18 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Google "Anyone like the Garcia 1600 & 3600 reels".

 

I have something of a reel addiction myself.  Had been wanting to try a small round reel so when a package deal came up for three 1600C Black Max reels I jumped on it.  I was impressed at how well they cast.  I was able to cast a small fluke on a 3/0 hook straight into a pretty stiff wind.  Backlashed once when I cast too hard.  Not bad for a reel with no brake adjustments.  My understanding is there are brakes inside....if you want to tear the reel apart.  You won't like these small reels if you have a fat thumb.  Mine isn't fat yet takes up the whole spool width.

 

However, I do prefer my low profile reels better and now have a couple that will handle light weights as well as the 1600C does.  (Or maybe better.  )

you can put blue brake blocks in them, helps when casting lighter lures. or you can take out the brake blocks altogether and it will cast really great. just have to use thumb a little more. all of my black max's have no blocks in them. my pro max's have the blue blocks. 

New2bcforbass, the old round Black Max 1600 and 3600 Ambassadeurs are solid and the same general design as the Pro Max, just with fewer bearings. But their black finish lasts forever.  The ProMax came with gray paint that quickly flaked and scratched.  Their beat up external look turns a lot of guys off but I love their performance and mechanical durability and they can outcast a lot of modern low profile reels when used for light line applications.  I upgraded my spool bearings and changed the gearing to 6:1 versus the original 5.3:1.  The color of the 2 brake blocks on the side of the spool determine their weight.  White, black, blue, and fiber, heaviest to lightest. I use 2 black in mine. You can also go wth one block instead of 2 to affect the braking, no problem.

All bass baitcasting reels were round until Lew Childre invented the low profile BB1.

Today you have a choice and I use both, round for larger lures like swimbaits and big deep crankbaits where they excel and low profile for lighter weight reels and lures.

Tom

I love my round reels