If you’re considering upgrading or looking for your first baitcasting reel, then this is the post for you. To help your pinpoint the perfect reel for your fishing needs in our best baitcasting reel under $200 guide.
We have included many different styles if you have a budget up to $200 but do you need to spend all this on a reel that is going to bring you the best quality and no tangles when casting, we don’t base any of our suggestion on price alone it needs to be up to scratch.
So now we plan on doing this is we have set out our top 5 best baitcasting reel under $200 and give you our views on each first if in case you just want the info without the guide, then we will cover a little on all the things that you should consider when buying a baitcasting reel if you’re going to do a little more research.
So let’s jump right into this and see what baitcasting reels under $200 I believe to be the best.
Daiwa Tatula CT Type-R Baitcast Fishing Reels
Baitcasting is the most widespread form of fishing practiced today and therefore there are a ton of baitcasting reels on the market. But if you are looking for the best in terms of design and feel then you want a Daiwa reel. The Daiwa Tatula CT Type-R Baitcast Fishing Reel was made with function, form, and feel in mind. Not only does this reel catch your eye with its sharp modern look and vibrant color but it will behave even better out on the water.
One of the best features of this reel is the Daiwa specialty Ultimate Tournament Drag (UTD) system which comes included here. It gives you an unparalleled amount of smooth and powerful drag that you will notice right away. Combine that with the MagForce-Z cast control system and you have one of the smoothest baitcasting reels on the market today. Baitcasting is all about finite control and this reel gives that to you in spades. From the cast to the fight to the final crank this reel will feel excellent in your palm.
- Designed to feel amazing throughout the entire fishing experience
- Made from corrosion resistant high grade materials that hold up over time
- Lays down smooth and accurate lines every cast for supreme accuracy
KastKing Bassinator Elite Baitcasting Reels
I’ll be back, with more fish than ever before. That is what you will be saying once you have a Bassinator reel in your hand. Made from the reliable creators at KastKing the KastKing Bassinator Elite Baitcasting Reel is exactly what you expect out of a high end baitcasting reel in the twenty first century. Contained inside the eyecatching neon green casing are some of the highest quality materials ever to be featured in a baitcasting reel.
This reel includes all of the high-grade pieces and parts you have come to expect from KastKing but also includes many more design upgrades that you will appreciate. The whole thing is small and lightweight, perfect for palming without any awkward angles or protrusions. It also includes a centrifugal cast control system which features six adjustable braking shoes which work together to eliminate backlash. All of this together means you can get tournament quality reel action using a wide variety of baits in whatever environment the fish lead you to.
- Another masterpiece by the reliable creators at KastKing
- Includes double shielded bearings, lightweight frame and Swing Wing technology to give you an all around the great package to fish with
- Modern EVA grips included
Lew’s Fishing Team Lew’s LS Spool Baitcast Reel
Lew’s has been a reliable name in the fishing gear industry for many years and those years of experience and expertise have led them to some truly classic and timeless designs. That is exactly what you are getting with the Lew’s LS Spool Baitcast Reel. Using their wealth of knowledge and design prowess they have created an upgraded baitcasting reel that will surprise and amaze you.
Everything about this reel is an enhancement over the standard model. The frame is a one-piece die-cast aluminum body. The single seamless case keeps water and gunk out which giving you a stronger and more complete body for your reel. The plates are made from high caliber C45 carbon which is both strong and lightweight. All of this is detailed with double anodized gold trim and coatings which give it both a modern yet elegant look. You will love the way this reel looks and performs.
- Upgraded baitcasting reel takes the whole design to the next level
- Weighs less than six ounces
- Looks sharp
KastKing Royale Legend Baitcasting Reels
It takes a lot of gall and confidence to put both Royale and Elite in the name of one of your products. Luckily, KastKing has the pedigree and reputation to do just that. Their KastKing Royale Legend Baitcasting Elite Series Reel is designed to be tournament ready and has been created with the highest design standards in mind. Not only does it have the best available materials and parts but it also is designed to feel great in your hand during fishing. It has a palm perfect design. This is one of the smallest bodied reels that KastKing has made and it feels phenomenal in your hand. Palming, thumbing, and cranking all feel comfortable and not cumbersome at all.
You will appreciate the size, even more, when you realize what is under the hood of this reel. Ten double shielded bearings, five magnetic brakes for backlash control, brass gears, and color coded gear ratios. Add in nearly 18lbs of carbon powered drag and you have a low profile baitcasting reel that is perfect for the serious and casual angler alike. And, it comes in at a price that you will love.
- KastKing has a proven record of great products
- Tournament ready design is perfect for anglers of all kinds
- Tons of high grade features packed into a small bodied reel
Lews Fishing SS1SHA Speed Spool LFS Baitcasting Reel
Lew’s knows what you want out of a baitcasting reel. You want it to last. Also, you want it to feel good in your hand. You want to have control during casting without backlash. Those are exactly the things they have built into their simple and functional Lews Fishing SS1SHA Speed Spool LFS Baitcasting Reel.
Some reels have gotten so complicated with pages of descriptors and numbers and upgrades. Lew’s knows you don’t need all of that to get a great baitcasting reel. This reel is designed to work simply and effectively every time. With their patented Magnetic Control System, P2 super pinion centerpiece, stainless steel bearings, and fluid speed gears you get an all around great baitcasting reel without all of the fluff. This reel will feel light and responsive in your hand, delivering power, poise, and performance in a durable body without all of the useless addons that others try to tack onto their reels.
- Magnetic Control System gives you unparalleled control during casting, no more backlash and overruns
- 15lbs of premium carbon drag power
- Affordable and simple design appeals to anglers of all kinds
Best Baitcasting Reel Under 200 Buying Guide
With all the options that are now available online it’s so hard to know that is worth spending your money on and with a larger budget around $200 then we want to make sure we get the right reel, it’s not all about the price there are different features that you need to look at to make sure your buying quality and our selections are done on these rather than the price and the important features are below.
Baitcasting Reel Gear Ratio
Some people overlook the gear ratio but it can be the most important aspect of your reel as it refers on how quickly you can reel in your fishing line. So this is why it’s one of the most important factors is can seem a little confusing at first but we hope to simplify it below.
When you see a gear ratio of 6:1 the first number is how many times the spool will make on each turn of the reel, the second number is simply how many turns of the reel.
Some gear ratios may have 3 numbers like 5.8:1 again this is very simple it just means the spool will turn 5.8 times for each turn of the reel.
We hope this explains it very well, so to keep in mind the larger the first number the faster you will be able to reel in your line/fish.
Baitcasting Reel Braking System
Next we want to consider the breaking system and we want a quality system if we are in the $200 range, there are few different types of breaking systems and we will give a quick overview of each.
Magnetic braking system – The perfect beginner’s braking system, this system as the name suggests relies on magnets to control the speed of your cast it is harder to make adjustments when your casting is in motion but it is an easy system to make casts with.
Mechanical Friction braking system – This system relies on centrifugal force and pins to slow down your cast, a little more experience and you will be able to adjust your cast when it’s in the air if you want to make them last second adjustments.
Baitcasting Reel Line Capacity
Most baitcaster reels even low profile reels will have more than enough line capacity to handle most fish like bass, if however you will be going for larger fish or fishing in deeper water then you will want to think about getting something with a larger line capacity.
There is no perfect suggestion for line capacity but if you are going to pick one I would suggest larger and the only for this is you are making the reel more versatile.
Baitcasting Reel Left or right handed
If you choose a right hand reel because your right handed then you need to know that how baitcaster work you will cast with your right hand and if you want to crank the reel with your right hand you will need to swap the reel to your left hand, this is the same with left hand reel just the opposite.
It’s something most people who have had a baitcasting reel before will know but it’s worth pointing out to someone who are buying their first that it’s not a simple as picking your dominant hand I have had both left and right and found you adapt pretty quickly to both.
Baitcasting Reel Frame Build
There are two main frame build options aluminium and graphite, aluminium is a little heavier and a little more expensive but you must trade this with graphite that is lighter and not as durable.
Regards build frame I would always go with the frame with less moving parts as this will be less likely to break.
Baitcasting Reel Spool
No need to get to deep here most baitcasting reels come with quality spools in most cases but there are some that are not up to scratch something to keep an eye on is forged aluminium will be much better than die-cast aluminium spools but with like anything you have to pay for that extra quality.
Baitcasting Reel Ball Bearings
Ball bearings is not as important in a baitcaster reel as the manufactures try to tell us what you should be more keeping an eye on is shielded, double-shielded, or sealed bearings this will make the real more enjoyable to use over ball bearings.
Baitcasting Reel Line Guides
I recommend titanium line guides these are quality line guides you may find other cheaper models with the likes of ceramic line guides these are cheaper and prone to breaking.
Conclusion
I really hope this article has helped you find the best baitcasting reel under $200 my aim was to show you the best within this budget based on the most important features not just the price and I hope we have done that.
If I were forced to pick a reel from my recommendations, I would have to go with the Daiwa Tatula CT Type-R Baitcast Fishing Reels it gives all the features you would want and what I feel are most important and will provide you with the best bang for your buck.
We have a guide of the Best Baitcasting Rods under $150 to go with your new reel.
That’s all for this article all we can do now is wish you many tight lines on your next fishing adventures with your new reel.