Academy Sports TAC40 Baitcast Reel Review Update

[the reel ess]

I bought this Academy Sports and Outdoors store brand reel to put on my jig combo. I gave it a positive review when I started using it. Now I've been using it for around two full years. I've had braid on it almost the entire time and pitch jigs into the gnarly stuff with this combo. I usually have the drag cinched down. I've caught several bass in the 6-7 lb range out of cover with it. It has worked flawlessly the entire time. IMO, you can't go wrong with it for $100. If there's any issue with the design, it's very compact. Thus, it's also quite light. It took me a while to learn to get a good grip on it because I was used to larger reels. It also only holds about 50-60 yards of 50# braid. It has an unusually larger diameter spool. So instead of using backing mono line I just tied the braid on the spool and put some tape on it to keep from slipping. 7.3:1 retrieve is great for flipping/pitching. Looking at the reel now, it appears it got a facelift and deeper spool.

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-tac-40-baitcast-reel-120744101#repChildCatid=7813506

 

[plawren53202]

Thanks a lot for the review. I have been looking at several of the H20 Express lineup (the TAC40, the Mettle reel, the Ethos HD rods) and I hear a lot of good things about them but just haven't pulled the trigger on any of them yet. Not sure why, because they sure fit into my budget better than a lot of gear.

 

Anyone know how the TAC40 compares to the Mettle bc reel? Just wondering in particular if there are certain characteristics that make the extra $40-something for the TAC40 worth it.

 

It sure looks to me that a TAC40 (or even a Mettle) on an Ethos HD rod would be a pretty solid combo for the money. 

[the reel ess]

18 hours ago, plawren53202 said:

Thanks a lot for the review. I have been looking at several of the H20 Express lineup (the TAC40, the Mettle reel, the Ethos HD rods) and I hear a lot of good things about them but just haven't pulled the trigger on any of them yet. Not sure why, because they sure fit into my budget better than a lot of gear.

 

Anyone know how the TAC40 compares to the Mettle bc reel? Just wondering in particular if there are certain characteristics that make the extra $40-something for the TAC40 worth it.

 

It sure looks to me that a TAC40 (or even a Mettle) on an Ethos HD rod would be a pretty solid combo for the money. 

I don't know for sure, but I believe the TAC40 is smaller and lighter. Also, the TAC40 claims 20 lbs of drag, whereas the Mettle claims 13 lbs. When I bought the TAC40, I was considering the Mettle, but it didn't have 7.3:1 retrieve then. Also, the TAC has carbon fiber drag, Mettle does not.

[Bluebasser86]

I had a couple of the older Mettles and they were fine reels for the money (I got them on clearance for around $25). Hasn't been many Academy brand fishing items that I've been disappointed with.

[the reel ess]

6 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I had a couple of the older Mettles and they were fine reels for the money (I got them on clearance for around $25). Hasn't been many Academy brand fishing items that I've been disappointed with.

I just realized they have a TAC40 line of rods as well. Though it appears most models are out of stock.

[Hook2Jaw]

I haven't used their reels or rods, but awesome review!  Their hardbaits are basically the hardbait of choice for me minus a few items they haven't decided to copy yet.

[ChrisD46]

The Mettle series Academy reels are solid : One piece frames , brass gears and 10 ball bearings (with centrifugal brakes only)  - clean / lube properly and they will last a long time . The Mettle M3 now comes in 7:1 as well (I picked up two on sale recently for $44.99 ea.) and previously have a couple of the similar M2 series in 6:4:1 which are good all-around reels as well . In the event parts are needed it could present a problem ... For my day in and day out favorites I will stick with Daiwa and Lew's bait cast reels (due to serviceability if required) . 

[the reel ess]

1 hour ago, Hook2Jaw said:

I haven't used their reels or rods, but awesome review!  Their hardbaits are basically the hardbait of choice for me minus a few items they haven't decided to copy yet.

I like their lipless crank, though it doesn't catch as many fish for me as the CC Spot. Neither does the Rattle Trap for that matter. There was a thread about it somewhere on here and someone told me it looked exactly like one of the premium bait maker's old mold. So it' porbably made in the same place with some cost cutting measures. Problem I have with it is I've caught a few dinks and the gold finish is almost gone. I have that bluegill swimbait of theirs. It seems to work fine, but I have yet to get a bite with it. I got one of their hollow body frogs because the price was so good and it was a color I didn't have. The material was too hard and it doesn't walk easily. Sort of like the first generation SPRO frogs. IDK that it won't work though.

9 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

The Mettle series Academy reels are solid : One piece frames , brass gears and 10 ball bearings (with centrifugal brakes only)  - clean / lube properly and they will last a long time . The Mettle M3 now comes in 7:1 as well (I picked up two on sale recently for $44.99 ea.) and previously have a couple of the similar M2 series in 6:4:1 which are good all-around reels as well . In the event parts are needed it could present a problem ... For my day in and day out favorites I will stick with Daiwa and Lew's bait cast reels (due to serviceability if required) . 

I've considered that. The Mettle has been around a while so BPS Rod and Reel Repair probably has some parts. The TAC 40 was brand new when I got it. But I figured their return policy was so good I could exchange it if it broke early. I've been using it long enough now that i doubt that's possible. I wonder if the internals, though made of different materials, can be interchanged with the Mettle or newer Ethos. Thy look to have the exact same shape.

[Hook2Jaw]

1 hour ago, the reel ess said:

I like their lipless crank, though it doesn't catch as many fish for me as the CC Spot. Neither does the Rattle Trap for that matter. There was a thread about it somewhere on here and someone told me it looked exactly like one of the premium bait maker's old mold. So it' porbably made in the same place with some cost cutting measures. Problem I have with it is I've caught a few dinks and the gold finish is almost gone. I have that bluegill swimbait of theirs. It seems to work fine, but I have yet to get a bite with it. I got one of their hollow body frogs because the price was so good and it was a color I didn't have. The material was too hard and it doesn't walk easily. Sort of like the first generation SPRO frogs. IDK that it won't work though.

I can say without a doubt that their CRS Crankbaits in rattling and non-rattling catch fish.  They're my favorite squarebill because they get eaten and have decent hardware.  The CRM reaches down another 3' and gets eaten as well, with, again, quality hardware.  I have yet to try the NCRD for the 10-14' range, but beyond that the CRD deep diving plug also gets eaten.  The NCRD is next on my list to try.  I imagine it'll catch them.

 

I have yet to catch any large fish on a lipless, but I haven't fished them all that much.  I'll have to see how their Rattlin' T and LCR do for me.

 

I can say without a doubt that the H2O Xpress Ultimate Jerk Shad catches big ones, small ones, and medium ones.  I caught a 6 and a half the first time I threw it last February.

 

I already crossed their frogs off my list, but I plan to try their spinnerbaits when I can find them on sale.  Give the other lures I listed a try, and thanks for the heads up on the frog!

[Mobasser]

I got my grandson Aiden an Academy Mettle casting reel two yrs ago as a Christmas gift, with a Berkley Lightning 6'6 casting rod. His first baitcaster.  The reel performs very well.for the money. Still working well this season too. A good value.

[ChrisD46]

I consider Academy Mettle reels to almost be disposable (at least due to price being less than $100) - I will send one to Mike at Delaware Reel Repair  to clean & inspect to see what he thinks regarding any inter changeable parts possibility ? Who knows , with proper care along with regular clean & lube the Academy reels could last 5+ years or more ...

[greentrout]

Years ago when I lived in Texas I would take my baitcasters to a gentleman who cleaned and repaired reels. He at one time worked for Academy as one of its reel repair guys when they did such a thing. Told me the Academy reels were just as good and sometimes better than some name brands.

 

Good fishing ...

[the reel ess]

35 minutes ago, greentrout said:

Years ago when I lived in Texas I would take my baitcasters to a gentleman who cleaned and repaired reels. He at one time worked for Academy as one of its reel repair guys when they did such a thing. Told me the Academy reels were just as good and sometimes better than some name brands.

 

Good fishing ...

I'm certain they're made in one of the name brands' factories. Academy doesn't make anything. Therefore, they are almost certainly interchangeable with some brand. A good reel repair guy would know or be able to figure out which one.

58 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

I consider Academy Mettle reels to almost be disposable (at least due to price being less than $100) - I will send one to Mike at Delaware Reel Repair  to clean & inspect to see what he thinks regarding any inter changeable parts possibility ? Who knows , with proper care along with regular clean & lube the Academy reels could last 5+ years or more ...

I've emailed back and forth with BPS rod and reel repair and they assured me they have parts for all mass produced reels. The Mettle has been on the market long enough that they should have stockpiled replacement parts.

[kayaking_kev]

What does the reel weigh?

[the reel ess]

4 minutes ago, kayaking_kev said:

What does the reel weigh?

The box mine came in says 6.2 oz. It looks like the one online has been redesigned a bit. They don't say what the newest model weighs.

[greentrout]

25 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

I'm certain they're made in one of the name brands' factories. Academy doesn't make anything. Therefore, they are almost certainly interchangeable with some brand. A good reel repair guy would know or be able to figure out which one.

I've emailed back and forth with BPS rod and reel repair and they assured me they have parts for all mass produced reels. The Mettle has been on the market long enough that they should have stockpiled replacement parts.

I've used Outdoor World Rod and Reel Repair through BPS.  Spoke to a repairman on the phone who told me to send my old Mitchell 300x Gold Spinning reel in. Sent it back like new with a new frame and spruced up the inside guts of the reel. Smooth as silk, looks great and performs like a champ.

 

A good option for older reels worth saving and liked ... at 35.00 dollars that includes shipping ...

 

believe the reel guy on this site works on older reels, too ...

 

good fishing ...

[the reel ess]

46 minutes ago, greentrout said:

I've used Outdoor World Rod and Reel Repair through BPS.  Spoke to a repairman on the phone who told me to send my old Mitchell 300x Gold Spinning reel in. Sent it back like new with a new frame and spruced up the inside guts of the reel. Smooth as silk, looks great and performs like a champ.

 

A good option for older reels worth saving and liked ... at 35.00 dollars that includes shipping ...

 

believe the reel guy on this site works on older reels, too ...

 

good fishing ...

Right on! I bought reel dirt cheap off eBay only to find it very well worn when it arrived (most likely a trade-in). I sent it to them and ended up with a like new reel dirt cheap. I believe they only charged me the min. of $19.95 at the time.

[Tywithay]

The H2O stuff has always been a good value. I use their cranks quite a bit. The old Mettle reels were made by Daiwa and had interchangeable parts with the Laguna and Exceler. The M3 is made in Korea. The non-handle sideplate looks very similar to the 13 reels, but not sure if they're interchangeable. I don't know about the TAC40 reels, but most reels are made in a handful of factories, so it's pretty easy to narrow it down. 

[the reel ess]

20 minutes ago, Tywithay said:

The H2O stuff has always been a good value. I use their cranks quite a bit. The old Mettle reels were made by Daiwa and had interchangeable parts with the Laguna and Exceler. The M3 is made in Korea. The non-handle sideplate looks very similar to the 13 reels, but not sure if they're interchangeable. I don't know about the TAC40 reels, but most reels are made in a handful of factories, so it's pretty easy to narrow it down. 

The box my TAC40 came in says Made in Korea. I'd wager they're the same basic reel with upgrades as you go up the line.