Black max offers the optimum level of comfort with a user-friendly design while the pro max has more bearings and a better gear ratio. The silver max is great for quick casting with one hand.
Let’s get to the details and see how they really compare and which one might suit you best!
Abu Garcia Black Max vs Silver Max vs Pro Max
1. Bearings
Black Max
Bearings are an important factor, as the more bearings the smoother the cast and retrieve. The black max has 5 ball bearings. It provides a smooth and reliable cast and retrieve.
Silver max
The silver max has 5 ball bearings and 1 roller bearing. The difference from 5 to 6 ball bearings in a fishing reel is so little that many people cannot differentiate between the black max and the silver max.
However, many stated that the difference is quite noticeable when loaded up.
Pro max
The pro max has 7 ball bearings and 1 roller bearing. It is solid but will give you a silky smooth feel.
The difference between the pro max and the other two fishing reels may be adequate to feel a difference in smoothness.
Also, the difference is larger between the pro max and the black max compared to between the pro max and the silver max.
Winner
The pro max obviously with its more bearings.
2. Gear Ratio
Black Max
The black max has a standard gear ratio of 6.4:1 which you can use on different bait caster reels.
The 6.4:1 ratio will be perfect for nearly every fishing technique without it being too slow for professional anglers to enjoy.
You can slow-roll a spinnerbait or a deep-diving crankbait, but you can use lipless crankbaits without an issue as well. The black max can retrieve 26 inches of line per crank.
Silver Max
Silver max comes with a ratio of 6.4:1 and is considered a middle-speed reel. Generally, reels within the range between 5.4:1 to 6.5:1 are considered middle-speed reels.
As a result, the silver max reel comes in as one of the quicker reels in the middle-speed range. It can retrieve 26 inches of line per crank.
Pro Max
The pro max is equipped with a quicker gear ratio of 7.1:1 and it can retrieve 29 inches of line per crank. It’s ideal for jigs, lipless crankbaits, texas rigs, and maximum topwater baits while being too quick for shallow running spinnerbaits and maximum crankbaits.
However, if you are an experienced angler then you may be able to use it for crankbaits. It’s a good baitcasting reel for various fishing techniques and if you are a seasoned angler then you will love it.
Winner
The pro max with a quicker gear ratio.
3. Comfort
Black Max
There is a compact bent handle and beautiful design to make this reel pretty comfortable to hold. It also has EVA foam handles.
Silver Max
It is equipped with high-density EVA handles. There is a lot of grip to hang on to the reel in rainy, rough weather.
As a result, you will not feel as though your hands are about to fall off after fishing the entire day.
Pro Max
The pro max reel is also equipped with high-density EVA handles. These handles are quite comfortable to use and extremely ergonomic.
Winner
The black max as it is more comfortable.
4. User Friendliness
Black Max
Determining which of these three bait caster reels is perfect for you might eventually go down to how much experience you have.
As a beginner, the Black Max is the perfect choice for you. It’s pretty straightforward to use, particularly if it’s your first time. This reel will reduce the chances of the backlash problem.
Silver Max
It incorporates updated styling with an advanced ergonomics design. The silver max reel is ideal for pitching, flipping, or back trolling fishing techniques. You can cast pretty far.
Pro Max
The pro max comes with the MagTrax brake system that ensures efficient casting control. It delivers an excellent smooth retrieve and has a compact design.
This reel will suit you best if you are a seasoned angler.
Winner
Black max due to being more beginner-friendly.
5. Price
Black Max
| Black Max (Old Model) | Price | Max X (New Model) | Price |
| Left-Handed – Box | $65 | Left-Handed – Box | $60 |
| Left-Handed – Clam | $65 | Left-Handed – Clam | |
| Right-Handed – Box | $55 | Right-Handed – Box | $55 |
| Right-Handed – Clam | $50 | Right-Handed – Clam |
Silver Max
| Silver Max (Old Model) | Price | Max STX (New Model) | Price |
| Left-Handed – Box | $60 | Left-Handed – Box | $68 |
| Left-Handed – Clam | $65 | Left-Handed – Clam | |
| Right-Handed – Box | $45 | Right-Handed – Box | $68 |
| Right-Handed – Clam | $70 | Right-Handed – Clam |
Pro Max
| Pro Max (Old Model) | Price | Max Pro (New Model) | Price |
| Left-Handed – Box | $70 | Left-Handed – Box | $75 |
| Right-Handed – Box | $80 | Right-Handed – Box | $80 |
| Right-Handed – Clam | $115 | Right-Handed – Clam |
Winner:
The black max is more affordable.
Other Features
Black Max
The black max reel comes with big PVC handle knobs and a 90 millimeters handle arm. There is a Power Disk drag system. It is quite durable.
Silver Max
There is a Rocket Clutch feature that helps you to quickly do casting with one hand. It allows you to engage and disengage the spool with the click of a push button.
When you are ready to engage the reel instead of turning the handle, you just need to click the Rocket Clutch Button placed on the reel.
This feature can be also useful when you have already done the cast but want more depth. In this case, you only have to press the push-button to go free spool, and then re-engage the reel with the Rocket Clutch right at the moment your bait reaches the correct depth.
Pro Max
The pro max comes with a Synthetic Drag system. It is more lightweight than the black max as its weight is 7.37 ounces whereas the black max reel’s weight is 10.22 ounces.
Winner
The silver max because it has more features.
Abu Garcia Black Max vs Silver Max vs Pro Max: Which One Should You Pick?
Finally, we can say that black max is the winner here since it triumphs on most of the factors (e.g. comfort, user-friendliness, and price) that differentiate a good model from a not-so-good one!
On the other hand, the pro max wins in bearings and gear ratio factors. The silver max only wins in other features.
However, the black max beginner is a beginner-friendly design while the pro max suits seasoned anglers.
