Weights Revisited: Taking a closer look at some of the weights behind these reels, one point of curiosity as it relates to actual performance is the weight of each reel's spool. We try to include this information in our reviews with the general assumption being the lighter a reel's spool, the easier it is to get it started during a cast. A slower startup inertia generally translates to the end user being able to cast lighter baits. Of course, some of these reels' spools have bearings on their shafts, as noted in the following table, but taking into account the average spool bearing weight of 1.6 grams, we can do a little mental recalculation to even out the playing field. However, no calculation is required to realize Quantum's Accurist S3 offers the lightest overall spool with or without that bearing.

Manufacturers often market reel handles with cutouts to reduce weight

We've already discussed weight of the main gear, but another small point of comparison are the reels' handles. Quite often we see handles that are designed with cutouts to save weight. While we had the reels disassembled, I threw their handles on the scale for another data point. 13 Fishing's Origin C is the only reel with a solid handle, but it was only the second heaviest. Abu Garcia's Revo X's handle has some holes in it but weighed the most. Okuma's Cerros handle weighed the least but at 85mm it's also the shortest handle. Quantum again wins the weight war with a 25 gram, 90 mm handle.

From left to right : 1- Revo X; 2- SLX ; 3 Cerros- ; 4-Accurist S3 ; 5-SS LFS; 6-Origin C ; 7- Fuego CT

Miscellaneous : Diving further down the rabbit hole, there are other characteristics that make for interesting talking points if you want to knit pick. The most intriguing remaining point is size of that main gear. In case it made a difference with gear size, I acquired each of these reels in the general six point something retrieve ratio. Some were 6.3, some were 6.6 and one is at 6.8. The point was to compare apples to apples. In past shootouts, I discovered size of that main gear has a bearing on a reel's power. Abu Garcia's RevoX has the largest main gear followed closely by Shimano and Daiwa. Quantum's had the smallest.

From left to right : 1- Revo X; 2- SLX ; 3 Cerros- ; 4-Accurist S3 ; 5-SS LFS; 6-Origin C ; 7- Fuego CT

Abu Garcia, Daiwa and Shimano all offer their value reels in three different retrieve ratios in both left and right hand retrieve. Lew's is the next most generous offering three retrieve ratios in right hand retrieve, and two in left. 13 Fishing and Quantum each offer two per side and Okuma is the least generous offering two options in right hand retrieve and only one in left hand.

The number of retrieve ratios, actual retrieve ratios and left and right hand availability vary greatly between manufacturers

Casting brake strategies are divided with four reels equipped with some kind of magnetic braking system and three with centrifugal. Five of these brake systems offer an externally adjustable dial to set your brakes, but 13 Fishing and Shimano require you to open that non-handle sideplate to access the reel's brakes.

3 centrifugal brake systems and 4 magnetic

Shimano's SLX is equipped with a hinged, or attached non-handle sideplate. All the others detach completely. If you're a fan of the micro-click adjustments, you'll be glad to know Abu Garcia and Quantum pay attention to these details offering this micro-click adjustment on both the drag and spool tension knob. Each of the remaining five reels at least have a clicking dragstar - a feature once uncommon in reels at this price point.

Only Shimano's SLX comes with a hinged sideplate

A lot of anglers these days forego hook keepers and simply do this

Special Features : Sometimes, manufacturers sneak something a little extra and out of the ordinary into a product to make it all that more interesting. Things like optional knobs, spare handles, spare spools, reel covers are common extras manufacturers sometimes equip with their reel products. You don't really expect to find features like this in a value driven reel, but occasionally, manufacturers will surprise you.

13 Fishing is well aware and offers this feature on their Origin C to protect it from scratches

Two of the reels in our round up have these so called extra features. First is 13 Fishing's Origin C. Many of today's fishing rods no longer come with hook keepers. Anglers complain these keepers get in the way by catching their line after or during a cast or pitch. Many of these same anglers have little regard for the cosmetics of their reel and choose to simply hook their baits in the reel's top bar. 13 Fishing recognizes this practice and provides a padded hook slot right in the middle of the Origin C's top bar just for this occasion.

Quantum brought back the flipping switch for their Accurist S3

Quantum on the other hand, recognizes the requirements of a very specialized presentation technique - flipping. Most anglers don't really flip anymore. Instead they pitch. Punching is really an unrefined method of pitching. To flip, all an angler is doing is literally swinging their bait on a pendulum and dropping it on a very precise spot. The trick is, while one hand is holding the rod and reel and building that swing in your bait, the other hand is holding out a bunch of slack and feeding that line back into the rod's guides as the bait is released. Since both hands are fully occupied in this presentation, flipping switches were developed to help anglers release line and re-engage the reel all with one hand. Sounds useful, right? Only no-one makes a reel with a flipping switch anymore. No-one of course, except Quantum. The demand for this functionality is obviously small. Anglers have found other ways to cope, but at least Quantum recognizes the need is still there and offers it with their Accurist S3 casting reel.

Quantum is also having a little fun offering their Accurist S3 in different colors - but only for right hand retrieve.

The only other special feature of note is the fact two of these reels are available in more than one color. Quantum's Accurist S3 casting reel's base color is white. But the manufacturer also offers this reel in green, red and blue. The catch is, these color options are only offered in 7.0:1 and only in right hand retrieve. Abu Garcia is doing something similar with the RevoX but their special colors (silver, sea foam, and red/orange) will only be offered as part of a color matched combo.

Abu Garcia is set to do the same with the Revo X but these colored X's will only be available as part of a combo

SuperTTune Opportunities : Something that attracts anglers to value priced reels is the opportunity to upgrade as you go. We call this superTTuning, and it includes the installation of upgraded bearings, swapping out the handles, finding deep, shallow, or high performing spools. The list goes on. Third party manufacturers are the best source for these parts, however, what sets 13 Fishing apart from others is their Trick Shop leveraging the interchangeability of their reels' parts so you can truly make any reel your own.

13 Fishing takes superTTuning seriously. Just delve into their TrickShop

To a lesser extent, Abu Garcia's Revo4 casting reel parts are somewhat interchangeable between reels too, but you need to be mindful of the reel's brake systems. This will have an affect on parts and makes things a little more challenging if you're looking to customize an Revo4 with Revo4 parts. There are also no special color or true performance tuned parts offered by Abu Garcia - only standard parts made for their reels.

Otherwise, 3rd party parts are always available to customize your reels although more common with Abu Garcia, Daiwa, and Shimano products

Third party manufacturers often offer parts for Shimano, and more readily, Daiwa reels. Other than bearings (which are available for every reel) I'm not aware how the third party parts market fares for Okuma, Lew's, or Quantum. Speaking of bearings, each, including stand in bushings, for all of these reels are accessible meaning you can easily upgrade them. It just takes the ability to identify the proper size.

Nevertheless, bearings are universal as long as you can find the right size

Conclusion: I fished each reel in this round up individually with the original intent of conducting a full blown, seven reel shoot out. Unfortunately, the more I fished these reels, the more they began to feel the same, and the more I found myself just leaning towards one reel or the other based on which felt more fun to fish not necessarily which performed better. This was hardly an objective way to compare one product to another.

I fished each reel in this round up individually with the original intent of conducting a full blown, seven reel shoot out

So instead, I stripped the line off each reel, disassembled them and looked for internal differences. Those differences are all discussed above. While there is no real clear cut winner in this round up, I do feel anglers targeting a reel at this price point now have some solid choices. For so long, we've had to accept compromises in performance, materials, convenience, and ability to conduct upgrades when purchasing a reel at this price point. Manufacturers have opened up those possibilities.

Instead, I ended up stripping the line off each reel, disassembling them and looked for internal differences

There was a time when a value priced reel would come with riveted knobs so you couldn't put something as simple as bearings in the handle to improve feel. You can do that with any of the reels in this round up and of course, some already have bearings in the handle. Another universal feature not commonly found on reels of this price point just a few years ago are the micro-click adjustable drag stars. Even more surprising is a few of these reels even have clicking spool tension knobs!

What I came away with was a new appreciation for the effort manufacturers have gone through to provide solid fishing reel options at a price point that won't break the bank

Don't mistake my enthusiasm. I won't be trading in or selling any of my enthusiast gear and revamping my tackle collection in favor of more economical choices. I'm just glad to know manufacturers are really offering some solid alternatives at this price point, and doing so with very little compromise anymore. So yes, there really is some genuine magic happening with $99 casting reels these days, and I'm going to need some of that magic if I'm ever going to reassemble all these parts!

Looking for one of these value reels? Try TackleWarehouse:

13 Fishing Origin C : Abu Garcia Revo X : Daiwa Fuego CT :

Lew's Speed Spool LFS : Okuma Cerros : Quantum Accurist S3 : Shimano SLX