Sorry if this has been posted before. I didn’t find it in the search engine if it has. Let me get to the point. Son is 12 years old, and he’s wanting his very own brand new baitcasting reel (won’t accept a hand me down). Looking around I think I’ve narrowed it down to either the Shimano SLX, Daiwa Fuego, or Lew’s Speed Spool LFS. He does the majority of his fishing on the bank with his buddies. He’s used a few of mine before, but his current reel is a Lew’s spinning rod and reel setup. I forget the name, but it’s like highlighter green? Anyways, this would be an all around set up. He mainly throws TX rig worm, flukes, spinnerbaits, and rattletraps. I want to keep the gear ratio below 7.5, cause he would have no use for anything higher. I have an old 7 foot medium heavy Abu Garcia Vengeance rod I’m going to put the reel on.

What would your pick of the three be, or if you have a better recommendation then let’s hear it.

Thanks in advance.

Revo-x

Really hard to beat the Daiwa Fuego CT

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_Fuego_CT_Casting_Reel/descpage-FCTX.html

I'd throw a 6.8:1 Speed Spool LFS on that rod. It's a good all round setup.

What Frank said

Stewart Discount Fishing Tackle

Chris Stewart is legit and has great discounts. All prices include free shipping and no sales tax. He ships same or next day of order.

I'll go along with Frank. That Revo X is a fantastic $100 reel. Comes in lots of ratios also, if you're into ratios.

Both bait casting and spinning.

I really like the X - Winch. It's about as good as the regular Winch and over $100 cheaper.

The other reels are all good reels, also. Pick which feels best to you, or you get the best deal.

You can't go wrong. Just remember, they are $100 reels, not $300 reels.

I know this isn't exactly what you asked for, but to learn the ropes an abu black max is hard to beat. Once he gets good with it, he will appreciate a better reel.

Agree.

He’s used my Abu Garcia Silver Max. He’s familiar with it. That’s the only baitcaster he’s ever handled. I’ve taught him how to adjust the brakes, and I’m quite confident he could adjust it on his own. The only thing that tricks him is the drag. Lol

My 11yo son got a pro qualifier 2 for Christmas. Was on sale then used points. Got it for 40 bucks. Regular $99

It’s really nice.

Abu pro max 7.1 pretty good reel

X3

Lews LFS
Best 100 reel

H20 Xpress Mettle. Get him some reasonable first, then if he gets the hang of it and sticks with it, upgrade him. The H20 reels are awesome! These guys just don't get the looks at the corner store at 4am wearing an H20 Xpress shirt

I learned on a 5500 Garcia !