H2O Express Mettle/squarebill Question

[buzzbait4me]

I just recently purchased a new squarebill crank rod. I am now looking for a reel to match up with the new rod. I saw that academy has their Mettle MT2 rod on sale for 40 bucks. I have heard good things about these reels and just wanted to see if anyone on here has had any luck with them. Also, is  the H2O express CRS squarebill a decent squarebill for the money? What type of line do you have luck with squarebills?

 

Thanks for the help

[black94gt50]

I just recently bought a mettle and although I haven't had it out on water, I've thrown it around in the backyard. I think it would do good with the squarebills. I use a citica 6.3 ratio, which is the only ratio I throw squarebills on. I fish them pretty fast, I feel that fishing them at a higher speed gets me a lot more bites. I fish them around a lot of cover and anytime I bump into a piece of cover I give it a good pop while continuing reeling fast.

I use p line cxx 12 pound co polymer on squarebills, it's tough, cheap,cast good and works great with squarebills.

I think you'll be happy with the mettle and the p line cxx sir.

[dave]

The Mettles are great little reels.

[5dollarsplash]

The mettle performs well. The gf has been using the mettle and a older silver max, much prefers the mettle. The little I've used it, I wouldn't hesitate to get one if it fit my budget.

[Boomer_bassin]

I love my H2O Mettle, super smooth! Also so far since I have been on a budget and can't go crazy on tackle I only buy their crankbaits. I have caught several fish with them without any problems arising.

[curtis9]

I have 2 of the original Mettles.  They are fantastic reels for the price.  I haven't had any issue with either reel.  

[soopd]

I had the mettle for over a year when one day fishing a tournament the side cover broke off and fell in the water.  I carried it back to academy and they gave me a brand new one with no questions asked. I am pretty rough on all of my stuff.   I have 2 of them and plan on getting more.  They are solid little reels.  

[blongfishing]

I got the Camo Mettle combo for Christmas and its great. I caught a 16 lb striper on it. The combo was great and was on sale when it was bought for me. You ncan sometimes find a good one from Bass Pro Shop on sale.

[sc-fisherman-6702]

If your in the market for a different brand name reel, try a Lew's Laser MG Speed Spool....8 bearing, 5.4/1 Gear Ratio, deep spool (holds 150' of 12lb), 7lbs of drag, long cranking handle, adjustable mag brakes.

 

Very tough reel for crankin @ $80, maybe $40 more than what you were looking to spend, but worth it. Match it up with some 12lb Berkley Vanish Fluoro and good to go.

 

This is a great cranker used with a medium rod, is very light and used all the time.

[MCS]

Cabelas has the daiwa exceler on sale for 44.99 in 6.3:1

Land. big fish has the exceler 4.9:1 on sale for 55.00

[black94gt50]

Get a 6.3:1 ratio for squarebills, don't mess with the lower ratios. You wanna fish em fast and with the lower ratio you'll end up cranking yourself to death.

[CRANKSTER]

Love the original Mettles I have.  Their squarebills are well worth the money as well.  Good finishes, run true, and decent hooks.

[Bluebasser86]

I have one of their Mettles and it's in my starting line up right next to my Curados and Lews and it keeps up with all of them.

 

Their squarebills are in my top 3 favorite shallow cranks. When the cover gets nasty, it's time to break them out. It's a whole lot easier to lose an H2O than a LC. Plus they're loud baits, so they pull fish out of cover well anyways. The smaller size squarebill is a great little smallmouth bait for me also. 

[Bassin' Brad]

On 2/14/2014 at 11:52 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

I have one of their Mettles and it's in my starting line up right next to my Curados and Lews and it keeps up with all of them.

 

I'm thinking of getting this reel and pairing it with Dobyns Fury 705cb and using it primarily for shallow, mid depth, and lipless crankbaits. Do you still recommend the mettle?? 

[Bluebasser86]

3 hours ago, Bassin' Brad said:

I'm thinking of getting this reel and pairing it with Dobyns Fury 705cb and using it primarily for shallow, mid depth, and lipless crankbaits. Do you still recommend the mettle?? 

I haven't fished one of their newer ones but I have yet to be let down by one of their reels.

[Bassin' Brad]

2 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I haven't fished one of their newer ones but I have yet to be let down by one of their reels.

Okay thanks, that's what I needed to know. ?

[Deleted account]

I like the older mettles better, but all versions are good, and great bang for the $. I use one with square bills (and other things) a bunch. I like 12-15 lb Big Game for squarebills, and yes, the H2Os are good baits. Took a mettle to NY recently, and it handled some good sized pike easily, as well as bass (and yellow perch). I've used them in brackish water for striped bass and flounder, and they do well there too. Is it the lightest, smoothest, snaziest rell out there?....no, but it casts great and it does everything you need it too. The only thing I don't like (and this is a personal preference thing) It's a bit too small for my hands, when fishing a long day.