Have any of you guys tied this setup? I'm think of putting 40lb Fireline Braid, on this reel for fishing heavy cover. Is this reel good for braid? I don't want to ruin the reel so I'm making sure it'll work before I try it.

Thanks,

It depends on how heavy the cover is. Graphite framed reels( such as the silver max) tend to flex when put under stress and then the gears won't line up correctly leading to some malfunctions.

ive used 20lb power pro on my silver max. casted and managed like a dream but now i dont really need to use braid til the weeds and such come back

I used 50lb PP on an Abu Black Max, basically the same reel I believe minus a bearing. Never had any issues with it. In fact, if I didn't take it completely apart and not be able to put it back together I would still be using it!!!

I used 50lb PP on an Abu Black Max, basically the same reel I believe minus a bearing. Never had any issues with it. In fact, if I didn't take it completely apart and not be able to put it back together I would still be using it!!!

Throw the bag-o-parts in with the c4 and I'll put it together and send it back for just postage.

I have on Blackmax as well and was using it for punching last season. I crossed a few 4+ pound fish's eyes with 65# braid and it seems to be fine. But I can't say that one season is enough to really tell... I don't think I'll have any problems with it though.

If you're unsure, just don't lock down the drag. You'll have a hard time getting 8-10 pounds of drag to slip if its capable of that. (I do have mine locked down but I got my Black Max for $10 so I'm not being careful with it) but it would allow for some slippage if you happen to give it a real good tug.

Throw the bag-o-parts in with the c4 and I'll put it together and send it back for just postage.

I'll tell ya what, if I can find it, I will throw it in there and you can just have it. I don.t even know if all the parts are there. I don't have a rod for it anyway, and don't need one, I have too many as it is!!

Cliff

go with at least 50 lb test.

I wouldn't worry about frame flexing.

Throw the bag-o-parts in with the c4 and I'll put it together and send it back for just postage.

That is an awesome offer! Good luck getting Bass Pro to offer you that!

That is an awesome offer! Good luck getting Bass Pro to offer you that!

Sure is, and it isn't the first time he has offered his expertise to me.

The bass in my avatar was caught on my sons silvermax/shakespear with 30# braid on a hollow bodied frog. dont plan on that reel lasting long if you use it in the slop.

Frame WILL flex drag WILL scream......it was sooo scary wont use it again

I don't think you can ruin any reels with braid, atleast i can't think of a way to. Your silvermax should work fine with braid, mine did for 2 years until i switched it to flouro.

The bass in my avatar was caught on my sons silvermax/shakespear with 30# braid on a hollow bodied frog. dont plan on that reel lasting long if you use it in the slop.

Frame WILL flex drag WILL scream......it was sooo scary wont use it again

Is that because there was so much weight on the line or because it was braid?

I don't think you can ruin any reels with braid, atleast i can't think of a way to. Your silvermax should work fine with braid, mine did for 2 years until i switched it to flouro.

actually the braid can burn a notch or groove in the eye of the levelwind on the cheaper reels.

Is that because there was so much weight on the line or because it was braid?

both. Levelwind grooved from weight and the braid together.