I need a cheaper reel to do a little topwater. Anybodt used the h2o express mettle?

I've heard that they are surprisingly well built for a store brand but I can't vouch for them. The BPS Pro Qualifier is the only store brand I readily recommend. What is your budget? There are clearance deals available on Citicas and some Revos and then there's always the Flea Market for good used stuff.

Heard nothing but good things about them. Id rather that than the black max. All aluminum and centrifugal brakes on the mettle makes it better IMO unless you need a LH then you will have to go blackmax

The Mettle is a great little reel. I love mine and for $50 your not going to find a better reel. Matter of fact, they go on sale occasionally for $25 and I load up on em! I have Curado B and E, Citica E, Pflueger Supreme, President, and Patriarch, and a Diawa Zillian an the mettle will outcast them all! I know it sounds stupid, but its true. I would say the Mettle competes with all $100 reels. It isnt quite as smooth as a Curado, but it will cast with it inch for inch. As you can tell, Im in love and so are most of my buddies. Around here, everyone uses them because they cannot be beat!

I want to spend 100-150 on whole setup for topwater, so a 50 dollar reel would be amazing, how long have yall had yall mettles for?

I want it to last a few years of use and how hard is it to clean? I clean my reels every week after i use them

I have one and love it. The centrifugal breaks are nice and it casts a mile. Plus it's really solid built and has a lifetime warranty I believe.

Man i am really thinking about one but i dont see many reviews like the black max has. For 50 dollars i think i eill try one to use for my topwaters.

The black max isn't really all that good from what I've read. The H2O Mettle is suprisingly well reviewed except every now and then someone complains of having a sideplate and or spool go flying off into the lake. No biggie. Just take the half of the reel you still have back to Academy and they'll give you new one that is still together.

I would listen to DVT. He is an expert on reels and works on them for a living. Find a better reel, new or used and get it at a discount. I see citicas for $60 to $80 that have been barely used. I got 4 Citicas E's for $75 each shipped to the door. They blow the socks off either of the reels you mention and can be upgraded for a few bucks into something comparable to a $200 reel. It'll last a lifetime. That said, if you can get the Mettle for $19.99 you'll get you money's worth.

I have 2 black maxs. The reels amazes me for the price. I cant complain about the reels I have. I have not heard bad things about the academy reel. If your pleased with it, go for it.

got 2 of the mettles i have had for about 3 yrs now thier great reels for the money with lifetime warranties on them

I looked at them today and opened them up! They seem really durable and brakes like shimanos and easy to clean

I have a Black Max that was given to me as a gift a few years ago and the Mettle is way better IMO.. Smoother,Cast further, feels better,ect..

I have had a few Mettles for 2-3 years that get fished alot with no issues. I do pull them apart when new and get the nasty black grease out of them and flush the bearings. But I do that to every reel I buy. And also clean/lube them a few times a year.

They just had them for $29.99 on sale a month or so ago. I bought 8 during Black Friday last year when they were $25 each. And I had 6 already. The only reason they all aren't Mettles is gear ratio. My 5-1 and 7-1's are all Pro Qualifiers..

Academy is great on returns and they have told me that any house brand reel or rod will always be warrantied. I also have a few of the Ethos rods. Great rod for the money, And if it does break then I can exchange it as long as it's not my fault it broke. Not gonna make a company pay for my stupidity, Even though they would without question..

If you google search forums for reviews on the mettle, you will definitely be swayed to buy one. Everyone seems to be raving about them and for good reason. They are very smooth reels, built solid and cast a mile. Plus, their warranty on it is top notch. The only drawback is that on fathers day they sold for $30 and occasionally go for $25 on sale which just is frustrating knowing they can be had for less if you're willing to wait.