H2O reels, opinion retraction

pro reel · 03-13-11, 03:29 PM

Listen close, you won't hear me say it often, I was wrong. I have often been asked for my opinion on the H2O reels. The reel in question is the H2O Mettle. It has a list price of $49.00 and has been on sale for as little as $29.00. While I always stated that i had not actually held one or torn one apart, my opinion was that it had to be junk. I based that opinion on the fact that it was a 10 bearing reel for $49.00 and was on sale for $29.00. I also based it on the dozens of other low priced reels I had torn apart before. Reels such as a Shimano Calyx, the Abu max reels or dozens of other low price crap reels. The calyx is a stamped metal frame With lots of plastic parts and just a few bearings. The max reels are plastic frame reels with plastic covers. The only low priced reel I have ever seen that was decent quality was the BPS Extreeme. The extreeme is an aluminum frame reel with aluminum covers and is built pretty decent, but it lists for $69.00 and goes on sale sometimes for $59.00 Thats still quite a bit more than the H2O reel. I also thought it had to be junk because how could they possibly sell a reel with 10 bearings in it for that price if the bearings were even of decent quality? Well, I was wrong. I got a H2O mettle reel in for service this week and I was shocked. The reel is an aluminum frame with aluminum sides. Not only that but they are smooth and have a great fit, unlike the Skeet W&M reels that have rough casted frames that didn't even get deburred decent. The spool shaft is of modern, low contact, design similar to reels that cost hundreds. The spool is lightweight drilled aluminum. The bearings are actually good quality and after they were cleaned they had a free spin that was as good as any stock bearing I have seen. The internal parts are even more impressive. the engagement clutch is a one piece design similar to a Daiwa clutch. The yoke has a metal insert to protect from the pinion cutting into it. The crank shaft has a bearing on the bottom and one on the top for a very stable and smooth feel. The gears are cut brass and look to be top quality. The drag is a little weak with just the standard two washers. A carbon fiber upgrade would help a lot. The worm gear seems to be smooth, but looks to be the lowest quality part on this reel. The line guide tube is plastic with no bearings, but so are lots of reels that sell for a whole lot more money. The mettle has a 6 pin centrifugal brake that has steel pins. It's very similar to a Curado brake. Because this reel is only built for Academy sports, I have no idea about parts availability. The reel looks like it should be very durable, but it might need a worm gear or pawl at some time, just like most reels will. If they have parts available, I can't see any reason not to buy these reels. They do look a little generic compared to more expensive reels, but that has nothing to do with performance.

Jrob78 · 03-13-11, 04:07 PM

Very interesting, thanks for the report Kevin. The guys on the TX forums all rave about them, they also rave about other things that I wouldn't consider top quality. I figured the Mettle was one of those. I handled one briefly in the store, it seemed like a pretty smooth reel, most do in the store though.

The reels often go on sale and they pair them up with All Star Rods, sometimes at ridiculous prices. I will have to give them a closer inspection next time I'm at Academy. They have several other H20 models too, I'm not even sure if the Mettle is the highest in the lineup.

CamG · 03-13-11, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrob78

Very interesting, thanks for the report Kevin. The guys on the TX forums all rave about them, they also rave about other things that I wouldn't consider top quality. I figured the Mettle was one of those. I handled one briefly in the store, it seemed like a pretty smooth reel, most do in the store though.

The reels often go on sale and they pair them up with All Star Rods, sometimes at ridiculous prices. I will have to give them a closer inspection next time I'm at Academy. They have several other H20 models too, I'm not even sure if the Mettle is the highest in the lineup.

Do they make lefty models?

Jrob78 · 03-13-11, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamG

Do they make lefty models?

Not sure, I will find out next time I'm there though and let you know.

MississippiBoy · 03-13-11, 06:30 PM

Thanks for the info, pro. I have an Academy one mile from the house...for $30, I might have to grab one soon...

walkeraviator · 03-13-11, 06:34 PM

http://www.academy.com/index.php?pag...117-41300-0001

They are listed at $99 on their website....

CMorg · 03-13-11, 06:54 PM

Walker that appears to be with a Castaway rod. As a combo setup.

pro reel · 03-13-11, 07:38 PM

yes, thats a combo, the reel alone is $49.00 when it's not on sale, but I've been told they have some crazy sales on it at times. Still, thats the best $50 reel I have ever seen.

Jrob78 · 03-13-11, 08:30 PM

Here's the reel alone.

http://www.academy.com/index.php?pag...112-40429-1000

Bubba_Bruiser · 03-14-11, 01:08 AM

Threads like this are the reason prices triple over the next 2 years. I glanced at them the other day, I wish I would have handled one now.

Imgoodatwhatido · 03-14-11, 10:51 AM

i been preachin bout this H20 Stuff ever since i been on this forum. They also have some very LIGHT WELL BUILT AFFORADABLE rods.

walkeraviator · 03-15-11, 10:13 AM

I tell you one thing. I may be moving to South Texas soon. If I do, I know Academy is gonna get a lot of my money. Im gonna give these reels and some of their crankbaits a try.

03-13-11, 03:29 PM	#1
pro reel BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wichita Kansas Posts: 761	H2O reels, opinion retraction Listen close, you won't hear me say it often, I was wrong. I have often been asked for my opinion on the H2O reels. The reel in question is the H2O Mettle. It has a list price of $49.00 and has been on sale for as little as $29.00. While I always stated that i had not actually held one or torn one apart, my opinion was that it had to be junk. I based that opinion on the fact that it was a 10 bearing reel for $49.00 and was on sale for $29.00. I also based it on the dozens of other low priced reels I had torn apart before. Reels such as a Shimano Calyx, the Abu max reels or dozens of other low price crap reels. The calyx is a stamped metal frame With lots of plastic parts and just a few bearings. The max reels are plastic frame reels with plastic covers. The only low priced reel I have ever seen that was decent quality was the BPS Extreeme. The extreeme is an aluminum frame reel with aluminum covers and is built pretty decent, but it lists for $69.00 and goes on sale sometimes for $59.00 Thats still quite a bit more than the H2O reel. I also thought it had to be junk because how could they possibly sell a reel with 10 bearings in it for that price if the bearings were even of decent quality? Well, I was wrong. I got a H2O mettle reel in for service this week and I was shocked. The reel is an aluminum frame with aluminum sides. Not only that but they are smooth and have a great fit, unlike the Skeet W&M reels that have rough casted frames that didn't even get deburred decent. The spool shaft is of modern, low contact, design similar to reels that cost hundreds. The spool is lightweight drilled aluminum. The bearings are actually good quality and after they were cleaned they had a free spin that was as good as any stock bearing I have seen. The internal parts are even more impressive. the engagement clutch is a one piece design similar to a Daiwa clutch. The yoke has a metal insert to protect from the pinion cutting into it. The crank shaft has a bearing on the bottom and one on the top for a very stable and smooth feel. The gears are cut brass and look to be top quality. The drag is a little weak with just the standard two washers. A carbon fiber upgrade would help a lot. The worm gear seems to be smooth, but looks to be the lowest quality part on this reel. The line guide tube is plastic with no bearings, but so are lots of reels that sell for a whole lot more money. The mettle has a 6 pin centrifugal brake that has steel pins. It's very similar to a Curado brake. Because this reel is only built for Academy sports, I have no idea about parts availability. The reel looks like it should be very durable, but it might need a worm gear or pawl at some time, just like most reels will. If they have parts available, I can't see any reason not to buy these reels. They do look a little generic compared to more expensive reels, but that has nothing to do with performance.

03-13-11, 04:07 PM	#2
Jrob78 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 4,671	Very interesting, thanks for the report Kevin. The guys on the TX forums all rave about them, they also rave about other things that I wouldn't consider top quality. I figured the Mettle was one of those. I handled one briefly in the store, it seemed like a pretty smooth reel, most do in the store though. The reels often go on sale and they pair them up with All Star Rods, sometimes at ridiculous prices. I will have to give them a closer inspection next time I'm at Academy. They have several other H20 models too, I'm not even sure if the Mettle is the highest in the lineup. __________________ There are 3 kinds of people in the world…those who can count and those who can’t. HRN4L

03-13-11, 06:30 PM	#5
MississippiBoy BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ridgeland MS Posts: 3,923	Thanks for the info, pro. I have an Academy one mile from the house...for $30, I might have to grab one soon... __________________ I smell smoke, and I hear sirens. Do you think that's a problem?

03-13-11, 08:30 PM	#9
Jrob78 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 4,671	Here's the reel alone. http://www.academy.com/index.php?pag...112-40429-1000 __________________ There are 3 kinds of people in the world…those who can count and those who can’t. HRN4L

03-14-11, 01:08 AM	#10
Bubba_Bruiser BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South MS Posts: 3,659	Threads like this are the reason prices triple over the next 2 years. I glanced at them the other day, I wish I would have handled one now. __________________ \,,,,/ ROCK ON! HRN4L!

03-13-11, 06:34 PM	#6
walkeraviator BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 1,119	http://www.academy.com/index.php?pag...117-41300-0001 They are listed at $99 on their website....

03-13-11, 06:54 PM	#7
CMorg BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Southern , IN Posts: 1,832	Walker that appears to be with a Castaway rod. As a combo setup.

03-13-11, 07:38 PM	#8
pro reel BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wichita Kansas Posts: 761	yes, thats a combo, the reel alone is $49.00 when it's not on sale, but I've been told they have some crazy sales on it at times. Still, thats the best $50 reel I have ever seen.

03-14-11, 10:51 AM	#11
Imgoodatwhatido BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 158	i been preachin bout this H20 Stuff ever since i been on this forum. They also have some very LIGHT WELL BUILT AFFORADABLE rods.

03-15-11, 10:13 AM	#12
walkeraviator BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 1,119	I tell you one thing. I may be moving to South Texas soon. If I do, I know Academy is gonna get a lot of my money. Im gonna give these reels and some of their crankbaits a try.

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