Abu Garcia Pro Max Low Profile Baitcasting Reel Review
by Chris Riley Updated on February 19, 2021. In Fishing
Any fisherman who uses a baitcaster reel knows that Abu Garcia makes arguably the best baitcaster on the market today. Abu Garcia makes a variety of baitcaster models, including the Ambassadeur, Revo, and Black Max models, just to name a few.
Today, we’re going to focus on the Pro Max model and dissect the ins and outs of this baitcaster.
About the Abu Garcia Pro Max
The Abu Garcia Pro Max is a low-profile baitcaster reel that is made of aluminum, graphite, and stainless steel. It is one of the more affordable Abu Garcia baitcaster reels, but that doesn’t mean it lacks features. We’ll break the features down on this Abu Garcia baitcaster a little later.
Why it Stands Out
The Abu Garcia Pro Max stands out because it is made of quality materials, affordable, and made with the MagTrax Brake System. The two knobs on the handle of the rod are made of EVA foam that gives you a comfortable yet firm grip.
When you get down to brass tacks, the price of the Pro Max is what makes this baitcaster stand out to us among similar Abu Garcia reels.
Specifications
- 46 lbs
- Aluminum handle
- Stainless steel bearings (7 ball bearings + 1 roller bearing)
- Duragear brass gear
- MagTrax Brake System
- EVA handles
- Double-anodized aluminum spool
The History of Abu Garcia
Abu Garcia is a Swedish company that was founded in 1921 and was primarily a watch, telephone timer, and taxi meter manufacturer until World War II slowed the production and demand for taxi meters. This led to Abu Garcia shifting its focus to developing outdoor equipment, specifically, the fishing reel. In 1941, Abu Garcia invented its first reel.
By the 1950s, Abu Garcia had created reels in all categories. They created the company’s first spinning reel in 1955, called the ABU 444, and by 1965, they had created the Cardinal Series of spinning reels. During this time, the Ambassadeur models are created and continue to remain a popular model today.
Pros
- Affordable
- Smooth reeling
- Easy castability
- Made of quality materials
- Large spool capacity
Cons
- Slightly more side-play than other Abu Garcia reel options
Things to Consider Before Buying a Low Profile Reel
The reel you choose will need to have efficient drag, braking, and line capacity, to name a few. We’ll explain why these are important considerations you should make before buying a low profile reel.
Adjustable Drag
The drag on your reel is important because it will allow you to fight the fish without breaking your line if the line becomes too tight when reeling. Choose a low profile reel with an adjustable drag so that you can set the tension in the line to as tight or as free as you need.
Line Capacity
You’ll want to consider the line capacity of the reel if you will be fishing for fish that often run when hooked, like trout or salmon. This can cause your line to quickly unspool, so make sure you have a reel with sufficient line capacity for these situations.
Number of Ball Bearings
The ball bearings in the reel will determine the smoothness and hooking capabilities of the reel. You will want to choose a reel that has a high number of ball bearings, as the more ball bearings in the reel mean you have a better chance of setting the hook and reeling it in smoothly.
Features and Benefits of the Abu Garcia Pro Max
As we mentioned earlier, there are many features and benefits that make the Pro Max one of the best options available by Abu Garcia.
MagTrax Brake System
The MagTrax Brake System is one of Abu Garcia’s claim to fame. The MagTrax Brake System is found on all Max Series reels.
The MagTrax Brake System has full control of the speed of the spool. This helps prevent backlash from occurring when cast.
8 Ball Bearings
The 8 ball bearings on the reel (7 ball bearings and 1 roller bearing) make the reel smooth and easy to pull back when setting the hook.
EVA Knobs
The two knobs on the handle are made of EVA foam, which are comfortable and easy to hold. This makes reeling easy and efficient after setting the hook or retrieving your line.
Conclusion
The Abu Garcia Pro Max is the low-profile baitcaster reel you will want to choose if you are looking for an affordable reel that is smooth, comfortable, and effective. The ball bearings and MagTrax brake system combined with the cost are what make this reel a great option among Abu Garcia reels.
Categories: Fishing
4 Comments
Mark Stephenson on August 15, 2021
Is this model a good choice for someone learning to use a baitcaster?
ISAAC DAVILA on August 19, 2021
The black max is better to use for learning to use a baitcaster. It is way cheaper and you can beat the hell out of it. I still got my first baitcaster, which is the black max. I’ve actually had four of them over the years. They’re just that good of a reel.
Danny York on May 29, 2022
For the money, I’d say the black max is best baitcasters you can buy for bass, and like wise fish. Piscafin “torrent” being only competition I’ve ever found for money these are the 2 best baitcasters for the money. I have a reel that cost 349.00$ and only out casting them maybe a tic, I’d rather have the other 2!!!
JOHN PARRISH on July 3, 2022
Black max reel is fantastic! Have 2 and one is 10 yrs old and used for shark fishing! Catching 4-6 ft bonnet sharks