MaxCatch Salt Pro rod and Sparta reel combo review. This thing is awesome

[@todd-617]

I have an older Max Catch Avid with an unsealed drag system that I use as a travel reel. I go to Florida a couple times a year so I like to cast in the surf when I can. Last year I was on a cruise and we stopped in St. Thomas. My wife and I went to Magens Bay so I could fish. On the west end of the beach I hooked 2 tarpon in the surf. I didn't land them but I got to play them a while and the Max Catch reel handled them fine. It's good stuff.

[@Curseofthesquare209]

Flying colors

[@PELVIS361]

Excellent equipment!

[@3runjosh]

I just ordered a maxcatch 2 weight. I will probably get a 8 or 10 salt water set up from them too. Best value for money out there

[@StealthFisha]

What are you planning on targeting with the saltwater setup? The 9wt is a pretty awesome do "most" size. I use a 7wt and 9wt more than anything else and I plan to get an 11wt to target tarpons and jacks once I save my pennies a bit. I am in the middle of a move to Texas but once I get settled in here I will be back to fishing and getting gear. I think I have another 6 MAxCatch reels and a handful of MaxCatch rods to go over but I need to fish them first to get a feel for them.

[@3runjosh]

@@StealthFisha Almost ready to purchase and for the last month I have been looking at the 9wt like you suggest. I will be fishing from the beach targeting saltwater australian species flathead, taylor, bream

[@StealthFisha]

@@3runjosh A 8wt or 9wt would handle those all equally well. I use both for big tailors (we call them bluefish here) but I prefer the 9wt since it is easier to cast in windy conditions and can handle bigger flies and fish while still not being overkill. Either way, I think you would be pleased with the salt pro, it is my second most used setup, right behind my 6wt ultraglass that I use for light inshore.

[@allenchason2473]

Great review! I'm looking for a saltwater setup and think I'm going to try this Sparta. How do you like it after using it a couple months? I fish between East/West Bay to Apalachicola/East point, are you in this area?

[@StealthFisha]

It is an awesome setup that I truly enjoy using. I use it mostly in the Navarre Beach area but I am currently in the process of moving to Texas and will be fishing the Galveston Bay area. Only recommendation I have is to change the line out to maxcatch outbound saltwater line, it is a great line and has now become my default line and its only 20 bucks. I have used the sparta offshore and inshore, both from a kayak and still zero issues and it is as smooth as can be. Much better reel than my sage spectrum that was much more expensive.

[@bigdrumnc378]

How is this set up holding up? Still happy with it?

[@StealthFisha]

It is performing awesomely. I actually have a 7wt now and I am saving up for an 11wt to use on a tarpon trip next summer to the keys. The reel handles saltwater with zero issues and the rod is a joy to use. I only wish they would give a bigger spool of backing to go with it, 100 yards doesn't fill it.

[@justinmorrall5958]

Will you have any videos of you using this rod?

[@StealthFisha]

I'll try to get some video tomorrow using it, going out on the SUP to chase some redfish in the morning.

[@justinmorrall5958]

@@StealthFisha awesome! I appreciate your review of the rod regardless! Thank you.

[@diana88803]

How is it compared to their other salt water rods?

[@StealthFisha]

I don't actually have any of their other saltwater specific rods. I do have some other rods in the same price range (and some much more expensive) from other companies and this one so far is my favorite. It feels great in hand, casts like a dream, and the price is awesome. It looks, feels, and works like a rod costing so much more.

[@bigdrumnc378]

Probably very comparable to almost any 8-10 wt. rod under 500$

[@StealthFisha]

I have 3 other 8wt rods and a 9wt and so far this one is the nicest and also the cheapest of the bunch. A TFO signature 2 (2 piece) thats a little bit more expensive and is a pretty nice rod but doesn't stand out in anything, the redington vice that I can't really stand to use, it just doesn't feel nice casting and retails for about double the price, a penn battle which isn't bad but is heavy, and a Hardy Zane that is pretty amazing but cost 8 times the Maxcatch and other than a beautifully tasteful appearance, doesn't actually cast or feel better than the Maxcatch. This thing is a bargain for the price. I mostly fish fiberglass but I will be taking this out tomorrow to go after some bull reds since it is going to be a pretty windy day.

[@bigdrumnc378]

@@StealthFisha nice keep us posted! I am curious about the MAXCATCH ultra glass for reds and specks. Maybe MAXCATCH can send me one and I can review it! Don’t discount there lines either. There outbound is a good saltwater at a fraction of the price!

[@StealthFisha]

@@bigdrumnc378I use a 6wt MaxCatch Ultraglass with the Avid Pro reel in 5-7wt with outbound line as my main setup. I literally take it with me on every trip now. It works great on slot reds and specks and it is a blast hooking a red in the upper 20's with a little 6wt glass rod, it bends over so much but doesn't even flinch at the abuse. I hope to get the 8wt saltwater one soon but I need to save my pennies up a bit more. I want to try it out offshore for some bonitas and red snappers.

[@bigdrumnc378]

@@StealthFisha prob better get a sinking line!

[@StealthFisha]

@@bigdrumnc378just ordered some from them a few days ago, ordered sinking 8wt and 9wt but it isn't the outbound version, I am hoping its as good as their other lines. They were only 6 bucks each so worth the shot. I also ordered 300 yards of backing, tippet, leaders, the eco floating line in 8wt, and other stuff like that. Kinda want to test out a bunch of stuff on the cheaper side of them. It should be here next week and I will give everything a try.

[@springteen3743]

Rods are too heavy , terrible 😢

[@StealthFisha]

Any recommendations on a lighter 9' 9wt rod that weighs less for less than 100 bucks? I have a Redington Vice 8wt that is more than double the costs and weighs more and a 8' 9wt Hardy Zane that is about 8 times the price and weighs about the same as the Salt Pro which is one foot longer. I am genuinely interested and would be interested in buying one to try out. I don't work for Maxcatch, just kind of started getting alot of their gear because I like what they offer for the price point so now I have lots of their stuff, lol.