baitcaster reel recommendations?

NWM - didn’t you fix the roof after a tree fell on the house and broke into the kitchen?

Yes, but that took me 10 months. Compared to Ski Pro, I'm a slacker...

 

Daiwa lexa 300/400 is all you need

I ended up getting Abu Garcia Ambassadeur SX from here:

https://fishermenssource.com/products/abu-garcia-ambassadeur-sx-round-reels

Partly I got it because that site had it listed for $49.95 with free shipping and no tax, while it was at least $80 everywhere else online ($99 at Bass Pro). Actually, I bought 2 of them at that price. Now, they've got it listed for $69.99, which is still cheaper then any place else that I can see, but not as crazy super-cheap as it was.

Unfortunately, they sent me left-hand reels, when I wanted right-hand. They say they will exchange them with no shipping charge, and I'm debating whether to exchange 0, 1, or 2...

I ended up getting Abu Garcia Ambassadeur SX from here:

https://fishermenssource.com/products/abu-garcia-ambassadeur-sx-round-reels

Partly I got it because that site had it listed for $49.95 with free shipping and no tax, while it was at least $80 everywhere else online ($99 at Bass Pro). Actually, I bought 2 of them at that price. Now, they've got it listed for $69.99, which is still cheaper then any place else that I can see, but not as crazy super-cheap as it was.

Unfortunately, they sent me left-hand reels, when I wanted right-hand. They say they will exchange them with no shipping charge, and I'm debating whether to exchange 0, 1, or 2...

That's a score! I like mine - it casts very smoothly. Hope you get the left/right situation sorted easily.