I work in the fishing department at Bass Pro Clarksville and will tell without a doubt that the best value priced baitcaster is the Bass Pro Pro Qaulifier($99.99). You can get it in either a 7.1:1 or 6.4:1. Depending on what baits you are looking at fishing would determine the speed real you should get. A 6.4 will be a more versitale reel and inable you to fish a wider range of baits with one reel