Best bait caster

[pointer]

So im ready for a new bait caster. I figure in spending a $100 or so. So what is the best reel I can get for that price? I have a couple Pro Qualifer reels and love them, but I would like to get the most bang for my buck. Any thoughts are welcome.

From my own experience, the Pro Qualifier is going to be hard to beat, in this price range. The Lew's Speed Spool will out cast it by quite a bit but I'm not ready to say that it's going to be as durable. I'm very happy with the one I have. The other reels in that price range that I think would be of good quality would be the BPS carbonlite (or whatever they call it now) and the Shimano Citica. The carbonlite from BPS appears to be a lighter version of the PQ. I'm not sure about the new Citica reels, as I don't have one, or anything like it. I've heard and read that these new ones aren't of the same quality as last years E(?) models. I also really like the Abu Revo but I don't know much about the S model. I'd bet they are pretty good reels, though.

[fishinfreak]

Every review I have read about the pro qualifers are great. A buddy of mine didn't like his, but I was very disapointed. Guy at Bass Pro treated my like a kid, asking if I knew how to use a baitcaster. Maybe I just got a lemon... or what Geo said - that makes sense, never thought about it though.

Was it that younger tall guy? He did the same thing to me two years ago. It pissed me off pretty good.

[Fishin is life]

Get a Curado 200E7...You can find them on BBC for 110-115 lightly used and they're worth every penny...I have 7 of the E series Curados and won't be changing anytime soon

[pastorbass]

No, it wasn't him. It was a new guy I had never seen. The older guy with the gray beard who does the demos and fish feeding is about the only one I like to deal with

[remsleeper]

Looks like they put out a new 2012 CarbonLite, 5.9 oz. The old one is 90 now. I have one and like it.

[fishinfreak]

No, it wasn't him. It was a new guy I had never seen. The older guy with the gray beard who does the demos and fish feeding is about the only one I like to deal with

I'll be up there soon. I need to buy another pro qualifier for my jig rod. And I need to get my girlfriend a reel

[TheWorm]

I bought a pro qualifier cranking reel and hated it. No matter what I did it would barely cast. Took it back and got a refund... For the 100 range I think its hard to beat a curado. I have bought a couple of used ones off bass boat central for that range and you can get a new one in the 150 range.

Check the internal brake locks. I have the best luck when only 2 opposite each other are engaged and the other 4 disengaged..