For the angler looking to get into bass fishing, the gear options can, no doubt, be overwhelming. There’s so much to choose from. Take the fishing lure market alone, for example, with its dozens of lure profiles and hundreds of variations in size, color, and weight. Add to that lines, rods, reels, and everything else — you can get off in the weeds pretty quick. The Abu Garcia Max Pro Casting Reel stands out, because it’s a no nonsense easy pick for an angler looking to elevate to a baitcaster for less than $100.
Abu Garcia Max Pro Casting Reel Specs
- Retrieve: Right and left
- Gear Ratio: 7.1:1
- Line Capacity: 12 pounds/120 yards
- Weight: 7.4 ounces
- Bearings: 7+1
- Max Drag: 15 pounds
Key Features
- Compact bent handle with soft touch knobs
- Recessed reel foot
- One-piece graphite frame
- Graphite side plates
First Impressions
When I first pulled the Max Pro from the box, I noticed the rubbery knobs on the handle right away. These “soft touch” knobs are described by Abu Garcia as being “co-molded”, which just means that there are two different materials used: a more rigid knob that connects to the handle with a softer material layered on top.
The reel also felt like an Abu Garcia reel. This is because the reel has the smaller side plate opposite the reel handle, similar to the REVOs and other reels manufactured by Abu. This design feature makes an Abu reel much easier to palm than it would be if the side plate was the same size as the handle side of the reel. This takes intentional effort and is a bit of an engineering feat to move most of the inner workings of the reel away from the palm side plate.
Easy to Use
I’ve already alluded to who I think this reel is particularly good for, that being a novice bass angler looking to level up to a casting reel. But it’s not just the price tag of $89.99 that makes this a good buy for an angler’s first baitcaster, it’s also the ease of use.
The Max Pro is a very easy reel to use. It has three adjustments: the drag, the spool tension knob and the brake control. And while all reels have these three main adjustments, not all of them are as easy to use. Some braking systems require the removal of the sideplate in order for the angler to adjust them. This can be a confusing and cumbersome endeavor, even for anglers with a good bit of experience adjusting baitcasters.
The Max Pro however has a simple to use, easy to understand external brake control that allows you to add more brake (by rotating the dial towards “Max”) or take brake away (by turning the dial in the other direction). Start by turning the brake about halfway and then back off a little or tighten it a little as needed.
What Abu Did Right With the Max Pro Reel
I recently tested several sub-$100 casting reels in a side-by-side comparison and found that the Max Pro won out in one area in particular: the max drag. With 15 pounds of max drag in Abu’s Power Disk drag system, this is a beefy little reel capable of going toe to toe with pretty big fish in heavy cover.
Although Abu only offers one gear ratio in the Max Pro, it is the right one at least at 7.1:1. Several casting reels priced below $100 are geared too slow for my taste. There are several other reel options out there with gear ratios in the 6.2:1 to 6.8:1 range. These slower reels make it difficult to fish buzzbaits, Ploppers and other moving baits effectively.
And, no matter what the bait is, when you get a bite using a slower reel it can be really hard to catch up to the fish on the hookset, which often leads to a poor hookset and a lost fish. Offering a 7.1:1 gear ratio in right and left hand retrieves sets the Max Pro apart from a lot of the cheaper, slower reels.
Nuts and Bolts
Abu went with a graphite side plate, which is the same trend we’re seeing from many companies now. But, where others often use aluminum frames, Abu also went with a one-piece graphite frame for this Max Pro. For what it’s worth, I honestly can’t tell one frame from the other when swapping back forth between reels — the graphite frame is as strong and capable as the aluminum ones.
They say this shift to a graphite frame was intended to lighten the reel as a whole, but it’s still on par or even a little heavier than some of its competitors with the metal frames. So, the graphite frame isn’t really a big deal to me one way or the other, but it’s emphasized enough in the marketing that I thought I should touch on it.
The machined double anodized aluminum spool is top notch. The 7+1 bearing system makes for a smooth casting reel. The recessed reel foot brings the reel in tight to the rod blank, further increasing the ease of palming this reel and its comfortability. And the bent handle and turned in drag star further reduce the overall profile of this reel, making it a compact little powerhouse of a baitcaster.
The Abu Garcia Max Pro On the Water
This reel is extremely easy to cast. I threw a handful of lures on it ranging from a 1/4-ounce finesse jig on fluorocarbon to a 1/2-ounce spinnerbait on braid. It handled both the light and heavy baits well and was again easy to adjust using the externally controlled MagTrax brake system.
My best catch on it came as I was fluttering a spinnerbait by a piece of wood in fairly muddy water. The bait had made it almost back to the boat when a 3 1/2-pounder hammered it.
Out of pure instinct I turned the handle of the reel a couple times and flipped the bass straight in the boat. With bass in hand and a moment to reflect back, I really appreciated the capability of the Max Pro. On the hookset, the Power Disk drag system held tight and the soft touch knobs stayed locked between my fingertips.
With a retail price right at $90, the Abu Garcia Max Pro Casting Reel is a solid reel choice. There are a few I like just a smidge better if you step up another $10 to the $100 reels, but at or below $90 I haven’t found any that I like better than the Abu Garcia Max Pro. This reel is a great choice for a young angler or newcomer to the sport, and I figured as much when I made my first cast with it.
I was surprised, however, to find out how capable this reel is and how good of a fit it would be for even a seasoned angler looking to add another reel or two to the rod box. I’ve definitely fished with several reels north of $200 that are more capable, but this one is 80% to 85% as good as many of those for less than half the price. The Max Pro is a solid reel from Abu that I think you’ll be pleased with if you decide to give one a try.
