I am done with Abu Garcia. Again.

[Bird]

My only Abu has been a work horse and likely the first baitcaster I'd grab.....Orra sx.

Sorry about your troubles. 

[Deleted account]

Yeah, those mag brake only reels are not great. Try using higher viscosity oil in the spool bearings, or a Daiwa...

[TheBasslayer]

This thread is making me think that I should stick with my Abu Garcia Black Max. I like the reel very much, especially for a 40$ reel. Mine only birds-nests because I am still perfecting my casting technique.

[Brian14]

There are 3 types of backlash, and 4 types of brakes.  

• The first is spool start-up overshoot.  Centrifugal brakes deal with this the best.  
• The second is wind backlash, which occurs in the middle of your cast as your lure is approaching its highest vertical point, and gravity is slowing it - mag brakes work best here - the same for wind and light lures.  
• The last backlash is over-run after your lure hits the water - thumbs take care of this.  
• The fourth brake type is spool tension, which is a constant load on the spool.  While spool tension can brake all 3 types of backlash, it costs the most cast distance.  

Thanks Bulldog, this is very useful info for a new baitcaster, not sure I've seen it explained like that before.

[BrianMDTX]

1 hour ago, TheBasslayer said:

This thread is making me think that I should stick with my Abu Garcia Black Max. I like the reel very much, especially for a 40$ reel. Mine only birds-nests because I am still perfecting my casting technique.

I gotta say, I have two Black Max’s and the only time I ever have an issue is on me, not the reel. I am NOT good at flipping or pitching lol. Other than that, both have caught many bass and I really have zero complaints. 

[GreenPig]

Just remembered my ALX was delivered with a copper shim under the cast/spool control knob that were undersized(too thin). You could tighten the knob completely down and it had zero effect on the spool. Abu said it was a known problem and promptly sent me shims. 

[FishTank]

1 hour ago, GreenPig said:

Just remembered my ALX was delivered with a copper shim under the cast/spool control knob that were undersized(too thin). You could tighten the knob completely down and it had zero effect on the spool. Abu said it was a known problem and promptly sent me shims. 

 

The one I have is fine.  The cast control knob works out of the box as it should but I always set mine a little loose and stop the spool with my thumb. 

[Beam]

I have the ALX and had issues with birds nests. As another posted stated. I added the extra magnets and I am no longer having the overruns. I am getting ready to order another because of the big discounts on this model.  Thanks

[AmmoGuy]

This is interesting to me. I don't know how they specifically differ from the ALX, but I have three Revo SX's, and they cast fantastic. I've never had an issue on overruns on any of them? 

[OG Crankster]

I have 4 ALX reels and have no problems with any of them. They are quite enjoyable to fish. Small, light and cast well.