Baitcasting reel is one of the important tools for anglers who want to fish larger lures and techniques where the line spinning reels don’t cut it. This tool helps you to have more control and precision with the casts. It is considered the best fishing reels over spinning reels for professional fishermen and anglers for it has a higher gear ratio that satisfies you by giving you a faster retrieve. This article will help you know and understand how to choose the best baitcasting fishing reel for the money that will help you fish with your techniques as possible.
Also, they are usually used for larger crank baits, buzz baits and more.
Let us all discover the different factors we should be aware of and the best baitcasting fishing reels for you.
Baitcasting Fishing Reel Factors
As fishermen, we should be aware of the qualities and factors of our reel. The following factors will help you choose the best baitcasting reel for you.
Brand
The brand of the baitcasting reel really matters. There are different brands evolving and developing around the world and each of them use different materials to make a baitcasting reel. You should be aware of the brand of your reel. Each brand produce reels with different features, depending on your style of fishing. There are also some brands that have lifetime or multi-year warranties.
Brakes
The dependable and functional braking system of a baitcasting reel will result in easy casting. There two different types of breaks found in different reels. They are magnetic system and centrifugal system.
Magnetic System
The magnetic system is the easiest and cheapest braking system to learn on but when it comes to adjustments, it is the least efficient.
Centrifugal System
The centrifugal system is like a manual system. It provides freedom to make adjustments that you may need when strong winds and other factors occur.
Speed, Gearing, and Gears
Choose a reel that has a good speed ratio that will lower the torque in your reel and most importantly, that baitcasting reel will give you better performance. The standard gears are commonly made from brass but the line gears are made of metals that are more durable and dependable, however, costly. I recommend avoiding purchasing reels that have plastic gears as they will fall quickly and will give you bad performance.
Bearings
The bearings reduce friction between moving gears in the reel. It also improves the life of the reel. When you use more bearings it will give you a better cast. However, a reel that has five quality bearings will provide and give you better performance than a reel with 15 poor bearings. So, you must choose wisely! Bearings are usually graded from 1 which is the lowest to 9 which is the highest in terms of performance.
Frame
The frame stands are the reel’s foundation, so you should ensure that a frame is one piece. The most expensive frames are the aluminum frames. But, it will give you the best performance. Frames like alloy or graphite frames are common but they are weaker than an aluminum frame.
Best Baitcasting Reel Review in 2018
The following reels are mid-range and above in price but are good values for the money. Any of the following baitcasting reels will satisfy you in your fishing. They are excellent choices for bass and almost all freshwater and saltwater fishing applications.
1. Abu Garcia Black Max Low Profile
The Abu Garcia Black Max Low Profile baitcasting reel is made with interesting features and the top picks for those on a budget. The reel has plastic gears which can give you a smooth and a great finish. It takes a manimal effort in disassembling this reel for lubricating and cleaning.
This reel has a 40-pound braided line which is perfect for both river and lake fishing. The braking system also really works well when it has been adjusted for the bait weight and size. It has a smooth drag and retrieves system which makes the baitcasting reel really simple and easy to use. It comes with a negatrax brake system that provides you a consistent brake pressure throughout the cast.
Pros
- It fits into your hands
- Lightweight
- Smooth drag performance
- It comes with 4 stainless steel bearings and one roller bearing
- Affordable and durable
2. KastKing Rover Round Baitcasting Reel – Good Option for the Budget
This reel is really good for the budget. This reel has a 3.6:1 gear ratio and very easy to use and super comfortable in your hands. It is also lightweight and made of great materials. This reel can stand up to any kind of water situation. It is an overall option for the fact that it can be used in saltwater as well as freshwater. This reel operates smoothly but it is a little bit slower than other reels in the market. If you are a beginner, it’s a baitcasting reel perfect for you.
Pros
- Really good for the budget
- Lightweight
- It has a gear ratio of 3.6:1
- Good for a beginner in fishing
- Operates smoothly
3. Shimano Curado E Reel
The Shimano Curado E Reel is one of the baitcasting reels on the market for its appealing design and excellent performance. This reel will give you comfort and ability to fish larger baits and plugs than you normally would with other baitcasting reels out there. This reel will offer the performance and power with a reasonable casting distance. The baitcast reel is available for right-handed only and has a 5.0:1 power version or a 7.0:1 high speed.
This reel is spooled with an approximate 190 yards of the 30-pound green braided line which makes it good for small fishing while having enough line for larger fishing action. It makes baitcasting effortless but still challenging. This reel is for river fishing king salmon even though it can handle different fishing climates.
4. Shimano 200IHG Curado RH Baitcast Reel
This Shimano 200HG Curado PH Baitcast Reel is the best saltwater baitcasting reels available in the market today. Once purchased, you can feel the ultralight of this reel and pair it with a good quality of fishing rod to provide you with easy and rewarding fishing experience. The Shimano’s reel comes with an SVS Infinity Brake System, a super free spool, Precision System, PV power handle grips and X Ship Gearing System. It has a gear ratio of 7.2:1.
Pros
- Mono line capacity 8/180, 10/155, 14/110
- PowerPro Line capacity is 30/190. 50/120, 65/80
- Line retrieve per crank is 30 inches
- It weighs 7.40 ounce
- Has a maximum drag force of 12 pounds
- It also comes with 5 bearings
5. Lew’s Pro Magnesium Speed Spool
This Lew’s Pro Mag has all the Lew’s reel technology into a lightweight reel. You will truly love this reel for its sensitivity, and all day comfort that comes with a magnesium reel. This reel is light, fast, and strong. The reel is built on a one piece of magnesium frame and C45 carbon side plates. The spool is made of aluminum to maintain the tight roundness tolerances.
It also has a V-shaped profile for level winding and drilled to make it lightweight. The fishing performance is great as the reel. Its great casting performance is from double shielded ball bearings which is an audible tension clicker and a killer 27 point. Its centrifugal braking system is adjustable.
Pros
- It weighs 5.5 ounces
- Comes with 10+1 bearings
- It has a gear ratio of6.8:1 and 7.5:1
- Its frame is made of magnesium
- Aluminum Gears
- Highly adjustable internal braking system
Cons
- Premium pricing but it is an amazing reel
6. Piscifun Thunder Baitcasting Reel
This baitcasting reel is ideal in the saltwater. It has an EVA knob that gives you greater comfort and durability. It also comes with an extended bent handle for increased cranking power. The aircraft grade graphite side plates give you an increased scratch resistance.
It also has a consistent drag pressure across the entire drag range and a smooth carbon round drag system. It also comes with 2 pieces stainless steel B/B on pinion gear, 2 pieces stainless steel B/B on gear shaft and 2 pieces stainless steel on worm shaft.
The aluminum frame which is corrosion resistant and high strength gives durability and a great performance. The premium carbon fiber drag washers offer impressive and excellent power. It also has a wider yet lighter line spool that allows this reel baitcast to hold more line and cast longer than you expect.
Conclusion
In the world of fishing, you will need a reel that can keep up with your evolving and developing the skill set. It really takes time to find and choose the best baitcasting reel for you. It is important to choose a sturdy and durable one. I hope this article helps you understand and know more about baitcasting reels.
