Best Budget Baitcasting Reels

With so many new manufacturers entering the baitcasting reel market in the past 10 years consumers now have many options when searching for the best budget baitcasting reels. In the past, avid fishers would have to spend around $150 for a good baitcasting reel. But as manufacturers competition increase consumer can now get a nice baitcasting reel for under $70.

The Top 5 Best Budget Baitcasting Reels

Three criteria are used to rank the best budget baitcasting reels. The first is the price, all reels are $70 or under of the retail price. Second is the casting, how well the reel cast. And Third and final criteria is the material and construction, how well the reel is built.

#5 Abu Garcia BMAX3 Max Low-Profile Baitcast Fishing Reel

Starting at number 5 on the list of the best budget baitcasting reels is Abu Garcia BMAX3.  It is an overall solid affordable workhorse reel. With its sleek and stylish graphite frame design that features 4 stainless steel ball bearings plus 1 roller bearing for smooth and reliable for operation. The MagTrax brake system is reliable and pretty accurate. Nothing about the BMAX3 stands out but everything feels solid. The Power Disk system, the drag, the body, the compact bent handle, and grip all are solid, is well built and feels solid.  Give credit to Abu Garcia for providing an affordable and reel in this price range considering many of the popular reel manufacturers don’t even offer one in this price range.

#4 KastKing Speed Demon

At number 4 in the best baitcasting reel is the KastKing Speed Demon. And its name rings true, the reel has 9.3:1 gear ratio. One of the fastest baitcasting reel retrieval in its class. With 12+1 Shielded Ball Bearings and trilateral magnetic brake system, it casts smooth, far and accurate. The Speed Demon features a 3 disc carbon fiber star drag system with 13.2 lbs/ 6 Kg drag power handles most moderate size game fish. The Speed Demon is a perfect choice or anglers targeting fast running.

#3 Piscifun Phantom Carbon Baitcasting Reel

Piscifun Phantom Carbon is one of the lightest reels on the market weighing only 5.7 oz. But don’t let the weight fool you, its carbon design aluminum gears make it extremely durable. Piscifun Phantom Carbon offers 17LB Carbon Fiber Drag with 7.0:1 gear ratio. It’s Dual Magnetic Brakes lend to a smooth and accurate casting experience. The reel is well built and delivers an exceptional casting experience. With its 5.7 oz weight and 17 lbs drag it is the perfect reel for any devoted fishers looking for a super light setup for a long fishing trip hunt giant steelheads.

#2 Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Fishing Low Profile Reel
Editor’s Choice for FishingWa Best Value Baitcaster Award

It is mind-boggling that a reel like the Torrent can only cost $40 considering all its feature. To understand how crazy this price is, consider one of the most popular baitcasting reels the Shimano Curado. To replace a handlebar on the Curado it would cost over $45 to buy a new handlebar assembly. The Torrent cost less than the Curado handlebar and in many ways, the Piscifun Torrent outperform the Curado.The Torrent has double wind shafts with a magnetic braking system allows for smooth and precise casting while eliminating backlash. It has 0-10 magnetic dial-in settings to adjust the magnetic braking tension.The 3 disc carbon fiber drag system provides a smooth initial startup backed by the 18lb drag that can stop big game fish. The gears and bearings feel smooth. It has the standard gear ratio 7.1:1 that provide smooth casting and quick retrieve. The low profile design and the handlebar feel comfortable in the hand. And all these features for a reel that cost under $40! O-yeah, it’s also rated for both saltwater or freshwater!

#1 KastKing Assassin Carbon Baitcasting Reel Winner of Best Budget Baitcasting Reels of 2018

It’s hard to categorize KastKing Assassin as the best budget baitcaster reels as its features are usually found on the higher end baitcaster reel costing well over $200. One reason it wins the award is fun reel casting cast. It has a magnetic dual braking system with a dynamic 6-pin centrifugal creating smooth casting experience with little backlash. One of the best features of Assassin Carbon is the constructions. Its ‘Bulletproof’ carbon construction body makes it one of the lightest baitcasting reels on the market weighing in at 5.7 oz. The body, handlebar, and grip all have a premium feel to them. It has a 4 disk carbon fiber drag system. This is amazing considering many higher end reels only has two carbon drag fiber. The 4 disk carbon fiber drag system is extremely smooth with 16.5 Lbs. (7.5 Kg) drag that can stop big trophy fish dead in their track. For these reasons, KastKing Assassin Carbon Baitcasting Reel wins FishingWA Best Budget Baitcasting Reel of 2018!

The Top 5 Best Budget Baitcasting Reels Review

It is amazing to think anglers have so many options when purchasing quality baitcaster reels for under $70.  Consider only 5 years ago any reel under $70 would have fallen apart with only a few outings.  Many of the reels on the best budget baitcasting reels list are so good they are comparable to may reels cost 3 or 4 times its price.  It is mind-blowing that an angler can buy a baitcaster reel with magnetic braking, 17 lbs of carbon fiber drag that cast smooth and precise for under $40.  It is a wakeup call to all the big reel manufactures.

A couple things to consider before buying the reels from the best baitcasting reels list. Many of these reel manufacturers are new to US market (excluding Abu Garcia) so the longevity of the reel is still unknown.  And unlike the big well-known reel manufactures, most of these reels don’t offer replaceable parts.  But consider how affordable these reels are, it is cheaper to just buy a new reel when something breaks.