A few reels for your consideration and input.

[catchnm]

I've been looking at several reels both bait casters and spinning. My priorities in a decent reel are first and foremost, cost. $150 is about the most I could ever see myself spending on a BC and probably about $100 max for a spinning reel.
I want these features in my BC reels. Lightweight, good braking system so it casts virtually backlash free without thumbing, able to cast lures in 1/8 to 3/16 oz. ranges and still maintain the last two objectives, smooooooothness, durability for an extended ownership but not necessarily long days of fishing like in tournament conditions.  Here's some I've been looking at.

1. Bass Pro Shops Extreme. These latest models look pretty interesting and with so many sizes, gear ratios, and being on sale right now have really got my attention.

2. Bass Pro Shops Tourney Special reels. Anybody got one of this year's model yet? Other than being on a graphite frame they are packed with awesome features including a six point centrifugal braking system. A guy could afford a few of these for the price. I've got three of the Abu Garcia Mag Plus reels from the late '80's that are graphite framed and have been some of the toughest and dependable reels I've ever owned.

3. Pflueger President, Supreme, and Summit. Any of these can be snagged from Ebay within my price range, although some are used. A new President just went for $89.05 there with free shipping. A new Supreme usually goes in the same price range as that.

4. Quantum Code. I like these really well except for the drag knob points being turned in the wrong direction. If you've handled one then you know what I'm talking about. However they still are some finely built reels and offer a burner 7:1 and 6:4 ratio too. They're smooth operators too.

5. Quantum Accurist AC500 series. Haven't handled one but hear good things about 'em here on the forum.

6. The last one I've done a lot of thinking about. It was either Shimano Citica or Abu Garcia Revo S. I'd be happy with either one but will be leaning toward the Revo first. I've handled both and each are smoooooth and have quite the reputations to back them. But the Citicas are little heavier and bulkier feeling to me than the Revo S.

So there ya go. My number one choice in rods for BC reels are medium action 6'6" with a fairly fast tip. I also use MH rods in 6'6" - 7' with fast tips for heavier lure weights and situations like topwaters, cranks, C-rigs, etc. I know that most are gonna say go for the Revos or the Citicas but I'd like to hear some objective opinions about the others as well. Thanks in advance guys.

[Bassinkorea]

Sorry catchnm, but I can only let you know about the Revos and Citicas. I have both of these reels and love them both, but if I had to choose between the 2, then I would go with the Revo S or SX which is still in your $150 price range and has the mag brakes.

The only reason I can give you for choosing the revo over the citica is the size of the reel. The smaller revos are much more comfortable in my hand.

Good luck with your choice.

[freakyfish]

i have the bps extreme b/c 5.4 gear ratio 7 bearings.it will cast 3/8 ounce and over real good it won't cast light lure without backlashing.i had to buy spinning set up for light lures.hope that helps.

[tmiller2]

it is going to be really hard to cast something as light as you want without getting at least an occasional backlash.....the lightest bait i will throw on a baitcaster is a 1/4oz....its just easier to throw lighter stuff on spinning gear saves time of getting backlashes out......as for the reels.....i have a pfleuger supreme and like it except i broke the magnetic brakes off by accident but it still casts well.........the citaca is a pretty sick reel for the price and the revo s is also very good i can easily see myself getting another one of any of them.....but i personally like shimano the best....i have a bunch of curados that i use all the time and love them.....

[catchnm]

freakyfish
Is yours the 2008 model Extreme?

[freakyfish]

yes it is the newer model

[J B]

Sounds to me like what you need is a old Ambassador 1500C or 2500C.

[catchnm]

I just re-read my post from this morning. I was coffeed up and typed 3/16 instead of 3/8 oz. 

I actually am talking about Sassy Shad and grubs on 1/8 and 1/4 oz. jigheads, T-rigged worms and lizards with 1/8 to 3/16 oz. pegged bullet weights, we all know a worm is like a kite when casting into the wind.
Also weightless flukes, lizards, worms, and 4-5" grubs. I like to fish as small and light as I can absolutely get by with most of the time. I also throw a 1-Minus frequently, as well as a Zara spook and a Chug Bug, deep cranks, and I C-rig and heavy T-rig a lot too, so it's not always light but I usually start out that way. I like to throw a Senko weightless but them things cast like bullets so no problems there, I even still throw a Slug-Go occasionally as well. I have some good spinning equipment but it doesn't always reach out as far as a good baitcaster that's adjusted right can.

[tmiller2]

id go with the citaca or the revo.....for the price you really cant beat either of them....just my opinion

[Pferox]

Sounds to me like what you need is a old Ambassador 1500C or 2500C.

Yea, what he said, and use your thumb, its a Zen thing.

[Styx]

Let me throw another one  into the mix for ya.  Daiwa Exceler....I bought one off ebay NIB to try.  I was pleasantly surprised with the feel & performance of this little reel.  It's not a Zillion or Fuego but it is fairly smooth and does really well with small crankbaits as well as weightless t-rigs.  I'm really impressed with reel.

The Accurist CX is a nice reel for the price as well.  This is another I got off ebay NIB cheap to try.  I've been using it for pitching and it's done well so far.  Nice reel.

Both reels were a bit dry (spool bearings) when I got them but with a little light oiling they spin freely now.

[complac3ncy]

I really like the Bass pro shop reels. My johnny morris baitcaster performs just as well my my curado and on top of that, it has the adjustable outside dial for the magnetic brake system, really nice around where I fish where the wind is really gusty at times. I used to be married to shimano reels but I took the ring off for a while and while I still use shimano with confidence, I won't wear the ring again. Nowadays i'm much more open to other brands, especially Bass pro shops brands because their equipment is squared away and if it breaks i'm just a 10 minute drive from a replacement. 

[Craig314]

Abu Gracia for life, go with the Revo for your big stuff. I use a spinning reel for flukes and use 14lbs fireline as it doesnt sink on a 7' rod and can cast a country mile with a no weight fluke. I use Shimano spinning reels, but am a Abu man, grew up on them and i have a revo stx as well as the old round promax's, they hold up to my use and i think you will love them, just my 2 cents, good luck fishin

Craig

[Bubbalunk]

If shimano is still running the rebate I would take that 150 and buy a curado 200DHSV.  I got three of them and it will be hard for me to every own anything other than shimano after buying these reels.  The citica is also a great reel for the money.

[Falcon]

The citica hands down.  The revos are nice but i would go no lower than the SX model.  Plus if size is an issue get the 100 citica same size if not a little smaller than the revo s.

baitnhook.net has great prices on reels.  to bad they dont carry a lick of anything else that interest me.

[catchnm]

Yea I've decided on the Citica. Found a decent deal on some.......decent now that the rebate deadline has passed. I'll tell more after I have them in hand. Thanks for all the help guys.

[imp81318]

Falcon, you might want to check out our site sponsor here, Delo's Custom Tackle Shack - after a quick glance it seems there prices beat baitnhook.net's by a good bit ($20-$30 on the Shimano Curados I was glancing at)... 

[catchnm]

Wonder why everyone is still advertising the "after rebate" prices when the rebate deadline of April 30, 2008 has clearly passed?

[Falcon]

Delo's is a good place done business there before and know others who have.

Thats a good price but that is after rebate even at 179 it is a great price though, not to take anything away, baitnhook has them for 162 i believe, and that is not after rebate that is the everyday price.  I got four curados with the rebate for a total after rebate of 100 even back when the rebate was going.  Plus, they have revo premiers for 190.

They have been slowly raising their price though use to be 149.

[TomLeogrande]

4. Quantum Code. I like these really well except for the drag knob points being turned in the wrong direction. If you've handled one then you know what I'm talking about. However they still are some finely built reels and offer a burner 7:1 and 6:4 ratio too. They're smooth operators too.

5. Quantum Accurist AC500 series. Haven't handled one but hear good things about 'em here on the forum.

I can't speak for the other reels as I have not used them but, both of these reels (Accurist and Code) are great reels.  There are some differences though.  First the Accurist is a better built reel. It's got higher end ball bearings, ceramic drag and a much better warranty.   On the other hand, the Code is a lot lighter and the way things very well COULD be going in the near future for Quantum on the higher end of things.   I have both reels and like them a lot.  I personally like the Accurist better because of the ceramic drag and higher end ball bearings.

keep in mind the Code only comes in right handed. 

Also - we have the accurist on sale right now for $89.99 if you are still in the market (plus there is a $30 manufacturer's rebate until May 31, 2008)  so for $59.99 you could get one great reel! 
Here is a link -  http://www.outdoorproshop.com/Quamtum-AC500PT-and-AC501PT-Reels-p/quantum-ac500pt_series_reels.htm