I don’t really know why I’m asking about baitcaster since I haven’t caught a bass yet but I guess I’d like to know ahead of time!

There are a TON of threads on this.  The majority of reviews are positive.

1 minute ago, J Francho said:

There are a TON of threads on this.  The majority of reviews are positive.

Oh I should’ve looked first sorry

Your not going to find a better sub $50 bait caster.  I bought mine as my first bait cast combo almost 4 years ago and it still ticking after tangling with a 28 inch flat head.  Cheap to up grade also, lots of after market stuff available.  I upgraded the bearings just to red barrons and it casts a mile now and feels a lot better when reeling 

1 hour ago, Fisher0517 said:

I don’t really know why I’m asking about baitcaster since I haven’t caught a bass yet but I guess I’d like to know ahead of time!

 

Spend more time fishing and less time asking questions about gear and you just might be able to fix that.

My buddy uses his and its about 5 years old now no issues I wasn't huge fan I did like the silver max except I kept somehow hitting that dang flip button and short casting haha 

 

21 minutes ago, galyonj said:

 

Spend more time fishing and less time asking questions about gear and you just might be able to fix that.

I expect my royalty check soonest....  

1 hour ago, Mbirdsley said:

I upgraded the bearings just to red barrons

4 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

I expect my royalty check soonest....  

 

I just put it in the mailbox, bro.

4 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Olive oil might be a tad too viscous...  

5 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Now I’m hungry 

It is good for my friends but not good enough for me. 

13 minutes ago, galyonj said:

 

I just put it in the mailbox, bro.

Hate to be pushy, but the "Is it Topwater?" T-shirts aren't selling as well as I'd hoped...

5 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

Hate to be pushy, but the "Is it Topwater?" T-shirts aren't selling as well as I'd hoped...

 

That's a shame. Things are tough all over, though. What can you do, you know?

I've never used one, but the Black Max and the Silver Max seem to be good, entry level bait casters. We sold a ton of Silver Max's (slight upgrade from the Black Max) when I worked at BPS. I don't remember ever taking one back.

I have one and I've caught lots of fish on it. I use it for my cranking setup. Caught my PB smallmouth on it. Heck I caught my PB Walleye on it too now that I think about it. Its not fancy but it does what any decent baitcaster combo should do. It works. Time and time again, it works. I happen to like the mag brakes and all of my baitcasters, even the higher end ones, have mag brakes. I can bomb a cast as far as I possibly can with it and never touch my thumb to the spool. It took a bit of time but I got it dialed in perfect minus small changes for lure weight differences. 

 

For the price I do not think there is a better option. 

I learned to use the baitcaster with one. It's the most rickety reel I've ever used, the handle wobbles side to side a bit, the brakes aren't the best but it works and while it doesn't see as much use due to owning several better reels, it still works just fine. And it may be good if you are looking to learn, because it will force you to properly train your thumb and make good casts alike.

On 4/23/2021 at 11:45 AM, BaitFinesse said:

You can't "whip" them on the cast and to me thats just a poor compromise to deal with an inferior brake system.

I think I know what you are trying to say, but if reading this literally well that's not exactly right.

 

What I find is I like magnetic brakes better for heavier lures as slow on startup is not only not an issue for heavier lures, but welcomed.