Hey guys i'm new on here and relatively new to fishing. That being said, is a H2O mettle and H2O ethos an ok first set-up for someone on a tight budget? Anybody have any experience with either the rod or reel?

I have 3 of the mettle reels and a buddy that has the h20 rod both are great the reels have lifetime warranties and i have not had a problem out of mine had my reels probably 3 years now. I keep the clean and oiled. have fun

Thanks Jeffo21! I was Hoping they'd be semi-durable.ninhad no idea they had lifetime warranty!

That would be a great combo. I love my Mettle reels and I have played around with the Ethos rods and they feel awesome.

I just reeled in my first bass with the combo last night..3lbs! The rod is really light and pretty sensitive. The reel is smooth and casts good, but I'm backlashing some when throwing light Texas rigs. Great video Diggy. It makes me feel better about the purchase haha!

Bass_Fanatic, is it best to leave three of the centrifugal pins engaged like it came?

Gallowaypt if its your first baitcaster PUT ON ALL PINS until you get better with it

With the mettle, three pins engaged is pretty universal. You can still cast a mile and backlashes are minimal. Make sure you have your spool tension set right also. I wouldnt mess with it. Just go fishing and see how it does!

Thanks for the input Mathew. This is just my first combo that Isn't complete junk under $50. I think I'll leave 3 pins engaged like bass_fanatic suggested, and just cast weightless/light tackle with spinning gear.

Man i just now stripped a gear in mine, ive had it for 2 weeks but i kept the receipt so ill get another one

Wow that's no good. Hopefully you just got a defect. At least you know academy will replace it. They've done it a lot of times for me w/no receipt.

Yeah

yeah you dont have to have a receipt to return the mettlesits the the house brand but its always better if you do