To me Daiwa is the most user friendly reel out there. You can get a Tatula CT on eBay for around $100. I would just make sure to buy from a store if you go that route. Another thing to consider is a reel with dual brakes but with Daiwa you won’t need dual brakes.

Tackle Warehouse has the Daiwa Tatula CT on sale right now for $89.99. The best $90 value, in my opinion.

Tackle Warehouse Daiwa Tatula CT Link

Daiwa Tatula CT is great for $90. I have quite a few of them. I got a Daiwa CC80 and for $50 it performs great so far.

That’s a great deal on the Tatula. Gonna buy one now.

I feel kinda timid because I'm the first of many knowledgeable folk on TFF to mention the Shimano SLX. . I kinda feel like Shimano and Daiwa produce reels that are significantly better than other competitors in their respective price ranges. I hear great things about the Tatula line but I've not had the experience of throwing one.

Anyway, I have an SLX 150 and a Fuego, which I bought because I really like the Fuego spinning reel. The SLX is a smoother operator than the Fuego, IMHO. To me it just "feels" more expensive than it costs.

But the fellow that suggested the Black Max, at 50 bucks is spot on. For a 12 year old? Jonny Schultz fishes with Black Max reels. A hundred bucks buys 2 reels and that gives the kid TWO setups.

>I feel kinda timid because I'm the first of many knowledgeable folk on TFF to mention the Shimano SLX

OK, good, its not just me... ;-). TW has SLX for I think $99.. to me its hard to beat at this price level

Lew's LFS is hard to beat for the $$. Have several High end Shimanos and Revos, yet find myself picking up that little $100 reel.

Do either of these have a tension knob that clicks?

Is tension knob the drag star or the spool brake?

Spool brake

Landbigfish has the 13 concept z on sale for $79 marked down from $200

I also have a 12 year old that has two of the reels that are on your list, the Shimano SLX and the Lew's. Either of those would be great reels for your son. My boy prefers the Lew's as he says that it is smoother. I think that he said the SLX does not have a magnetic brake control if that makes a difference to you.

Thanks so much!!!

I agree with the Abu Garcia Revo X

Hands down the BPS Pro baitcaster on black friday will be my favorite reel for the money. I fish the [censored] out of mine and will pick it up just as much as my Curados.