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Most Recent Questions
Recent Question:
what wood be the best rod to pair this with i plan to use lures
Recent Question:
Zillion, Quantum Tour KVD, or Pflueger Patriarch.(or another you prefer in this price range)
Questions with Most Recent Answers
Question:
Is this a good real for flippin-n-pitchin?
Question:
what is a good rod to pair this reel with?
Question:
did anyone else get different handles than shown in the picture?
Question:
how is this reel compared to the pro qualifyer or the phluger president

Customer Questions & Answers for
Abu Garcia Abu Garcia® Black Max™ Series Baitcast Reels

Abu Garcia's Black Max Series Baitcast Reels offer the type of dependable performance and toughness that one would normally expect to only find in a reel costing two to three times more. Whipping up on the big boys is what these Black Max Series Baitcast Reels are all about, and Abu Garcia didn't cut any corners with these Swedish engineered Black Max low-profile reels. Designed with four ball bearings plus one instant anti-reverse roller bearing, MagTrax™ brake system, Duragear™ brass gears, cam lock, ADS (anti-distortion) waffle spool, 6.2:1 high-speed retrieve and a powerful disc drag system. Put your trust in the lightweight Black Max Series Baitcast Reels and you won’t be disappointed or overmatched! Features: Swedish engineered, low-profile Dependable, tough and ultra-smooth Four ball bearings plus one instant anti-reverse roller bearingMagTrax™ brake system Duragear™ brass gearsCam lockADS (anti-distortion) waffle spoolPowerful disc drag system 6.2:1 high-speed retrieve
Customer Questions & Answers:
15 Questions
 | 
31 Answers
Overall Rating:
3.99 out of 5
4
out of
5

Questions & Answers for Abu Garcia Abu Garcia® Black Max™ Series Baitcast Reels

Question
Do the guides still even out the line , or move from side to side when you hold the rod tip low?
I have a Shakespeare Xterra baitcasting combo and the guides will let my line buildup on one side of th reel.
asked 10 months ago
by
lizardfisherman
 - Goldsboro,NC
on Abu Garcia® Black Max™ Series Baitcast Reels
5 answers
Answers
answer 1
Yes the line lays evenly on this reel when you hold the rod tip low. I own a black max however and I do not recommend buying one. Casting distance is poor and one of the bearings went bad after less than half a season of use.
Top 500 Contributor
Top 500 Contributor
answered 2 months, 3 weeks ago
by
Flegel
 - Michigan
answer 2
I've never had a problem with the line laying poorly because of a rod, it's always the reel. I did have a problem with the plastic nut on the level wind breaking on this Black Max reel, though, but Purefishing CS was great and sent me a new one right away.
answered 3 months ago
by
JS80
answer 3
Your problem is the reel not the rod alot of the skhakesphere reel do that because they anrent the best quality and the line guide breaks really easiliy and gets stuck
Top 100 Contributor
Top 100 Contributor
answered 5 months, 2 weeks ago
by
bigfish1995
 - Council Bluffs IA.
answer 4
This reel will even out the line nicely on my uglystick and a berkley lightning. however, I did try it on an Xterra rod once and that was the only time i actually had a problem with it building up more on one side. because of this, I think that the rod is the one which makes it build up on one side.
Top 500 Contributor
Top 500 Contributor
answered 8 months ago
by
monstercatcher
 - Southeastern PA
answer 5
I haven't noticed any change in how I hold my rod relative to how it builds up, but I can tell you that this reel lays the line down really evenly on the spool always and I've never had problems with uneven line.
Best Answer
Top 25 Contributor
Top 25 Contributor
answered 9 months ago
by
Bassmacker
 - Texas
Question
whats a good reel for beggining baitcasting?
i want to start baitcasting reel and i am willing to spend $70. a quality reel would be nice. if i do get one how should i set it and what lb line should i put on it? Thanks
asked 10 months ago
by
theike122
 - St.Louis MO
on Abu Garcia® Black Max™ Series Baitcast Reels
4 answers
Answers
answer 1
On bps site go to the search thing and type in tournement pro and it is like a matte black reel and it is only $40 get a berkely lightning rod with it and you WONT be dissapointed
Top 100 Contributor
Top 100 Contributor
answered 5 months, 2 weeks ago
by
bigfish1995
 - Council Bluffs IA.
answer 2
shimano callisto was my first
and it worked good little on the loud side ofr casting but that could just be from how i have it set maybe to tight but i use it for rippin and crankin an i like it still use it handles bass great and pike no slips and has a true anti reverse i dont use any thing lighter than a 1/2 oz with it so if your using poppers or plastics then i wouldnt know how it handles them but with the right adjustments im sure your could get where you want it
answered 5 months, 3 weeks ago
by
slaynfillet
 - muskegon michigan
answer 3
I started out on Abu Garcia® Black Max™ Series Baitcast Reels. It is complicated at first but read up on your intrstuctions book. Do not be dicouraged it is harder then it looks; though it is deffantly worth it in the end. Buy a shorter rod for your reel at first to get the hang of casting. Starting with a heavey lure at a spot where you not going to get caught up. This will make it easyier. Do your homework on this, watch a video or two they help. Buy a cheap line at first because i garentee you will have alot of backlashes at first so dont go out and spend 20 $ in line. Keep it simple. Note. There are no brakes on that realy just a knob to turn that does the same thing. The best of luck to you.
answered 7 months ago
by
Anonymous
 - Elkridge, Maryland
answer 4
It is best to stick with the recomended size of line for the reel you buy. The majority of Baitcasting reels are rated for 12# test line. However most average anglers, not all, but most use 10# test because it is better suited for all types of fishing. Im not saying that 12# test won't work but most use a monofilament 10# test line like Stren or Trilene. -Envi3d
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Top 250 Contributor
Top 250 Contributor
answered 10 months ago
by
Envied
 - hendersonville Nc
Question
What exactly does the gear ratio numbers mean?
Example 6.2:1
asked 3 months, 3 weeks ago
by
DougO
 - Black Lake
on Abu Garcia® Black Max™ Series Baitcast Reels
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
The gear ratio on a fishing reel determines how many times the spool spins for each crank of the handle. For example, the spool on a 7:1 reel will spin 7 times for each crank of the handle. Most baitcast reels are geared between 5:1 and 7:1. A 7:1 is best for baits that need to be retrieved fast like a buzzbait. A 5:1 gives you the best mechanical advantage for pulling baits that put up a lot of resistance in the water like a crankbait or spinnerbait or to clear snags. The 6:1 is an intermediate ratio: best if you need something that can do it all.
answered 3 months ago
by
JS80
answer 2
It represents the amount of spool turns for one handle turn.
Ex.-
6.2 is how many times the spool turns.
:1 is how many times the handle turns.
answered 3 months ago
by
bassmember
 - Waxhaw, NC
Question
on this reel you reel with your right hand. Do any come that are left handed of this product?
asked 5 months ago
by
heavybass
on Abu Garcia® Black Max™ Series Baitcast Reels
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
Of course this reel comes in a lefthand version-- I own it. I'm right handed and use lefty reels; feels more comfortable to me, especially when switching off between baitcast and a light spinning reel setup.

In the bass pro website click on the view details/add to cart button and it will show you the different options for all their products.
answered 3 months ago
by
JS80
answer 2
I only use abu garcia brand and have not seen a lefty. however I myself am left handed and with the abu garcia have no problem using right handed.
answered 5 months ago
by
citedpanic
 - Wichita, Kansas
Question
Can anyone help me out please?
Does this reel hold 8lb test line and what size of rod would prefer?
asked 6 months ago
by
melybra72
 - Houston, TX
on Abu Garcia® Black Max™ Series Baitcast Reels
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
I have this reel and it will cast 8lb fine but if you have an overrun sometimes the line may get stuck in the gap between the spool and frame. This doesn't happen with line with a diameter over .014 or over so I usually just spool up with 12lb berkley big game.
answered 3 months ago
by
JS80
answer 2
heavier line always seems to work better for me 10 is would be my lowest you could spool heavy and lead light
answered 5 months, 3 weeks ago
by
slaynfillet
 - muskegon michigan
Question
I recently purchased the abu silver max series and was wondering what would be the best rod to match up with it for less than $60???
Note* I do prefer 2pc rods for convienance of travel and storage and from what research i have done, most casting/trigger rods are 1 pc. please help me.
asked 7 months ago
by
TimL
on Abu Garcia® Black Max™ Series Baitcast Reels
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
The Bass Pro Tourney special is really good for that price range and they have a 2 piece model.
answered 3 months ago
by
JS80
answer 2
I would try a Berkley Lightning Rod. Thats just a personal preference but I have used Lighning rods for years.
Top 250 Contributor
Top 250 Contributor
answered 6 months ago
by
rockinleo
 - Finger lakes NY
Question
What is this reel best suited for fishing? lure wize? (Bass fishing)
asked 8 months ago
by
BassBoy13
on Abu Garcia® Black Max™ Series Baitcast Reels
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
I have two of these reels and the best lure i find casting wise is a spinner or a buzzbaut! it does good with other stuff to like plastics swim baits and forgs ETC.
Top 100 Contributor
Top 100 Contributor
answered 5 months, 2 weeks ago
by
bigfish1995
 - Council Bluffs IA.
answer 2
I can cast just about anything from a tiny, light luckycraft pointer or a big castaic swimbait. hope this helps
answered 7 months ago
by
blackraven
 - Herndon, VA
Question
Does the Black Max come in a lefthand version ?
asked 8 months ago
by
Petecajun
 - Belgium
on Abu Garcia® Black Max™ Series Baitcast Reels
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
Yes it does, i just got one.
Top 250 Contributor
Top 250 Contributor
answered 8 months ago
by
2shots2bucks
 - il
answer 2
Yes, it does.
Top 25 Contributor
Top 25 Contributor
answered 8 months ago
by
fshrmn
 - ny
Question
8 & 10 lb. line capacity???
asked 9 months ago
by
YRRAL
 - FLORIDA
on Abu Garcia® Black Max™ Series Baitcast Reels
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
get 10 or braid i love braid at 20 lb
answered 2 months, 2 weeks ago
by
SuperZ
 - MISSION VIEJO, CA
answer 2
8lb - Almost 200 Yards; 10lb - 180 Yards
answered 8 months ago
by
RNGBTS2005
 - South Carolina
Question
Is this a good reel for crankbait fishing?
asked 10 months ago
by
lizardfisherman
 - Goldsboro,NC
on Abu Garcia® Black Max™ Series Baitcast Reels
2 answers
Answers
answer 1
I have two of these on cranking rods, and the only complaint I have about them is when they throw the lure too far. Seriously, I have slung a 1/2oz. Red Eye Shad on 15lb fluoro clear across a creek arm and had to go fetch it out of a tree. A good problem to have.
Top 50 Contributor
Top 50 Contributor
answered 6 months ago
by
Shadowgrass3
 - Livingston, LA
answer 2
yes you can make extremely long cast with it once you get the windage adjusted to the particular bait
answered 10 months ago
by
CajunBoy26
 - Warren,Ri
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