I use BPS Pro Qualifier reels and love them. Got them on sale for $50 each. They cast smoothly and quietly and seem to be very well made. On the other hand, I also purchased a Daiwa Lexa a few months back and absolutely hate it. I can't seem to dial it in where it doesn't backlash on me without a lot of thumb finesse on the spool. I also have 2 Quantum PT Accurist reels which are also in the sub-$100 category. I like them, but they have started making a weird screeching sound when casting. Maybe I need to clean them, but they're a pleasure to fish with otherwise.

The question on some of the "inexpensive" reels that feel and cast good out of the box, how are they after a year or so of hard fishing? I bought a couple of cheaper reels a few years ago and they were toast after about a year of fishing. Can't remember model names but they were Quantum and Daiwa reels.

There are people who swear by the BPS ProQualifier and I bought two of them because of the great feedback. The drags on both of mine went out after two trips. Took them back and they said they would give me credit but I would be better off buying the Abu Orra which was comparable and I have had no issues since. Now my son has a Black Max and has been solid for over 3 years now.

I switched over to 100% XPS PQs. Only had one issue with any of those reels in 5years.

This was my experience also. I bought one based on the good feedback on this forum and couldn't get the thing to operate reliably at all. Took it back and got a curado and haven't looked back.

I haven't tried Lews yet due to the bad experience with BPS PQ after TFF recommendation. But it sounds good. Can't imagine I would like it better than my Shimanos though.

I will say this, you have to keep your reels serviced whether you do it or you take them to someone. You need to know how to use them. I remember when my brother and I learned how to use a baitcaster. We went to Academy and bought us two Black Max low profile reels (1st time the black max was offered in a low profile). We got them for buy one get the other 50% off at Academy. We took them to a private tank and wore those things out in about a month. Of course we didn't take care of them back then either. We were young and dumb. I learned later how to take care of them. I lube and grease my own and keep them wrapped to keep dust out of them. I don't care how much you pay for a reel, if you don't take care of them they won't last very long. I have not had an issue with any of my 5 BPS Pro Qualifiers that I've had for over 3 years now. One of them I know is over 5 years old that I bought used off of a guy from Michigan. I can tell you I have to really take care of my equipment because I can't afford to be replacing it.

Used curado

I still have a couple Pro Qualifiers probably 9 years old good reels for the money for sure. Im mostly a Lews guy now they make a really good reel for 99 bucks also.

Lots of good gear under $100 for sure. Does anyone remember the Shimano Bantam Mag 10XSG? I had 20 or more of them and they seemed to never wear out. They did everything I ever asked them to do - only to be discontinued a few years later. For about $30 those were the best ever. Now I actually like the Pinnacle 100 series from Academy they were less than $50.

Bass Pro PQ is the best I have found for the money but it runs right at $100 regular price. The Bionic isn't bad...not as good quality but still good for the price.

First off, yes this is an old thread. Today I returned a Quantum KVD reel to Academy. That reel will literally cast a freaking mile, once you get it dialed in. Change lures and have to adjust it again. It got old real fast! While there I found a Lew's LFS in a 7.5:1 ratio and it was only missing the instructions and they marked it down to $79 for me. I have to say, I'm really impressed. To be honest, I'm so impressed that I'm considering making a change to Lew's. If you get an opportunity, pick up one of these.

For $99? Quantum PT.

+1 on H2O Mettle.

I have 6 orra's they are awesome like the man said check them out.
J D

One other thing the orra's are small and super lite they fit on rod great.