Best baitcaster for $100-$150 ?

[Seth]

Lews BB1 pro in 5.1:1 ratio is $158 on Amazon. I've picked up a few barely used Tourney pros for around $100. The bb1 pro should be similar. The Lew's Pro series reels are awesome!

[mixermarkb]

My lews reels were a good bit faster than my old shimano chronarchs and curados, and I blew up a brand new spool of flourocarbon on the first cast with one learning that lesson. It took a little more braking and spool tension to calm them down than I was used to. Lews makes reels with internally adjustable centrifugal brakes (BB series), externally adjustable centrifugal brakes (BB pro series), magnetic only brakes (MCS), and a combo of internal centrifugal brakes and externally adjustable magnetic brakes (MSB).

Generally speaking, I've found that if I'm backlashing at the start of a hard cast, more centrifugal braking will help. If it's an overrun at the end of the cast, that's where magnetic braking shines. In practical use, for pitching, flipping or roll casting, where I need a fast startup to let the bait pull line easy, I use mag braking only, because the centrifugal brakes slow down the spool startup too much. If it's a reel I'm using to bomb long casts, I get better distance with centrifugal brakes because they let the lure keep flying at the end of the cast where the magnetic brakes tend to kick in and shorten the cast. For folks who are new to baitcasters, I use the MSB reels, and use some of both style of brakes, loosening up the magnetic brakes as they get more time and their skills build. The MSB reels are also handy to be able to click a little more magnetic brake on if the wind suddenly becomes an issue without having to take the side plate of the reel off to make an adjustment. 

I rarely ever have to adjust centrifugal brakes after I set up the reel with whatever line size and general bait range I'm using it for. Occasionally I'll have to adjust the spool tension knob if I make a big change in lure weight, and I try to keep tension set so the lure falls slowly and the spool stops spinning almost immediately on its own when the lure hits the ground, without using my thumb, when I click the release. (for casting, much less tension if I'm pitching)

Nothing beats an educated thumb, but choosing the right braking style and setting it up properly really does help the learning curve. 

[Bushbeater]

I'm voting for the Diawa Tatula CT, bought one about a month ago and it is wonderful. Casting distance is good and so far no backlash problems. Found mine on Amazon for $90.

[Fish24/7]

Ardent Apex Elite 

I now own 4 of these reels. Sold my Lew's lfs reels to buy these. 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Ardent_Apex_Elite_Casting_Reels/descpage-APEC.html

I recommend shopping around to get a better  price, these links are just for info. purposes

Quantum ICON PT is another one I have/like.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Quantum_Icon_PT_Casting_Reels/descpage-QIP.html

[dnj21]

I haven't used the Lew's you are looking at yet, so take with a grain of salt but I really liked the two Daiwa Fuego's I bought last summer and the Tatula CT I picked up last week may be at least as good as those.  They are a little heavier than the Lew's and not quite as compact, but if you get it narrowed down to a very specific few to look at, Tatula CT might be nice to compare to.  As others have said, there are so many options (good ones!)  in this price range you are going to have a lot of solid choices.

Tatula CT SV coming out at a higher price point here at the Classic, but almost no one has handled yet to give an unbiased opinion.  Decisions, decisions......  

Let us know what you pick and how you like it!!