10 Best Baitcasting Reels Under $50 in 2021

Fortunately, within this price range falls a wide range of reels. Some of them are obviously but others aren’t so great! Here’s our unbiased review of 10 of them.

Top-Rated Baitcasting Reels Under 50 Bucks in 2021: Comparison List

Our comprehensive reviews bring together 10 different products. If that seems like a mouthful already, you might want to make good use of the following list instead.

The Best Baitcasting Reels Under $50

1. Kastking Royale 7.0:1 Low Profile Baitcasting Reel

This reel from KastKing is the ultimate badass from a company that has dominated the niche for several years now. And it’s easy to see why the low profile bait caster is so popular!

First off, it boasts a gear ratio of 7.0:1 which provides it with fast casting speed. Its system is designed to rotate smoothly meaning that you can cast and retrieve silently.

Lastly, it is made from a high-quality precision-cut brass gear structure. This works so well alongside its MaxiDur corrosion-resistant ball bearings.

Pros

2. Cadence CB5 6.6:1 Ratio Baitcaster

Yet another relatively powerful reel on our list if this one from Cadence. It boasts a 6.6:1 gear ratio which may not be as fast but still great for beginners who need to enjoy a bit more control.

The Cadence is made from corrosion-resistant bearings. As such, it is ideal for use even in saltwater environments.

And to top it all up, its manufacturer provides you with a 90-day risk-free trial window. So, it’s either you get a reel that’s worthy of your time or your money back.

Pros

3. KastKing Spartacus 6.3:1 Ratio Baitcaster

Have you been looking for a reel that’s hardy and easy to control at the same time? You might want to consider this one from KastKing.

For starters, it comes with long-lasting rubber cork handle knobs. These are outstanding but not as comfortable.

You also get some corrosion-resistant ball bearings along with a smooth moving CNC machined aluminum spool.

What more can you ask for from a reel so modestly priced?

Pros

4. Piscifun Torrent 18LB Reel with Carbon Fiber Drag

It might not be the easiest-to-learn reel for beginners but it certainly has what it takes to get the job done. It’s quite fast actually – all thanks to its 7.1:1 gear ratio.

We like the fact that its spool rotates smoothly and quietly. That’s probably because it uses Japanese Hami cut gears. These are known to be long-lasting gears.

Another thing, we absolutely love the Piscifun’s drag. The reel gives you a good fighting chance and good value for money.

Pros

5. Abu Garcia Silver Max Low Profile Reel

The Abu Garcia has a good reputation in the game so far. So, just how does their cheap-priced baitcasting reel fair?

First off, this unit boasts a machined aluminum spool. It operates quietly and is durable. Plus it can handle large fish quite well.

Its drag system is also definitely worth writing home about. It sure does give you a boost when you have to face it out with feisty fish.

That said, this low profiler isn’t long-lasting. It particularly struggles when used in salt-water conditions.

Pros

6. Abu Garcia Black Max Baitcasting Fishing Reel

The Black Max is a great reel if you’re looking for a tool that’s light in weight and also long-lasting. Its one-piece design makes it almost infallible only that it can be a bit difficult to oil after use.

But worry not as its 6.4:1 gear ratio makes it quite easy to use if you’re a beginner. It’s neither too fast nor too slow.

Plus its MagTrax brake system seems to do a good job at boosting the range and accuracy of your shots.

Pros

7. KastKing Royale Legend II with Magnet Braking System

This is the newest kid on the block from the KastKing family. It boasts a lovely, compact design. However, it’s still new on the markets and yet to be thoroughly tested and reviewed.

That said, we love the fact that it’s available in different gear ratios. You can go for the 5.4:1 option if you’re looking for slow speeds and extra control. Likewise, you can settle for the 7.2:1 ratio if you’re after speed and thrill.

Pros

8. Sougayilang 7.0:1 Gear Ratio Anti-Corrosion Baitcast

First, we must give it up to the Sougayilang for its great looks. If you’re in it for the aesthetics, this would definitely be something worthy of your attention.

That said, the reel provides a 7.0:1 gear ratio. Now that’s fast enough for the adrenaline junkies in the house but a bit difficult to control if you’re a newcomer.

Other than that, this seems like a great reel, plus it’s backed by 24-hour customer support.

Pros

9. SeaKnight Falcon High-Speed Reel with Shielded Bearings

From the looks of it, this seems like a luxurious choice. But there’s more to reels than just looks. So, what does the Falcon excel at?

For starters, it comes with a reliable magnetic brake system. This does an incredible job when you need to invest in a unit that can be relied on during aggressive fights.

On top of that, it has a comfortable and plushy handle. Generally, this looks like a great unit only that it’s not as smooth. Its reel produces some funny noises as well.

Pros

10. Tairyo 7.0:1 Gear Ratio Baitcasting Reel

With this reel, every rotation yields 7 for your line. That’s to say it’s really fast when you need to get the job done.

We also like the fact that it comes with comfy handles. Its braking system seems great but not perfect. Overall, not a bad system at its price.

How to Choose an Under $50 Baitcasting Reel

So, what are some of the key factors to consider when making a choice? Well, there are many but in our view, the following are the ones that matter the most.

Gear Ratio: If you’re a complete beginner, go for a moderate gear ratio e.g. 5.0:1 or 6.0:1. Anything above that might be a little difficult for you to manage.

Braking System: A good braking system is quite important. If you can get a reel with a magnetic braking system, you’d have a better experience at sea.

Construction: One-piece constructed reels tend to outlast others that are made up of different components.

Weight: Of course, you don’t want to end up with a clumsy reel so consider getting one that’s made from high-quality graphite so its light in weight and still durable.

Spool: A smooth moving spool is also quite important, if you can, go for one that’s CNC spooled.

Corrosion-Resistance: This is important especially if you’re planning to fish in saltwater lakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Got some questions? Here’s the section where we respond to a few of them.

What is the best cheap baitcasting reel?

In our view, the best cheap option is one that doesn’t compromise on quality. As shown on the list above, there are quite a few good ones from KastKing, Piscifun, and Cadence.

Are Baitcaster Reels Good?

If you’re experienced in baitcasting, they can be really good. But if you’re a complete beginner, you might need some learning before you can fully appreciate the potential these reels come with.

Which one is the Best Baitcasting Reel Under 50?

It was not quite easy settling for a winner here. But if we were to spend our cash on any one of these pups, we’d go for the Kastking Royale 7.0:1 Low Profile Baitcasting Reel. And that’s because we’re experienced in baitcasting and can put up with its high speeds.

If you’re looking for something with a smoother learning curve, you might want to go for the slower KastKing Spartacus 6.3:1 Ratio Baitcaster.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it – our complete list of top-rated baitcasting reels that go for a few pennies on the dollar. All these are great to start with but if you’re looking for highly advanced features, you might want to target the under 100 and under 200 categories instead.