My only Abu has been a work horse and likely the first baitcaster I'd grab.....Orra sx.

Sorry about your troubles. 

Yeah, those mag brake only reels are not great. Try using higher viscosity oil in the spool bearings, or a Daiwa...

This thread is making me think that I should stick with my Abu Garcia Black Max. I like the reel very much, especially for a 40$ reel. Mine only birds-nests because I am still perfecting my casting technique.

There are 3 types of backlash, and 4 types of brakes.  

• The first is spool start-up overshoot.  Centrifugal brakes deal with this the best.  
• The second is wind backlash, which occurs in the middle of your cast as your lure is approaching its highest vertical point, and gravity is slowing it - mag brakes work best here - the same for wind and light lures.  
• The last backlash is over-run after your lure hits the water - thumbs take care of this.  
• The fourth brake type is spool tension, which is a constant load on the spool.  While spool tension can brake all 3 types of backlash, it costs the most cast distance.  

Thanks Bulldog, this is very useful info for a new baitcaster, not sure I've seen it explained like that before.

1 hour ago, TheBasslayer said:

This thread is making me think that I should stick with my Abu Garcia Black Max. I like the reel very much, especially for a 40$ reel. Mine only birds-nests because I am still perfecting my casting technique.

I gotta say, I have two Black Max’s and the only time I ever have an issue is on me, not the reel. I am NOT good at flipping or pitching lol. Other than that, both have caught many bass and I really have zero complaints. 

Just remembered my ALX was delivered with a copper shim under the cast/spool control knob that were undersized(too thin). You could tighten the knob completely down and it had zero effect on the spool. Abu said it was a known problem and promptly sent me shims. 

1 hour ago, GreenPig said:

Just remembered my ALX was delivered with a copper shim under the cast/spool control knob that were undersized(too thin). You could tighten the knob completely down and it had zero effect on the spool. Abu said it was a known problem and promptly sent me shims. 

 

The one I have is fine.  The cast control knob works out of the box as it should but I always set mine a little loose and stop the spool with my thumb. 

I have the ALX and had issues with birds nests. As another posted stated. I added the extra magnets and I am no longer having the overruns. I am getting ready to order another because of the big discounts on this model.  Thanks

This is interesting to me. I don't know how they specifically differ from the ALX, but I have three Revo SX's, and they cast fantastic. I've never had an issue on overruns on any of them? 

I have 4 ALX reels and have no problems with any of them. They are quite enjoyable to fish. Small, light and cast well.