I'm converting from spinning reels and in the market for my first baitcaster. I decided to switch after using my brother's BPS tourney special because it felt lighter, natural and more sensitive than my spinner. my budget is in the area of $100 and I've looked at several options on bass pro and cabela's. the ones I've considered are the BPS tourney special (combo), extreme and pro Q, but I'm open to ANY suggestions.

understand that I've rarely used a baitcaster so I probably won't notice a lot of the little things that someone would who has used one for awhile. having said that I want to avoid as much backlash as possible and have a good all around reel (for weightless plastics, cranks, spinners and jigs). I don't want to break the bank and go overkill for my first baitcast but I also don't want to get something real cheap that isn't likely to last.

I know it seems like I'm wanting the perfect reel for the perfect price but I'm really just looking for some suggestions. I fish about 2-3 times a week for a couple of hours and that's likely to go down with summer classes starting soon. also, I don't have a boat so most all of my fishing is done from the bank or wading (if that's relevant). I'm just a casual fisherman in the market for a well priced baitcaster that isn't cheaply made.

If you plan on just spending the $100 on a reel, I would look for either an older Curado or a new Citica on eBay. You could check out the Revo S too. If you plan on getting a combo you are going to be hard stretched to find a rod and reel that will last for a long time for $100.

Agreed.
If you browse EBAY often enough you may find some great deals. NEVER PAY RETAIL!

For a starter reel the academy h2o meddle is an excellent choose.

The main thing is get something that fit good in your hands and learn how to cast.

The Pro Q is a good reel for the money. Spend $20 more and get the carbonlite reel.

I started out with those and still use them but have since then started using Revo STX (2010 model) and Curado's.

I snagged a mettle/castaway combo for $70 yesterday after reading a lot of good things about the mettle. needed a rod anyway so the way I see it is if the reel don't work I can always get a better one down the road and have a rod to fit it. both pieces alone are $50 each so it seemed like a good deal. anyone have any experience with castaway rods?

I appreciate all the responses! if I end up fishing pretty regularly I'll invest in a good reel, but for now the mettle should serve me well if it's as good as people have said.

Abu Garcia 4600 C3 is a good reel, it will last forever and a day.

They are easy to use.


http://www.tackledirect.com/abu-garcia-ambassadeur-4600c3-reel.html

I picked up a revo inshore for 159 brand new on ebay, the deals are out there. For under 100$ though for a rod and real combo is going to get you something sub par imo. I have a BPS Pro Qualifier Tournament and its an awesome reel for the money. I paired it with a bionic Blade i picked up on sale for 59.99 and its a solid combo.

Chrib... remember this, you will always get what you pay for. Hold onto that Mettle combo until you can step up superbly. I've fished many models of reels from Quantum (Code, Aviso, Energy, Accurist), Shimano (Caenan, Citica, Curado but still want a Chronarch), Daiwa (Aggrest, Mag and Megaforce, Zillions), Abu Garcia(Black and Silver Max, Revo S, SX, STX all 2k10 models), and Pflueger (Purist, President, Summit, Trion, and Patriarch). And let me tell you it is a MILESTONE... yes MILESTONE difference between low and high end reels. The only exception I would say would be the Citica. I fish mostly Daiwa's, but I would have to say the Citica is the best bang for your buck if you don't want to fork over $300 for a reel, which in that case buy a Zillion.

Abu Garcia 4600 C3 is around $90 and will last you several seasons before you have to spend $15 for a new Paw and Worm gear.

You don't have to spend hundreds for a reel.

is the Abu Garcia C3 a good all around reel? I mostly fish with soft plastic bait since I don't have a boat and tend to get my cranks snagged a lot. Abu Garcia spinning reels have been a great experience for me so I'm considering exchanging my new combo for a C3. looks like they carry the C3 6500 and 4600 for around $80, think they'd give me any grief for wanting to exchange? I'm not sure what the difference is between the 4600 and 6500 but the 6500 is $5 more.

I'm sure sensitivity is mostly based on what rod you're using but I want to make sure this reel would be OK for soft plastics and jigs. since I'm cheap and on a
budget I'd probably slap it on a lightning rod or ugly stick lite for the time being.

I use a old 4600 and a new 4600 c. Both reels are smooth as they need to be.

I bank fish alot and they both have the speed to get a buzz bait up on top after a long cast. A far as being good for soft bait and jigs I would expect you to want something that you can get a fish outa cover fast and they both do that with no problem.

When I toss crank baits I just slow down winding of the reel and they work just fine.

If you are going to spend the "big money" for the sensitivity, do it on the rod.

Buy you a 4600 c and be done with it.

Now that's not saying a $400 reel wouldn't be sweet, because they are, but at this stage of the game you don't need one.

went ahead and exchanged for the 4600 c and I feel like I won't regret it. I'm sure the mettle is a quality reel but this 4600 c feels a lot nicer and looks a lot better. the price was right at $75 and Academy's customer service was great like it always is, no questions asked when I made the exchange.

the day that I finish up school and maybe get a boat is the day I'll think about investing in a big time reel, but for now I think I have something that fits my budget and will last for a good while. I appreciate all the replies, you've all been a big help. it's rare to find such hospitality on the internet and it's certainly a breath of fresh air

Not a problem bud. We all got to start somewhere.