Need help on a purchase.

[zero357]

Spinning guy who has never owned a bait caster, or even tried one for that matter... I found a local guy who has a few for sale at a good price new with no box. My guess is he bought combos and didn't want the reels. Which would you recommend out of these? I would greatly appreciate some feed back ASAP before they're all sold.

 

Abu Garcia Black Max

Abu Garcia Silver Max

Lews Jason Christie Speed Spool Laser

 

He also has a few low end spinning reels for sale I might pick up. I have an older Okuma Avenger and a cheap pole I take out when I have the wife or a friend who doesn't really fish. How do these other options stack up vs the Avenger?

Lews xs30

vs

Pflueger President

vs

Okuma Avenger

[garroyo130]

No experience with those rods but Pfluegers Presidents are well built. 

[Teal]

What's he asking for them? That part always helps.  I've never heard anything bad about the presidents 

 

@Bluebasser86 I think he mentioned he has used one

[zero357]

6 minutes ago, Teal said:

What's he asking for them? That part always helps.  I've never heard anything bad about the presidents 

 

@Bluebasser86 I think he mentioned he has used one

 

 

$20 for the Black Max

$25 for the silver max

$35 for the lews speed spool laser

$25 for the Okuma 1000, Lews xs30, and 25 sized president

$30 for medium 30 sized president

Edited May 6, 2020 by zero357

[Big Hands]

As far as I know, the Black Max and Silver Max are pretty much the same reel, with the Silver Max having the "Rocket" button feature that is a way to engage the reel (from freespool/casting mode) without having to turn the handle, which may or may not be useful to you. If it's not a feature you'll use, you may as well go with the Black Max.

 

I have a Black Max, which you can find new at $35 to $40, $49.95 or something like that being MSRP. I have one, and a couple of Pro Max's. Compared to the Pro Max, the Black Max is just OK. For $20, it might be worth it to learn with as it has a fair amount of adjustability with both a magnetic cast control, and the normal tension on the spool shaft adjustment. 

[zero357]

10 minutes ago, Big Hands said:

As far as I know, the Black Max and Silver Max are pretty much the same reel, with the Silver Max having the "Rocket" button feature that is a way to engage the reel (from freespool/casting mode) without having to turn the handle, which may or may not be useful to you. If it's not a feature you'll use, you may as well go with the Black Max.

 

I have a Black Max, which you can find new at $35 to $40, $49.95 or something like that being MSRP. I have one, and a couple of Pro Max's. Compared to the Pro Max, the Black Max is just OK. For $20, it might be worth it to learn with as it has a fair amount of adjustability with both a magnetic cast control, and the normal tension on the spool shaft adjustment. 

 Yeah that's what I figured, why not pick one up to learn on since they're so cheap..

They're all new. The dude has a shop and mentioned he bought them all in bulk, but his shop is closed due to covid-19 and is clearing out some inventory.

[NYWayfarer]

The Lew’s Jason Christie reel is a Walmart exclusive. I have the spinning version and it’s not bad. 
 

$35 is a fair price. I don’t see it for cheaper than that on EBay 

[Fishingmickey]

Good deal on the Presidents, solid spinning reels.   I'd get the Lew's if I had to pick one of the baitcasters.

FM

[Junebugman]

Id get the 30 size prez, get a 6ft 10in med extra to fast action and you have everything from sm cranks to worms to whatever, 8lb should work good on that reel.

[LionHeart]

If you've never used a baitcaster, I'm sure you know they take practice and can lead to frustration pretty quickly while learning.  I honestly can't recommend any of those for you situation.

 

What is very possible is that you will buy one of the above listed and try to use it... backlash...backlash....birdnest....throw the reel against a tree...pick it back up and try again....pick out birdnest from before you threw the reel against a tree.....backlash.... get discouraged and say baitcaster are terrible.

 

 

Those aren't bad prices, but not too good to pass up.  I would strongly suggest a baitcaster that is a little more forgiving to learn on.  The Diawa Fuego CT has excellent braking and casts a good ways.  It can be had new on ebay for around $65 usually.  It is not considered a high end reel by any means but a lot of reel for the money and much, much better first baitcaster IMO.  Hope this helps man.

[Crankin4Bass]

9 hours ago, LionHeart said:

If you've never used a baitcaster, I'm sure you know they take practice and can lead to frustration pretty quickly while learning.  I honestly can't recommend any of those for you situation.

 

What is very possible is that you will buy one of the above listed and try to use it... backlash...backlash....birdnest....throw the reel against a tree...pick it back up and try again....pick out birdnest from before you threw the reel against a tree.....backlash.... get discouraged and say baitcaster are terrible.

 

 

Those aren't bad prices, but not too good to pass up.  I would strongly suggest a baitcaster that is a little more forgiving to learn on.  The Diawa Fuego CT has excellent braking and casts a good ways.  It can be had new on ebay for around $65 usually.  It is not considered a high end reel by any means but a lot of reel for the money and much, much better first baitcaster IMO.  Hope this helps man.

This is good advice here.

 

My first baitcaster was a Black Max and while the price was attractive to try out a baitcaster, it was super frustrating. So many backlashes I gave up on it. 

 

The Diawa Fuego CT is a great reel for the price. It has a solid metal frame and the braking system is easy to dial in. While I mostly use more expensive Shimano's now, but I bought a Fuego CT to test out.  I paid $70 and I have to say I am really happy with it. It's really easy to cast with no backlashes. I always recommend it for a budget baitcaster. Whatever baitcaster you get, put some 12lb mono on it and learn with that. It's cheap and easy to pick out if you backlash. 

 

Good luck!

[kayaking_kev]

The Black Max was my 1st BC also and I was able to pick it up easily as long as you do some research on how to set it up. But, after two years of hard use and abuse from taking it on the kayak, the thumb bar came loose on one side and I had to glue it back, and it's also pretty geary now. But, like I said I put that thing through the ringer with no reel cover and pretty heavy use, for the money, I can't complain. I believe all three of those reels will be similar as they are made from the same factory.