "Safe options" in each category (WARNING - This excludes some great reels from the article):
So that's it for this one - I hope you find some useful and interesting information here.
Please feel free to "have at it" in the comments section below (as this article is all about the real deal users' experience)
Paul
PS Do please consider using the social-sharing buttons to get this article out to those who might benefit from it
PPS - If this article either helped or hindered you, please drop a very short comment below; it will help me improve this article and others..
I’m looking at potentially buying the black max for when I decide to pick up another bait caster combo. I hear it’s a really good steal for the price. Was also looking at the pro max (already have the max pro, Revo X and Revo SX) I’m willing to try other companies but I don’t go over $300 for a combo cause I’m just a casual fisherman. As long as the stuff performs well, that’s all that matters.
Yes and my experiences with both the black max and pro max when I’ve fished with those belonging to friends have been good. They seem to be very reliable options for good performance at affordable prices.
Paul
What length/action Kingdom King Pro rod did you choose to pair your Fishband GH100 with and are you happy with the results, or have you discovered a better pairing
Hi Michael, I use it with the KKC 602 (with the UL tip) and it works pretty well. The guide-spacing is one of the main differences compared to a more expensive rod. There’s a fair amount of potential for the line to rub on the blank…but with that said, it still performs and, at that price, difficult to complain at all really.
I also use that reel with a little Tsurinoya UL rod which is a ton of fun too.
For experimentation I’ve ordered some ceramic bearings (and a spare spool which, if I get round to it I’ll bore out to increase the port sizes and make it lighter). Will post up the results here when I get round to it.
All the best,
Paul
I was thinking the 1.8 as well (liked how they provide two different strength tips) but I hadn’t even thought to look at the number of guides, and can see that the Tsurinoya has a couple more along an even shorter rod, so I can see how that would make a difference. Dunno that I’d go to the trouble to do any spool mods, but I’ll probably grab a set of those bearings as well, after watching the before/after video clips on the Abu Garcia mods. Thanks for your insights!
No worries at all Michael.
Paul