I Picked Up A BUDGET BAITCASTER! Should You Buy It?

As many of you know, I have overhauled my rod/reel lineup over the past year. Sold lots of my old gear and replaced it with new - mostly to experiment with equipment so I can inform you all on my honest opinions.
See The Reel Here: discounttackle...
Well I just sold another old setup so I figured I could justify picking up a new one. Rather than going with a high-performance (pricey) reel, I decided I wanted to try one in the $50 range. It has been a long time since I picked up a budget baitcaster so I wanted to see how good it would be.
Ultimately, we can't all justify spending hundreds on equipment so budget gear can be a great way to get on the water and still catch fish. BUT you have to be careful because you don't want to get something that doesn't perform well (or last very long). Fun fact... My first baitcaster was a Shakespeare reel for $30! It actually worked really well for about 2 years then it pretty much blew up on me. You can't necessarily expect cheaper gear to last as long as the high-end stuff but that doesn't mean it can't catch fish.
OKAY so what are my honest thoughts on the reel? I think the Daiwa CC80 is a really solid casting reel for the $50 range. I picked up the 7.5:1 and that will be a good high speed reel for numerous applications. It casts well, feels sturdy, is comfortable/light in hand, and has a nice look to it. My watch out point would be how you are going to use it. If you plan to fish it hard (lots of hours & heavy lures), you probably can't expect it to last forever. If you fish it with lower-resistance lures and keep it clean, I am sure it will serve you well for years to come. The wind also really impacted the way this performed - way more noticeable than my pricey gear. That said, making the adjustments to the brakes corrected any major issues.
The Rod I Used: discounttackle...
KVD 200 Jerkbait: discounttackle...
Check Out My Fishing Gear Top Picks: discounttackle...
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[@p0wderhound03]

I have two of them. I've used them for two seasons now and they have held up great and cast well. I would definitely recommend this real for the price.

[@FishAnything]

Nice! I’m happy to hear they have stood up to multiple seasons - thank you for sharing. 🤠👊🏽

[@InTheWoodsToday]

The reel I bought to put on the Casting rod you gave me is a Bass Pro Tourney Special marked at $49.99 retail so far I love it, but it is also the only one I have ever bought! I ran 15 lb mono on it to learn how to cast and now I throw it with 30lb braid. Have caught a few good ones on it already!

[@FishAnything]

The BPS reels are usually great too! Glad you are liking it :)

[@andrefloresca1324]

I still have my CC80 and it still catches fish. Good reel for the money. Even have a bfs spool I can throw into it or my newer CR80

[@FishAnything]

That’s awesome! I might have to scoop a bfs spool for it!

[@andrefloresca1324]

@@FishAnything go for it man, worth it

[@raging_crocodile2081]

10:05 "middle linebacker" I'm freaking dead.

[@FishAnything]

Lol glad you enjoyed that one. Tight lines 🤠👊🏽

[@j.t.cooper2963]

I can attest to the wind in Kansas. It's been blowing 35-40 all day here in Wichita.

[@FishAnything]

Gollllly I don’t miss that.

[@j.t.cooper2963]

@@FishAnything 40-50 today. I didn't catch anything.

[@on_phyer1907]

I have one and I have fished in Kansas and Nebraska (Obviously strong winds). It has held up so far with very few backlashes on low brakes with 12lb flourocarbon. Very worth it for $55.

[@FishAnything]

Nice! Glad to hear it’s working well for you too. Michigan gets windy but nothing like back home!

[@mthompson2442]

Happy Easter!🐰 Looks like it works good enough.

[@FishAnything]

Happy Easter to you too! And yeah it’s got some juju 🕺🏼🕺🏼

[@dirk419]

Happy to see a mostly positive review since I baught this reel 2 days ago on a whim haha

[@FishAnything]

Haha that is what's up! REEL BUDDIES XD

[@charlesforest5323]

I just did a budget trout set-up. I ordered a diawa revros reel to put on my 5'6 eagle claw featherlight rod. It's gonna be my trout master setup.

[@FishAnything]

That will be such a fun freaking setup! I love it!

[@charlesforest5323]

@@FishAnything I'm pretty stoked to get the reel in so I can take it for a spin. I've never used a featherlight rod but this thing is insane with how whippy it is.

[@TheApostateTapir]

Jeez, what a toad off that brush pile. I have this reel with a shallow spool for my drop shot rod, since I run almost solely casting setup. Great little reel for the price.

[@FishAnything]

It is honestly a great reel for $55. Is it as good as my Tatula Elite? Nope, but it is also a quarter the price!

[@fishingwithvin]

I use it for little crankbaits and weightless Texas rigged worms for the last couple of year's without issue, spot on review man!

[@FishAnything]

Thanks Vin! I’m glad to hear it’s held up to the test of time as well 🤠

[@FitzYakin]

Nice looking reel for the price Ethan. I like pretty much any reels from Daiwa or Shimano. Even their lower end stuff is pretty reliable in my opinion.

[@FishAnything]

Yeah I agree with that. I tend to fish mostly higher end stuff these days but I also understand not everyone can afford that so I figured picking this up would help a few folks as they go to make a purchase :)

[@Girlwholoves2fish]

Nice reel! Nothing wrong w budget reels! That water was glistening

[@FishAnything]

I’m loving this reel! Been catching a lot of fish on it and it seems to work just fine 🤠

[@ponycarguy]

Nice review! Looked at this reel a year or two ago and ended up going with the fuego ct. Liked the aluminum frame and the brake system better. Looks like alot of reel for the money 👍. Good stuff!

[@FishAnything]

Yeah I hear really good things about the Fuego. I have been considering one myself. But all in all, I think this is a solid reel for the price.

[@deaks4570]

good review. Nice balanced view

[@FishAnything]

Thanks Deaks! I actually had a lot of fun with this video.

[@Dave_Ehlers]

I am actually trying to decide between this reel and the CA80 with it's aluminum frame for my son for a crankbait reel, so good timing. **Update** I ordered the CC80 for him.

[@FishAnything]

I’ve heard good things about the CA80 as well but honestly I like this reel for the price. A couple folks have told me it’s withstood the test of time too. I think you made a good choice 🤠👊🏽

[@abrahizzzle]

It’s my first baitcaster. Can’t figure how to thumb at all. Wish it hucked further

[@doinitwithjl5421]

Order a diy bfs spool for it. It actually makes a very good bfs reel for under 80 bucks.

[@FishAnything]

I will look into that! Where is the best spot to pick one up? AliExpress I assume?

[@doinitwithjl5421]

You can pick one up from ebay or Aliexpress. Either way it will probably come from the same place.

[@kirkgeno6077]

That second one was the Chris Spielman of bass...no neck all shoulders 😂

[@FishAnything]

Lmao exactly! Just built like a beast!

[@davidrauschenbach6871]

Enjoy your Easter meal with your wife! Reel looks good for the price. But that kvd jerk bait looks great 👍

[@FishAnything]

Thanks David I hope you had a wonderful Easter! Yeah the reel is actually solid for the price. But yes a KVD jerkbait is another amazing budget friendly option I highly recommend.

[@jakehong8773]

I might get one great review

[@FishAnything]

Thanks Jake! Don't think you can go wrong for the price.

[@Oskarsgaminglife]

Im going to get This rod with my birthday money as my first Baitcaster

[@jonpogue427]

I'm all about saving money!!!! 🎣🎣🎣🎣

[@FishAnything]

Darn right! 🤠🎣

[@ismailabanoz452]

Which rod would you recommend for trout and intermediate fishing?

[@FishAnything]

When you say "intermediate fishing", are you just referring to midsize gear? If so, I would probably get a 6'6 Medium Light, Fast rod.

[@lakrabid]

Nothing like the victory splash after a catch!!! Nice review. I have Daiwa and Shimano reels as my main reels. But it is important to step down I believe and use "cheaper" reels. Keeps your baitcaster skills at a higher level. Never forget where you started right? I mean what do we all really need beyond a 40 buck Black Max? It will do everything we need without the giant price. But it isn't "sexy"

[@FishAnything]

Haha exactly! I think it is fine to go fancy if you fish a lot and put a bunch of hours and strain on the reels. Long term, the reels will eventually break if you are using a lower quality piece of equipment and working it too hard. That said, there is nothing wrong with going budget if you are smart about it. That is why I wanted to try this reel and do the review. I am loving it for $55! Definitely a good purchase.

[@poimendave9536]

Pike Master strikes again 🤙

[@FishAnything]

Haha slime pickles love me 🤪

[@lukecole_28]

If you had to guess how much did that bass weigh also very nice fish

[@FishAnything]

Not sure! Probably about 17” long but super fat so I’d say 3 and a quarter or so 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@lukecole_28]

@@FishAnything nice fish for sure great video

[@Bobbyismypookie]

Would it be good for pike?

[@FishAnything]

It would work! I’d probably go a little higher end just to ensure longevity but if this is your budget, I think you’d be fine!

[@Just__A__Machinist]

@9:56That’s what she said! lol

[@FishAnything]

Lol whyyyyyyyy

[@frankdudek6242]

👍

[@FishAnything]

👊🏽🤠👊🏽

[@frankdudek6242]

👍👍

[@FishAnything]

🤠🕺🏼👊🏽

[@victorsimonsen921]

would you rather have the rod and reel you sold or this new one?

[@FishAnything]

No comparison, the Loomis and Shimano was a higher end piece of equipment! But I sold it because I didn’t really need that setup anymore and I wanted to continue to experiment with other gear. I got this because it’ll be used more in the near term.

[@bryancampos1877]

Is it light weight? And if so how sensitive is it

[@FishAnything]

The reel is light - only 6.9oz! The sensitivity is more based on line and rod so the reel doesn’t really make a difference on that side of things.

[@FlowtMedia]

we cast the same haha, everyone this in weird because i have right handed reels and i always put it in my other hand to cast then i swap again to reel😂😂

[@FishAnything]

Lots of folks are like us - I don't think it is a big deal for bass applications. I think with technical trout fishing with BFS, switching hands is less than ideal. But for casting a bass plug, I don't see it hurting me at all.

[@charlesforest5323]

@Shredding With Kie I'm one of the odd balls who cannot cast and retrieve with the same hand. I think it's because I grew up fishing for trout mainly that I can only retrieve left handed even though I'm a righty.

[@FlowtMedia]

@@charlesforest5323 on spinning reels i reel left handed and on casting i reel right, i draw worth my right hand and with fishing i do both haha

[@charlesforest5323]

@@FlowtMedia right on, man. Yeah, I've just always reeled left handed but I'm also ambidextrous with several things. I can write with both hands, throw with either hand and I can play pool pretty well with either hand. Brains are weird, dude.

[@gizmo1383]

People always make the term "budget" sound bad, believing you need a $200+ rod or reel to catch a fish is worse...

[@FishAnything]

I don’t judge any price range! Nothing wrong with inexpensive gear. Nothing wrong with pricey gear. Just don’t tell others how to spend their money lol I think this reel is darn good so it’s a bonus that it’s more affordable

[@Sam-kf7or]

I'm right handed But reel using my left hand, using a left handed reel

[@FishAnything]

Nice! I try to be ambidextrous and use both. Reeling lefty still feels really weird though haha

[@MIKE57208]

Mite want to drop to 8 lb. mine doesn’t like it.

[@MIKE57208]

Other than that I like it for jerkbaits.

[@MIKE57208]

Not want

[@FishAnything]

That makes sense. Lower diameter line can be challenging on standard bass reels. Budget casting reels with lower quality components probably won’t be the best with it so I’ll avoid 8lb. The 10 seems to work ok!

[@PonyFoot123]

After those fish I guess you arent in team dink with us anymore ;(

[@FishAnything]

Haha oh I’m still a dinkmaster just you wait!!

[@punchfukker3383]

two words: alchemy oil

[@FishAnything]

Never used it. Helps preserve a cheaper reel I suppose?

[@punchfukker3383]

@@FishAnything oh nonono! higher quality and very low viscosity, ideal for better bearing slickness/performance. hedgehog oil is great too as well over standard lubes.