I've gotten into bass fishing over the last few months and have purchased a Abu Garcia ProMaxx2 low profile reel. I'm trying to decide what my next reel purchase should be. I really like the Abu Garcia, and would like to stay with the brand, but I'm open to options. I'm looking for this to hold 15-20lb line, and heavier weighted lures.... Here is the big catch, I'm trying to stay under $100 dollars on it. Anyone have any suggestions on this one?
Baitcasting Reel
- Thread starter Soldierdan
- Start date
Abu Ambassaduer C3------made in Sweden---old school bulletproof---meets your specs and right around $100
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fish...nknown;cat104793480;cat104760180;cat104259780
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fish...nknown;cat104793480;cat104760180;cat104259780
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- Thread starter
- #3
Its extremely coincidental that this reel is on sale at the local Academy Sports. My only concern is the 3 bearing system? I'm fairly new to baitcasters, but I was under the impression that more bearings means smoother/better operation. Is this not the case?
Read the reviews at Bass Pro and Cabelas---these are about the only reels that get nothing but positive reviews. You can fix it yourself if something wears out ------I'm still using Grandpa's reel from the 60's---have a couple new ones too.
These are reels for a lifetime---not the plastic junk that wears out in year or two---plenty smooth---the real trick is matching your bait weight the line weight.
I've teamed mine with Ugly Stiks---not the most sensitive, but durable with a 7 year warranty.
These are reels for a lifetime---not the plastic junk that wears out in year or two---plenty smooth---the real trick is matching your bait weight the line weight.
I've teamed mine with Ugly Stiks---not the most sensitive, but durable with a 7 year warranty.
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- Thread starter
- #5
I have noticed that matching the weight is pretty important. The first couple times using the baitcaster were definitely learning experiences. I may have to give it a shot, that particular reel was going for $69.99 at Academy, and looking at the online prices, I dunno if I can pass it up.
I have reels from the 70's still working flawlessly. They are bulletproof. I clean and oil mine twice a season and they are good to go.
Be careful---they have a Chinese look alike that's not so much----make sure its a Swedish made C3
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- #8
I heard about that when I bought my ProMaxx2, checked these and they say made in Sweden... Plus I found Berkeley Cherrywood 6.5 ft medium casting rods for $7.99!
- Thread starter
- #9
I ended up going with the 5600C4, a little more pricey, but with a little practice I found it to be a great reel. That being said, I fished with it for 6 hours today and didn't catch anything but a light sunburn. Such is life I suppose.
Bass respect the old style bait casters, that's why old men always catch so many fish.
- Thread starter
- #11
Well, this one isn't as "space aged" as my ProMax2. Its actually pretty traditionally built. Let's just hope that today was a fluke.
Three good bearings are better than ten crappy ones. Husqvarna, Volvo, Abu-Garcia, need I say more.
- Thread starter
- #14
Just from yesterday's use, I find that I like the 5600 better than the ProMax, and it has 4 less bearings. I like the ProMax just fine, but it doesn't seem as well constructed. I looked into it, and found that while engineered in Sweden, its actually made in China. The 5600 is actually made in Sweden...
Sheesh, now you guys have me wanting a baitcaster.
- Thread starter
- #16
I really prefer it now that I have figured it out. The learning curve isn't too steep, and once I got the hang of it, the feel and casting difference is so much better.
I have heard that the new models are a huge improvement over the older ones, but I am still hesitant to try it. I have only ever used one on a boat where it was just a straight drop or abbreviated cast and a I still ended up with a couple of small birds nests in it throughout the day.
I do want to try one though and would love to conquer that skill.
- Thread starter
- #18
I got a few backlashes my first day out on the water with it, but overall, I was getting 20-30 yard casts fairly consistently. Some of the other models actually have an indicator to let you know when its about to backlash, but I didn't go for that. I figure that I'll just have to learn to do it right. I found that it works with heavier lures. The ProMax that I have is better for lighter lures, and regardless of its country of manufacture (China), it seems to do really well with plastic worms and the like.
- Thread starter
- #20
How does the anti-backlash work? I've never used it, just seen it advertised on reels.
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