Abu Garcia Silver max Setup Help

[skatindude]

Hey, I just bought a Abu Garcia Silver Max and I am new to baitcasters and I have a few questions regarding the equipment I should be using with it. I have been trying it out for a few days and have probably spent around 5 hours practicing casting with it and I am having trouble getting distance with it. I currently have power pro 20 pound braid on it right now and it doesn't really cast anywhere close to my spinning reels. I have done countless hours of research about how to use the magnets and adjust the tension knob but I just cant seem to get a 3/8 bait to go far at all. I've read reviews on this reel saying that it casts for miles smoothly but I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

 

If I changed to 8 lbs mono will it improve the distance?

 

Also what brand of rod do you guys recommend, I have tried various 7 foot poles , one is ultra light and the other is medium, nether seem to help.

 

I was going to return it and get a good spinning reel but I have already put a scratch on the reel when i set it down on concrete. So I'll just try and figure out how to use it. Thanks!

[ww2farmer]

I use Max reels a lot. The Silver, and both the Black and Pro Max. They are excellent casters for "cheap" reels. BUT...you have to "wear them in" a little. To expedite this process you can pull them apart and clean the 8000lbs of grease out of them that Abu loves to pack in every nook, cranny, and bearing. Then re-lube the gears with a light amount of grease, and re-oil the bearings with a light weight oil like Rem-Oil.

[r83srock]

That reel will sail a 1/4-1 oz bait on the proper rod.  A 7' medium power moderate to moderate fast action will work, such as the Berkley Shock mentioned above. Be sure that the cast control is set correctly (round knob next to star drag). So tie your complete 3/8 oz weight bait on, and free spool the lure till it hits the ground. The line on the spool should nor over run but maybe the slightest bit. Now adjust your brakes to the conditions and rod type being used. 20lb braid will work fine, just be sure its spooled tightly.

[JustinJ]

I fish the silver max reels a lot. A good starting point would be to adjust the spool tension just enough so there is no side to side play with the spool. And set brakes a little over halfway, works for me with 12-15lb mono or 30-40lb braid

[KEEP!ON!FISHING]

Since your new i wouldn't use 8 pound. Try using 12 or 14 lbs Berkley trilene xl smooth casting. I feel this line is very user friendly especially to people who are new. Also it Sounds like your using to much breaks and or spool tension knob is to tight. Turn breaks off reel lure to tip of pole and tighten tention knob. Press thumB Bar and slowly turn knob till lure falls. It should fall at a steady rate and when it hits ground the spool should stop with no overrun. Now turn breaks to half way point or little higher if you want. Make sure you use thumb to control spool. Try thumbing it this way moderate pressure in beginning low pressure in middle and moderate pressure towards end of cast. Once you train your thumb and get better at casting you can start lowering the breaks.   You shouldn't worry about distance right now. You gotta learn the basics first. Once you learn how to use your thumb and setup reel your distance will increase

[j_blaze14]

what is your distance?  with the black max 3 i can cast a 6" lizard with a 1/8 oz bullet weight about 50 yards on a 7ft medium heavy fast rod.  brakes are 2 clicks down from center, tension knob loose and tension knob bearing removed.  just touch the spool with your thumb right before the bait hits the water.  i also flick cast, where i push the upper handle as i pull the lower handle, not the old basball swing cast style.  to set the brakes just keep lowering them 1 click at a time from max with each new bait until you get a backlash, then go back up 2 clicks.  never failed me on any rod/reel/line combo.

[Hurricane]

Definitely a great reel for the price..