As the professional anglers are replacing the novices, they demand the high-end and performance-given gears added to their occupation. NOT only to gain the fishing skills but to keep them sharpened for the rest of life. And that is only possible by hooking up with the right fishing gear. We are mainly talking about the fishing reel and, specifically, the best baitcasting reel under $100 to finetune further how you generally hook a fish out of the water.

Adding the price tag is imminent and visible down here, given the fact you do not need to spend the fortune to own one right kind of it. Lure professionally even though you are not a fisherman by profession, and that makes it possible to try your luck using a baitcasting reel.

Cast, drag, and retrieve like a sounding angler knowing everything about the water and the fish found around. Under the price of $100, you are provided with countless of the greatest options available at your hand.

Let’s find out what we got for you! 🙂

Comparison Table

Best Baitcaster Reel Under $100  – Top Picks

1. KastKing Royale Legend Baitcasting Reel

 

Crafted exclusively for right-handed anglers, this performance-rich bait caster reel is specially designed for low-profile fishing at a relatively lower speed to give you the greatest boost and the pleasure to retrieve slowly and enjoy every bit of it.

Equipped with the greatest gearing ratio of 5.3:1 made with the precision brass adding more torque and the cranking you cannot have to experience from many other baitcasting reels.

Named for its pure endurance, it comes loaded with corrosion-resistant ball bearings of over 11 + 1 shielded MaxiDur giving you the perfectly smoothened casting, retrieving, and longer life to never go underperformance.

The perfect drag system consisted of four-disc carbon fiber; it is suitable to withstand the maximum drag power of 17.5 lbs, not causing any trouble and resulting in no to lower maintenance at all.

Take it either for the simple fishing session or into the tournament-graded session; you are only winning by retrieving more fish than anyone queued up to fish along with you. The dual brakes ensure the sudden stoppage without losing the line and the reliable centrifugal braking system is loaded with over seven magnets to keep the casting in your sound control.

Made the spool with the anodized aluminum forged and whiffle-style comes with the higher and powerful strength reducing the weight and having the relatively larger line capacity to hook even for the robust fishes you can find off the water through 12 lbs of force @ 165 yd distance.

2. Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel

 

We LOVE the design of Piscifun Torrent the most, and after the performance. But not only the design you should feel proud of as it equips with the excellent and complete features transforming this baitcasting reel to deliver outstanding results every time you cast it down the water.

Advanced level of the baitcasting reel, this got four washers giving the utmost power to the low profile fishing to retrieve even the heavier fish. It reached the powerful carbon fiber drag system giving the impacting ability to handle up to 18 lbs.

Durable to the best, made with the industrial-graded strength of the material label to resist the climate using the Japanese Hami cut 3604 brass-made gears giving the smoothened and top-quality equipment ensure the never-experienced fishing sessions.

Ensured for the performance, this features the higher gear ratio of 7.1:1 enhancing the versatile anglers’ experience to uplift their fishing methods to showcase how versed they are to handle the cast and retrieve by switching to the required gear in no time.

With having the double-winded shafts eliminating the backlash to put to zero to select depending upon the situation to dial-in from 0 to 10.

Innovated and well techy to fish with, this Piscifun Torrent is as simple and as durable being made with CNC-graded gear and the spools which would outperform many you can find off the market, and this one would dominate even the newcomers after the years in operation.

Weighing over 8 oz and loaded with ball bearings to the count of 5+1 administers the smooth retrieval and dragging not entangling the line or stuck the spool due to handling and exiting the excess weight to take it out of the water.

3. Abu Garcia BMax3 Baitcasting Reel

 

 

Lightweight at the build, the stylish design adds to the non-experienced performance made with the one-piece of an ultimate strengthening graphite frame and side plates.

Mechanized with the integration of hard steel-backed ball bearings seating up to four of them with one main roller bearing makes the whole operation convenient plus turns the retrieval process effortless for you to take out the fish rather swiftly.

It is equipped with the MagTrax braking system giving the precise and simple, customizable casting control accomodating to cast various lures with full convenience.

Bend handle that sizes real compact to hold with the recessed reeling foot to feel the comfortable grip giving you the precise control on the handling to fish all day long.

Powerful disk dragging system streamlines the casting experience to deal with the impact the fish is known to put up the fight, and the machined aluminum spool would never get stuck at the time of casting the line down the water.

Super compact in size, this Abu Garcia BMax3 ultralight reel comes right with the gearing ratio of 6.4:1 enabling the reel to retrieve almost anything off the water.

There is no reason to dislike this particular performance baitcasting reel. It is tagged with a price that is super affordable and manageable to do professional fishing every time the anglers lower it down the water.

4. KastKing MegaJaws Baitcasting Reel

 

A US$100.00 bill is quite an exceptional amount to at least buy the excellent and quality-rich baitcasting reel right from the market.

Named KastKing MegaJaws, the in-design jaws show and make you believe they would often go into the fight with your catch, but the winner, in most conditions, would be, and of course, this MegaJaws-bearing reel.

Coupled with the most-demanded features, this sea predator-inspired reel, comes right with the strength and the power to make with today’s anglers’ desires.

Designed for the longer casting, it comes with LFTV (low friction tapered vortex) shaped into the funnel with the guided line that vehemently reduces the line friction to the greater margin allowing you to cast for a longer distance without anything stopping it.

And that enhances to the greater level of gripping the reel without the force you take during the fight making the dragging and retrieving super smooth as it got the palm-perfect, namely Royale Legend Elite.

Weighs just around 7.5 oz coupling with the maximum drag power of more than 17.6 lbs with having the smooth gearing ratio of 7.2:1 makes the whole fishing experience never perceived and never felt, turning even the pro anglers to just say a big loud ‘wow’ when using!

With having the ball bearings of around 11 +, 1 gets the whole of toll for the precision retrieval, never getting stuck on the way back, investing the full power to catch even the heavier fish without any issues and concerns.

Turns faster than many, 29.8 IPT (in. per turn) takes out the fish rather quickly, so one complete turn with this KastKing MegaJaws Blacktip means reducing the duration of fight the catches generally put on.

5. KastKing Royale Legend II Baitcasting Reel

 

The legendary baitcasting reel is what you should own to add to your fishing gear. When you have this KastKing Royale Legend II, I swear you have the complete reel system that is of utmost reliability to outperform many found around the market.

Surpassing beyond your set expectations, this high-performing baitcasting reel is solely crafted with high-graded materials starting with the main shaft made of extra-hard stainless steel and the gears constructed with Hamai precision-machined brass and the ceramic line guide shaped into the diamond form.

With CNC aluminum spool adding to the increased strength and the durability combined with the quadruple disc-based carbon drag system providing the stopping power of 17.6 lbs to drag the heavier catch tagged by the lowest-ever price.

Faster dragging and retrieving are made entirely possible with the gearing ratio of over 5.4:1 along with a ball bearing count of more than 5 + 1 to take out the fish off the water relatively quickly.

Enjoy the increased power when it is put on the load at the time of hooking the catch through 26.8” of line close per handle crank. And the handle grips made of the EVA knob give the smooth gripping to deal with the force no matter if you are set to create the sweat, and you would not lose it out of your grip.

Everything made with the great materials used around this KastKing Royale Legend II reel will experience the brilliant fishing session every time you lower the line!

6. Abu Garcia PMax3 Baitcasting Reel

 

The professional-alike casting is never made simpler by having to use Abu Garcia PMax3 powering the anglers to dominate the chart from the fellow anglers surrounding the fishing area.

It delivers a professional experience, but it also comes with the design that sounded for the ultimate fun that is trustable to last for years of operation; the single and one-piece graphite frame with the graphite side plates make the perfect blend of this baitcasting reel.

Loaded with the reliable, anti-corrosion, and hard-formed stainless steel of seven ball bearings along with one main roller bearing does not affect on the releasing and retrieving of the catch no matter how rough the retrieval goes.

Powerful power disk dragging system ensures the fight is always dealt with and handled despite the heavier catch you get on the hook with the DuraGear brass-made gears with the gearing ratio of 7.1:1 takes down all the hassle to take out the heavy fish super conveniently seamlessly.

EVA handles are made with the utmost higher density, and the MagTrax braking system stop and reduces the friction caused by the heavier fish when putting the fight on.

Super compact at the size, it enables not just the professional but the novice anglers as well to effectively face the whole of the force quite smoothly.

7. Shimano SLX Baitcasting Reel

 

Design that is never seen — The incredible look with the stunning style wrapped by the matte black finish blends the blue accents so well to admire and inspire your purchasing power to dominate over any and everything quickly.

Compact nearly 22 percent than most of the bait caster reels available in the market, but no way it is compromising the power plus strength to exceed out of your preferences.

Coupled with 150 PowerPro line capacity that looks almost impossible to wrap over such a compact and small reel to enjoy fishing like handling the full-fledged and oversized baitcasting reel.

Packaged under the real Shimano’s signature metal reel body of HAGANE, the rigid build with the incredible stiffness transforms this impact-resistant body by the HAGANE by overwhelmingly reducing the flexing even after hooking the bigger and heavier fish giving you the extra-tough time you can always expect fishing in the open water.

Loaded with the brilliant and smoothened right-handed gearing ratio of 8.2:1 with the ball bearings to the count of 4 plus 1 reverse bearing allowing the reel to deal with the maximum 12 lbs of dragging power to face the middle to heavier fish without any issues conveniently.

8. Piscifun Phantom Baitcasting Reel

 

Super lightweight and compact by design, this baitcasting reel from Piscifun Phantom is going to be your perfect pick, given the fact you are provided with the visit to the fishing reels’ rack. You would so choose this particular one knowing it has the featherweight attached to the build as it weighs around 5.70 ounces — the lightest weight you can EVER get your hands on.

Assured for the outstanding performance, the bigger gearing ratio of 7.0:1 provides the ultimate long-distance and accurate casting allowing you to instantly hook the catch loaded along with six anti-corrosion stainless steel ball-bearing with having single-clutch bearing shielded to withstand the force as we as does not invite the rust with extending the durability to go on for years.

Integrated with six pins of dynamic and dual centrifugal braking with a magnetic system to give the perfect braking to stop the power of the fish to call off the fight as it also integrates four-disc carbon fiber drag washers coupled with the hard-anodized aircraft-grade aluminum-backed gears with the pinion gears delivering you the exceptional stopping power of more than 17.0 lbs to fight the real heavier fishes.

Having the dual 105mm of extended carbon crank handles provide the anglers to conveniently take out of the water no matter how deep they are swimming.

9. Pflueger President XT Baitcasting Reel

 

Out of the best baitcasting reel under $100, we list up this Pflueger President XT on number ninth, holding the best features to uplift the fish catching experience beyond the mark.

Designed exclusively for the low profile, it comes with nine bearing system loaded with the anti-corrosion and anti-resistant made with hard and durable stainless steel ball bearings includes the magnetic braking system that features the adjustable brake controls to dial the spool with rotation and backlashing to call off the fight instantly without dragging you in the uncontrollable situations.

Made the handles with pure aluminum wearing the dual EVA knobs is backed by not just the simple kind of aluminum but the aircraft-grade labeling to provide the extreme level of durability to go on for years without ever needing to replace them.

Cast the line with the best, this Pflueger President XT surf fishing reel featuring the low profile comes packaged into the super lightweight allowing the anglers to hold it comfortably. Made the C45 side plates is the best contributor to making its whole design extremely lightweight at work and perform exceptionally well to deal with the super heavier fishes.

The gearing ratio of 7.3:1 expects the experience of retrieving the catch faster and easier without facing the ordeal of going into the fight to calm down the catch.

10. Abu Garcia Revo X Baitcasting Reel

 

And we had that kept introducing the ultimate anglers at the very end!

This Abu Garcia Revo X is the high-end baitcasting fishing reel that is NOT just a full-fledged baitcasting reel tagged by the affordable price leaving you with no options but to acquire it without a second thought.

Designed for the higher speed to cast, drag, and retrieve, this exclusive Abu Garcia Revo X bait caster reel leaves no flaws left at design coupled with the features that seem impossible to have owned by such a compact and simple reel could ever contain.

The powerful dragging is achieved by having the best setup made of the carbon matrix hybrid giving you the smooth plus reliable drag performance to call off the fight real instantly telling the catch there is no way around to lose the hook.

Punched with extending the gear life to live the best of it as it comes right with being built of brass from DuraGear, ensuring the upscale performance seated the gearing design from D2 to play the best fishing session.

Greater 7.3:1 gearing ratio delivers you with the real experience of smoothly catching your best game out of the water dealing with all the force and the fight it puts up.

So, feel no more of the issues and enjoy the best catches ever done in your entire life!

Factors to Consider when looking for a Baitcasting Reel For The Money

There are several factors that you need to consider when searching for a baitcasting reel such as the gear ratio, pricing, braking systems, spools, and so on.

We will be discussing every factor in detail starting with,

1. Set a Price Range

Now before you dive into the world of baitcasting reels, the very first thing you need to determine is your budget. If you have started with your research already then you must have come across several products in the market.

Baitcasting reels are available at different price ranges. You need to make up your mind what your budget is and how much you’re willing to spend on a baitcasting reel. Now, look at models that come under that umbrella and choose the one that offers you maximum efficiency at a minimum price point.

2. The Configuration Type

When looking for a baitcaster, you will come across two profiles and you will have to go for the one that fits your needs best.

3. Round Baitcaster or Low-profile Baitcaster

• Round baitcaster: The round baitcaster is very durable and is used for holding bigger and heavier lines. This type of baitcaster can efficiently toss bigger baits onto your boat and put up a good fight if the bait resists. We would suggest you go for this configuration if you’re planning to hunt salmon, pike, steelhead, and muskie.
• Low-profile baitcaster: The low-profile baitcaster on the other hand is the most popular among fishing enthusiasts. It has an ergonomic design and very convenient wrist action. It is also used for palming and can hunt bass or crappie.

4. Gear Ratio

Every reel you see on the market comes with a gear ratio. To put it concisely, it determines the speed of the reel. The most common gear ratios that you’re to come across in baitcasting reels are 6.4:1, 5.4:1, and 7.1:1. But what do we mean by these numbers? Let’s get into the details of that!

The first sets of numbers determine how many revolutions the spool is capable of making every time you turn the reel handle. For an instance, with a ratio of 6:4:1, if you turn the reel handle once, it will take approximately 6 to 4 revolutions. The bigger this ratio is, the more amount of line the crank will retrieve within the same amount of time without any extra effort.

The most common gear ratio available commonly is the one that we have just explained. With this ratio, you will be able to windup all your work without having to spend any extra time and effort on it. You can easily work with fast and slow-moving presentations with 6:4:1. However, if you’re keen on applying some very certain techniques then you might need a higher or lower gear ratio.

To simplify it, if you plan on working with buzz or spinnerbait then that will work efficiently well with a 7:1:1 gear ratio but if you are planning on throwing crank baits then go for a lower gear ratio bait.

Higher gear ratios work well when you’re hunting in a small area of water. This will allow you to capture your prey, spin it in the boat, and lunge for the next one. In a very minimum amount of time, you will be able to capture as many baits as you want.

If you love fishing and you have the budget then we would suggest that you have all three gear ratio reels with you for fishing.

5. Spool Size

Now, the next thing you need to consider is the spool size. Naturally, if you’re planning on catching bigger fish then you will need heavier and more durable lines which will automatically require a lot of space on the spool. If that is what you’re planning to do then look for a spool that can handle the durable line you’re going for. But to be concise, just keep in mind that bigger fish require bigger spools.

However, if you are only going to use your baitcaster to catch lighter fish then a small spool will do the work. They are less expensive and you will not have to go over budget. Smaller spools are also much more convenient and easy to handle.

6. Braking Systems

All the baitcasting reels in the market are equipped with braking systems. This is a very efficient mechanism that not only stops the spool but also slows down its rotation while you’re casting. If you don’t have a braking system in your baitcaster, you will have to go through the baitcasting backlash over and over again. (If you’re not familiar with the term backlash then let us explain. It means that your spool doesn’t stop revolving and creates a mess of the line even after your lure has been caught. It makes things very difficult for the angler).

When it comes to adjusting the spool speed, your first instinct would be to adjust the spool knob. You will find this large knob on the handle. Tighten it enough so then once you disengage with the line, it will fall smoothly to the ground without mingling. Once the line makes contact with the ground, the spool will stop revolving instantly. The heavier your line is, the more grip you will have over the spool.

Another kind of braking system that you will find in baitcasting reels is the magnetic brakes. These are a bit complicated and are based on friction. They completely rely on spools and magnets to adjust the revolution rate of the spools.

Doesn’t matter what kind of braking system any baitcasting reel comes with, everything depends on whether you will be able to thumb the spool correctly and responsively or not. You can test your efficiency by working with different kinds of braking systems every time you fish but we would also suggest that you let your thumb do the entire work.

7. Keep Your Comfort in Mind

One last thing that you must keep in mind when purchasing a baitcaster is that your comfort is the key to having an excellent fishing experience. If your baitcaster doesn’t feel comfortable in your hands and makes it difficult for you to fish then you won’t be able to maximize your output.

A balanced reel and rod combination and comfortable grip on the handle will help you cast with more precision especially if you have been practicing before. Take your time when purchasing baitcasting reels. Test their mechanisms such as tensioners, reel handles, thumb latches, drag settings, and other features.

We would also suggest that you visit an outdoor shop where you get the leverage of trying out these reels on the spot and then go for the one that is comfortable to use and doesn’t cause your arms to tremble or feel nervous.

Graphite vs. Aluminum

It is quite obvious that when you’re looking for a baitcaster, you would absolutely want to make sure it comes in the finest quality. There are commonly two types of baitcasting reels available in the market. It is either graphite or aluminum.

Here we will discuss which type of baitcasting reel is better between the two and why?

• Graphite frames

Graphite can be known as the latest material advancement with regards to baitcasting reels. They are lightweight, can handle corrosion, are highly durable, and very easy to maintain.

Even though they are very lightweight, these frames still maintain a very sound rigidity and durability. It is also rust-resistant which makes it a great fit for reeling saltwater.

• Aluminum frames

Aluminum frames are heavy-duty and highly durable. They also deliver some serious cranking power which makes them worth investing in. You can use them, years after years but they are not impervious to rust. They will eventually get damaged due to corrosion but the durability they offer is unmatched.

So, it is to say that graphite and aluminum both have their own pros and cons. While aluminum is highly durable and rigid, it is prone to rust which luckily graphite isn’t but it’s a little expensive. So, it comes down to what you’re willing to choose and how much you’re willing to spend.

Spinning vs. Baitcasting

In addition to all the kinds of fishing that people choose from, anglers also get to have a say of the casting system they are opting for and the most prominent among them are the spinning and baitcasting systems.

Both of these terms basically relate to the type of reel and rod you’re using and both have their own dynamics to go with. Here, we will be comparing both of these casting systems so you can go with the one that proves to be the most ideal for you.

• Spincasting or spinning

Spincasting is known for being very easy and operatable and is highly recommended to someone who is jumping into the fishing domain for the very first time. All you have to do is flip the bait, put your thumb on the line, and cast away. Once that is done, you can now close the bait and reel it back in.

You just have to make sure that you aren’t holding the reel upside down because that way, nobody is going to benefit from it. You need to use the clockwise motion with the handle and your casting venture will be as successful as it can be.

Spinners come in really handy when you’re making use of lighter lures such as plastics and smaller lives baits. The harder you cast it, the further you will be able to throw it. The casting of the spinning reel completely depends on how much force you can apply. Once you throw it off, the line flows off without any drag limitation. If you’re holding the line tightly, then it will be able to reach quite far.

Spinners are very ideal to use because with them you won’t have to worry about any backlash.

• Baitcasting

A baitcaster is a much more efficient way to fish that requires a lot of practice and only someone passionate about fishing can do this. In this technique, your thumb will have to be highly trained and it will depend on your effort on how far the line goes. You will have to constantly press the spool button to ensure your line goes farther away.

Unlike most of the casting techniques, the most precise is this. It does come with a lot of complications as well since if your thumb cannot find a sweet spot, there will be a lot of backlashes.

With a baitcaster, you get a very wide reach and your line is also launched very accurately. You can also retrieve it back within seconds by the push of a button. Baitcasters also come with braking systems that provide you with complete control over your line. You can either increase the speed or slow it down according to your requirements.

If we compare both these techniques, we would say that it depends on the angler. If you happen to be passionate about fishing then go for baitcasting but if you only do it once in a while then spinning will be ideal for you.

Why Invest in a Baitcasting Reel?

Baitcasting reels have their own pros and cons. There are various reasons why you should invest in them and a couple of reasons you shouldn’t.

Let’s say you’re a professional fisherman who goes fishing as his sole bread-earning resource. We would absolutely want you to invest in a baitcasting reel then because it guaranteed results and saves you a lot of time and effort.

A baitcaster is much suited to do difficult and complex tasks. It also is pretty expensive so we wouldn’t recommend it for someone who only fishes once in a while. But if you truly enjoy fishing and earn through it, then investing in a baitcaster will be a wise choice.

There are many advantages and disadvantages of baitcaster, a few of them we have mentioned below.

Advantages/Disadvantages of Baitcasting Reels

If you’re a beginner who is still contemplating whether he should buy a baitcasting reel or not then why not make a pros and cons list? Don’t worry; we have done it for you already. Just go through the advantages and disadvantages of baitcasting reels down below and make your choice.

Advantages

• Offers maximum accuracy and precision

Fishing requires you to target your bait with as much accuracy as you can have. This is what baitcasters are famous for. They are highly accurate and provide guaranteed results.

Also, once you do get the hang of using a baitcaster, you will be able to throw the line much further than what you were expecting or used to do.

• Higher gear ratio

With the help of a baitcaster, you can not only throw your online much further and more accurately but you can also retrieve it back in fewer amounts of time and with zero extra effort. They come with a higher gear ratio and fast retrieval is total because of that. But this won’t be a plus point in entry-level baitcasters.

• Use any lure

Another advantage of a baitcaster is that it allows you to use any kind of lure you like. Although we won’t recommend using live baits if you’re using bigger items then a baitcaster can fully accommodate that.

Disadvantages

• Takes a lot of effort

If you aren’t a fishing enthusiast and only go fishing to pass time then a baitcaster might not be something you enjoy. It requires a lot of effort and that is probably going to cost you your fun time. So you should go for a spinning reel instead.

• Quite expensive

Baitcasters are pretty expensive. As mentioned before, baitcaster is truly for people who consider fishing their ride or die. Buying a baitcaster will cost you a lot especially if you want guaranteed results. Someone who fishes for fun is probably not going to invest in that.

How To Use A Baitcasting Reel For Beginners

If you’re using a baitcasting reel for the very first time then it might be a tad difficult as compared to simpler reels. You will need to put in some extra effort to understand it but once you do, you will see how efficient this technique of fishing really is.

Step one – You need to turn the handles so the reel handle points up and then grip it effectively. Your thumb should rest over the reel and if your reel features a spool button, press on it.

Step two – You will have to bend your casting arm from the elbow. Make sure that your rod’s tip goes into the 90-degree angle and once it does that, sweep the rod forward so it reaches your eye level which would be horizontal and approximately 30-degrees.

Step three – Now press on the spool with your thumb and stop the bait once it has reached your targeted area.

So, this is how you use a baitcasting reel. It may look difficult in the beginning but just practice on and you will get the hang of it.

Baitcasting Tips For Beginners

As we are almost close to our conclusion, here are a few baitcasting tips that we have for our beginners.

Choose wisely: When buying a baitcaster, make sure you choose by putting everything into perspective. Don’t make a rushed-up choice. take as much time as you want and keep all the factors discussed in perspective.

Practice makes a man perfect: Once you have purchased your baitcasting reel, practice, as much as you can. You cannot hope to learn baitcasting in a single night. Take your time and practice every day. Soon you will get the hang of it.

Dress accordingly: When baitcasting or even spinning, dress comfier. Do not go overboard with your clothes and wear something breezy, something that keeps you comfortable throughout the process.

Get help from experts: If you don’t want to spend money on learning, no worries! Do your research on YouTube and learn about new techniques every single day. Always leave room for improvement because only then you will reach perfection.

So, this is everything we had regarding the factors you needed to consider when buying a baitcasting reel. We hope this guide has been helpful to you and now you will be able to make a much more informed decision for yourself.

Conclusion

And we are done, actually with finding the high-end of 10 best baitcasting reel under 100 mark.

The price range was put there deliberately because this price mark is quite the barrier to owning the perfectly feature-rich baitcasting reel to add to your fishing gear.

Wonder no more and take advantage of this extensive review guiding you to land in the right place to get one of the baitcasting reels in your possession!

Never forget to check out the best budget reviews on the best spinning reel under 100$. For further reading, you should check out our best musky reel post and also don’t miss the best inshore spinning reel.