best baitcasting reel under 500 Fishing Reels - Casting 6.5:1 Gear Ratio Speed Spool Baitcaster Reels spooled with approximately 183 yards of premium 20 pound fishing line Daiwa LX500H-P Lexa Baitcasting Reel

One-Piece Aluminum Body A precision machined 6061 T-6 marine grade aluminum body construction serves as the rigid framework of this reel, the ultimate choice of strength vs weight

Note too that this reel comes only in 4000, 6000, 8000, and 12000 sizes

This stand-up combo will provide heavy-duty performance while staying lightweight for comfortable all-day fishing, this combo will feel like an extension of your arm while having plenty of backbone for landing that fish of a lifetime

If money is a factor, you would honestly be better purchasing an older Ambassadeur 5000 (the red reel) from the 1970's and putting a better hand on it