I hear great reviews for the H2O Mettle, and I am also lookin at the Abu Black Max. gonna be used for throwing topwaters and sassy shad and maybe some slabbin for stripers and hybrids.

Any reviews of the reels would be appreciated

While we are at it, can you recomend a rod too... same price range...I is poor..LOL

Daiwa Laguna
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_Laguna_Casting_Reels/descpage-LACR.html
Team Daiwa T rod
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Team_Daiwa_T_Casting_Rods/descpage-TDTC.html

You don't need a new reel, what you need is a good used Swedish made ABU Ambassadeur 5000 or 6000.They are much better reels than the current ABU reels, and are not that hard to find, just check Ebay and pawn shops. Be patient and you will find a good one. How close are you to Lamar, TX it is close to Rockport. I know a guy that sells used reels. He has about a hundred used Ambassadeurs and lots of other good reels at a good price.

Jerry

I've got a couple H2O mettles on all star rods. I got them when they were on sale and don't think for the price you can beat it. Plus, academy's return policy is awesome should you ever need it.

Ditto ... Timing is always the key, but if you are not in a "got to have it today" mode, I would suspect that Academy will run one of there "Rod, reel, or combo Riot's) some week over the next month or two.

Keep an eye on there ads ... they also have some crazy specials from time to time too ... the Mettles for $25 or $30, also, just before Christmas, they ran the Abu Garcia Blue Max Combo for $19.99 (reg. $59.99). Not saying its the greatest reel ever made, but for that price I picked one up to use as a spare when taking family/friends out, and have to admit, after playing with it ... I kinda like it!!

I like the swedish made Abu's not chineez made.
The mettle are made in Korea and a good value reel!

Seriously check the h20 mettle out. When it goes on clearance for 25 they are a very hot commodity. They cast awesome very smooth and aren't bad to clean at all. As for rods the academy ethos rod can be bought on rod riot for like 30 so u would have less than 60 total in a sweet combo.

The mettle is awesome. If you want a good all purpose rod, academy has the mettle on a 6 1/2' castaway mh rod. 100 regular. Some times its on sale for $50.

Black,blue,silver maxx are the worst reels over ever used they do not hold up to any type of real fishing. Maybe the guys who go out only in the spring once a week. If you fish 3-4 times a week and weekend or use your equipment they won't hold up levelwinds are trash the anti reverse goes out and they don't cast well at all. The h20 mettle is 100xs better and academys return policy is great to even though you won't have any problems with it. Get the h20 as for a rod grab an all star top water special if that's what you're using it for is top water its a great rod also.

I have a whole lot of Ambassadeurs, Sweden made, on new or gently used rods. I'll be happy to sell one or two if it will help you out. I'll give you the family deal ... the ones you like anyway ...LOL. PM me if interested.

I have 3 mettles and a manic. 3 of them I've been using for over a year now...at least once a week...and have never had a single problem with any of them. bought the other one on the black friday deal. I highly recommend these reels for the price. And spending only a small amount on the reel, you can afford to step up for a better rod.

I've got a bunch of these, I use very often for catfishing, but they are kinda heavy to be repeatedly throwing lures with.

I throw them for hours on end without a problem. Not bad for an old far*... lol

BTW - I saw a Wright and McGill Skeet Reese reel at Walmart the other day for $80.