I agree

The number of bearings does not matter, its the quality of the bearings! More bearings, especially cheap ones, means more things to go wrong.

The whole issue on # of bearing always confused me, however I never gave thought to the fact that certain barings can be of better quality.
Any one feel like educating me on this some more?, I like to approach things from a technical level and this would definetly assist me in picking out good rigs!

Thanks!

http://www.seskate.com/ABEC.html

Also different reels use different kinds of bearing to avoid rust.

i tell this to people all day long at academy.

Well I bought the Green BPS Extreme combo at Bass Pro on sale for $99.00!!!
Hopefully tnis will do me for a couple of years!!!
Thanks for ya'lls help!

Not a bad choice for the money. Good luck with it.

Lots of folks on this section of the forum spend BIG money on their reels. Nothing wrong with that but I've been using baitcast reels for 35 yrs and you don't have to spend that kind of dough to get a usable reel that will last. I agree that the high-dollear reels are nice but for a fisherman on a budget their are better things to spend your money on. Considering all the electronics, boats, fuel, rods and other tackle, I don't see how people can justify spending $250 for a reel when there are so many good ones for less. I've got a couple of Revo SXs that are nice for $150. I can't beleive I paid that much for them but I guess I'm getting with the program.

Depends on if you want a low profile, or a round baitcasting reel. I have a Abu Garcia 5600c4, and love it. It was less than a hundred bucks. I have not been able to really see what a low profile is like for a while, so I cannot comment on them really. A friend on this forum just gave me and my son a couple of older Abu Garcia baitcasting reels....and a Daiwa baitcasting reel and rod. (plus other stuff...felt like my son and I hit the jackpot) I tried out his Citica, and liked it. (briefly) I would really like to try the Revo out, as well as a new Curado. I love Abu Garcia stuff. I have Abu Garcia, Shimano, and Daiwa...rarely use anything else...ever. They are the best to me. (for a reel)

BigDad,
I agree with you totally. I am not convinced that you have to spend a fortune on a reel. I have a bunch of reels that are used on a very regular basis and not a single one cost me more than $80. I have fished Abu's for ever and can't see why go broke on a $200+ reel, unless it guarantees me fish. Buy quality within your budget.
BTW a majority of my reels were manufactured in the early 80's and with a little maintenance will last long after I am gone.

I have nothing but Abu Garcia. I have tried a Citica, and liked it. I love my C45600 reel. A friend gave me a bunch of stuff he didn't want anymore. It had an Ambasadeur 5000 reel, and a 4600C I believe it was called. They are very similar to my C45600 and I had no problem using them. (I just got my first baitcaster for my birthday in Dec) He also gave me a old Daiwa baitcaster that my son now uses. (it is a great old reel...and very easy to use starting out...my son just got it, and already can cast it with ease)
I do want to try a low profile reel in the Abu Garcia, Shimano, and Daiwa brands. I think I would love a Revo. Anyway for now I am thrilled to have the round type baitcaster, and it is a pleasure to use. I might not even like a low profile reel....hehehe.

Calcutta 50

I've also been looking for a lower cost baitcaster that could handle a few punches when called upon. The H20 reels caught a friends attention so he sent me a link to your thread.

One thing that I didn't see in the comments on the H20 was how well it held up with heavy use like 2-5 times a week. Even though I can't fish that often I look at those types of reviews as an accelerated test for me.

For example, about a year ago there was a lower cost reel that was creating a stir at Academy (maybe it still is?; forgot the name). After several months of considering them I happened to run across a thread on here where a lot of folks loved them. Most of the folks appeared to be free weekend fishermen. Then a couple of heavy users showed up and told their story. Several had purchased them ($50 range) and put them to the test fishing multiple times per week as well as hooking some hogs. A couple of the reels flat crushed inside under the workout within 1 to 2 months. I believe one reel broke down within a couple of weeks.

With that said, I am always cautious when considering new reels. It needs a good accelerated test to put it through its paces so that I know it will last a long time for me. As many of you have said, I also do not see a reason to spend hundreds of dollars on reels when there are some great reels available in the $100 range. Here are some reels that have been recommended to me that can handle pressure.

1. Curado 200D - too expensive for this thread
2. Citica D - don't recall the difference between D and DSV, but under $100 when on sale
3. BPS Extreme series - a long time fisherman coworker switched to these; used to fish bass tourneys
4. Garcia Revo's - The same guy who recommends the first two reels also has some older Garcia's he loves. He is in the process of "testing" one of the Garcia Revo's. He currently fishes multiple times a week and is a bass tourney fisherman. Probably too expensive for this thread as well, but maybe ebay can help that according to some of the other threads on here.

Does anyone have a heavy use review on the H20, or maybe I missed it? It would be great to cut the cost even more if they can handle the pressure. I am currently leaning towards the Citica D when I catch it on sale.

The only example i can give is that i use my express mettles 3-4 times a week and have yet to have a problem with them. I've never tried out the h2o with the bad handle so i can't comment on that. So far the mettle has held up and cast real smooth with no hiccups. I have caught plenty fish on my mettle baitcasters(i own 2)and have yet to have them have any issues. But, it's your money.......