Histar Black Mamba Max review

[Bigbox99]

I've had this reel for about 2 years now.  Time for a review.  I buy these super cheap reels off Aliexpress or Amazon just to try them out and see if they are any good.  Basically to see if there is a better reel for under $60 than a Black Max or any other plastic Walmart reel many end up buying. 

 

This Histar reel is the same platform as the Kastking Royal Legend II and many other reels if it looks familiar.  I don't know if Histar is an OEM or yet another brand using this reel but theirs has an Aluminum frame and handle side plate with 3 spools for $60 and sometimes as low as $50.  Getting an aluminum frame reel at this price let alone one with a handle side plate and double supported pinion is almost unheard of with the Johncoo Ares 300 being the only other reel I can recall.  I also own the graphite/carbon fiber (plastic) frame version of this platform under a different brand and it feels horrible compared to the Black Mamba.  That aluminum frame and side plate deaden the gear mesh vibration and give the reel frame a high rigidity when cranking in high resistance baits.

 

Histar does put the gear ratios behind a trim level pay wall meaning cheapest configuration will be a 6 gear reel with the high trim being an 8 gear.  I have the 6 gear reel and have been using it as a chatterbait, spinnerbait, buzzbait. plopper and 6 inch Cullshad reel.  

 

I like it and for under $60 I can recommend it if you want a 6 gear reel for moving baits.  You can get Tatula 100s on Aliexpress right along side this reel for around $110 at times so it's hard to justify spending over $60 on this reel.  The Tatula is just as solid feeling winding under load but is far smoother with the Hyperdrive gears and lighter.  That said, I'd take one over a Back Max by far. 

 

[GRiver]

Thanks for the review, did you say three spools?

I got a truck rig off Aliexpress it came with a bfs spool.

[Bigbox99]

2 hours ago, GRiver said:

Thanks for the review, did you say three spools?

I got a truck rig off Aliexpress it came with a bfs spool.

Yep, 3 spools of different capacity and weight.  A shallow, medium and deep.  Aliexpress fishing is a bit of a mind trip.  Just dive in and hold on lol.

[bx.versatile]

Don't try out their rods or you'll end up with 4 extra rods.

 

[Bigbox99]

5 hours ago, bx.versatile said:

Don't try out their rods or you'll end up with 4 extra rods.

 

How are the rods?   

[GRiver]

 The combo set up for my truck, the rod was a 6’6” medium… telescopic. I was really surprised on the action, being telescopic my experience is they are usually like a broom stick. It not my best rod, but not they worst I’ve ever had ether.

 

[bx.versatile]

On 7/29/2024 at 5:06 PM, Bigbox99 said:

How are the rods?   

 

Pretty decent so far, all the above rods weight 3.5oz and balance fairly well with a magnesium reel or low 6oz reels.

 

All the rods either come with Toray T1100G, or some blend of it and mix with Toray M40X. Which tends to be on higher end JDM rods. There was no Toray label or tag, but just how lightweight these rods are I believe it has the raw carbon.

 

Only need to get use to that the rods are 2 pieces, but I've had zero issues so far.

When I first bought one, my mindset was a bank beater/slap in my truck rod, but I'm finding I'm putting the rods in my rod locker more.

[Bigbox99]

Are these typical Aliexpess rods or are these special amongst the others?  I've owned Aliexpress rods from brands like Kuying but they have all been light or ultra light rods.