….and the cheaper shimanos are a different kinda garbage.

As much as I like my Shimano’s I have to agree. Tried a SLX and after one cast I sold it.

Everyone has their favorites. Mine haven't even been mentioned, but not going to mention because you didn't ask about them. Hope you find one (or more) you like!

I'm not going to give a condescending answer. I'm not sure if you are buying it for a kid or giving it as a gift for someone who wants to get started in fishing. Those are my reasons for picking up some of the cheaper options.

I haven't used any of those listed, but I have used the Abu Garcia Black Maxx, and it's really not that bad. As a matter of fact I would put it up against most $100-150 reels on the "smoothness" (I don't think that any reels in the sub $200 category are very smooth). Have been using them with braid and they have held up okay.

I have an 18 year old Pflueger President (Old school deep and narrow spool) and it is still one of my go to reels that actually casts really well. I also have used several of the President spinning outfits and recommend them as well.

In the same price category as the ones you listed. I have caught the H2O mettle from Academy on sale. That would be my go to for a cheap reel.

My last baitcaster was an Abu Garcia Ultra Mag 2. Bought in Temple when I was young. Fished on lake Buchanan. I could never cast it and used it off a dock. Bran flakes dough balls and carp. No idea whatever happened to it.


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No it isn't. I have quite a few Lews reels and have never had a problem with any om them, but none of mine are cheap reels.

BB1 BB1pro and the super duty are all great reels.

This^^^^^^^

And just another Doyo

Yep

Hey OP, to answer your question, IF I had to pick from your list, I would go with the Quantum Invade, only because it has the best warranty - All Quantum gear is protected for a rock-solid 5-years from original date of purchase against defects in workmanship and/or materials. - all the reels you listed are entry level and can last a long time if taken care of, enjoy whatever you go with !

I have one of the Black Max Abu Garcia's and two Pro Max's as well. You can get them off of Ebay refurbished sometimes pretty cheap. Like you, I'd put them up against anything a lot more expensive. Someone gave me some cash for my birthday this past summer; had it in my pocket walking through Walmart fishing gear and saw the Black Max and it was priced for about what I had in my pocket. I brought it home and mounted it on a Duckett Ghost Cranking rod with some 20 pound Big Game and tied a Berkley Kane Walker on it and threw it for a good part of a day on Sandlin. First bite was about a 3.5 pounder and it handled it just fine and cast a country mile.
The Pro Max reels are a little sturdier and from what I've learned about them, are a mixture of Black Max and Revo technology.
I've bought some Lews reels in the same price range and prefer the Abu Garcia reels over them.
If I were just getting into this game and was trying to accumulate tackle for multiple techniques these cheap Abu Garcia reels is what I'd roll with for sure.

I bought a Super Duty last year for fishing on El Salto and wished multiple times that I would have gotten a Shimano or even a Revo STX. Now the BB1, that is a very nice reel. Haven't tried the BB1 pro.

Buy Daiwa and be done with it

You will catch the same amount of fish with any of those reels you mentioned as the extremely overpriced favorites referred to Fact is that Edwin Evers has made over $3 million with the BPS Pro Qualifier reels. They may have been made by Pflueger. Point is, people will tell you that their $500 Aldebaren or Steez are worth it. Only in their minds I think. I

A Kia will get you where you’re going but a BMW will make the drive more enjoyable