dlh2 Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 I'm looking for a couple of "beater" reels in the $50 to $60 price range. Based on reviews, I'm considering the Academy H2O Mettle or the Abu Garcia Black Max. Has anybody tried both and if so, how do they compare? Quote
ABW Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 You can also get a BPS PQ for around that price during the spring sale. I personally don't own one, but many on here swear by it. 2 Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 The PQ is an tremendous bargain at the upcoming sale price and well beyond a "beater". 1 Quote
fishinphilly Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 i got the abu garcia black max a couple years ago for my first bait caster and i just cleaned it the other day and it works even better so i would recommend that based on about 3 years of using it Quote
robster80 Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 id grab a PQ at the sale. never used one but ive used some basspro reels cheaper than the PQ and they performed great so the PQ must be a solid reel. i may pick up one myself 1 Quote
The Fisher Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 I'd rank Pro Qualifier as the best "bargain reel". If you have a BPS near you, try to get over there this Friday. The PQ will be $49.95 and that is a steal. The previous model Mettle was great especially when it went on sale for $29.99. I'm sure the new one is just as good but wait until it goes on sale. I have a couple of the previous model and they are great. 1 Quote
bass1980 Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 Save a little more and go to fleabay and get a Tatula. $90, brand new, free shipping, and no tax. I can guarantee you that you won't find a better bargain than that. 4 Quote
EmersonFish Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 If you can get the PQ for about the same price as the Black Max, that's no contest. I've had both, and the PQ is miles better. I've never had the H2O Mettle, but a lot of people mention it as being very good for the money. 1 Quote
The Next KVD Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 For the money, I have to say wait till the Bass Pro Pro Qualifier reel goes on sale. I had 3 and liked them but I eventually sold them to get more curados. Otherwise I have used the Abu Garcia Black Max2 and for the money its a good reel. Not sure how long the frame will hold up, but the one I tested out seemed really smooth and definitely can haul in good sized fish. 1 Quote
fisherrw Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 The PQ is an tremendous bargain at the upcoming sale price and well beyond a "beater". x2 Quote
Super User lmbfisherman Posted February 5, 2015 Super User Posted February 5, 2015 XWhatever it is now for the PQ! Quote
TorqueConverter Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 I'm looking for a couple of "beater" reels in the $50 to $60 price range. Based on reviews, I'm considering the Academy H2O Mettle or the Abu Garcia Black Max. Has anybody tried both and if so, how do they compare? Stay away from the back max. It's a plastic framed mag reel. You can get aluminum framed, centrifugal braking, 10 ball bearing reels for $60. http://www.basspro.com/Browning-Aggressor-Baitcasting-Reel/product/1311080715241/ http://www.basspro.com/Browning-Midas-Black-Bass-Baitcasting-Reel/product/1309120616252/ http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Bionic-Plus-Baitcast-Reel/product/1207260456523/ Quote
BasshunterJGH Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 Save a little more and go to fleabay and get a Tatula. $90, brand new, free shipping, and no tax. I can guarantee you that you won't find a better bargain than that. +1 Quote
Fisher-O-men Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 Get this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pflueger-Trion-Baitcast-Reel-PFLTRION3LP-/281567876050?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item418ec0d3d2 Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted February 5, 2015 Global Moderator Posted February 5, 2015 I have a Mettle and have been blown away with how nice of a reel it is for the $30 I paid for it on sale. However, for $50 you'd be crazy not to go with the PQ during the spring sale at BPS. Quote
Super User *Hootie Posted February 5, 2015 Super User Posted February 5, 2015 Save a little more and go to fleabay and get a Tatula. $90, brand new, free shipping, and no tax. I can guarantee you that you won't find a better bargain than that. Save more money and get a new Curado, or save more money, and get a Chronarch, or save more money and get a Zillion, or save more money and get a Core.....get it? But for the money you mentioned,.... "Grab the PQ". Hootie 3 Quote
dlh2 Posted February 5, 2015 Author Posted February 5, 2015 I'm convinced. I'll try to snag a couple of PQ's when they go on sale. Any idea what kind of quantities the stores will have and how quick they sell out when they put them on sale? Quote
Super User lmbfisherman Posted February 5, 2015 Super User Posted February 5, 2015 I'm convinced. I'll try to snag a couple of PQ's when they go on sale. Any idea what kind of quantities the stores will have and how quick they sell out when they put them on sale? They are a popular reel. I don't think anyone will know the quantities. I'm hitting up BPS on the first day of the sale tomorrow, but it won't be until end of the day though. I was planning on getting one, but I'm intrigued on the Carbonlite reel. We will see. Quote
kikstand454 Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 Get a PQ if you can. Otherwise .... the mettle is an amazing reel for the price. It will outcast almost everything else I own. Amazing at the 25-30$ sale price. .... really good at the normal price. Quote
Penguino Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 I'm convinced. I'll try to snag a couple of PQ's when they go on sale. Any idea what kind of quantities the stores will have and how quick they sell out when they put them on sale? Go to the store right when it opens up. I guarantee you, the pq's will be sold out by noon. 1 Quote
JDJ Posted February 6, 2015 Posted February 6, 2015 Go to the store right when it opens up. I guarantee you, the pq's will be sold out by noon. A trusted salesman at my local BPS (Memphis) today told me they had stocked several hundred PQs for the sale. Quote
Penguino Posted February 6, 2015 Posted February 6, 2015 A trusted salesman at my local BPS (Memphis) today told me they had stocked several hundred PQs for the sale. Oh lol. The gist I heard were that they had limited quantitys of PQ's at the store, and it was first come first serve. I heard from somebody else that this year, they would be sold out quickly. Quote
JDJ Posted February 6, 2015 Posted February 6, 2015 There weren't many behind the counter, but he said they were loaded up in the stockroom in all the ratios. Quote
punch Posted February 6, 2015 Posted February 6, 2015 Save a little more and go to fleabay and get a Tatula. $90, brand new, free shipping, and no tax. I can guarantee you that you won't find a better bargain than that. They are 90ish bucks on Amazon now too! Then you don't have to deal with ebay sellers and you can return them. I got my most recent tatula for under 100 on amazon. Quote
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