M MAXIMUMCATCH Maxcatch Fly Fishing Reel with CNC-machined Aluminum Body Avid Series Best Value - 1/3, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, 9/10 Weights(Black, Green, Blue) review and price compare 2025
you can compare the product price from Costco, wayfair, bestbuy, lowes, target, homedepot, Walmart, ebay, amazon to find the best price for you
you can compare the product price from Costco, wayfair, bestbuy, lowes, target, homedepot, Walmart, ebay, amazon to find the best price for you
Product overview
Brand
M MAXIMUMCATCH
Material
Aluminum
Hand Orientation
Ambidextrous
Color
Fly Reel Blue
Item Weight
0.4 Pounds
Fishing Line Type
Fly
Bearing Material
Stainless Steel
product features
THREE-YEAR-WARRANTY – we as a 15 years fly reel factory, offer “No Hassle” warranty for all our reels. If you are not 100% satisfied with our reel, you can return it in any time.
Patent Pending DRAG DESIGN - One revolution drag knob with Patent Pending hidden drag knob screw. Engraved with numbered settings
SMOOTH and RELIABLE DRAG - Hybrid cork and teflon disc and stainless steel disc drag system with one-way clutch bearing provides smooth, immediate drag engagement. Finely machined and knurled metal screw caps can loosen the spool and easily change settings from left to right hand retrieval
Mid-ARBOR SPOOL and Super Light housing design - A perfect balance between backing capacity and rapid line pickup. And also reduced line memory. Reinforced spokes cutting for lightest weight while strong enough for fighting the monsters
DURABLE CORROSION RESISTANCE - CNC-machined 6061-T11 aluminum alloy for high-impact durability and Hard Anodized Surface for corrosion resistance under all conditions.
Product Description
CNC-machined 6061-T15 aluminum alloy for high-impact durability
Left hand retrieve reel. Interchangeable to right retrieve.
5 Colors Available
Spare Spool Available
5 Sizes Available
Maxcatch AVID Fly Fishing Reel
CNC-machined, 5 colors available
Hard Anodized Surface for corrosion resistance under all conditions
Patent Pending DRAG DESIGN - One revolution drag knob with Patent Pending hidden drag knob screw. Engraved with numbered settings
Hybrid Cork and Teflon Disc and Stainless Steel Disc Drag System with One-way Bearing for Smooth,Immediate Drag Engagement.
Hidden Drag Knob Screw
Unique Patent-Pending Anti-Rust and Dustproof Design
Simple Retrieve Conversion
One-way Roller Clutch Bearing for Immediate Drag Engagement and Simple Retrieve Conversion.
Corrosion Resistant
Fully Machined 6061-T6 Aluminium&T2 Anodized Surface for Strong and Corrosion Resistant.
3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/12wt
3/5wt, 5/7wt, 7/9wt
waterproof box+120pcs flies assortment
20lb/30lb, 100yd/300yd
7.3''x 3.9''x 0.6''
2wt/ 5wt
product description
product details
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
Package Dimensions : 4.2 x 4.2 x 3 inches; 6.4 Ounces
Date First Available : November 28, 2016
Manufacturer : M MAXIMUMCATCH
ASIN : B01MZZG9SC
important information
you can compare the product price from Costco, wayfair, bestbuy, lowes, target, homedepot, Walmart, ebay, amazon to find the best price for you
Questions about M MAXIMUMCATCH Maxcatch Fly Fishing Reel with CNC-machined Aluminum Body Avid Series Best Value - 1/3, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, 9/10 Weights(Black, Green, Blue)
Q:
What wt. Line comes with the 5/6wt reel & line combo? I would like 6wt line.
Answer: Buyer beware, I ordered this combo with enough time for a trip and they didnt send the backing line, fly line, tapered lines. I had to buy them separately from a fly shop. Maxcatch did not want to compensate me for the extra purchase I shouldn't have made. After emailing a couple of times, they sent it about 3 weeks later.
Answer: I'm not sure, both weight lines will work, my guess is that it will be 6wt. Call or email the manufacture to be sure.
Answer: Wf6w with 20lb backing.
Answer: wf6w with 20lb backing.
Q:
Is a case included ?
Answer: Just a cloth pouch
Answer: No but a material bag was
Q:
Do you have the green in 5/6?
Q:
Is there any type of warranty?
Answer: Their website shows a 3 year warranty.
Answer: 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
Q:
How do you order the weight reel you want? The option isnt here that i can find.
Answer: The rod, reel and line should match, so if you own the rod, such as a 3/4 wt, then purchase a reel that is 3/4 wt and line that is 3 or 4 weight. Most rods are marked with recommended wt for reel and line.
Q:
Can you put a spare 3/4wt on a 1/3wt reel?
Answer: If you are talking about a spare spool I would say no -- the reel frames are different sizes.
Answer: No. The reel dimensions are different.
Answer: As far as the Avid series reels go, the answer is NO. The reels are different sizes.
Answer: No. Reels are different sizes
Answer: Yes
Q:
Do you have to reel in with your left hand or your right hand?
Answer: Set up for left hand, but I think It may be changed. I reel with either hand. It doesn't matter to me.
Answer: Mine reels on the left hand but not sure if it can be changed. I prefer left hand reel.
Answer: Hi, This reel is interchangeable.
Answer: This is a nice light weight reel, can't beat the price. I use this reel for my smallmouth fishing on my Sage Z-Axis 6 weight. Love this little reel.
Answer: It should be interchangeable.
Q:
How can you go about getting replacement parts for these reels ive tried the customer service email and have gotten no response
Answer: Have not needed repairs
Q:
Are the stated backing length in feet instead of stated yds because I can't get even close...anyone else find the same?
Answer: It is indeed 90 foot.
Q:
Is there a way to improve the drag for freezing temps (ex. Change grease)? Mine seems to occasionally slip when cold. I bought it for ice fishing.
Q:
Is the reel ok for saltwater
Answer: Absolutely but like any equipment used in saltwater you should try to keep it clean when not in use by rinsing it with fresh water.
Q:
The website video states that the 5/6 Maxcatch Avid is set up as right-hand retrieve from the manufacture. Is that true?
Q:
What is the purpose of the hidden screw in the drag knob?
Answer: It allows you to remove the drag knob (which I only recommend if you are disassembling the reel to clean it after having used it in salt-water.
Q:
where doe thi ship from?
Q:
Will you be getting more 3/4 wt spools in?
Answer: thank you for your question. We will add more spool in future. Maxcatch Team
Q:
Has anyone used the 9/10 weight reel on a Spey rod?
Answer: Yes It will work fine
Q:
how much backing should I install with a 75' 5we line?
Answer: Should hold 50-75 yards of 20 lb dacron
Answer: It depends on the line.
Q:
What is the hidden drag knob screw for?
Answer: If you mean the cross drilled holes in the knob at 90 degrees apart, those are a knob assembly part. They are essentially set screws holding the knob to an internal part so that you don't have a protruding screw that you will catch on things like fingers.
Q:
I have a 4/5wt rod which size reel should I pair it with?
Answer: It will work great with a 4 or 5wt reel. That is how they are sold. 4/5wt The reel is very lightweight and has a solid easy to use drag.
Answer: If you are going to use 4wt.line with a rod 8'6" or less use the 3-4 reel. If you are going to use a 5 wt.line on a rod 8'6" or longer, use the 5-6 reel.
Answer: the 3/4 or 5/6 either one will work just fine
Answer: 5/6 wt would probably be best.
Q:
Can you buy spare spools for the reels?
Answer: Yes you can. I have.
Q:
How many ft total for line does the 1-3wt avid reel hold? It’s says wf2f+90ft?
Answer: A “regular” Weight Forward line and 90ft. of backing.
Q:
How do i get replacement parts? Customer service has not responded from website in 3 weeks
Answer: I ordered two spare spools direct from their website. It took about a month to get them but they did arrive. They provided tracking numbers so I knew they were on the way. Shipped direct from China.
Q:
Is the Avid reel still available in 1-3wt?
Q:
I would like to contact technical support or company specialist ,my product arrived with 4 very small tiny washers in box probably felt off
Q:
What is the diameter of these reels? Especially 5/6 wt?
Answer: thank you for your question, we will add the relevant information in the listing soon. Avid 5/6 for 5-6 weight line , 4.6 oz. , 3.35'' dia
Answer: They're about 3.5-4 inches across. Absolutely love this reel. it's very smooth and definitely is a great reel for the price.
Q:
is this Fully-Sealed reel ?
Answer: It is a freshwater reel. For fully-sealed reel, we recommend our Sparta fly reel or out Sprint fly reel to you.Both the two reels are fully sealed and 100% wareproof.
Answer: No, it is not fully sealed. It’s a great reel and a great value. It’s primarily a freshwater reel, I use mine for trout, bass and panfish. I do know people who use theirs in saltwater, but they do a lot of maintainence.
Answer: Dave is correct, great freshwater reel. Drag is very smooth, especially for this price point , but it is not a sealed drag .
Answer: No, this is not fully sealed. Good freshwater reel for trout and panfish.
Q:
How do I remove the screw to adjust drag?
Answer: I’m not totally sure what your asking here. The drag is adjusted by spinning the nob on the back of the reel. You shouldn’t need to remove any screws.
Q:
Can it be used for saltwater?
Answer: I csn see no reason why you couldn't. Materials are salt water safe. You should rinse off your reels after you use them in saltwater, ss a practice
Answer: I’m using it for salt water.
Answer: Yes, I do!
Q:
So the reel comes pre-loaded with backing and line????
Answer: The backing and fly line comes on spools, you must load it yourself.
Answer: Nope
Answer: Negative.
Q:
What wt. Line comes with the 5/6wt reel & line combo? I would like 6wt line.
Answer: Buyer beware, I ordered this combo with enough time for a trip and they didnt send the backing line, fly line, tapered lines. I had to buy them separately from a fly shop. Maxcatch did not want to compensate me for the extra purchase I shouldn't have made. After emailing a couple of times, they sent it about 3 weeks later.
Answer: I'm not sure, both weight lines will work, my guess is that it will be 6wt. Call or email the manufacture to be sure.
Answer: Wf6w with 20lb backing.
Answer: wf6w with 20lb backing.
Q:
Is this in stock and shipped from the USA?
Answer: Not sure. I ordered an extra spool and it was shipped from china.
Q:
Is this a reel and spool together?
Answer: one spool comes with it on the reel
Answer: Yes the reel comes with a spool. What is depicted in the image is what I received (the reel and spool). Not an extra spool however. This is a decent reel for the price.
Answer: Yes. The reel and spool are together. You can also get extra spools.
Answer: Yes. You loosen the small knob and the reel comes off from the frame.
Answer: Yes but no extra spool
Answer: Yes
Q:
Whats the best way to prevent the drag from slipping in cold weather?
Answer: Buy a higher priced, better quality reel. You have to be very careful not to get these reels wet. Tighten the drag somewhat and strip some line out, eventually it clears.
Answer: Using your iPhone and the amazon app. Of course having amazon prime your packages will be delivered in just two days, and you don’t have to worry about the weather ????
Q:
Does the avid come with leader fly line and backing 9/10 thanks
Answer: No. It also doesn't come with a fly rod, a net , waders,wading boots, gas for your car or the motivation to use it.
Answer: No, you will need to buy backing and fly line
Answer: No it just the reel but not a bad buy
Q:
Does it click when reeling in?
Answer: It never stayed at what I set it to. It either tightened up completely on its own, which meant it was too tight, or it loosened up completely on its own and the reel just spun as the fish took off. I couldn't get it to stay set, so really can't answer whether it clicked or not.
Answer: No
Answer: No.
Answer: No
Q:
is there a 2/3 wt reel available?
Answer: There is a 1/3 wt. I use it with a 2wt fly line.
Q:
What weight lone comes with the 7/8 reel?
Answer: No line just reel
Answer: 7wt
Q:
Will the reel freespool?
Answer: Yes
Q:
Does 7/8 reel hold a redfish
Answer: Yes, 7/8 for redfish would be fine
Answer: Yes, BUT , it is not a sealed drag reel which is preferable for use in saltwater . Be sure to remove the spool , rinse it well and then re-oil/grease after using it in saltwater.
Answer: Yes definitely landed 20lb salmon with mine
Answer: Yes it will
Answer: It should be able to
Q:
What line comes with the 3/4wt reel kit?
Answer: Who knows for sure, but the spec they give for filling the reel is for number 3 line. Your rod should be marked with a recommended line also, but this is also just a guide. You can over line a rod if you are adjusting for conditions. Say your rod is marked for a 3 Wt line, you can put a 4 Wt on that rod if you want a certain feel. I wouldn't buy a combo myself. I would prefer to pick my own line thankyou very much!
Answer: WF Floating
Q:
Drag knob does not move
Answer: Either it is defective or more likely, someone at the factory turned the drag knob all the way to the unscrew (left) or screw (right) stop and locked it just via pressure. If the reel spool spins freely in both directions, then the drag knob was unscrewed too hard and is locked ... turning it to the right (screwed) very strongly should unlock it). If the reel spool only spins in one direction then the drag knob was screwed to the right too tight and turning it to the left very strongly should unlock it. If neither works ... send the reel back. These folks have always stood behind their products in my experience with them.
Answer: If it want move I would send it back for exchange. We have purchased a couple of these reels and had good luck with them.
Answer: ????this is not a question. Stay in school kids.
Q:
what is the weight of the 1/3 version?
Answer: Hi ,if you read the advertisment properly you will find the answer to your question.The information is all there...
Answer: 3.67oz. Nevermind that guy who didn't answer the question.
Product reviews of M MAXIMUMCATCH Maxcatch Fly Fishing Reel with CNC-machined Aluminum Body Avid Series Best Value - 1/3, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, 9/10 Weights(Black, Green, Blue)
Amazon Customer : ALLOT of reel for the $
I bought my first Avid 3/4 wt reel early last year. I was impressed enough that I have since purchased another in 3/4 and one in the 5/6 size . ( A few spare spools as well.) Here are my impressions: 1) This is a fully machined bar stock reel with a good anodized finish at considerably less $ than most cast reels. In fact, I believe their quality and features compare with many current production $150-$200 "name brand" reels that I've handled. 2) Fit, Finish on these reels has been great. They have held up well with no discoloration ( I have Blue, Green and Black now) or fading over a year of regular use. No scratching either. Even after a few trips in my aluminum boat. ( Note: the Blue color is more of a darker Purplish-Blue than the bright blue shown.) 3) Drags seem very smooth (although the lowest setting can vary from reel to reel.) To be fair, I have not tested the drag on hard/ long running fish. It has been tested on stillwater fish to 4# though. Very Smooth. 4) Maxcatch Customer service has been responsive and helpful (within 24 hours ) when I had questions.
I think the reel is an EXCELLENT VALUE for most applications. Although the jury is still out on long term durability and spare/repair parts support, the reel is certainly cheap enough . It also looks like MaxCatch is here to stay.
Griffin P : For the price, it works great
Sometimes I find myself thinking I could fish with a stick and line. It seems silly to me to buy top $$$$ items to catch fish. The only area I would say this falls short is the drag. There is a very fine line with this thing between little to no drag to wow, this is tight. It is my understanding that the more expensive reels give you a better feeling in the drag arena. So, I check my drag and I check it often. I will sometimes accidently turn the knob and increase or lessen the drag. Now I am in a habit of checking it frequently. To be fair, I also have not used the drab in a "catching fish" situation. I pull the line in and use my finger as the drag. I do mostly fishing in high alpine lakes and rivers. I hope one day to land "The One" and I hope my drag is set accordingly. Until then, fish on my friends. This is a great little reel.
T. F. McLaughlin : Nice reel for the price.
Great mid arbor reel.
JackofallMasterofNon : machining is excellent. Can't complain
What can you say about a reel spool? It fits the reel perfectly, machining is excellent. Can't complain. Refer to actual reel review for more details.
Jon : Well constructed but a bit heavy.
Works pretty well. Easily 4 stars for the price. The drag is smooth but a bit difficult to set. The range between full drag and minimum is pretty small. It is a bit heavy for the size. It fishes fine and seems to be well constructed. The weight is my biggest complaint but in this price range I think it performs adequately.
Bandchamilton : You get what you pay for
Not sure what to say...I knew it was a cheap reel and didn’t expect high end fit and finish, but I did expect it to be the same color as the picture. The silver reel I was sent has a red and black center, even though it was represented as silver and blue. I didn’t want a nice drag and expensive reel, it’s just for mountain streams for trout, so I bought the reel to match a pink and blue fiberglass rod for my girlfriend...and now I have a reel that is cheap and doesn’t match. That being said it will probably last a few seasons of good use before breaking, the description says “MACHINED aluminum” it is definitely CAST aluminum (which should be expected for a $40 reel). In fact some surfaces were not even sanded after casting, still lots of rough edges on the spool (I know, I know, it was $40 what did I think it would be).
Bottom line, if you need an ultra cheap reel to hold line that your not using while you fish, it should be fine. If you expect to need the drag to fight fish look else where, if your fishing light tippet and want a smooth drag look elsewhere, if you want it to be the same color as the picture look elsewhere. If you are going to strip line to bring in small fish it is perfectly functional for holding the rest of your line. I gave it two stars because if you need minimum functionality it will work. If you can afford it and your planning on hooking into decent fish and using drag, buy a reel made by an actual fly fishing company. (Sorry if I sound like a fly fishing snob but for $80 an Echo Ion is a far better value)
Amazon Customer : Made well
Nice, light weight, drag works great. Was a little nervous when purchasing but it's a great real.
Scott : What a steal!
I was pretty wary about buying an off-brand low price point reel. I am someone that owns Lamson, Sage, etc. and have no problem investing in a $450+ reel and I like nice things. This time I purchased an Echo 2WT rod from my shop and wanted to keep this setup on the low end since I’m using it for small brookie streams. Since I will most likely never need to engage a drag system on a 2WT, I figured I can take a chance on a reel that wouldn’t break the bank. I did my research, and Maxcatch seems to get quite the good reviews. It was CNC machined aluminum, 3.8oz, not even cast aluminum, which you would even see in higher priced brands lower end models. For $40 I ordered it. Well I gotta tell ya, the drag feels excellent, and the quality of the reel is definitely no where NEAR you would think it would be. It’s a really nice, well machined reel, and it’s very light. If you’re concerned with it balancing on your rod, trust me it’s good. Very happy with this purchase and will keep this brand in mind when I am in need of another!
Trout King : Don’t be skeptical. Will NOT disappoint for the money.
Previous reviews are confirmed. You can’t beat the quality per dollar factor of this reel. Fully machined to fine tolerances. Nicely finished. it lacks some bells and whistles— some might miss that reassuring click on retrieve for example. If you’re brand-conscious this may not be for you. Even if you are, it’s worth having one or more of these as a backup. Also, these are shipped from US inventory.
Amazon Customer : very happy with the product
Took it out a few times. The drag does occasionally slip but it is a fantastic product. Caught several trout on this reel with not ill effects from drag slipping.
Scott : What a steal!
I was pretty wary about buying an off-brand low price point reel. I am someone that owns Lamson, Sage, etc. and have no problem investing in a $450+ reel and I like nice things. This time I purchased an Echo 2WT rod from my shop and wanted to keep this setup on the low end since I’m using it for small brookie streams. Since I will most likely never need to engage a drag system on a 2WT, I figured I can take a chance on a reel that wouldn’t break the bank. I did my research, and Maxcatch seems to get quite the good reviews. It was CNC machined aluminum, 3.8oz, not even cast aluminum, which you would even see in higher priced brands lower end models. For $40 I ordered it. Well I gotta tell ya, the drag feels excellent, and the quality of the reel is definitely no where NEAR you would think it would be. It’s a really nice, well machined reel, and it’s very light. If you’re concerned with it balancing on your rod, trust me it’s good. Very happy with this purchase and will keep this brand in mind when I am in need of another!
Jacob and Ryanne : Great by
Price and feels like a 300 dollar reel Have not got a fish on it yet but still super smooth
Amazon Customer : ALLOT of reel for the $
I bought my first Avid 3/4 wt reel early last year. I was impressed enough that I have since purchased another in 3/4 and one in the 5/6 size . ( A few spare spools as well.) Here are my impressions: 1) This is a fully machined bar stock reel with a good anodized finish at considerably less $ than most cast reels. In fact, I believe their quality and features compare with many current production $150-$200 "name brand" reels that I've handled. 2) Fit, Finish on these reels has been great. They have held up well with no discoloration ( I have Blue, Green and Black now) or fading over a year of regular use. No scratching either. Even after a few trips in my aluminum boat. ( Note: the Blue color is more of a darker Purplish-Blue than the bright blue shown.) 3) Drags seem very smooth (although the lowest setting can vary from reel to reel.) To be fair, I have not tested the drag on hard/ long running fish. It has been tested on stillwater fish to 4# though. Very Smooth. 4) Maxcatch Customer service has been responsive and helpful (within 24 hours ) when I had questions.
I think the reel is an EXCELLENT VALUE for most applications. Although the jury is still out on long term durability and spare/repair parts support, the reel is certainly cheap enough . It also looks like MaxCatch is here to stay.
Steven Platek : Great reel
Got this reel today right on time. Reel looks and functions perfectly. I loaded it work line, nymph line, and attached it to my maxcatch nymph rod and caught a few trout. Super easy to swap too right hand retrieve. I love this tell. Looks amazing. I absolutely recommend this and other maxcatch products.
UPDATE: took this real trophy fishing today, it was the first time the drag really HAD to be engaged and worked like a charm. I landed ten trout over 20 inches all 4-8 pounds. Loving this reel more and more!!
Frequent cat product buyer : Can't be beat
Great real at a great price. I now own several.
Brandon T. : Three Stars
Nice reel just came in the wrong color...
Stephen Emerson : Great starter
Great starter reel smooth and the gear add on is great
John George : Buy it!
Drag works great. Handled rainbows very well. I was complimented by a guide that he loved the looks of it.
Amazon Customer : ALLOT of reel for the $
I bought my first Avid 3/4 wt reel early last year. I was impressed enough that I have since purchased another in 3/4 and one in the 5/6 size . ( A few spare spools as well.) Here are my impressions: 1) This is a fully machined bar stock reel with a good anodized finish at considerably less $ than most cast reels. In fact, I believe their quality and features compare with many current production $150-$200 "name brand" reels that I've handled. 2) Fit, Finish on these reels has been great. They have held up well with no discoloration ( I have Blue, Green and Black now) or fading over a year of regular use. No scratching either. Even after a few trips in my aluminum boat. ( Note: the Blue color is more of a darker Purplish-Blue than the bright blue shown.) 3) Drags seem very smooth (although the lowest setting can vary from reel to reel.) To be fair, I have not tested the drag on hard/ long running fish. It has been tested on stillwater fish to 4# though. Very Smooth. 4) Maxcatch Customer service has been responsive and helpful (within 24 hours ) when I had questions.
I think the reel is an EXCELLENT VALUE for most applications. Although the jury is still out on long term durability and spare/repair parts support, the reel is certainly cheap enough . It also looks like MaxCatch is here to stay.
Michael J Arnold : Great reel for a small lightweight fly rod
The 1-3 size reel is a perfect match for a 6'6" CGR 3-piece 2-weight fly rod. I too 30' of running line off the back end of the WF3F line I bought so I had room for 75' of gelspun backing.
Debonair Caveman : Five Stars
Sturdy with smooth retrieve. Great as a backup reel. Great value.
The Danfather : Five Stars
Quality item Clark!
cole miller : Great value
First time I have bought one of the less expensive Chinese reels ( at least on purpose) but won't be the last. Easily on par with other better known fly reels I own costing 2-3X more than the Maxcatch. I have this one on a 4wt. Cabelas CGR fiberglass rod , smooth drag and lokks great !
Thomas G. : Not very sturdy
Used once. Set it down and picked it up. Never reeled in smooth again. So light weight it bent and wouldn't work properly. Good customer service for the return
Fish pimp 22 : Not right product
Not the right size
The Professor : Nice reel and components except for substandard 3/4 fly line
I am happy with the budget reel and various components, but the Maxcatch 3wt. fly line left me needing to order better line in order to use the reel. I spooled the reel, mounted it on a 3 wt. rod, and immediately tried out various casting techniques with the 3 wt. line. It simply has no body, no cast-ability, and no "feel" of a weight forward line. I compared other 3/4 line & reel combinations with that rod, then in combination with another 3/4 wt. rod. The Maxcatch line is simply a limp biscuit -- probably all one can expect for the price.
Lonnie S. : Good quality
Has performed flawlessly for me so far. I actually ordered another one.
Bradley Klaus : Avid Fly Reel...
Great little reel for the price...Grab one before their all gone...
Jack B : It’s a good reel for the money
It worked well, I was impressed with the drag.
Trout King : Don’t be skeptical. Will NOT disappoint for the money.
Previous reviews are confirmed. You can’t beat the quality per dollar factor of this reel. Fully machined to fine tolerances. Nicely finished. it lacks some bells and whistles— some might miss that reassuring click on retrieve for example. If you’re brand-conscious this may not be for you. Even if you are, it’s worth having one or more of these as a backup. Also, these are shipped from US inventory.
Joseph Corbe : Well machined light weight
Nice reel. Good for my light weight trout fishing
Ricky Tee : Find out if they have what you've ordered in stock before paying!
I ordered the green reeland got the blue! Not happy about color but it's a very nice reel for the dollars.
Dave Fulghum : You will not find a better reel for the money
You will not find a better reel for the money. I have been nothing but impressed with Maxcatch gear. They provide exceptional value to their clients. This reel is light, precisely manufactured, well balanced, and smooth. I have fished the "Big Names" but I'm a Maxcatch guy now. You could buy one of those "O" reels, or get a fleet of 2wt, 3wt, 5wt, 6wt and 8wt..., with backing and line and still get gas to drive to your secret spot... AND still have a fantastic reel..
Thomas G. : Not very sturdy
Used once. Set it down and picked it up. Never reeled in smooth again. So light weight it bent and wouldn't work properly. Good customer service for the return
Bandchamilton : You get what you pay for
Not sure what to say...I knew it was a cheap reel and didn’t expect high end fit and finish, but I did expect it to be the same color as the picture. The silver reel I was sent has a red and black center, even though it was represented as silver and blue. I didn’t want a nice drag and expensive reel, it’s just for mountain streams for trout, so I bought the reel to match a pink and blue fiberglass rod for my girlfriend...and now I have a reel that is cheap and doesn’t match. That being said it will probably last a few seasons of good use before breaking, the description says “MACHINED aluminum” it is definitely CAST aluminum (which should be expected for a $40 reel). In fact some surfaces were not even sanded after casting, still lots of rough edges on the spool (I know, I know, it was $40 what did I think it would be).
Bottom line, if you need an ultra cheap reel to hold line that your not using while you fish, it should be fine. If you expect to need the drag to fight fish look else where, if your fishing light tippet and want a smooth drag look elsewhere, if you want it to be the same color as the picture look elsewhere. If you are going to strip line to bring in small fish it is perfectly functional for holding the rest of your line. I gave it two stars because if you need minimum functionality it will work. If you can afford it and your planning on hooking into decent fish and using drag, buy a reel made by an actual fly fishing company. (Sorry if I sound like a fly fishing snob but for $80 an Echo Ion is a far better value)
Griffin P : For the price, it works great
Sometimes I find myself thinking I could fish with a stick and line. It seems silly to me to buy top $$$$ items to catch fish. The only area I would say this falls short is the drag. There is a very fine line with this thing between little to no drag to wow, this is tight. It is my understanding that the more expensive reels give you a better feeling in the drag arena. So, I check my drag and I check it often. I will sometimes accidently turn the knob and increase or lessen the drag. Now I am in a habit of checking it frequently. To be fair, I also have not used the drab in a "catching fish" situation. I pull the line in and use my finger as the drag. I do mostly fishing in high alpine lakes and rivers. I hope one day to land "The One" and I hope my drag is set accordingly. Until then, fish on my friends. This is a great little reel.
Mike in Vista, CA : Works as it should, good quality for the $$$
I'm getting in to fly fishing, but I'm just an occasional fisherman. I've been in Aerospace Manufacturing for over 30 years and I'm familiar with machining and materials. I'm impressed with this reel. I've never owned a $300 reel so I couldn't tell you the differences. However, the drag on this reel is very smooth. It's adjustability is very linear and I'm able to make fine adjustments easily. The reel looks very good and appears quality made. Most importantly, it easily landed some rainbow trout. I definitely recommend this reel!
A Widow's Son : Fly fishing Reel
Quality Cost and Items all very good quality. I would buy this again and again.
Debonair Caveman : Five Stars
Sturdy with smooth retrieve. Great as a backup reel. Great value.
Jack B : It’s a good reel for the money
It worked well, I was impressed with the drag.
MashTun910 : Way more than I was expecting.
Wow, this reel was way more than I was anticipating. It is extremely smooth and appears very well built. I opted for the 3/4 weight and its been a lot of fun in my local ponds catching bluegill and small bass. You will not be dissapointed.
Vergil : Four Stars
This brand is nice. Used by my in laws and husband smooth and easy to handle.
Tammy Harris : Five Stars
Great reel!
Suzanne : Awesome fly reel
Nice reel. Very smooth.
Debonair Caveman : Five Stars
Sturdy with smooth retrieve. Great as a backup reel. Great value.
Charles H. White : Great reel!
What an awesome purchase! It's as nice as the TFO ultra lite fly reel and just as smooth. 40 bucks sounds better then 140 bucks any day.
Practical&Thorough Dued : Decent fly reel for the price two thumbs up
Good fly reel for the price to thumbs up
Pat B : Don’t get the drag wet!
Drag works well, unless it’s wet, then there is no drag!
Charles H. White : Great reel!
What an awesome purchase! It's as nice as the TFO ultra lite fly reel and just as smooth. 40 bucks sounds better then 140 bucks any day.
Bandchamilton : You get what you pay for
Not sure what to say...I knew it was a cheap reel and didn’t expect high end fit and finish, but I did expect it to be the same color as the picture. The silver reel I was sent has a red and black center, even though it was represented as silver and blue. I didn’t want a nice drag and expensive reel, it’s just for mountain streams for trout, so I bought the reel to match a pink and blue fiberglass rod for my girlfriend...and now I have a reel that is cheap and doesn’t match. That being said it will probably last a few seasons of good use before breaking, the description says “MACHINED aluminum” it is definitely CAST aluminum (which should be expected for a $40 reel). In fact some surfaces were not even sanded after casting, still lots of rough edges on the spool (I know, I know, it was $40 what did I think it would be).
Bottom line, if you need an ultra cheap reel to hold line that your not using while you fish, it should be fine. If you expect to need the drag to fight fish look else where, if your fishing light tippet and want a smooth drag look elsewhere, if you want it to be the same color as the picture look elsewhere. If you are going to strip line to bring in small fish it is perfectly functional for holding the rest of your line. I gave it two stars because if you need minimum functionality it will work. If you can afford it and your planning on hooking into decent fish and using drag, buy a reel made by an actual fly fishing company. (Sorry if I sound like a fly fishing snob but for $80 an Echo Ion is a far better value)
you can compare the product price from Costco, wayfair, bestbuy, lowes, target, homedepot, Walmart, ebay, amazon to find the best price for you