In love with the abu garcia black max, your opinions?

[Boomstick]

I learned to fish a baitcaster with an Abu Garcia Black Max. It's rickety as hell, the handle wobbles when you turn it etc but still works to this day.

[Ryanralston07]

My local Sportman’s has them on clearance and I played around with one tonight. I was impressed with the quality for the price! May grab one to teach my wife how to use a baitcaster 

[ChrisD46]

*For $10 more you can get a Academy Sports H2O Xpress Mettle M3 (7:1) bait cast reel with one - piece aluminum frame (Black Max is a graphite frame) making the Mettle M3 more solid and keeps gears aligned under the stress of fighting a fish . The Mettle M3 only comes in a  7:1 gear ratio though .

[Bazoo]

I ran across this thread because I have a Black Max, not sure the version, and I've been using it a year. It's still running like a champ. I've oiled it a couple of times. I fish 4-5 times a week, for several hours each trip, plus I cast in the yard for practice and with my boy, so it sees some use. It's not my only reel, but it was my only baitcasting reel for about 4 months. I have landed 2 fish 3-5 lbs with it, and of course gobs of small ones.

 

It does seem to cast quite far compared to other reels I've tried, and I often cast a weightless lizard or fluke and a Lunkerhunt Pocket Frog.

[12poundbass]

They are great reels for the price. I still have two in the rotation and I’ve given my son others I’ve replaced.

[bowhunter63]

Mine is still going strong after a few years now. Can’t beat em for the money 

[Bigbox99]

Not a fan but I used to be.  You can get aluminum frame reels for what Abu wants for a black max.  When I didn't know any better I thought of them as a good value reel but once I discovered Aliexpress it was game over for $60 plastic reels.  I've bought multiple aluminum frame and some even aluminum frame and handle side plate reels for less than $60.  My most recent purchase was $37 for an aluminum frame 200 size reel to compare to my Johncoo Ares throwing 1 to 3 oz big baits. 

[ABU is overpriced]

Had the silver max that i got new for $20. Holding it in my hands, and spinning to handle was enough for me to put it on sale instantly. No thanks.

[12poundbass]

1 hour ago, ABU is overpriced said:

Had the silver max that i got new for $20. Holding it in my hands, and spinning to handle was enough for me to put it on sale instantly. No thanks.

Silver Max was complete garbage from my experience. The Black Max and Pro Max are great reels. Judging by your screen name nobody will convince you otherwise though.