Who makes one that will hold up to salmon and steeelhead? under 100$ also. i have used my bass reels for years but my first try at chums ended in a destroyed, new quantum left hand retrieve reel i got for steelheading. any suggestions or opinions?

Ambassador 5501. Holds up well, good reel for under $100.

He's right, ambassadeur is the best in that price range.

I'm in consensus. But, I'd highly suggest if you can get one, buy an older 5001c. Not a throw away reel like the new ABU's are. True work horses. You can't go wrong with one. Too bad you hadn't posted this earlier, I sold off what was left of my post 80's 5501c/5501c3's. Last three I have are boxed up to send to Glo who just bought them.

One thing to add, if you do buy ABU's, ALWAYS keep them clean. Don't just fish them and toss them in the cabinet. Oil them and roll the star drag to off on the new 5501's. If you don't, you'll burn up that reel fast (and not rolling star drag to virtually off will screw with the drag system over time).

Steelheader,
Would have to agree, i own 4 abu's and did not find about the releasing the drag and burned up 2 of them that i had to get repaired, but, now i know, abu's in 5500's or even 6500's would come highly recommended from me.
Matt

What...no mention for the Shimano Curado? I've owned two, neither ever failed me even after constant repeated abuse. Next to my trusty Calcutta, one of the best casting reels I've ever used.

could get a curdao for 120 or buy a used one off ebay for around 80