Academy H2O Xpress Mettle Baitcaster

[Brand0n]

Anyone have one of these? they have 10 bearings and are only $49. Ive read a few good reviews on them. Ill be heading to my local Academy for the first time and might purchase one.

[catchnm]

Best $50 reel made. I have three and would rate them right up with my five Citica 200 E. For half price..... during their occasional sales on these....Fine reel.

[Brand0n]

are you able to cast pretty much anything with it? i throw alot of weightless senkos/brush hogs but mostly id use it for jigs and such

[Ima Bass Ninja]

Academy makes some good stuff. Bout the only thing of there's I haven't had on the water is there reels but I did handle them in the store. I love there H2O hardbaits and their Ethos rods. So I gues next on the list is their reels.

[Brand0n]

yeah ive heard there hardbaits are awesome and the detail put in them is unreal for the price and the ethos rods look nice

[catchnm]

The first gen Ethos rods were stronger than the present ones I think. As far as casting with the Mettle reels go, great for just what you mentioned. Smooth and easy to set and cast. They have brake settings quite similiar to the older green Curados and once set, are hardly ever needed to be messed with again. I've used them for everything from lipless cranks to light t-rigs without any over run issues.

Their Menace reel with the 7:1 ratio for $20 more is a great buy also.

[soopd]

I purchased 2 last year for $25 each on sale. I have thrown them one year with no problems. 1 of them is a little noisy but it probably needs cleaning. Good real for the money. I have had cheap bass pro reels in the past that lasted about 6 months. So these are much better in my opinion.

[okiefisher8]

I think they are great reels for the money. I usually pick one up for myself every time they go on sale. They will be $25 a few times throughout the year. My two brothers and my dad each have one without any problems either.

[Bass_Fanatic]

Best sub-$100 reel one the market hands down.

[Brand0n]

i just won 3 of them barely used for $60 on ebay

[boonhogganbeck]

Do they make those in left hand models?

[catchnm]

i just won 3 of them barely used for $60 on ebay

Nice snag there Brandon. Check them for any grinding or other abnormal noises or feeling. If they seem right then go fishing. If not then just pull the spools out and clean and lube all the normal places and then go fishing. I wouldn't even worry with taking them down for a thorough clean and lube unless they are really bad.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The metal frame is a good sign, bearing count is over rated as compared to bearing quality and placement. I'd like to see the inside of one of these if anyone has one that they'd like cleaned.

[CRANKSTER]

I have 4 of them that I've had for a couple of years. Never had any issues out of them. I pick them up when they go on sale for $25. DVT, I may be sending in my E7's and Citica's to be cleaned in the near future. I can slip one of them in the package if you'd like to take a look into one.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I have 4 of them that I've had for a couple of years. Never had any issues out of them. I pick them up when they go on sale for $25. DVT, I may be sending in my E7's and Citica's to be cleaned in the near future. I can slip one of them in the package if you'd like to take a look into one.

Than would be great. I'll give it a cleaning N/C.