112 out of 134(84%)reviewers recommend this product.
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Overall rating
4.1/ 5
Gear Feel (Smoothness)
4.4/ 5
Ergonomics
4.4/ 5
Casting Performance
4.3/ 5
Ease of Maintenance
4/ 5
112 out of 134(84%)reviewers recommend this product.
Share this product
Product Reviews
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Ratings summary
Overall rating
4.1/ 5
Gear Feel (Smoothness)
4.4/ 5
Ergonomics
4.4/ 5
Casting Performance
4.3/ 5
Ease of Maintenance
4/ 5
112 out of 134(84%)reviewers recommend this product.
Share this product
Product Reviews
Overall rating
4/ 5
Great starter reel
PostedAugust 22, 2012
Anonymous
Gear Feel (Smoothness)
4/ 5
Ergonomics
4/ 5
Casting Performance
4/ 5
Ease of Maintenance
3/ 5
Been bass fishing my whole life and using bait casters just as long. I regularly cleaned my black max but for some reason my anti reverse has gone out on me twice. Not sure if the ainti reverse bearing has failed or not. I have had them replaced before. It comes to a point though that you are putting $10 bearings in a $50 reel and eventually you are wasting money. I upgraded to the Orra SX and will be using it shortly. Hopefully it lasts longer. But on a good note the black max has lasted me a good while and it was definitely a great value. Perfect for beginners. If you can swing another $50 buy the higher end reels. Can Abu Garcia work on the anti reverse issue?? or is that just part of the lower end series?
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0of0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5/ 5
Excellent reel
PostedAugust 8, 2012
PiratesDenFishing
from Nanaimo BC
Age:45-54
Favorite type of fishing:Saltwater
Number of times fishing per month:5+
Owns a boat:Yes
Experience:Expert
Gear Feel (Smoothness)
5/ 5
Ergonomics
4/ 5
Casting Performance
5/ 5
Ease of Maintenance
5/ 5
I own a Pirates Den Fishing and am constantly fishing in both salt and fresh water situations. Some of our lures are trolling, some are casting and some for bottom bouncing. Each product is tested using various rod/reel set-ups to ensure that we match our products to work well with each set-up.
The Black Max is an all around great little reel for nearly any lure or bait you can think of except, of course, larger baits/lures for heavier fish.
For casting, this little reel can send the hook to your sight's limits. Be sure to practice in the yard and dial in casting brakes, though. Once you have matched the right amount resistance to your line and lure weight, you will be amazed at the distance you get.
Because of my work, I test from shore casting, boat casting and kayak fishing. I've even used it while trolling for coho salmon. The Black Max just performs. Outstanding pulling abilities, quick retrieve.
The only thing I would ask of Abu is to provide longer handles. When you have a big fish on the hook and he is running, it is hard to turn the fish around due to lack of leverage.
For bass, trout and similar sized fish, the extra leverage would be super nice, but it does fine as is.
Would I recommend it to others? Absolutely. In fact, when someone asks what our test gear is, This is one reel I stand behind.
For each fishing application, I suggest to my customers which reel would be better suited for them. This reel is great for salt and fresh water medium sized fish.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of2voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5/ 5
great buy
PostedAugust 6, 2012
Anonymous
Age:Under 18
Favorite type of fishing:Freshwater
Number of times fishing per month:5+
Owns a boat:No
Experience:Expert
Gear Feel (Smoothness)
5/ 5
Ergonomics
5/ 5
Casting Performance
5/ 5
Ease of Maintenance
5/ 5
paired it up with an abu garcia ambassadeur 6'6"med hev tournament grade rod and 12 lb vicious fishing mono and caught a 3 1/2 lber on it the next day .awsome combo!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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-1point
0of1voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5/ 5
The Big One!
PostedAugust 5, 2012
SoccerGoalie
from North Tonawanda, NY
Age:Under 18
Favorite type of fishing:Freshwater
Number of times fishing per month:5+
Owns a boat:No
Experience:Intermediate
Gear Feel (Smoothness)
5/ 5
Ergonomics
5/ 5
Casting Performance
5/ 5
Ease of Maintenance
5/ 5
Close
18" and 5lb Largemouth Bass
After buying this reel I have fallen in love with it. During the first use I caught what I thought would be the biggest fish of the summer. I was wrong, after three weeks I have reeled in over 25 bass ranging from 10 to 18 inches. Recently I have caught a 5 pound 18 inch large mouth bass. I have been using 4"/10cm Crazy Legs Chigger Craw by Berkly with a 5/0 Gamakatsu EWG Monster NSB hook.
