My twin boys are 11 years old now, and I want to get them into baitcasting reels. I want to get them a reliable,, easy-to-learn-on reels that are well made, forgiving, and won't break my bank because I have to buy two of everything for twins.

Any recommendations on a reliable 'first' baitcast reel for these boys. Again, I'm looking for the best quality and features for the price (as I need to buy two of them). They have never used one before.

Thanks!

Scott in Flower Mound

I would go to Bass Pro Shop.
Look at their mega cast series and their tourney special series. They both for the money pretty go stuff.
You buy as a combo or just the reels.
I have a couple of tourney specials over ten years old and still crankin.
At Bass Pro if you don't like these they will have plenty to check out

Steez reels are on sale at Tackle Warehouse! Haha.

Seriously. If it's in the budget, the Daiwa Tatulas are good reels for $150 or so each. They are easy to use. And built well. Just don't buy em junk. Buy em something that they will stand a chance of having success with and not spend a lot of time trying to dial in each time they change a bait weight. If it's in the budget, the TWS Zillion is a great reel. It's around $300 each.

Seriously though, the Steez reels are on sale for $478 each. Would make a GREAT gift and would last each of them a lifetime.

BPS Tourney specials

Steez, thanks, and I bet those are all great reels, but I was hoping for a price point south of $75 each. I want them to prove to me that they will like (and use) a baitcaster before I shell out much more than that. Otherwise I'll end up with two used reels that I'll need to get rid of.

Scott

go to Academy or Wal-Mart
buy the Abu Garcia Black Max for under $50
I have 7 of them that are 2+ years old and have never been cleaned or taken apart and work flawlessly.
They are absolutely bullet proof and can handle any size fish and any size line / lure.

Academy online still has some Lews speed spool reels on clearance for $80. Aluminum frame.

Cabelas has several casting combos on sale for Memorial Day. One hundred off on one of the Lews for example with a mail in rebate.

Academy h2o mettle $59.00!

I've said it many a time on the forum, but the BPS Pro Qualifier is my favorite budget reel. It's listed at $99, but they often drop it down to $80.

A few years ago I bought an Enigma reel at BPS. The magnets and breaks let you lock it down where it's nearly impossible to backlash. Like training wheels for a bait caster. You can gradually let them out as skill improves. Still have it. Works great. There is always some one going fishing with me that isn't comfortable with a bait caster and I hand it over to them. Caught a special around Christmas and it came with a rod for $89.

Mettle or Pro qualifier.

mettle is cheaper, and feels cheaper too, but cast better.
pro qualifier is better quality, prolly lasts longer, but not quite as good casting as the mettle, but the mettle is one of the best casting reels out there. (I have no idea why either)
Mettle goes on sale around 30 to 40 bucks.
pro qualifier was at 49 bucks once, but likely wont be less than 80 until next year's extravaganza.

I would recommend the Black Max like Nutman says, affordable and can pick up a couple just about anywhere.
Good reel to learn on with some 10-12 test line paired on a medium action rod. Wait until they learn on those before going to the higher end reels. H2o mettle are also a good option.
Good luck and hope they catch some big ones!

I agrre with jbcarroll. The BPS pro qualifier is a very good budget reel. I was lucky enough to find them for $49 about 3 months ago and bought 2 of them. They are 2 of my favorite reels that I own.

PM me and you can bring the boys by and cast the pro qualifier and mettle. I have a field next to the house where I have been teaching my 12 yr old nephew.
My pro qualifiers are spooled with braid though.