So I had this reel lying around from a friend who bought it to give baitcaster a try and never really got into it. Well I cleaned that bay boy up super nice and put it on my 6' 6" Falcon Bucco Micro M/H that Wal-Mart basically gave to me just for kicks. I did not really have high hopes but it proved me wrong so far. I have been using it to throw stuff like spooks, poppers, buzz frogs/baits, even some hollow body frogs ect. Even though it only has the mag brakes it is a casting machine and I have literally been able to throw whatever I want and it keeps up with my other reels in casting. There is not really to much of a difference overall in distance yet. I have even thrown things like those Rebel poppers that weigh like nothing and baby spooks and mini buzz baits all with ease. I do have to use spool tension with it even though that is something I like never do except sometimes with the big swimbaits depending on the bait. The setup literally weighs almost nothing its like holding air in my hand. The Bucco is easily the lightest casting rod I own if not it really feels like it and the Black Max seems like it is the lightest reel even though I am not sure of the weights and it probably actually isn't. I think the graphite is tricking my mind into thinking it is because of the feel. So far I have not had any complaints with it except the thumb bar is hard to push down now and I will have to pop it open real quick and maybe clean it up a bit and add some grease or something but that is no biggie. A few times though I did smash a hookset and I for sure felt something twisting and I highly doubt it was the reel seat on the rod but I don't know since I have not tried another reel on it. I do have my doubts on how long it will really last with how I fish but I will try to give it extra special maintenance just because of what it is and see what I can get out of it.

 

I would say for someone who doesn't fish a ton or maybe even someone who wants to get a first casting reel it is not a bad reel at all. Although maybe if this is your first casting reel it might be a bit of a challenge with only the mags but they almost seem to work different then if say I only turned mags on with one of my Lews or something. I probably only cast so well with it just because of my thumb from doing it for years. Either way once you get that knowledge it will really bomb some baits and light ones at that.

Hello,

It's a nice reel for the money but I never really warmed up to mine, and traded it here for a 5000c.

Josh

Hello,

It's a nice reel for the money but I never really warmed up to mine, and traded it here for a 5000c.

Josh

 

Ya it seems pretty good for what it is. I am by no means singing its praises and about to change all my reels over to black max any time soon or ever lol. It just did much better then I had anticipated it would. 

i thought there was a good change it was going to be a dog right from the go but so far it cats and reels great. It also has quite a few fish under its belt already. I am sure it would be fine for some a little fishing here and there but anything much more then that and i am sure durability will becomes a issue. I am sure I will end up destroying it but then again i might try to put a little care into it and see what it will do and if it will last till winter just for kicks.

I think it will last.  My issue is that I'm just used to round reels and centrifugal brakes.  Even my round Abu Garcia 5600 MagTrax got upgraded to brake shoes and I hardly use the magnetic brakes as a consequence.

 

I'm 36 and have been fishing since I was like, two.  I don't recall my first fishing trip.

 

I'm sure the Black Max is an excellent reel for those younger fishermen or those new to the sport of bass fishing.  It didn't feel round enough to me and the braking felt funny

 

It will be interesting to see how long yours lasts.  I only took mine out a couple times.

 

Regards,

 

Josh 

 

(edited Sept 10:  Writing from the BlackBerry seems to insert "corrections" and change the whole meaning of sentences, sometimes...)

I did a complete clean of the thing before I even put it on a rod and only really did it with the intention of like a goof not expecting much. But as it turns out it cats great and is still super smooth. I think a lot of it has to do with the rod it is on right now then what the heck. I will keep using it. When i am holding it though I kind of feel like if I squeezed hard enough I could just crush it like a egg or something with it being all graphite. I am also sure it does not help its lifespan using braided like and hauling in fish with 5# of crap totally covering them so you have to dig the fish out. Then having all the crap soaked in your line and getting all over the reel. My braid reels get tore up quick and super dirty since it all sticks to the line and makes it way back to the reel.