Recommendation for weekend anglers

Bait casting reels should be easy to deal with and versatile to cover wide usages. At least, good, easy brakes should be installed to the reels. Interestingly, the most recommendable reel are not always the high-end reels. They tend to be equipped with lightest parts, and some requires educated thumbs. For example, Shimano Antares/Calais casts super distance, but they are not recommended for people who fish only on weekends. It's brake setting is hard to achieve the best, comfortable casting.  Daiwa's MagforceV is the most easy brake system, preventing almost all birdsnest and assure you comfortable fishing. I'd like pick the best based on your budget in the following sections.

Less than $100,,,umm I don't find any good candidates. You'll soon want better reels, and the investment is not worth.  Especially for beginners of bait casting reels, cheap reels are even harmful. Please invest a little more, and you will have much more fun in fishing rather than fighting with birds nests.

Within $200 range, Shimano Scorpion 1000  is the best. Daiwa, and Shimano has mid-priced, high-performance reels in this range, like Curado100D 200D, TD-X, Viento, and etc. Among these, the Japan domestic model Shimano Scorpion surpass others by one or two heads. Its super light spool ensures the best casting performance, and the 4x4SVS external adjustable centrifugal brake further pushes it up. Scorpion's total performance is far beyond any other alternatives even in the upper price range.

Within the $300 range, Daiwa offers great selections, and Daiwa Alphas 103 Type-F,  Daiwa Zillion are the most recommended. Its casting performance is the best among its rivals, like Fuego, Scorpion 1000MG, Chronarch MG, Chronarch 50MG, 2005 MetaniumXT (Chronarch B100), and etc. MagforceV of Alphas and MagforceZ of Zillion make them the very best casters. The low palming body of these is easy to grip. The good of these reels is that these have aluminum alloy bodies, which is very sturdy and reliable. Rival Shimano Scorpion MG 1000/1001, Chronarch MG also offers great performances, but Daiwa's brake system seems to be seeing more advancements in these years.

If you can afford the best reel available, I recommend Daiwa Steez, Conquest 50, 100, 200 and Millionaire Bay Casting SP reels. Steez is recommended to all anglers. Its MagforceV and super light spool do the real job, and it is like automatic trans car. Its weightless air-like body is highly recommended. Conquest is the high-end of Calcutta TE reels, and its quality and craftsmanship is the best among all high-ends. Its brake is easier to set and adjust, and they cast easy. The quality level of Conquest is far better than TE-GT, and don't put hands on TE before you see Conquest. If you want the best casting performance in round shaped reels, go for Millionaire Bay Casting SP. Bay Casting SP is the super soup-up version of CV-Z103. Ultra light GIGAS spool and the external brake panel make the Bay Casting SP the best casting round reel.

If you are looking for a casting reel for salmon, steelhead and stripers, Conquest 300, 400 and CV-Z 253/ 300 are the best options. CV-Z253 is another automatic trans type of reel and they casts the longest among round reels. Its saltwater version 253, 300 are equipped with 10BBs to assure you comfortable fishing. Conquests' smooth retrieving is also very attractive. If you are lefty, Conquest 401 and CV-Z253L are available. Daiwa  253 disengages level winder, and has more line friction at level winder. Conquest has engaged level winder to spool, and has more dragging from the level winder.