Yeah will do if I can get them

Fathers Day week Academy normally has the H2O reels for $29.99.

Abu Garcia "BLACK MAX"
I have 5 of them that I have fished with for 2 years and "ZERO"problems.
I caught several 6.5# fish on them at Falcon 1 month ago.
$49.95 @ Academy or Wal_Mart.
For this price you can use them until they go bad, then toss em and buy another.
$49 and 2 years and still going strong.

I like the mettles as well for a less expensive good real. I have several that my wife and friends use. I actually use those on occasion to throw sq.bills and weightless worms. I have revo premiers a curado, two ardents, and the mettles aren't noticeably worse. I am sure they w point last as long, but for $30 they are worth it. A friend uses the bps tourney specials for friends and such, the u arent too bad either fo $50 either. They have the dual braking system, so they are easy to dial in.

I like to use the Pinnacle Pro XS from Academy they are 10 bearing and on sale on line for $49 free shipping and you can return them to the store if your not satisfied. I have 5 of them no complaints.

I like to use the Pinnacle Pro XS from Academy they are 10 bearing and on sale on line for $49 free shipping and you can return them to the store if your not satisfied. I have 5 of them no complaints.

H2O Mettle is a great reel at that price.

Especially when you find sales for 25-30 bucks. I have 10 and they are 5 years old with no problems.

bass pro shop has some decent reels for that price point... good, not great. not very many (if any) great reels in that price range. maybe look in the trade forum for someone selling gear.

If you were closer to the Metromess I would suggest making a trip to Southwestern Parts and looking thru their bin of used reels. I have bought lots there over the years and had very good luck with them and still some of my favorites.

"HardRain", LOL, love the username !!! Now if we could just get a LOT.
God Bless

Academy sells the Mettle series. 10 ball bearing, removable spool..etc. I have six and use them every week bass angling from February to November. I've landed a 14lb blue cat on one so the drag works great too. Two of them had identical issues with the clutch release spring.....both replaced free of charge. The others are still working great after two seasons. Academy will honor their warranty for life so save your receipts.

I have a Abu Garcia Black Max and a Daiwa Exceler. I like both, but the Exceler is really nice for the price. No issues with either reel.

With the big name manufacturers I have to agree that you get what you pay for. Cheap will be cheap. I have many ABU Revos(SX & STX) and love them but Shimano & ABU low end reels are junk. If a reel comes packaged in a blister pack forget it. I have fished several H2O Mettle's and they are absolutely my #1 pick in a baitcasting value. Get em on sale and you can get 6 for what you have budgeted for 3. Also, nobody is more customer friendly then Acadamy when it comes to returns IF the need arises. See a reoccurring theme to the responses to your post? :-)

I recently purchased 2 Lews speed spool Lasers 6.4:1 ratio from WM for $64 each plus tax and frankly they work a good as my more expensive Lews reels so just saying for the money a pretty good deal in my books.