Abu Garcia BMAX2 Black Max BaitcastReel RH 5BB 6.4:1 145/12-Pound

5-stars for Abu Garcia bait caster at the price level.Bought for my son so he would leave my rods & reels alone - he wanting to try bait casting so I matched this with a low cost Berkley Cherrywood rod and everything else to give him a start at bait casting. We just went and he caught a few bass including one that was 5 to 6 lbs. I talked him in setting and using the rod & reel. He got only a couple very minor backlashes. Then he was casting very well, learned very fast how to use it.I tried his rod & reel when he sat to take a break - I was using one of my Revo STX series w G. Loomis rods myself. I have to say the reel feels good and worked liked a more expensive reel. I liked it enough I ordered another for the trips when we bust through brush hiking, I'll use one of these and save my more expensive gear for the safe trips. Plus with the Berkley 2-pc 6' 6" Cherrywood rod, I wont worry as much snapping my G. Loomis 1-pc hiking in the brush (sometimes nearly on hands and knees).For under $50, this reels works very well. I can't say anything bad about it. Had to order another for myself says something. I grew up on several bait casters and this has to be the best deal dollar value for a baitcaster.

Based in Liverpool, but got the reel from US Amazon site, and as well as cost, was instantly pleased with speed of post. Then out of the box, the initial look, feel and quality of the reel pleased me even more. Have just had chance to use it off the coast of the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, for a couple of days early morning plug chucking and spinning in the surf from the beach and off a harbour wall.Unlike my catch rate, the reel was perfect for all types of spinning and lure fishing. Used it with my 10ft Penn Bass Spin Rod, loaded with 125 yards spiderwire braid (18lb).Best test was simultaneous catch of 3x mackeral, about 1lb each, on multiple hokkai lures. Working with lighter tackle helped give the situation a sportier feel, but fighting against retreating surf and rip tide, the reel stood up well. Wouldn't say effortless, but then again it wouldnt be sport if it was.This was my first time using a multiplier style baitcast reel for this type of fishing, and had my trusty Okuma fixed spool in the bag ready to use as back up if all failed. Make sure lever drag and brakes are set with your first few casts, and you can have hours of effortless casting without the usual birds nests of spooled line.Well worth the purchase, very pleased.

I purchased one of these to replace an old reel that was just out of date and had seen better days. I kind of bought this one on a whim. After looking at some of the high priced baitcasters at Bass Pro I thought "How bad can it be?" I was totally surprised by the quality of the reel. Very user friendly and after a couple casts it performed flawlessly. Smooth drag and good line capacity (100 yds of 15 Lb). I could have rated it 5 stars but just felt guilty giving a 40 buck reel a 5 star rating. First day out caught a 10.5 lb Largemouth. I've since bought two more and have not had a problem with any.

While I've been fishing for nearly 40 years.. This is my first true bait caster. I had no problems with setting it up. Setting the brake, Drag and line tension is easy and my first time out with it, had no issues at all with casting it. I didn't have a single issue with bird nesting. I used about 80 yards of 25lb test on it because I was fishing for shovelheads in a small lake and they reach up into the 60lb range in this lake. I caught a 26 lb and a 38 lb shovelhead with it on my first trip out. I have no complaints so far. $40 for this seems like a steal.

This reel is def. a lower end model as the price should suggest. I am admittedly not a "pro" at bait casting reels. I bought this to replace my rod and reel I lost the week prior fishing out of my kayak on the Chattahoochee. The reel I lost in the river was a Bass Pro shops brand "Pro Qualifier." I love the ability to control my casts and fish tight spots on the river with my bait casting reel. The Abu reel was just one back lash after another. Maybe it was me, but I never had any trouble with the Bass Pro model I had been fishing for years. So, I sent the Abu back and ordered the newest version of the Bass Pro reel. I ended up spending more money on the Pro Qualifier, but would gladly do it again because in my experience (again, not an expert) it is a far superior product. One positive note, the Abu reel looks good, but just wasn't for me.

This was my first bait caster and I have found it is not as easy to pick up as it boasts. I took it out to the lake and kept getting birds nests. I did not want to be detoured, so I watched a lot of youtube videos and put a weight on it and calibrated as the videos suggest. I set it so the weight pulls the line very slowly when engaged. I got better with practice but would still get the occasional bird nest. I am a shore fisherman and since the lakes have been very high in my area due to the excessive rain, I have to cast very long distances. An experienced bait caster can probably do this no problem every time. For a beginner, if you are not on a boat, try another style of real. This is a good real otherwise, but not worth my headache.

Complete S***. I got this reel thinking it was a good deal with abu garcia's good reputation. Not with this. When attempting to adjust the drag and other "setting"Some things where froze up. And the plastic quickly broke with slight pressure, I've never had this problem with Lews who will from now on get all of my service. Thanks for all the trouble Abu Garcia.

Wonderful as a starter bait cast reel. It's sure gives you a bang for the price, it casts great and it's smooth for the price range.I had to oil it after a few months of use, but at first, I would use it couple of times a week.Only thing, once you move up to a better reel, when I go back to use it, because it steel casts and retrieves pretty well, the way it fits into my hand feels a bit off, I've just gotten used to some reels that fit my hand better. But again, if you're starting, and/or don't want to or can't spend a lot of money on a reel, this is a great one for the price.Just remember to clean & oil it every few outings and it will last you a good time.

Probably a good reel but the one time I used it this year had major casting and tangle problems using 10 lb test. My 9 year old son's $ 40 Zebco rod and reel set performed flawlessly (I did the casting for him) and he was the only one to catch any fish that day.

Good quality. operates very smoothly.

バス釣りやるの20年ぶりかな〜笑子供と近くの野池へ、久しぶりの感覚で４０過ぎのおっさんにヤル気スイッチ入りました。扱いやすさ、コスパ、見た目、最高です。確かに投げた時の音はカナリ目立ちます。ハンパないです。ドヤ顔してます。笑 私みたいなド素人でも釣れます。子供の分も購入予定です。

Really nice product. Sturdy and reliable. However, when throwing the live, if not adjusted, the reel can tangle the line and get you mad while fishing, which is not recommended. Otherwise, probably the best engineered reel I've had yet.

As advertised it does what I want