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.
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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
5/ 5
Black Max: This Is Why I Will Always Stay With Abu Garcia!
PostedFebruary 16, 2012
Kevin
from Jacksonville, Florida
Age:45-54
Favorite type of fishing:Freshwater
Number of times fishing per month:5+
Owns a boat:No
Experience:Intermediate
Gear Feel (Smoothness)
4/ 5
Ergonomics
5/ 5
Casting Performance
4/ 5
Ease of Maintenance
5/ 5
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Personal best 4.75# largemouth caught using a Black Max reel on an Ambassadeur "Tournament Grade" rod.
First, I am a life-long Abu Garcia user/fan. My grandfather had me fishing before I was "house broke" if you will.
Last July, I purchased your Black Max and mated it to your 7' Medium Heavy "Ambassadeur Tournament Grade" rod. At first, I was having some difficulty with it simply because of a "UE" issue (User Error). I had no previous experience with the more modern low-profile reels. Shortly after having purchased the Black Max, I also was blessed with obtaining to Revo STX-HS reels. But I digress and chase rabbits here...
Until a month ago, the Black Max had taken back seat to the Revos. I had seldom picked up the Black Max except to occasionally throw a bait and generally it was always the last thing I did before calling it a day. As a result of such a practice, I had never caught a fish using this set-up / combination.
Three weeks ago, I decided to re-spool the reel and replace the braid with 15# fluorocarbon. I had not had a very pleasurable experience using 12# braid on the Black Max and was willing to give something else a try. BTW, I do NOT recommend using a light weight braid line on the Black Max. Probably due to the afore mentioned "UE" issue but I always had a problem with braid on this reel. Anyway...
Shortly after replacing the line, I contracted Bronchitis bordering on pneumonia. The doc wanted me off my feet but cabin fever got the best of me. I grabbed the Black Max, a pack of ZOOM U-Tale Chartreuse-Pepper worms and headed across the street to the Retention Pond. Not being able to breath well should have made casting an issue but NOT with the Black Max and the new fluorocarbon line. Casting was smooth, almost effortless and a breeze. After a few minutes at the pond and I was rested and ready to come back home... then IT happened! (See the attached photo!)
Approaching my last few casts, I threw back to an area I had just pulled through and hit a "snag". I thought this was funny as there was no underwater structure there; at least none that I was aware of. I looked down at the reel to see if I had another "UE" issue. About that time I felt a small tug and turned the crank a couple of times and pulled back on the rod. When I did, all Hades broke loose! The end result was a personal best 4.75# largemouth bass... and with me sick with bronchitis!
I can tell you this. The Black Max held up to Abu Garcia's long history and tradition of dependability and durability. It pulled that hawg in like it was nothing and with me having breathing issues, too!
THIS IS WHY i ALWAYS HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL USE ABU GARCIA!
By the way... ALL of the rods & reels in the background of the photograph (behind me in the back of the vehicle) are Abu Garcia baitcasters and spincasters. With fish memories like this, why would I use anything else?!?!
Response from Abu GarciaAbu Garcia.February 20, 2012
Hi thanks for your response and review. Normally we recommend going to heavier pound test on braided lines (+20lb test) to fish on baitcast reels. The reason is braid is very thin compared to the monofilament/fluorocarbon lines you mentioned and it is very slick, so when you use light pound test it has a tendency to dig into itself on the reel. Braid is approximately 1/3 the diameter of monofilament and is much more limp so increasing the pound test wouldn't cause a problem by making the line stiffer. Often when fishing in heavy cover for bass, anglers will fish 35lb to 65lb braided lines like SpiderWire.
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Overall rating
5/ 5
Black Max 1 Beast
PostedJanuary 25, 2012
Fishinkayaks
from Owosso, MI
Age:25-34
Favorite type of fishing:Freshwater
Number of times fishing per month:5+
Owns a boat:Yes
Experience:Expert
Gear Feel (Smoothness)
5/ 5
Ergonomics
5/ 5
Casting Performance
5/ 5
Ease of Maintenance
5/ 5
Close
Nice Pike on the Shiawassee
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Decent Smallie
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One my buddy caught on his silver max.
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The river I fish when its really cold. I'm sure you can see how cold it is.
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One of my many 38 inch pike.
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Yet another toothy critter. Thank you Abu Garcia. Thank you.
I fish pike, musky, walleye and bass in Michigan. I'm always hunting the monsters. I still haven't found "The One." I've caught 5lb smallies and largemouth. I've Landed 10 lb eyes. My largest muskie... 38 inches, maybe 13 lbs. Pike, 38 inches about 12 lbs. I have yet to catch "The One," but, when i do my Abu Garcia Black Max will be there. I've had it about 2 years so far and I haven't done any maintenance whatsoever. Its always done everything I've asked of it. It may not have been there for my personal best walleye and muskie but it did land the smallie largemouth and pike. I've abused it in every way possible. Whether I'm running a big pike with nearly no drag, a complete accident, which i did remedy in time to land the Fat 36 incher. Or, I'm cranking the drag all the way up to drag lunker largemouth over logs and out of the thickest vegetation a person can fish. Thank you 50 lb power pro. I abused this reel, I've thrown 12 0z bulldawgs for muskie and tiny weedless weightless homemade minnowbaits for largemouth. Only because this reel casts anything like a dream. I always use 50 lb power pro braid. I've run the reel on an Abu Garcia Conlon and a Bass Pro Shops Bionic Blade, both of which are 6'6" medium heavy casting rods. This reel has performed flawlessly under any condition I've set forth. Now at the end of year 2 I'm finally taking her apart to lube everything and do some cleaning. Much needed cleaning, This thing was way dirtier than my more expensive bass pro shops reel which i recently took apart because the worm gear wasn't functioning properly. Oh yeah I also forgot to mention that I used this reel in the same mud creek, aptly named, that killed my bass pro reel. The bass pro reel was so covered in mud and muck and slime that it only lasted for half an hour on mud creek. My Abu lasted hours in the muck and slime, and caught me 30 inch dogfish after 30 inch pike after 30 inch dogfish, 2 of each that day. Only now months later am I beginning to clean it up. Oh yeah did i mention that I've used this reel in sub zero temperatures for hours at time? In the hundreds of hours I've used this reel I only have one complaint. I don't own enough of these reels.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Comments (1)
clement
donora pa.
awsom outfit
Posted April 4, 2012
man im an old cat, and when i got this reel i thought it was just me wanting to have a great price. i am on ss disabalty. and have to watch my funds. however this is one awsom combo. havent fished with it yet, but im doing ok in the yard. when it comes to fishing or longbow shooting. i can talk all day. take care my brother.
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Bought a Black Max last week on price, Handled two at a time 4lb. and 4lb. 4 oz. largemouth on an Alabama Rig on Saturday. Bought second Black Max today based on performance. Thanks for quality fishing gear. Mike.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Overall rating
5/ 5
Great reel for the money
PostedJanuary 16, 2012
Speardawg
from Boston, MA
Age:25-34
Favorite type of fishing:Freshwater
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
For under $50, I think this is the best baitcast reel for your money. This reel is versatile and has a smooth operation. I can smoothly cast any bait from a weightless worm to a deep diving crankbait with minimal adjustment. For anyone interested in trying a baitcast reel for the first time, the Black Max is easy to use and easy on the wallet.
