A friend of mine is looking at getting her own rod & reel combo. She's been using my stuff and prefers my baitcasting setup over my spinning stuff.

Anyway, we hit walmart and Academy today and looked around. She was decided on a cheapo shakespeare baitcaster that walmart had for $29 but when we went to Academy we found a pinnacle combo for $59 that she liked a lot.

Anyway, I started looking online and found some stuff they have on sale. The best fit for her is Abu Garcia's Blue Max combo.

It's a 6'6" 1 piece medium heavy rod coupled with their blue max baitcaster. I didn't get to put my hands on it, but with a 6.2:1 retrieve ratio and a spool that can hold 160yds of 12lb line it seems like a GREAT deal for $39.99 (until sunday when the sale stuff changes).

Yes, we have a bass pro, but it's a drive and neither she nor I feel like going out there to shop. Academy is right around the corner for both of us, so please don't tell me "There's better stuff here or there" ..I already know that.

So, I'm looking for experienced opinions on this combo, or this reel itself. How do you (whichever member uses it) like it? What kind of line are you running and what kind of lures/bait do you use?

http://www.academy.c...<!--NoParse1-->

I haven't seen the blue max combo before but I do have 1 black max and 3 of the silver max combos and they have all been good to me. I know they aren't the best in the business but they work for me. I have 3 of them with 14lb mono and one with 50lb braid. So far they have handled everything I have thrown at them.

Good to know, thank you!

I have one Abu Garcia Black Max 2. The caster is amazing. It's actually one of my to go reel and rod. Its 80 dollars and you cant beat that for the price.

Maybe it's our lack of experience with low-profile baitcasters.... Maybe it's the reel itself.

Either way, we suffered from backlash hell. She had it lined with 10lb test from academy, it's clear, I'm betting it's either H20 Express or Stren.

I have the drag to max, and the adjustment wheel turned d**n near to tight. we've minimized backlashes, although casting has been an issue.

Maybe it's our lack of experience with low-profile baitcasters.... Maybe it's the reel itself.

Either way, we suffered from backlash hell. She had it lined with 10lb test from academy, it's clear, I'm betting it's either H20 Express or Stren.

I have the drag to max, and the adjustment wheel turned d**n near to tight. we've minimized backlashes, although casting has been an issue.

This is interesting........ I have been wanting to try a left hand baitcast reel for some time now, and my 15-18 year old Quantum EX200 needed to be replaced. My son and I went to Walmart today, and I picked up a left hand Black Max for $49.00 to try before dumping too much on a lefty and not liking it. Well this thing casts like a dream, long and smooth and the retrieve is very smooth. I spooled it up wit 30# Power Pro and think it is a fantastic reel for the money. I'm using it to throw 5" Senko's...........

I would guess there is a problem with your reel or it is not set up correctly.

Maybe it's our lack of experience with low-profile baitcasters.... Maybe it's the reel itself.

Either way, we suffered from backlash hell. She had it lined with 10lb test from academy, it's clear, I'm betting it's either H20 Express or Stren.

I have the drag to max, and the adjustment wheel turned d**n near to tight. we've minimized backlashes, although casting has been an issue.

Take a look at this thread to set up the reel properly. I haven't had any issues with mine.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/92295-how-to-set-up-a-baitcaster/

Hope this helps!!!

Thanks KyleK, but I've seen that vid, and know how to set one up. I'm thinking we need to step up to a larger line. it has a large spool and can hold a great deal of line. I don't think that 12 or 14lb trilene would be an issue.

I also noticed, there is no 'click' with the drag as with many other reels. Is this a 'new' thing with current day reels?

Sweet looking combo

Anything Abu is fine.

Go for it and don't get upset if she out-fishes you!

Thanks KyleK, but I've seen that vid, and know how to set one up. I'm thinking we need to step up to a larger line. it has a large spool and can hold a great deal of line. I don't think that 12 or 14lb trilene would be an issue.

I also noticed, there is no 'click' with the drag as with many other reels. Is this a 'new' thing with current day reels?

You need to spend more to get the indexed drag system.