H20 Mettle Vs....

[trevnastyy]

Are there any other reels available that compare in the $50-60 price range? This will be my first baitcaster. I don't fish very often and store my reels indoors. I don't really care to wait for a sale/used lews or bps Pq. Ive also looked at the lazer mg lews since its available local, although graphite frame. 

 

thanks for any replies

 

 

[Catch and Grease]

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=611936

Idk if you bought a rod yet but this is a fantastic beginner combo! its on sale on gander for 60$ SIXTY DOLLARS! that's how much I bought mine for awhile back and let me tell you that is a STEAL. the rod and reel are both well worth 60$

here's a link to a quick review I did on the zeles.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/142170-my-review-on-the-shimano-zeles-baitcasting-combo/

[kikstand454]

Ill tell you what. ... that mettle reel is awesome. I saw it recommended on a Texas kayak site, they gushed over this thing. So when my local academy had them on sale for $29- I had to get one. It was great! Small and smooth, and casts better than many of my MUCH more expensive reels. I took it out and on its first trip it caught multiple 25" redfish and handled them with authority. I was in total love.

Then I found that no matter what the kayak guys said, it does NOT play well with salt. At ALL. So I got in there and cleaned it all out ....and it still casts like a dream. ... like it will almost spool itself. But the gearing isn't as smooth now. I must have compromised it with the salt.

I will say this though. .... for strictly freshwater- I can not imagine a better deal than the mettle. It performs every bit as well as my proqualifier at half the price. That's the honest truth.

I have no idea about availability of replacement parts or service or warranty ......but I know this- when they go on sale again around Xmas, I promise you I'm picking up 2 more. I just wish they came in different gears.

In the scenario you described, I say buy it. You will NOT regret it. ( assuming you don't get a lemon. ...which is a possibility among all reels under $150 or so. )

EDIT : It would be very hard to beat the deal catchandgrease posted above! That looks great!

[trevnastyy]

I do have a rod. berkley cherrwood hd. I don't spend very much on my setup because i may get to fish once a month and only in local farm ponds. Never been to the lake or river. I have a simple daiwa spincast reel now but it has drag problems time to time so i would like to upgrade.

 

Ive read alot on the mettle and havent seen mention of much else in its price range.

[Catch and Grease]

I like the cherrywood, good rod for the money...

I haven't used the mettle so I can't give input on that but trust me you wouldn't be disappointed if you spent the 60$ for the shimano zeles!

[dave]

You cannot go wrong with the Mettle.  

[kikstand454]

Now that I think about it. .....I kinda wish we hadn't brought this up. Lol. The mettle feels like a little secret to me- and I kinda hope it stays under the radar so academy continues to put them on STUPID sale. I have seen them as low as $25. Honestly, if they had different ratios, I would get quite a few for rods/techniques that I don't use as frequently. They are solid reels.

[jlwest506]

I had a camo mettle that I just couldn't get to cast right. I ended up accidentally dropping the spool in the lake and I exchanged it no questions asked. I upgraded. But I used a friend's mettle and it would absolutely sling lures. Very impressive for a low price.

[Catch and Grease]

I might have to go buy one of these mettles if I can find one at 25$ like kikstand mentioned!

[trevnastyy]

Sounds like its the way to go for a non frequent fisher. Hoping to pick one up on sale sometime, Need to find a way to be notified since the closest academy is 2 hours away. Keep the input coming, havent seen any other names thrown in the mix yet for new reels in this price range.

[Missourifishin]

I got my Mettle for $29 last year. I think they were getting rid of old stock to make room for the Mettle 2. I have no complaints whatsoever. It was my first baitcaster, and perfect for the job. My second baitcaster was a Lews Tournament speed spool (retail price $150), which was a huge step up. But for the price, I can't imagine beating the Mettle. It's simple, yet performs well and gets the job done.

[gulfcaptain]

Don't have the Mettle, but do have one of the Menace....first baitcaster I ever bought at was over $70 and very well made and 3yrs later still smooth as ever.  I would say you're in good shape with the Mettle, just keep it oiled and maintained and it will last you.  Their H20 rods are pretty nice as well for $60.

[Tywithay]

If you can find a previous model Daiwa Exceler with MagZ and free floating spool, it's far and away the best in that range. I've seen them around $50 on sale.

[ChrisD46]

Now that AS has released the Mette 2 at $59.00 the lowest you will see them priced on sale  now is between $39.00 ~ $49.00 .

Only available in 6:3:1 gear ratio though  ... For a few $ more if needing a higher or lower gear ratio is to move up to a BPS PQ which go on sale between $79.00 ~ $89.00 ...Hope this helps !

[kikstand454]

The bps extreme is an OK reel at around that price on sale. But he PQ is light years better.

I'm sad to hear they have a mettle 2 now. .....I didn't know. Now I'm scared it won't be as good. .....

[trevnastyy]

I need a good all around ratio, fishing crankbaits and some lizards/senkos. Maybe if the mettle doesn't go on sale then the menace will for near the same price. The specs look good on both.