Oh and the new Chronarch Ci4 reels should hit stores in late September or early October. They're available for backorder on the Cabelas website. Check them out too

Can't go wrong with Shimano. You can probably find a good deal on a Chronarch, especially now that the Chronarch CI4+ are out. That would be your best bet. Can't be Lews though... might be best bang for buck of any reel company.

Took my new Lews tournament pro for its first trip this past weekend..this is the most awesome reel I have ever owned!

Daiwa Steez

mansweater, where did you hear the ci4+ is out? They are not available yet, but don't pay full price for that or any reel before checking with me!!
Ron

I'm not mansweater or speaking for him, but I palmed on yesterday at APT. Owner said they were first in Country to get them and this was the second shipment, as he sold out first shipment.

We have had the CI4 + casting and spinning in stock for close to a month now. You can buy in our store or online.

I have 2 Abu Garcia SX Gen 3's 6:4:1 that I'm going to sell. I've had them about 5 months and used them probably on 5 trips. I need a couple different ratio reels so I've decided to sell these. They are like new condition still have the boxes. No scratches or marks. Paid $159 each. Will sell for $125 each. Can send photos.

Sorry to hijack, to APT... your pm box is full. I hear you guys sell items on consignment. Can these be viewed on your website somewhere? I only see new products.

Mettle reels!! I got the high end revos and the mettles and can't tell much of a difference between them. Academy stores dont carry them and more but u can still get tgem online for 29$. I just ordered me two more

Shimano Curado or Abu Revos

Get them during holiday sales online and get the higher end of your budget, you'll be happier.

You can't go wrong with the Revo STX. I love these reels and they suit all of my fishing needs. I especially love the 8.0:1 gear ratio, it's perfect for flipping and catching up to the fish when they come screaming back to the boat after setting the hook on them.

You are so right about the cheaper reels not holding up over time. After a few times on the water the typical $50 reel just won't hold up no matter how much oil and grease you pump into them. Most reels work great out of the box but put a few thousand casts on them and see how they do.
The bearing count can be misleading as well. The quality of the bearings and the precision of the milled parts makes a huge difference. The bearings do no good if the shaft is slapping around in the bearing.
Cheap reels have cheaper drag systems that are not smooth so you end up setting them light. The spool adjustments are plastic and not smooth so you end up setting them looser....a backlash monster.
You can really tell the difference even within the same brand. The Pinnacle Tournament series is in no way related to the cheaper Pinnacle reels you can buy at Walmart for $40. Their Optimus line is really a quality product.
I have some BPS Qualifiers that have been solid but don't cast as far as others, eight Lews Spped Spools and MGs that are great and have held up well, two Daiwa Tatulas that cast a mile out of the box. I also have two Pinnacles Optimus reels that a very nice and have the flipping switch to engage the reel with your thumb.
I just picked up two H2O Mettles but I haven't tried them yet. Out of the box they feel smooth but not as smooth as the other reels I have. I will see how they hold up, they have 10 bearings so I'm hopeful.
For some backup reels I have two Abu Garcia Black Maxs and a couple of Pinnacle Solenes. They feel ok out of the box but being $50 reels I don't expect them to hold up long with the bushings they have in certain spots.

I got this when i lost a reel. didnt have cash and it only costed 13 bucks retail.

I been using it since early this year (over 8 months) and not a single problem yet. i use it saltwater too.

Shimano IX4000RC

imo by far the best reel you can find for that cheap.