The Best BUDGET REELS Under $100?! Are They WORTH IT?

Y'all asked and we delivered. We grabbed the reels you called out to us, all under $100. We even got some combos that are right at or below $100, which these days, is CRAZY. Bass fishing is getting more and more expensive but there are some companies holding it down for us. Some are winners but we do have some losers.
Which one would you try first??
LINKS
Kast King Spartacus: shorturl.at/cwxA7
Kast King Royal Legend: shorturl.at/CSV25
Handing M1 Reel Combo: shorturl.at/hmzEY
Ark G1: shorturl.at/TU346
Diawa Revros: omnia.direct/J...
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[@matthewspell416]

So below $100 the best spinning reels are the Daiwa Regal Lt awesome reel, then three from Piscifun. The carbon x series is smooth has an awesome drag and holds up for multiple seasons. They recently dropped an all aluminum spinning reel called the alumix , I can’t tell you how nice this is for the money. You definitely need to try one.

[@Justin_Simpson_Picking]

Everybody hates on the slower speed reels. They are surprisingly better than people think. A 6.8 gear ratio is my personal favorite ratio. Now I have 8.1s and 7.1s but that 6.1s are my sweet spot.

[@nasaman23]

I like 5.8 for finesse fishing

[@thatguyfishingben4794]

I like the higher speeds just because I can always slow down my retrieve whenever but you can't get it any faster without the gearing.

[@Oldbasshole]

I’m with you , for most technics I like a 6 speed reel .

[@thequixoticangler3364]

My 68 LFS is my baby. I use it for everything.

[@Justin_Simpson_Picking]

@@thequixoticangler3364 that’s my go to reel for a flipping stick

[@DavidBronstein1961]

Love love your channel but for my .02 I’d rather you waited until you had significant time on the water with these before doing the vid. But I get that at least it can help someone come up with a short list of budget reels to consider. For my $$ I’d save up an extra $50 and get the new Shimano SLX 70 with the MGL spool. Or the “old” version without the MGL spool, which can be had for close to $100 on sale if you can find them. I have a LOT more bougie reels (a few Zillions and Curados) and for the money the SLX 70 (old or new) is a no-brainer. For me the Lew’s LFS is the top contender, though I have not tried the CC80, which I think is a few ticks above the CR80 you mentioned. (I recommend the CC80 to a friend who loves Daiwa spinners and is brand-loyal, and he’s had it for a year and LOVES it.)

[@b4goutdoors861]

I see no one here listing the Lews classic pro. The black and gold one that's like 60 bucks at Walmart. I had all my fishing stuff stolen(like 8k payout from insurance) and bought a lot of really nice stuff with the insurance money. If it happened again id buy like 3 or 4 nice reels for specific things and everything else would be the lews classic pro...save money on the reels and buy more high end rods

[@mikelachina4730]

I have caught 1000s of fish on the classic pros and carbon fire speed spools. I have like a dozen of them. They have all been 💯. They are amazing at any price point for me. I've really pushed them hard, cranking on lake Erie and steelhead fishing the rivers. These reels have eaten a steady diet of big fish. I haven't actually thrown one out yet because they keep performing.

[@LeonStjames]

cause it is lews. lews tends to be cheaply made

[@briancarroll4333]

Lew's Speed Spool, awesome reels.

[@Metallion1979]

I own 3 of them 😊

[@briancarroll4333]

@@Metallion1979, same.

[@paulstuartwilson485]

Agreed. 100% agreed. 👍🇺🇸

[@b4goutdoors861]

The classic pro is my preference.

[@LeonStjames]

not even close lol

[@blind_eye_fishing]

The piscifun alloy m has a aluminum frame, 100mm carbon handle and comes in 3 ratios. It does come in a 6 ratio as well. I have one, yes lube it up and its smooth or should be. Mine is as smooth as my 100 plus diawa, lews and abu garcias but...not as smooth as a mu shimanos lol

[@blind_eye_fishing]

The diawa ca80 is the best in that series. The cc80 casts well but fells cheap just like the cr80 lol

[@JanoyCresva]

CC80 is the best one. I have a couple SLX's and the Daiwa CC80 is the best all around reel i got. I can throw it in the dirt, water, back of the car and it wont skip a beat. I can put it on my crankbait rod, jerkbait rod, drop shot, texas rig, or swimbait rod. This is coming from someone with 4 shimano reels too. But if you can get the CC80 i'd do it. Backlashes almost non existent with that reel. I can switch lures like 4 times and only have to mess with the spool tension knob a little bit. My SLX reel will definitely let you know when you switched lures! lol.

[@thequixoticangler3364]

Lew's LFS, Piscifun Carbon XCS and the Alloy M are insane for the money. Glad you mentioned the M. Its a monster at $60.

[@L0st-n0found]

Daiwa tatula sv tw has been under a hundred on Ali pay attention and pick good seller though.

[@willtrax71]

Yes the Alloy M is a fantastic Reel and it’s also almost identical to the Ardent Summit Hawk which is 250 bucks lol seriously I’ve researched and check it out and yes it does need a bit of Lube on the Bearings. The Daiwa looks like a Lews or Abu maybe not Daiwa lol and great Video Guys I can’t wait for the Testing. Semper Fidelis

[@rommel2695]

I believe Piscifun uses the same OEM for their reels as Ardent. I have a Piscifun Saex Elite which is a dual brakes and different color but otherwise the same as the Ardent Apex. The one nice thing is you can’t get parts for most of the Piscifun products but if you’re able to match the same Ardent reel you can purchase parts from Ardent, I know because I needed to have my “nose” piece replaced on my Piscifun.

[@danspanos]

Handing is an AliExpress brand. That's how! lol

[@evangoesfishing]

I have a Daiwa CR80 that I've beat on for years that has held up remarkably well.

[@darrenwise9268]

I have a handing magic L bfs rod and it’s been phenomenal for under $40. They seem to be a pretty good cheap brand.

[@DavidBronstein1961]

I will second the Handing Magic bfs rod. Wow wow wow I love it. I got it a few months back when Amazon had a 50% off coupon. But even without the discount ($65 I think?) it punches above its weight big time.

[@FreedomFishing]

Still love the BPS Pro Qualifier baitcasters. Made by Doyo, the same as Lews.

[@catdaddy9626]

I want one of these.

[@FreedomFishing]

@@catdaddy9626 they're great reels! Only toss pro quals and curados now.

[@Narrahd]

I have such an odd opinion on abu garcia casting reels 😅 The black Max is hands down the best budget reel! You can have 5 and have little to no issue with any of them! I have the max pro...... it does everything and more I need it to! Ill never need to replace it! .......but I got the revo X.... and it too is amazing....and does everything I need it to and more...... The black Max is great!..... the Max pro is great!..... the revo is great! But it leaves me feeling underwhelmed 😅 I dont think I'll get any more abu garcia reels because.... they're all just great..... 😅 I'm like that girl that leaves the good guy because she gets bored but then complains the bad boys don't treat her right 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BushCraftyAlpha]

daiwa revros 2000 is good especially if you go omnia pro and get it for free.

[@L0st-n0found]

The alloy m i picked up for about $25 new from pisci. Have several they are nice for salt.

[@mandisanders7510]

I bought one of the Abby Garcia, spinning reels, the New Silver max and it felt great out of the box then it started making this grinding noise and a bunch of bad noises I tried to grease it up. Make sure nothing was wrong, but I just had to return it.

[@Fishing_Rod_Engineer]

Shimano has the Ciaus BC reel that is below the SLX. They just updated it and it looks really nice. I think it's like $50

[@MarcusSpjut]

I think that the Daiwa PR100 reel or combo is alot bang for the buck. Just a solid budget friendly allround combo for me. The combo might be a around 110-130bucks so abit over 100 but the 7-28g 6.6ft is my pick for shorter, like 1-2h tips on the river when I just bring a few diffrent lures. (and after watching, I like my abu max stx and my 13fishing original TX as well have 2 of each.) Not sure you have all of these in the us.

[@L0st-n0found]

Max x $25 at wally now. Max x Bait combo $50 at wally. No personal experience

[@phil6969ish]

People sleep on ebay. I've bought 5 of my $150 reels new for under $100. You do have to be patient.

[@1980chardison]

i have the max pro, it was my first caster getting into fishing, i love it its really smooth i got it on a military discount about $85 out the door the the LFS i like the 7:1 and its paired with the white abu garcia jordan lee casting rod at 7ish ft and i run either mono or braid cause i main top water fish

[@CatchEmKing]

Cant go wrong with M1 rod caught my pb on a 2 piece!!!

[@sorenk9962]

m1 bc reel sucks hard xD no clickers way 2 heavy every other ali reel is better xD xD

[@BenjaminGoude]

Saltwater, I use all Penn Spinfishers. Freshwater, I use all UglyStik GX2's. Totally opposite ends of the price spectrum, but they both work phenomenally for me.

[@Fishingwithfaithoutdoors23]

I have a torrent 2 piscifun, it’s nice and smooth. Not crazy about the carbon frame. The white Abu Garca is also liked by tactical bassen so I know that’s a good reel. The white and gold kills it for me. Wish they make a black on black one or something. Love the black max. Just hate black and red, reel and rod companies have killed that color scheme for me. lol. But I’ll take a black max over a budget lews any day!!! But Shimano reels have completely took over my opinion on reels. I can’t pick up any other brand because of shimano 😂. Is that good or bad? 😂. If you haven’t heard but the fluke master ( Gene Gensin, if I spell his name correctly lol) is now with kast king because 13 fishing was bought out by Rapala, so no telling where kast king going to go. Probably a lot more better we will see. All I have is two of the 3500 trays from KK but no reels or rods, haven’t been sold on them yet but we will see. I pick up a KK combo at academy one time and it felt super cheap so.. but one day maybe lol.

[@1TheDakotaKid1]

I have the Piscifun Alloy M as well as the Alijoz 300. Both reels perform above their budget range. The alloy is on my cranking combo, and I find it as easy to use as my curado DC. They make a quality budget product.

[@timtweet8149]

Okuma Cymar for spinning is a no brainer. SLX and LFS for baitcasters, can't beat the quality build anf the price

[@surphvision]

The hookup has a Tatula 103 for $125 right now.

[@L0st-n0found]

You guys need to start doing the Ali ones like handing is limited on Amazon but it's Ali. Seasir, soloking, purelure, kuying etc... Wait for sales which seem to happen a few times a week to every month or so. Rods and reels... Seasir megacuda at $35 or less a great score for heavier duty baitcaster Doviello hicc50 is real decent it's $68ish on AMZN but can be found under soloking or other on Ali for $18-$22ish I don't know what is causing the delete

[@5.7.0bassin2]

I just picked up the Sedona and a tfo professional I’m going on the water now to test them out

[@limpingfisherman1509]

Bass Pro has the Lews LFS for 79.00

[@L0st-n0found]

$68 for 5.6:1 at azn

[@LeonStjames]

it should be 20 as cheaply made as they are

[@hawjfamily321]

You guys have awesome chemistry. Entertaining video but I like to buy once cry once. I like buying things I won't have to upgrade for years.

[@markbrandt504]

Daiwa regal is best spinner for the money.

[@willhoward9865]

I got an Abu Garcia Black Max at 1/2 price ($30-ish) on an un-advertised clearance, and an Abu Garcia STX(?) for around $60. Both seem smooth to me out of the box but have not fished them yet.

[@thebeerbellyangler]

Lew's carbon fire baitcaster and spinning must get

[@5.7.0bassin2]

I will say the new carbon fire I haven’t got one yet but every time I go to my local dicks I always check them out and they actually feel pretty good

[@Oldbasshole]

Completely agree on the spinning reel !! Great bang for your buck !!

[@1989JARR]

I love you included the kastking Spartacus. I bought one as a first baitcaster reel and its been good my only complaint but maybe it's user error cause new to baitcasting is it birdnesting on me sometimes while lure is mid air when I go to far cast

[@addrock123]

Absolutely love my kast king sparticus spinning reel paired up with my 6’6” light rod. Really impressed with how smooth it. I thought it would be a little heavy on the smaller rod but it balances just right

[@Metallion1979]

Nice video guys. I am surprised you paid that much for the Max Pro. It is normally at 73 to 80 dollars on Amazon. I like the reel and it was my first baitcasting reel. Also the Lew's Classic pro for $65 is nice.

[@jeremyfontenot496]

Handing must have bumped their prices after this cause they aren’t as budget as you guys have stated! That’s from Amazon!

[@aaanglers]

Okay, well wish we could control the market

[@Internetpilot]

Regarding the new KastKing Kestrel BFS, I've tried two of them. The first one I received was pretty bad -- so bad that the KastKing Zephyr BFS actually blew the doors off this new Kestrel BFS. After posting a review on Amazon reflecting my experience, KastKing contacted me and urged me to try the Kestrel BFS again, and I'm soooooo glad they did. The second one I tried is actually excellent and now my current favorite BFS reel, over the SoloKing Acura HICC-50, KastKing Zephyr BFS, Doviello BMC100 Brownie, Doviello GKA200, etc. Obviously, none of the reels I listed are $300 JDM, but the HICC-50 can be a challenge to beat at just about any price. Anyway, point being, (and this is a little surprising to me for KastKing) their QC on the Kestrel BFS may not be spot on, so if the one you received totally sucks, you may want to try another one.

[@TheSinistral]

HOCC-50 is amazing value of it hold up. It’s earned a place on a good rod

[@Internetpilot]

​@@TheSinistral truth! The only reason I still recommend the HICC-50 to people who ask is because of the value. I think the Kestrel (non-Elite) is likely overall the better reel, but 2-3x the price and the main thing it has going for it over the HICC-50 is the better, more accessible KastKing aftermarket support.

[@haystack02]

Boys there is only one option for budget spinning I would recommend u have to try the daiwa regal lt ...59-69 bucks..and it is amazing...smooth light and line capacity...pbly the best budget spinning reel I have ever picked up so far...I have not durability tested it thoroughly but man it has the wow factor as soon as it hits your hand

[@bruceciers5954]

The one way bearing In them rust really quick u need to service them alot

[@Daiwa_Is_King]

@@bruceciers5954 never had one rust out on me. I fish salt and freshwater with them. Are you fishing salt ?

[@b4goutdoors861]

I will second this opinion...I have 3 or 4 of em and they're all phenomenal

[@b4goutdoors861]

That being said the revros they mentioned is also really good .. I got em mixed up. I have 1 regal and like 3 revros reels lol

[@FishingWithChris_Tv]

I have to disagree. While the Daiwa is a great reel, for the same price point, the Shimano Sedona is a great reel also.

[@barryhowell9]

I would have loved to hear the drag sound on the spinning reels, but great review guys! 👍💪🎣

[@lightningmusky5286]

That Daiwa is not made by Daiwa.

[@JoeLibrizzi]

This video is such a tease! 😂😢😂

[@BassHole_JBNT]

Great video guys. The Daiwa Exceller is great budget friendly spinning reel as well. Under 100$ 💪🏽.

[@van3158]

I get my reels on sale at optics planet. All of them are msrp over 100$ but I only pay half that okuma, daiwa, profishiency.. most I’ve paid is 65$ plus shipping.

[@rougaroux2359]

I would like to see you guys try out the new Diawa BFS reels that were just released in the US market.

[@aaanglers]

Would love to, but at ~$300 we aren’t looking heavily at it

[@russellhenry1188]

Recently bought Handing M1 bait casting combo and love it so far but how do you remove the side plate to lube / clean?

[@yo-bass-cat4027]

Just bought a slx after this video thanks guys

[@aaanglers]

🙌

[@FernandoLopez-js9fi]

That maxx spinning would be great if that set screw for the handle would stay put

[@chuckymystic]

My choice for reel would be shimano sahara or diawa fuego, especially if going saltwater. For rod, the diawa aird x is absolutely slept on, i fish high end stuff like NRX and Stella and exist, but the aird is always welcome to come with when i need that power and action. its not crazy sensitive, but its a great all around rod. for UL get their megabass UL rod, its what i was always looking for in an UL.

[@chuckymystic]

and for spinning for less money than the fuego and sahara all of the diawa revros and regal and legalis lines (all basically the same reels) are amazing for the price, i_fish has done in depth reviews, on all of these, so check them out.