As anglers, we need gear that is going to stand up to some abuse at times. Getting this on a budget can sometimes be hard. We have dedicated this whole article to get you just that. We help you find the best baitcasting reel under $50.
There are going to be a few features that you are going to miss out on within this budget. However, this dosent mean you can’t get a reel that is more than adequate. You sure can and I have found five excellent reels within budget.
Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel
The Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel is an excellent baitcasting reel that comes with a slew of upgrades that makes it ideal for the versatile angler. Whether you are a novice getting into the sport for the first time or a seasoned veteran, the Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel is well built and well-balanced to fit any fishing style. This reel is fast, low profile, and makes maintenance a breeze so that it stays fresh for longer.
This particular reel features a 7.1:1 ratio which offers smooth cranks and casts every time. The reel itself is made with Super Silent Gears which cuts down on unwanted noise allowing you to focus on the fish. The Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel features a side plate oil port that allows you to keep the inner workings of your reel clean, lubricated, and fresh. No more worrying if your reel is getting gunked up or going to freeze up from lack of oil. This makes it easier than ever to maintain your reel for pros and beginners alike.
- Offers 18lbs of powerful carbon fiber drag
- Japanese styled brass gears that offer ultimate durability for the most important part of your reel
- Offers highly customizable 0-10 level magnetic control settings to eliminate backlash and over runs
Abu Garcia Black Max Low Profile Baitcasting Fishing Reel
The Abu Garcia Black Max Low Profile Baitcasting Fishing Reel is a powerful, durable, and low profile baitcasting reel that enhances every part of your fishing game. Packed with tons of great features and upgrades and from the reputable engineers at Abu Garcia, you would think a reel of this caliber would break the bank. You would be wrong. This reel is extremely affordable and comes in at a price most fishermen can easily afford.
The reel is lightweight and durable and made from corrosion resistant graphite. The body comes in one piece which keeps seams and break points to a minimum which secures the reel better. The whole thing is ergonomically designed to fit your palm perfectly so that you get the best grip on the reel for each and every cast.
- MagTrax brake system works to reduce backlash
- Four quality stainless steel bearing system gives you smooth operation
- Power Disk carbon drag system ensures maximum power and performance
KastKing Spartacus Baitcasting Fishing Reel Ultra Smooth
The KastKing Spartacus Baitcasting Fishing Reel is named after ancient Roman warriors and that is no coincidence. They have bestowed the powerful name of Spartacus to this reel because they know this reel is a fighter. Anyone who has had their reel outclassed by a fish they wish they had landed knows how frustrating it can be to miss out on a catch. That is why KastKing has overdesigned this reel to ensure ultimate smoothness, ultimate power, and ultimate durability so you will win the fight, every time.
This reel is powerful and offers nearly 18lbs of show stopping drag. This gives you the strength you need to stop those large trophy fish in their tracks and haul them in. During the fight, you will notice how smooth this reel feels. From the cast to the crank and the final yank, you will notice how smooth everything feels. This is due to the fact that they have crammed 12 high grade steel bearings into this reel so that you do not have to sacrifice comfort for power.
- Unique cork handles on a reel are light and comfortable
- Great looking low profile design
- Power and poise to land the fish you want
Cadence CB5 Baitcasting Reels Lightweight
The Cadence CB5 Baitcasting Reel prides itself on being a reel that stands above the rest. From excellent performance to ultimate smoothness this reel can do it all and it does it at an ultimate price. These amazing features that Cadence has brought to bear with their years of design experience and expertise are available for a very affordable price. You can upgrade your fishing rod without downgrading your wallet.
The Cadence CB5 Baitcasting Reel is a low profile baitcasting reel made from the highest quality materials available. That means the aluminum for the spool is aircraft grade metal. The brass for the gears is marine grade brass. The graphite for the main body is the lightest and more resistant graphite available. Everything in this reel is crafted with the utmost attention to detail for the greatest value possible. These amazing materials have given Cadence the highest level of confidence in their products. That means you, the consumer, get a full year warranty and 90 days to send it back, no questions, if you don’t like your reel. That gives you a full year of worry free use so you can see the Cadence difference for yourself.
- A surprisingly low price
- Only the highest grade materials used
- Super smooth use, durable construction and comfortable profile
Abu Garcia Black Bmax3-left Hand Baitcasting Fishing Reel
The Abu Garcia Black Max Low Profile Left Handed Baitcasting Fishing Reel is a powerful, durable, and low profile baitcasting reel that enhances every part of your fishing game. Packed with tons of great features and upgrades and from the reputable engineers at Abu Garcia, you would think a reel of this caliber would break the bank. You would be wrong. You will be astonished by how affordable this reel is. Better yet, you get all of these amazing features in a left handed reel so that the left handed crowd is not left out of all the upgraded fun.
This excellent left-handed reel has a compact bent handle that keeps the profile small and the body resting perfectly in your hand. This reel is lightweight and balanced and the ergonomic design will allow you to comfortably hit your casts each and every time. The Abu Garcia Black Max Low Profile Left-Handed Baitcasting Fishing Reel is able to offer this combo of resistance, ergonomics, and ideal weight by being made from seamless, one-piece, graphite construction with sturdy bronze inner gears.
- MaxTrax braking system prevents backlash
- Comfortable, low profile, ergonomic design feels great in your hand
- Powerful carbon disk drag system gives you a lot of stopping power
Best Baitcasting Reel Under $50
Baitcasting, along with spinning, is the most popular and common kind of fishing reel available on the market today. That means that there are a plethora of options out there for you to choose from. However, there is no need to overpay for a solid reel and there is no reason why you need to pay very much at all to get a quality baitcasting reel.
As technology advances and great fishing tech becomes more common, cheaper to produce, and more widespread, prices for great reels have been steadily on the decline. This means that you can get a great reel for a great price without breaking a sweat.
When purchasing a quality, price friendly, baitcasting reel you want to pay attention to two extremely important factors: comfort and braking. If you can find a baitcasting reel that feels great in your hand and has a solid braking system that prevents backlash and overruns.
With those two things in mind, here is our pick for the best baitcasting reel available for less than $50.
Our number one choice is…
KastKing Spartacus Baitcasting Fishing Reel
- NEW features added - Like its gladiator name, the Spartacus bait casting reel is a warrior! KastKing Spartacus bait casting reel has the dynamic features you need in the battle for your personal best.
- POWERFUL - You will love the exceptional micro-cast dual centrifugal and magnetic brakes. Plus tournament ready carbon fiber drag with 17.5 LBs of trophy fish stopping power, make the Spartacus bait caster a strong contender.
- SMOOTH - A Spartacus bait casting reel has: superior shielded 11 + 1 corrosion resistant ball bearings, CNC machined aluminum spool for smooth casting, powerful precision matched brass gears, and KastKing logo embossed hi-grade rubber cork handle knobs.
- NO MERCY - A KastKing Spartacus bait caster fishing reel with its versatile 6.3:1 gear ratio create an exceptional bait casting weapon in your fishing tackle collection that will save you money and bring you years of fishing pleasure.
- GAME CHANGER - Go beyond the limits with this phenomenal, yet affordable new Spartacus bait cast reel that is smoother and more powerful than any other brand bait casters in its price range.
The KastKing Spartacus Baitcasting Fishing Reel has everything you need in a baitcasting reel and it falls comfortably under our fifty dollar price ceiling. KastKing has developed, designed, and manufactured a beast of a reel with this one. It is made with large trophy fish in mind and everything about it is highly engineered.
The reel is aptly named for ancient Roman gladiators. Spartacus, like its namesake, is ready to fight the biggest fights and earn a thumbs up from you. Whether you are fishing for bass, salmon, walleye, snook, or more, this baitcasting reel has the power and poise to handle them all. That is because the KastKing Spartacus Baitcasting Fishing Reel is equipped with tournament grade carbon fiber drag disks.
This carbon fiber drag system outputs 17.5lbs of pure stopping power that allows the Spartacus to handle the largest fish you can throw at it. This amount of power makes this reel a steal at the price that it is offered at and will be able to fill the role of a versatile reel for most anglers. You won’t have any issues with this reel’s power and feel in your day to day fishing experience.
The best part is, that this power does not come at the expense of feel or weight. The KastKing Spartacus Baitcasting Fishing Reel is still a very lightweight reel that feels great in the palm. Baitcasting is a touchy art that requires a lot of finesse making feel and touch very important to a well functioning baitcasting reel.
The perfect handle…
The KastKing Spartacus Baitcasting Fishing Reel derives its excellent feel from a few great features. First, this is one of the only reels I have seen on the market that incorporates cork handles in its design. The cork handles, not only feel great on your fingers, but they reduce the overall weight of the reel as well as keeping the reel light.
The gear ratio for this reel is the desirable and versatile 6.3:1 ratio. This is a good, middle of the road ratio that is perfect for novice anglers or experienced anglers alike. This gives you a smooth crank, fluid cast and good retrieval without sacrificing any of the other great features of this reel.
Now that we know that this reel has a great feel, let’s touch on the other important factor for a baitcasting reel, and that is braking.
More upgrades for this reel…
This reel has some truly excellent upgrades in terms of braking and adjustments, which makes this reel a breeze to use. Backlash is one of the most annoying and frustrating parts of baitcasting which is why KastKing has introduced its micro-cast dual centrifugal and magnetic braking system.
This high tech, proprietary, braking system ensures that when you are casting, the line stops where you want it without flowing too fast or too far. This ensures that each cast is accurate, fluid, and hassle free which cannot be said of other reels in this price range.
That is why the Spartacus Baitcasting Reel by KastKing is the reel that we like the best for under $50. It is powerful, it feels great in your hand and it does not have a lot of backlashes. This makes it an ideal baitcasting reel for the everyday angler. And, it doesn’t hurt that I am a sucker for the classic cork handles!
You will not be disappointed with your, very reasonably priced, purchase.
Best Baitcasting Reels Under 50 Buying Guide
When it comes to fishing equipment, fishing reels are a crucial part of the experience. Regardless of the price, both experienced and new users can agree that it has an impact on the performance as a whole. However, if saving a few bucks without sacrificing quality is the goal, then it is important to know exactly what to be on the lookout for.
Species and Environmental Factors
First of all, the buyer needs to take the type of fish they’re looking for, as well as the environment it tends to strive in. According to most experts, spinning and baitcasting reels are for saltwater and freshwater, respectively. As for their round counterparts, they’re best suited for fishing on the sea, rather than the spinning models. On the other hand, they advise using heavy lines for bass and catfish, since they require landing and moving the bait. Thus, baitcasters are their go-to, mainly because they provide the control that they need.
Features and Gear Ratio
The features of the reel are also among the things that shall be considered when buying. Baitcasters usually have larger bodies than regular models, making them capable of holding larger lines. Despite their effectiveness, low profile models have become popular among both experienced and new users, mainly because of how lightweight they are in comparison. When it comes to its build and performance, a heavy body with a gear ratio on the 6.4:1-7.1:1 range is a must, although there are uses for those that are outside of this scale.
Drag System
With that out of the way, one question emerges: Which is the best system for both front and real drag? This is a tricky one, mainly due to the fact that it’s sometimes difficult to understand. The reel should be able to stop fish while being close to its strongest setting, being careful not to break the line. Most experts will state that the key is to find that sweet spot that will allow the fish to run, to the point of exhaustion, while having enough stopping power to drag it to the boat. Rear drag dials are commonly used to make spontaneous adjustments, whereas the general level is set by its counterpart.
Ball Bearings
What are they exactly for? Well, these fellows reduce friction in the handle and around gears. Those that support the pinion gear are a must, mainly because they minimize considerably its impact on the equipment. Ball bearings are often made of stainless steel, with a varying quality degree, although there are models that are manufactured with different materials. They also come with a simple or double shield, to prevents corrosive elements from gumming them. The key is not to have the reel with the highest number of ball bearings, but rather look for those with a nice placement, having positive consequences in its performance.
Brake System
This is another thing to be on the lookout for as well. At first glance, one might be thinking: “Why do fishing reels need them? It’s not like they’re a car!”, the reason behind it is that it makes sure the line doesn’t fly-off, preventing it from getting knotted. How this is achieved? By using a magnet system that uses buttons to adjust it to the required number, increasing or reducing the level of applied tension, which can be calibrated with ease, using its effectiveness with different lures as a parameter.
Size and Orientation of the Handle
Of course, these two can’t be forgotten. After all, standard fishing equipment requires manual labor to operate it. With that being said, it is important to pick which one would be more suitable for the task at hand. We suggest that a larger handle is more comfortable to hold onto, giving the fisherman more torque, with enough power to turn the reel while fighting their prey. The same result can be achieved with one that is slightly farther from the reel body, as well as those that are located in the handle tips. Now, when it comes to its orientation, most of the models are right-handed although their left-handed counterparts are emerging, mainly because some anglers don’t precisely use their dominant hand.
Line Capacity and Weight
This can’t be overlooked either, since the quantity that a reel can carry depends on its size and diameter. Although baitcasters are known to fit more yards than normal, sometimes it’s not necessary to use the heaviest roll. One interesting thing about using a line on a baitcasters is that there are ways to incorporate a braided line to them, allowing the user to catch several species, including bass. We advise not to fill the reel but rather leave around 10 to 15 free yards so it doesn’t overrun the spool. When it comes to weight, most of the models that they recommend are on the 7-11 range, but how suitable they are will depend on what they’re going to be used for, so it is important to choose wisely.
Price, Performance and Warranty
While it’s true that using fishing reels under $50 is the main subject of this buying guide, the difference in its performance is barely noticeable when compared to more expensive models. That is if the fisherman is just starting since these are mostly used during the learning process, as well as to dive into this sport, pun intended, while being kind to the wallet. The difference between them and their luxury counterparts is that the latter tend to have more ball bearings, metal parts, weather-treatment and more stopping power for the drag system. Despite the desired price on this article, reels on the $30 side with plastic elements have a nice performance but are less resistant than those completely made of metal.
The price differences that can be found in this category raise a few questions: Can reels that are below or close to $50 be used for big targets? How long are they going to last? The answer to the first one is yes. In fact, they’re meant to be used with big prey. As for their duration, most experts will state that most of the ones they recommend, as well as the majority of the options in the market, have a one-year warranty that covers manufacturing errors for one year after purchase, as the name implies.
Conclusion
When you first take up fishing looking at the best reels that are in the hundreds can fill you with dread. However, I hope I have helped you find the best baitcasting reel under $50 that is a price more palatable.
Getting into fishing doesn’t need to be expensive and I hope I have showed this in my article.
I hope that you enjoy your new reel on your next outing and have plenty of tight lines.