Abu Garcia Black Max Combo Vs Pro Max Combo

[vincenzo]

I am looking to buy a new bait caster and was wondering which one of these two is better and why? I have read a lot of reviews and some say the rods brake easily, is this true?

[OneShotOneKill]

I learned how to use a baitcaster with the blackmax combo from wal-mart. i beat the hell out of it and it still works. left it in the back of my truck accidentally through  the winter and had to dig it out of the snow. broke the rod tip off by shutting it in my truck door, filed it down and used it for the rest of the season.

 

basically its worth the money.

[grizzgreen18]

i use the black max since i just started to learn how to use a baitcaster and i love it i got mine from dicks for around 80...everyone knocks the rod but i havent found a problem outta it.

[bartdude186]

i have the black max combo m/h rod it is what i learned how to use a baitcaster with. i have never had a problem out of it, .rod is still like new after plenty of abuse. I have never used the pro max, but my guess is it would be just as good or better.

[martintheduck]

I can't speak on the rod, but the black max reel is awesome. I've dogged mine since I got it, banging it around, fishing it in salt water, actually losing my rod in the lake (while catfishing, a blue cat took it on a run and I watched it shoot straight off the boat). I threw a bare hook and caught my pole, retrieved my whole setup, and the fish was still on the hook! I love my black max man.... has a special place in my heart. 

[Tuckahoe Joe]

i use the black max since i just started to learn how to use a baitcaster and i love it i got mine from dicks for around 80...everyone knocks the rod but i havent found a problem outta it.

This X's 2.  I bought mine at WalMart but I think the Black Max Combo they have at Dick's comes with a Vengeance rod instead of the generic Abu rod that comes with the one from WalMart.

[annexation]

Chalk me up as another who cut their teeth on the Black Max (the reel, not the combo). It was my first baitcasting reel; I still have it, I still use it, and I still love it.

[MichiganFishing1997]

I just bought a pro max, haven't used the black max. I will fish it tomorrow and let you know how it is.

[Felix77]

I have all 3 ... Black, Silver and Pro.  The Black is great for beginners but for an extra $10 I believe I think you will get a better reel with the Silver.  Not to mention that it comes with a pitching/flipping switch.  It gives you the most options of all 3.  With a 6.4:1 gear ratio it's right in line with the average baitcaster speed wise.  The Pro max has more bearings and is a 7.1:1 gear ratio.  I use it for baits I want to fish faster OR deeper when I want to retrieve line much faster.

 

As someone else said go with the rod/reel combo you can get at Dicks.  It comes with a better quality rod (Vengeance) than the one in Wally World.

 

Good luck.

[SpinnerbaitSlinger]

I bought the Dicks black max combo but ended up switching the rod to an inshore ugly stick and I love it. planning to add the silvermax to my unused vendetta rod

[MichiganFishing1997]

I fished my new Pronmax for a little while today. The drag was solid. Fairly smooth. Casted very well. Brought in a 1 1/2 lb fish with 4lbs of slop. I'd recomend it.

[basshole8190]

I own a the black silver and two pro max and i like all 3 but the silver and pro max are far better than the black max but it can still get the job done i can't speak on the rods bc I've never used them

[BuckMaxx]

The ceramic eyes on the black max rods SUCK!!!

[wisconsin heat]

The reel is great, I learned on it. Beat the crap out of it too. I'd go ahead and get one.

[pbizzle]

I use this. It's the exact same thing as the Black Max 1 but it has saltwater parts. Before any one calls me out I emailed abu and asked them. It's an academy exclusive like the hank Parker combo is for Wal-Mart. I started out with this and believe me it's a steal.

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_161411_-1__?N=78002898

[MichiganFishing1997]

Just giving you a report on the promax. I have now heavily fished mine for the past week, its seen probably 7 outings or more where its the only reel I fished. Its on a 7'6 MH F Veritas for frogs and jigs. The reel has a great drag, casts very well, and is very smooth. I have enjoyed fishing with it and believe it is well worth the money.

[vincenzo]

Thanks guys for the help I went to walmart and ended up with a pinnacle platinum plus combo. It was cheaper,smoother and for some reason felt sturdier.