Abu Garcia Max Pro Low Profile Baitcast Fishing Reel, MAX4PRO

I would recommend this reel to anyone. It is not a top-of-the line reel that a pro would use. But I think it is all the reel most people need. Personally, I would save the money and buy more baits! More below.I am a bass fishing enthusiast -- I fish every week and more if I can. I use all types of baits from soft plastics to topwaters to jerkbaits and crankbaits. I have fished them all on the PMax. This was my first baitcaster.I have since purchased and used a more expensive Abu Revo STX reel. The Revo is a higher-end reel that is widely used by experienced bass anglers. The PMAX is the fast gear-ratio model, and most expensive reel in Abu's "standard" or "entry" level Max series. I have looked closely at intermediate-priced reels. In the context of my experience with both reels:1. Feels very sturdy and well-made. Physically a solid reel. No sign of loosening, grinding, or any other negative attributes after several months of frequent use.2. Performs suitably for a bass fishing enthusiast, serious enough to fish at least weekly.3. Was fairly easy to learn on.To elaborate on points 1 and 2: after comparing with other more expensive reels, this feels every bit as sturdy, and perhaps even more. It casts a 3/8 or 1/2 oz jerkbait or crank a mile smoothly, and cranks smoothly. The drag is smooth, and the star clicks between settings precisely, like it does on a higher-end reel.I bought this reel not appreciating the importance of the brake and brake adjustment mechanism. If you are a rookie like I was - this is very important! Fortunately, the brake is very easy to adjust with just a turn of the adjustment dial. Not all reels have this type of easy adjustment dial, even some of the higher-end Abu Garcia reels. I found it's really important when you are learning to be able to make adjustments easily and quickly. I would not ever want to use a baitcaster without this feature.The more expensive reels have some more features. For example, the Revo has a sophisticated two-mechanism braking system that requires you to pop one side off the reel. For a hardcore angler this might be justified. The drags of more expensive reels also have a higher braking capacity than this does. This might come into play if you are catching monster stripers or huge catfish. But the drag is more than adequate for bass fishing. They might be made of more advanced and somewhat lighter materials - but this reel is still very light.The braking response of the PMax is not so different that it would justify spending much more on a reel. I don't see why a fairly serious freshwater angler for bass, walleye, or other game species less than about 10 lb or so would ever really need a higher-end reel. I can't imagine ever "replacing" this reel and taking this out of my arsenal of gear.The 7:1 gear ratio picks up slack on topwaters and jerkbaits quickly, but I also fish crankbaits on it without problems.I was coming from spinning reels, and had never used a baitcaster before this one. I found this reel fairly easy to learn on. My "teacher" has been You-tube videos and trial and error. I found that I backlashed quite a bit in the first week, but after some practice and adjusting the setup a bit, I was doing just fine and within two weeks was consistently casting 3/8 oz and 1/2 oz lures further than I can with any spinning setup. Backlashing was not the reel's fault - it was a matter of learning.I would not hesitate to buy this reel -- for a beginner looking for more bearings and a higher gear ratio, or for a permanent spot in the toolbox of a serious fishing enthusiast.

Sorry for the face down pic in the grass - I was too excited. This thing is my first work horse and couldn’t be happier. Had it for over a year now and it has seen some abuse as you can see from the pic. The casting is great on it and it’s got that tick sound when adjusting that people like. Reels nice and fits in my hand well which was something I was searching for when picking out a bait caster. It seems like they’re all made for big meaty man hands as if some men and women don’t inherit their mom’s little lady hands? Didn’t what to go with the profishiency mini one cuz I ain’t no chump. Def thought about it tho lol. Learned how to use a bait caster with this and I thought it’d be harder since all the spinning reel guys laugh and cry when a bait caster is brought up. It must’ve been too hard for their pretty little spinnin selves. Overall it’s worked great for this long and holds the normal amount of line you’d need for the majority of fresh water fishing. Caught me some of the biggest, sharelunker worthy, bass pro hotline callin bass and never gave any trouble. S**y little white bait caster.

Good quality budget bait caster. I am not a die hard fisher, but for the occasional weekend warrior, this is eveyrthing you need.

I purchased this for an inshore reel to fish in Northern Florida. I really prefer bait casters and wanted one that I could use to teach my wife and sons how to cast them.This reel has been around and has strong following so I was expecting to get a great reel - and so far it is.I bought a leftie - even though I'm right handed. I just find it faster to cast and retrieve without switching hands. My big surf casting reels are right handed but in small reels this feels more natural.SHIPPING: Arrived quickly with no issues. Abu box with spec sheet. Neither tools nor oil.LINE SPOOLING AND LAY: I put electrical tape on the spool to prevent braid spin. It was easy to spool and the line lay was nice an even. The leveler mechanism is very smooth. I used 40 lb braid - because it's what I had - but I recommend something lighter because I really think it affects my casting distance.CASTING: Casts great. Really, really, great. I broke it in with a 1/3 Senko worm, no weight, on a day with a little wind. The adjustable magnetic casting brake is indexed (clicker) really easy to use. Start at maximum and keep it dropping down the magnetic force until you backlash, then back it up. I also use the mechanical spool brake to dial in exactly where I want it. Both the spool brake and the drag star are indexed as well (this is HUGE and the main reason i picked this one over the Black Max). I've been casting for years so I'm not a good test, but my wife and 13 year old son, neither of whom had ever used a bait caster, were casting within 5 minutes - backlash free. Obviously the magnets steal some distance, but as you learn, you back it off. Thumb bar release is very smooth and easy to engage.RETRIEVE: I wanted a reel fast enough to throw spoons for Spanish Mackerel - and I got one. Very fast and very smooth. I don't count bearings - many inferior reels have a high bearing counts, but this one just feels great.DRAG: Feels smooth with no hitching or jump starts but I've only pulled it by hand because I haven't caught a decent fish on it yet. As previously mentioned, the drag is indexed. I love this feature because it keeps your drag from getting accidentally bumped, or, if it does, you're more likely to notice it.