Is the Abu Garcia black max 2 a good reel? Someone gave it to me for a gift and I'm wondering if it's a good baitcast reel. Also does it cast far and is it smooth? What kind of line would you put on it? Thanks

It's a great reel! I have a couple of them. They cast pretty far. I use one for weightless Senkos. That one has 10lb fluoro and I have another with 65lb braid. 

I too have a black max 2. 

 

I work it hard too, every time I fish.  It's on my dedicated shallow-medium crankbait rod...and I love to power fish.

 

 

I have 3 and they work great with braid, fluoro and mono 

Use whatever line you want.  For us to make a suggestion it would require knowing rod power/action, techniques you will be fishing, cover, etc. and even then it would be a personal preference with 10 guys more than likely giving you 10 different suggestions. 

 

Congrats on the reel.  Sounds like you will like it.  I've a few Abus. but not that model, and mine are older models.  They have been good reels for me.

Great workhorse reel. I use it to practice casting in my yard. Thousands of casts later it still going strong.

On 5/17/2017 at 7:44 AM, new2BC4bass said:

Use whatever line you want.  For us to make a suggestion it would require knowing rod power/action, techniques you will be fishing, cover, etc. and even then it would be a personal preference with 10 guys more than likely giving you 10 different suggestions. 

 

 

this

Short answer: Yes.

 

I picked one up new for $30 last year as a dedicated early season crankbait reel. So far so good.