Best Baitcasting Reels Under $100 for Bass (2026)
Four baitcasting reels under $100 and one worth stretching for, compared on gear ratio, weight, drag and price for everyday bass fishing.
Get Out Mor is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See our full disclosure.
Quick answer: the Abu Garcia Max Pro (about $92) is the baitcaster under $100 to buy for most bass anglers: 7.4 oz, a 7.1:1 gear ratio that suits almost every technique, seven ball bearings plus a roller bearing, and up to 15 lb of drag. On a tight budget, the KastKing Royale Legend II (about $39) has more than 5,500 ratings and up to 17.6 lb of drag for less than half the price. The Abu Garcia Max X (about $59) and Lew’s American Hero (about $57) sit in between. If you can stretch to about $115, the Shimano SLX 150 is the lightest reel here at 6.9 oz and has Shimano’s HAGANE body and Variable Braking System.
These picks are research-based: built from manufacturer specs, current Amazon listings and patterns in owner reviews, not from on-the-water testing by Get Out Mor. Prices were checked on Amazon in October 2026 and vary by gear ratio and hand.
The picks at a glance
| Reel | Gear ratio | Weight | Bearings | Max drag | Price (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Garcia Max Pro | 7.1:1 | 7.4 oz | 7 + 1 | 15 lb | about $92 |
| KastKing Royale Legend II | 7.2:1 (5.4:1 also sold) | 7.2 oz | 5 + 1 | 17.6 lb | about $39 |
| Abu Garcia Max X | 6.8:1 | 7.4 oz | 4 + 1 | 15 lb | about $59 |
| Lew’s American Hero | 7.5:1 | 9.6 oz | 4 + 1 | see Lew’s spec sheet | about $57 |
| Shimano SLX 150 | 6.3:1 (7.2:1 and 8.2:1 also sold) | 6.9 oz | see Shimano spec sheet | see Shimano spec sheet | about $115 |
Weight: what you hold all day
A baitcaster sits on top of the rod in your palm for hundreds of casts a day, so weight is worth comparing. The chart shows each reel’s listed weight. Four of the five sit within half an ounce of each other; the Lew’s American Hero is the heavy one at 9.6 oz, which you will notice on a light 7-foot rod by the end of the day.
Weights are the figures on each Amazon listing for the version linked. Abu Garcia lists the Max X at 7.2 oz in one place and 7.4 oz in another; we used the higher figure.
The best baitcasting reels under $100, pick by pick
Best overall: Abu Garcia Max Pro
The Max Pro is Abu Garcia’s best-equipped reel under $100. It has a graphite frame and sideplates, a machined, double-anodized aluminum spool, seven stainless ball bearings plus a roller bearing, and a synthetic star drag rated to 15 lb. The 7.1:1 gear ratio picks up 28 inches of line per turn, quick enough for burning a spinnerbait but not so fast that it is hard to slow down a crankbait. It weighs 7.4 oz and has 4.7 stars from more than 320 ratings. The linked listing is the right-hand version.
Skip it if you only fish a few times a year; the KastKing does the basics for less than half the price. Check price on Amazon →
Best budget pick: KastKing Royale Legend II
The Royale Legend II has more than 5,500 Amazon ratings at 4.5 stars, the most owner feedback of any reel here. KastKing redesigned it as a compact low-profile reel with a concealed side-cover release. It has five ball bearings plus one roller bearing, a stainless main shaft, a CNC aluminum spool and an adjustable braking system, and KastKing rates the drag at up to 17.64 lb. The linked version is the 7.2:1, right-hand model at 7.2 oz; a slower 5.4:1 version is also sold.
Skip it if you want a reel to last many seasons of heavy use; budget reels usually show wear sooner than the Abu Garcia and Shimano models. Check price on Amazon →
Best for crankbaits: Abu Garcia Max X
The Max X is the step down from the Max Pro, with four ball bearings plus a roller bearing, a Duragear brass main gear, a graphite frame and Abu’s MagTrax magnetic brake. Its 6.8:1 gear ratio is a little slower than the others, which helps with crankbaits and slow-rolled spinnerbaits. Drag is rated to 15 lb. It has 4.8 stars from a small number of ratings so far. The linked listing defaults to the left-hand version; choose right-hand on the Amazon page if you need it.
Skip it if you mostly fish jigs and worms, where a faster 7:1-plus reel picks up slack quicker on the hookset. Check price on Amazon →
Fastest retrieve: Lew’s American Hero
The American Hero has the fastest gear ratio here at 7.5:1, which is useful for pitching and flipping, where you need to pick up line quickly after the bait lands, and for burning lipless crankbaits. It has a one-piece graphite frame, four ball bearings plus one roller bearing, speed gears and Lew’s magnetic control system. It is also the heaviest reel in this list at 9.6 oz. The linked listing defaults to left-hand; choose right-hand on the Amazon page if you need it. The new listing has only a few ratings.
Skip it if you fish a light rod for long days; the extra two ounces over the Abu Garcia reels add up. Check price on Amazon →
Worth stretching for: Shimano SLX 150
At about $115 the SLX is over our budget, but it is the reel many bass anglers recommend as the best value in Shimano’s lineup. It has a HAGANE rigid body, brass gearing, Super Free Spool and Shimano’s Variable Braking System, and it is the lightest reel here at 6.9 oz. It comes in 6.3:1, 7.2:1 (HG) and 8.2:1 (XG) gear ratios and in right- and left-hand versions; the linked listing is the 6.3:1 right-hand. It has 4.7 stars from about 150 ratings.
Skip it if your budget is firm at $100; the Abu Garcia Max Pro is close in features for less. Check price on Amazon →
How to choose a baitcasting reel under $100
Gear ratio
Gear ratio is how many times the spool turns for each turn of the handle. Around 6.3:1 to 6.8:1 is good for crankbaits and slow-moving baits. Around 7.1:1 to 7.5:1 is the all-around range for worms, jigs, spinnerbaits and topwater. 8:1 and faster is for pitching and flipping and picking up slack line quickly. If you buy one reel, buy something around 7:1.
Braking system
The brake controls how fast the spool spins during the cast, which is what prevents backlashes. Magnetic brakes, such as Abu Garcia’s MagTrax on the Max X and Lew’s magnetic control system, are easiest for beginners because they apply constant resistance. Shimano’s Variable Braking System is centrifugal and needs a little more tuning but many anglers find it smoother once set. Start with the brake high and turn it down as your thumb improves.
Weight and size
All five reels here are low-profile reels sized for bass rods. Lighter reels balance better on 7-foot graphite rods and are easier on your wrist. Our bass rod guide covers rods that pair well with these.
Hand orientation
Most baitcasters are sold in right-hand and left-hand retrieve. Many anglers who cast with their right hand prefer a left-hand retrieve so they do not switch hands after the cast. Several links on this page default to one hand, so check the selection on Amazon before you buy.
Setting up a baitcaster for the first time
Spool it with 12 to 17 lb fluorocarbon or monofilament, or 30 to 50 lb braid with backing, filling to about an eighth of an inch from the lip. Tie on a 1/2 oz lure, press the free-spool button, and tighten the spool tension knob until the lure falls slowly and the spool stops when it lands. Set the brake high, make short practice casts in the yard, and keep your thumb lightly on the spool as the lure lands. Most backlashes come from the spool overrunning the line at the end of the cast.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best baitcasting reel under $100?
For most bass anglers, the Abu Garcia Max Pro, for its 7.4 oz weight, 7.1:1 gear ratio and 15 lb drag at about $92.
Is the KastKing Royale Legend II any good?
It is one of the most-reviewed budget baitcasters on Amazon, with 4.5 stars from more than 5,500 ratings. It is a solid first reel, though more expensive reels usually hold up better under heavy use.
What gear ratio should a beginner buy?
Around 7:1. It handles the widest range of bass lures and techniques.
Should I buy a left- or right-hand baitcaster?
If you cast with your right hand, a left-hand retrieve lets you reel without switching hands. Many anglers who learned on spinning reels prefer this. If you already use right-hand baitcasters, stay with what you know.
How these picks were chosen
We did not fish each of these reels side by side for this article. The picks are based on manufacturer specs, the details and ratings on each Amazon listing, and recurring themes in owner reviews. We checked that each link opens the exact model named and checked prices on Amazon in October 2026. Our full process is at how we pick gear.
