Good casting reel for $150.

[4pwr]

Want to get a real good casting reel. The 2 or 3 hundred dollar ones out of my budget. But will wait and save if so advised.  Would like a good one for around $150. 110 yd caacity would be fine. Also have not kept up with fishing line improvements. What should I fill it with.?

[Woodbutcher]

Dear 4pwr:
 This is the start of a good discussion, good timing too, wonderful time of the year for it.
 Could you provide a little more in your question? What kind of fishing mostly, moving water or still water, or maybe sometimes both? Lures, bait, floats, ect.? And aprox. what pound test?    Woodbutcher

[4pwr]

I would be using it to cast and retrieve crank/minnow type baits. Would like to use 8 or 10 lb line.  I`d guess average weight of bait to be 3/8 to 5/8 ounce. Would most often not be using it in any appreciable current. Like reels on the small side. 110 yds of 10 lb plenty of capacity for walleye and small mouth.

[Skipper]

4pwr

There are several reels on the market that would fill your needs.  Here's what I use.

For 90% of my crankbait fishing I use ABU4600 C4's with 3.8:1 gear ratios.  A 4600 series will hold about 120 yards of line and will easily cast most crankbaits such as Bandits, Rebels, and Rattle Traps.  The 3.8 gear will keep you from over speeding the bait.  The 5. and 6. reels are too fast for most crank baits.

For real light crankbaits like a shad rap, I use a Chronarch SF.  A Cuado would be the version in your price range.  Unfortunately, a Chronarch doesn't come in a slow gear, I believe the Curados do come in slower gear ratios.

For a specific application in Mann's 30+ crank baits I use a 5500 C3 that I've changed out the gear set to a 3.8:1 gear.

Line wise I use Cabellas Pro Line.  It's cheap, and mono is what you need with crankbiatis.  Low stretch line isn't an advantage with cranking.

My crank rods are mostly 7' rods.  I have 1 Allstar Crankbait Rod 7'  and 2 Browning 7' medium action rods.  I actually like the Browning better, and they used to be cheaper.  The ones I have are in the $70 range.

For my 30+ rig, I use an older St Croix that I busted the tip off of years ago.  It is a little heavier action because of that, but it works well dragging that hubcap sized bill through the water.

Skip

[Skipper]

4pwr

There are several reels on the market that would fill your needs.  Here's what I use.

For 90% of my crankbait fishing I use ABU4600 C4's with 3.8:1 gear ratios.  A 4600 series will hold about 120 yards of line and will easily cast most crankbaits such as Bandits, Rebels, and Rattle Traps.  The 3.8 gear will keep you from over speeding the bait.  The 5. and 6. reels are too fast for most crank baits.

For real light crankbaits like a shad rap, I use a Chronarch SF.  A Cuado would be the version in your price range.  Unfortunately, a Chronarch doesn't come in a slow gear, I believe the Curados do come in slower gear ratios.

For a specific application in Mann's 30+ crank baits I use a 5500 C3 that I've changed out the gear set to a 3.8:1 gear.

Line wise I use Cabellas Pro Line.  It's cheap, and mono is what you need with crankbiatis.  Low stretch line isn't an advantage with cranking.

My crank rods are mostly 7' rods.  I have 1 Allstar Crankbait Rod 7'  and 2 Browning 7' medium action rods.  I actually like the Browning better, and they used to be cheaper.  The ones I have are in the $70 range.

For my 30+ rig, I use an older St Croix that I busted the tip off of years ago.  It is a little heavier action because of that, but it works well dragging that hubcap sized bill through the water.

Skip

[Skipper]

4pwr

There are several reels on the market that would fill your needs.  Here's what I use.

For 90% of my crankbait fishing I use ABU4600 C4's with 3.8:1 gear ratios.  A 4600 series will hold about 120 yards of line and will easily cast most crankbaits such as Bandits, Rebels, and Rattle Traps.  The 3.8 gear will keep you from over speeding the bait.  The 5. and 6. reels are too fast for most crank baits.

For real light crankbaits like a shad rap, I use a Chronarch SF.  A Cuado would be the version in your price range.  Unfortunately, a Chronarch doesn't come in a slow gear, I believe the Curados do come in slower gear ratios.

For a specific application in Mann's 30+ crank baits I use a 5500 C3 that I've changed out the gear set to a 3.8:1 gear.

Line wise I use Cabellas Pro Line.  It's cheap, and mono is what you need with crankbiatis.  Low stretch line isn't an advantage with cranking.

My crank rods are mostly 7' rods.  I have 1 Allstar Crankbait Rod 7'  and 2 Browning 7' medium action rods.  I actually like the Browning better, and they used to be cheaper.  The ones I have are in the $70 range.

For my 30+ rig, I use an older St Croix that I busted the tip off of years ago.  It is a little heavier action because of that, but it works well dragging that hubcap sized bill through the water.

Skip

[snuffer#1]

Get a shimano citica reel ( baitcast). They have them in a combo at BPS and cabelas.

[rg_1111]

Other factors are what  length of rod are you going to use.
What gear ratio that you want.
As others have said I like Abu Garcia and shamino Mitchell on medium rod.