Baitcaster reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 397 Reddit reviews across 7 subreddits and 98 posts to rank the best Baitcaster brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/Fishing_Gear, r/bassfishing, r/Fishing, r/FishingForBeginners, r/FishingAustralia. Top-rated brands include Shimano (4.4/5), Daiwa (4.5/5), Abu Garcia (4.2/5).
Stats
Reviews397
Subreddits7
Posts98
Brands16
Products93
397 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Shimano
4.4
(163)
"Under $100, the two baitcasters from major well-known brands you should consider is the Shimano SLX"
"Shimano curado, or save a little more buy an Shimano SLX XT DC"
"Shimano Slx XT DC is the answer."
"I would grab a SLX DC XT from Japan Lure Shop or Digitaka."
"The Shimano SLX DC XT can be had for $180 or so."
"Shimano SLX with Sellus rod, $150ish and is sweet for the cost."
"I actually prefer my slx dc xt over most of my reels, including ones much pricier."
"I can vouch for the SLX DC XT!!"
"Get a Curado 150 or 151 MGL."
"It’s probably my favorite reel."
#2
Daiwa
4.5
(133)
"Daiwa Tatula CT reel (~$150) and a Daiwa Arid X rod (~$55). This will provide damn near max value for that budget and I can attest to the quality as this is one of my better combos."
"Daiwa Tatula CT reel (~$150) and a Daiwa Arid X rod (~$55). This will provide damn near max value for that budget and I can attest to the quality as this is one of my better combos."
"You can get a Daiwa Aird-X as others have suggested, and pair it with a Tatula SV TW from ebay. The Daiwa SV system is similar to the Shimano DC system, but is more beginner-friendly."
"If I could do it over, I’d get an Aird-X Rod tho. I say that because I have one paired with a Curado and it’s by far my favorite set up."
"I’ve had two of them for 4 years and they work great."
"Tatula from japan lure shop for your first reel."
"Daiwa Zillion or shimano metanium is around 230-240."
"I'm a daiwa guy so the tatula sv is my go to."
"I love my Daiwa Tatulas and I’m buying a 6th one today."
"The Alphas platform is the best midrange reels out there."
#3
Abu Garcia
4.2
(42)
"Yep, love my black max reels."
"I agree with the lower end ABU Garcia like Black Max. I have 2!"
"ABU Ambassadeur for the longcast."
"I think the ABU Black Max is AMAZING for the price."
"Just got an ugly stick carbon with the black max baitcaster reel. I love it so far."
"Abu Garcia Black max is probably the best reel."
"Either of these YOU CANT GO WRONG."
"Abu garcia c4, none of my abu round reels have ever let me down."
"I love the new Abu Revo. So smooth."
"Abu García Max Pro combo only $110 at the moment and it’s a steal at that price."
#4
Lews
4.2
(33)
"And the Lews Speed Spool LFS (if you prefer magnetic brakes). Of course, there are more options out there for you if you want to take a punt on an upstart brand or a used reel, or if you find a great sale on a pricier reel. But those two are the gold standard for u"
"I got a Lews Speed Spool LFS for $20 online at Dick's over the winter."
"I just scored a lews Mach 1 for 99.99 from 170"
"Lews LFS is on sale at Tackle Warehouse for $75. Excellent reel."
"Lews Xfinity casting rod is on sale at Sportsman’s Warehouse for $30 currently."
"I'd grab a decent Lews (only company I've never had a single issue with."
"Lews Mach 2 combo … it’s quickly becoming my go to combo …"
"A good baitcaster to start with is a lews classic pro"
"I got a Lews with a rod for $40 from FB marketplace"
"I started with a lews LFS for my first one per YouTube gear nerd recomendations, and it's great."
#5
KastKing
4.0
(5)
"Kastking."
"Just got a 10lb pike 2 weeks ago up north on a 20 dollar kastking reel."
"I have a Kastking, and I really like it… but… Whatever option you choose, make sure you have at least 10 bearings (9+1 or better)."
"The Kast King Zephyr is a good reel but mainly for 1/8th or heavier."
"I have a few KastKing Zephyrs and a KastKing Kestrel both can throw down to 3g reliably."
#6
Tatula
4.8
(4)
"Tatula 200. I think the 2018 model is $130 now"
"Tatula 200, or shop around for a bit and try to find a Concept A2 on sale."
"I’ve gotten a few used 2017 Tatula SVs from Japan off eBay under $100 shipped.. highly recommend."
"Tatulas are nice."
#7
13 Fishing
4.3
(4)
"I’m a huge advocate of the 13 fishing concept a2 I got mine on sale off of amazon for about $120 last year."
"It’s my favorite reel now."
"I've moved over to 13 fishing for the beefy drag systems and pricing."
"13 fishing is a known brand so it should be just like any sub 100 dollar reel and rod combo."
#8
Berkley
4.0
(3)
"Berkley big game is a great cheaper line."
"20 lb berkley big game mono is a cheap, manageable line to start out with."
"I say Berkely Trilene XL or Big Game but that's my personal preference."
#9
Calcutta
4.5
(2)
"If your budget is high get the Calcutta Conquest bfs."
"Calcutta conquest BFS, modded ABU’s, used Millionaire (if you’re lucky)"
#10
Bass Pro Shops
4.0
(2)
"Bass pro shops pro qualifier: good internals, dual brakes."
"Check out bass pro shops combos. They're right around your price range."
#11
Megabass
5.0
(1)
"Megabass destroyer. Shimano Poison Adrena."
#12
Sagisi Customs
4.0
(1)
"Sagisi Customs made a clicky drag set for it! My buddy has that set."
#13
Cashion
4.0
(1)
"Another good rod to checkout is cashion they have the element rods on sale 99 bucks. I have the 7ft multi purpose and it’s been a great rod"
#14
Okuma
4.0
(1)
"For a tough versatile rod you can go with the okuma stratus 7"
#15
Ugly Stik
3.0
(1)
"Ugly Stik has a GX2 baitcaster for around $80"
#16
Origin
3.0
(1)
"I found an origin 01 for like 10 bucks during a sale at Dicks. Thing is decent."
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