Best Baitcaster Reels

The Abu Garcia Revo SX is a fifth-generation low-profile baitcaster built around an X2-Cräftic alloy frame with C6 carbon sideplates. It has up to 25lb of Carbon Matrix drag and comes in 6.7:1 or 7.3:1 gear ratios.

IVCB-6 centrifugal braking gives near-limitless adjustment, so it should cope with everything from light soft plastics to heavier jerkbaits. Nine ball bearings plus a roller bearing, Duragear Gen II gears and a 90mm bowed handle with oversized knobs round it off.

It suits predator anglers who want one reel for perch, zander and pike on medium lures, from the bank or a boat. Next to the Revo5 X, it adds the alloy frame, two more ball bearings and 5lb more drag. Compared with the Beast 300, it's the more compact reel, but it isn't built for 8in swimbaits.

To be fair, it's dearer than the Revo5 X, which shares a lot of its design. For one baitcaster that covers most UK lure fishing, though, I think it's the best all-rounder in this line-up.

The Abu Garcia Revo5 X is a fifth-generation low-profile baitcaster with a C6 Carbon frame and sideplate, an asymmetrical body that sits low in the palm and MagTrax magnetic braking. Its Carbon Matrix drag goes up to 20lb.

Seven stainless steel ball bearings and a roller bearing turn Duragear Gen II gears, with a 90mm bowed aluminium handle. You can pick 5.4:1 for cranking power, 6.7:1 as an all-rounder or 7.3:1 for fast jerkbait and soft plastic work.

It suits pike, perch and zander anglers who want a proper Revo at a mid-range spend. Next to the Revo SX it has a carbon rather than alloy frame and less drag, while the Wychwood Agitator S1 200 is cheaper, with nine-magnet braking and only 8lb of drag.

To be fair, it can't match the Revo SX's 25lb drag for heavier baits. For anglers who want most of a top Revo without the top-end spend, though, I think it's the smart choice.

The Wychwood Agitator S1 200 is a light-line, low-profile baitcaster aimed at perch and zander, though it has the power to handle a large pike. The 200 size weighs 187g and has a 10g to 80g casting range.

Nine-magnet adjustable overrun control keeps the spool in check as you learn, and a ceramic line guide cuts friction on the cast. The spool is cold-forged, drilled and chamfered, while the carbon-fibre star drag tops out at 8lb.

Bank and boat anglers working soft plastics, spinnerbaits and jerkbaits for perch and zander will get the most from it. Next to the Abu Garcia Revo5 X it gives up the C6 Carbon frame and 20lb drag, but costs far less. The Abu Garcia Max X has the stronger 15lb drag, while the Agitator is the lighter reel to palm all day.

To be fair, the 8lb drag is its weak point if big pike on heavy lures are the main target. For perch, zander and the odd pike on a tight budget, though, I think it's the best value baitcaster in this line-up.

Abu Garcia's Max X LP brings technology from the Revo series into a compact low-profile reel. It has a 6.8:1 gear ratio, a 15lb Power Disk drag and an asymmetric graphite body.

Its MagTrax brake uses magnets to keep the spool from overrunning, and a Duragear brass gear runs with a 5+1 bearing system. It takes 125yd of 30lb braid, and the 90mm bent aluminium handle has soft-touch knobs.

Anglers buying a first baitcaster for perch, zander and pike on medium lures should get on well with it. Next to the Wychwood Agitator S1 200 it has the bigger drag, though the Agitator is lighter. The Abu Garcia Beast 300 is a different tool entirely, a big-bait reel for A-Rigs and swimbaits up to 8in with a 30lb drag.

To be fair, the graphite body won't feel as solid as the alloy frame of the Revo SX. For a first step into baitcasting, though, I think it's a sensible, well-specified reel at a budget price.

The Abu Garcia Beast 300 is a large-format low-profile baitcaster for A-Rigs and swimbaits up to 8in. The 5.8:1 model has up to 30lb of Carbon Matrix drag, with a clicker so you hear a fish take line.

Oversized brass Duragear Gen III gears sit inside an X2-Cräftic aluminium frame and handle sideplate, and the Infini Brake System controls the spool. There's a faster 7.5:1 model too, and the A-Symmetric body keeps it compact enough to palm.

It's built for pike anglers throwing big baits from the bank or a boat. Next to the Abu Garcia 200, it takes lures 2in longer and moves up to Gen III gears. Compared with the Abu Garcia Max X, an all-round lure reel with 15lb of drag, it's in a different league for heavy lures.

To be fair, it's a big, dear reel and far too much for perch. For heavy swimbaits and big pike, though, I think it's the best big-bait baitcaster in this line-up.

The Abu Garcia 200 is a large-format low-profile baitcaster for swimbaits up to 6in, and it's the 200 size of the Beast range. It has a 25lb Carbon Matrix drag and a 7.3:1 gear ratio.

An X2-Cräftic aluminium frame and handle sideplate hold brass Duragear Gen II gears, with seven HPCR bearings plus a roller bearing. The IVCB-6 centrifugal brake handles casting control, and the 95mm bowed handle has oversized knobs for grip.

It's for pike anglers who throw mid-sized swimbaits and big soft lures but don't need the full Beast 300. Next to the Beast 300, it takes lures 2in shorter and has Gen II rather than Gen III gears. Compared with the Fox Rage Prism X Round Baitcaster, it's the easier reel to palm, while the Prism X has the round body for line capacity.

To be fair, it comes in 7.3:1 only, while the Beast 300 adds a slower 5.8:1. For swimbaits up to 6in, though, I think it's a superb and very well-built reel.

The Fox Rage Prism X Round Baitcaster is a round-bodied predator reel built for big lures and heavier braid. It has a lightweight aluminium frame, centrifugal braking and a carbon-fibre drag with 5.5kg of maximum drag.

An audible bait clicker sounds when a fish takes line, and the 100mm anodised aluminium handle with EVA knobs gives grip and leverage on the retrieve. It runs on 4+1 bearings and is made to pair with the Prism X Big Bait Extreme and TR Mega Swim rods.

It suits pike anglers who throw big hard lures, large soft baits and swimbaits on thick braid. Next to the Abu Garcia 200 Low Profile it's cheaper and built around capacity, while that reel palms more easily and has 25lb of drag.

To be fair, its drag can't match the 30lb of the Abu Garcia Beast 300. For pike anglers who want capacity for heavy braid at a sensible spend, though, I think it's the best round baitcaster in this line-up.