JUST bought the original combo on Amazon - ONLY $88.00 !!! (Lefty Only at that price, otherwise $119 RH). My first baitcaster rig. I've watched a bunch of vids to choose my first budget/bass rig. Yours was the best one bro. I had it narrowed down to AG, and Lews (I own a ML Lews spinning combo that I really like). For a weekender like me I think this will serve me well. Blessings & Peace y'all..
Thanks so much for the kind words and support! It won’t disappoint! Let me know how you like it. I love the MLF too, but the newer Abu Garcia budget reels feel “off” to me recently than in years past.
Funny. I stumbled onto this channel, taking about the very SAME rid/reel combo I was looking to buy later today! He’s right, Walmart has the old JL combo on sale now for $50! I wanted to get some info on it before blind buying it. This was exactly what I was looking for! Stoked to get it now after work! Would you recommend braid on it? Thx. Just subbed. 😁
I have the old Jordan Lee combo, and I love it. It's also the first baitcaster that I have used/owned. I've aways heard the horror stories of spooling and getting that bad birds nest, but I've had little to no issues. This rod real combo is definitely my go to. At $110.00 bucks ya can't go wrong.
The 5 bearing is Abu Garcia's entry-level baitcaster (Max X) which replaced the legendary BlackMax. They paint it different colors for different combos. The 6 bearing - I believe - is the (Max STX) which probably replaced the SilverMax. I have a SilverMax on a Cabela's Fish Eagle that I absolutely adore. I throw it all the time. It's not fancy by any means and not as smooth or casts as far as my Concept-A or Lews Tournament Pro's but the BlackMax/SilverMax models are famous for their durability and they DO NOT BACKLASH. My combo was about $120 five years ago.
I remember us talking about that before. I agree - they definitely cast great and are excellent at avoiding backlashes. I just don’t get why they didn’t keep it a low profile reel. I bought this new one because I liked the old one and when I used it for the first time thought I had grabbed my Vengeance by mistake. I was disappointed that I paid for a combo that was so far from the original in design. I should’ve looked closer at the photos as I ordered it online without ever actually getting to hold it. Lesson learned on this one.
Great comparison video Joe! Short and sweet. (unlike this comment apparently LOL) In general, I am always weary of buying any product with someone's name on it. I was just having this conversation the other day regarding the Swindle line at 13 Fishing ( You know I love my 13 gear! ) The lower profile thing is legit! I really like my Revo X, in fact I also own the spinning version, but it is a little bigger in my hand than some others and I do notice that after a couple of hours of casting. Performance wise tho, a great reel for $100. The rods that come in pre built combos are generally the same. 7' MHF with a broad lure rating. So no surprises there. More bearings don't always mean a better reel. I'd be curious to know which bearing they left out. Was it in some way related to that button they did away with? Did they upgrade the type of bearings? Fewer, better quality bearings are more desirable than more, low quality ones. Quality over quantity. Based on this video, I think the Vengeance combo may be the champ! I was considering getting a budget combo or 2 for use on a kayak. I would hate to lose one of my high $$ combos over the side! Great job bro! 👊🏻
Thanks Joe! Yeah, I should’ve probably looked at this one in person. I was so impressed with the first one that I ordered the new model online. I didn’t realize it until I used it for the first time and thought I had grabbed my Vengeance by mistake. Nope. It was the same design. Wasn’t too happy… The fatigue in casting them is almost from the first cast on. It sits up too high for my liking and I don’t like the weight distribution. The original is so different. It’s like my Revo X. Those are great reels for the money for sure! I’m with you on the rods that come with combos. I’m working on a couple of custom builds. I want some specialty rods for some of my cranking presentations. As far as the bearing, I have no idea. That bail engagement button doesn’t appear to have any bearings as it’s just a spring loaded hinge. I agree on the bearing number. Less can be more - as long as the quality is there. Appreciate the input brother!👍
@@scottsilmer9129 absolutely - no doubt about it! Heck out some of the Amazon Prime deals right now, like the Vengeance for only $20! Here’s the link: amzn.to/4bI3xuM
@@live2fishofficial i have one last question in the video you showed the rods but is the newer rod one peice or two? Just would be more convenient if it was two peices.
I bought the exact $100 combo recently and i can’t seem to dial the reel. it backlashes every 2-5 casts and i’m not doing anything different than i would with any other baitcaster. i tried different weight, lure, line, ect and it still performs the same
@@daveversion2.2 gotcha. Must have been something they used to add to them. My new Piscifun Alijoz 300 has one as well, which makes me wonder if it’s the Abu Garcia base reel.
30# Seaguar TactX braided line for topwater. 12# Seaguar BasiX for everything else. Haven’t thrown anything lightweight like a wacky or daredevil, so I can’t speak for that.
Fantastic overview and love the side-by-side comparison Joe. Great info for those looking to get one.
Thanks Sean!👍
JUST bought the original combo on Amazon - ONLY $88.00 !!! (Lefty Only at that price, otherwise $119 RH). My first baitcaster rig. I've watched a bunch of vids to choose my first budget/bass rig. Yours was the best one bro. I had it narrowed down to AG, and Lews (I own a ML Lews spinning combo that I really like). For a weekender like me I think this will serve me well. Blessings & Peace y'all..
Thanks so much for the kind words and support!
It won’t disappoint! Let me know how you like it. I love the MLF too, but the newer Abu Garcia budget reels feel “off” to me recently than in years past.
Great job and love the honesty when you do these type of vids. 2 for the price of 1 sounds great if there is no real difference in the two.
Thanks for the support my friend!👍
Walmart currently has the old Jordan Lee combo for $50 online right now. Just ordered one. First baitcaster for me
That’s a steal! Thanks for the heads up. You won’t be disappointed! Let me know what you think once you’ve gotten a chance to test it out.👍🎣
I missed it damn
Missed it too…only left handed combos were left for a short time…dang it!
I got 2 and 1 Vengeance all left handed hopefully they take good usage 😂😅
Funny. I stumbled onto this channel, taking about the very SAME rid/reel combo I was looking to buy later today! He’s right, Walmart has the old JL combo on sale now for $50! I wanted to get some info on it before blind buying it. This was exactly what I was looking for! Stoked to get it now after work! Would you recommend braid on it? Thx. Just subbed. 😁
I have the old Jordan Lee combo, and I love it. It's also the first baitcaster that I have used/owned. I've aways heard the horror stories of spooling and getting that bad birds nest, but I've had little to no issues. This rod real combo is definitely my go to. At $110.00 bucks ya can't go wrong.
Without a doubt this is one of my favorite combos as well. Definitely a great choice for a first baitcaster too!
Just came by to see and it's literally 50 bucks right now, I'm about to grab one
@@kokuokirai1103 heck yeah! Grab it!
The 5 bearing is Abu Garcia's entry-level baitcaster (Max X) which replaced the legendary BlackMax. They paint it different colors for different combos. The 6 bearing - I believe - is the (Max STX) which probably replaced the SilverMax. I have a SilverMax on a Cabela's Fish Eagle that I absolutely adore. I throw it all the time. It's not fancy by any means and not as smooth or casts as far as my Concept-A or Lews Tournament Pro's but the BlackMax/SilverMax models are famous for their durability and they DO NOT BACKLASH. My combo was about $120 five years ago.
I remember us talking about that before. I agree - they definitely cast great and are excellent at avoiding backlashes.
I just don’t get why they didn’t keep it a low profile reel. I bought this new one because I liked the old one and when I used it for the first time thought I had grabbed my Vengeance by mistake. I was disappointed that I paid for a combo that was so far from the original in design. I should’ve looked closer at the photos as I ordered it online without ever actually getting to hold it. Lesson learned on this one.
I have one with the rod is a digi camo orange. One of my favorite combos
Great comparison video Joe! Short and sweet. (unlike this comment apparently LOL)
In general, I am always weary of buying any product with someone's name on it. I was just having this conversation the other day regarding the Swindle line at 13 Fishing ( You know I love my 13 gear! )
The lower profile thing is legit! I really like my Revo X, in fact I also own the spinning version, but it is a little bigger in my hand than some others and I do notice that after a couple of hours of casting. Performance wise tho, a great reel for $100.
The rods that come in pre built combos are generally the same. 7' MHF with a broad lure rating. So no surprises there.
More bearings don't always mean a better reel. I'd be curious to know which bearing they left out. Was it in some way related to that button they did away with? Did they upgrade the type of bearings? Fewer, better quality bearings are more desirable than more, low quality ones. Quality over quantity.
Based on this video, I think the Vengeance combo may be the champ! I was considering getting a budget combo or 2 for use on a kayak. I would hate to lose one of my high $$ combos over the side!
Great job bro! 👊🏻
Thanks Joe!
Yeah, I should’ve probably looked at this one in person. I was so impressed with the first one that I ordered the new model online. I didn’t realize it until I used it for the first time and thought I had grabbed my Vengeance by mistake. Nope. It was the same design. Wasn’t too happy…
The fatigue in casting them is almost from the first cast on. It sits up too high for my liking and I don’t like the weight distribution.
The original is so different. It’s like my Revo X. Those are great reels for the money for sure!
I’m with you on the rods that come with combos. I’m working on a couple of custom builds. I want some specialty rods for some of my cranking presentations.
As far as the bearing, I have no idea. That bail engagement button doesn’t appear to have any bearings as it’s just a spring loaded hinge. I agree on the bearing number. Less can be more - as long as the quality is there.
Appreciate the input brother!👍
just ordered the Vengeance for $30 and the old JL for $47 on Walmart's site, thanks for the review!
@@lostpenguin3 wow! Congrats!👏
Thanks for the feedback!
@@lostpenguin3 I just checked the Amazon Prime deals today and even the Vengeance was on sale for only $20! Check it out: amzn.to/4bI3xuM
@@live2fishofficial nice! walmart still has the left handed combo for $30 but for $20 might be worth getting another for a backup 🤔
@@lostpenguin3 unfortunately it’s not the combo, just the reel. They had good deals on Abu Garcia stuff.
Im thinking of getting my first baitcaster and was wondering if you think this is a good one to start with
@@scottsilmer9129 absolutely - no doubt about it!
Heck out some of the Amazon Prime deals right now, like the Vengeance for only $20! Here’s the link: amzn.to/4bI3xuM
@@live2fishofficial thank you!
@@scottsilmer9129 you’re welcome! Let me know what you end up getting and welcome to the baitcaster club!👊💥🎣
@@live2fishofficial i have one last question in the video you showed the rods but is the newer rod one peice or two? Just would be more convenient if it was two peices.
@@scottsilmer9129 no, all the ones in the video are one piece rods.
My bad I was thinking of a different combo. That Jordan Lee combo is a silver maxx with some winn grips
Gotcha…yep, that’s what my friend Tony was pointing out as well.
I'm here on time today, brother! =)
Not me…I’m late!😂🤣
Great comparison Joe
Thanks Brett!👍
Got the low profile vengeance combo for $30 on sale.
That’s a steal!
I ordered the old one for 50 bucks ..... Does it come with line on reel
Congrats! No, you’ll have to buy and load that yourself.
Scheels has the old J. Lee combo for $49.99 right now.
That’s a steal!
Good set up. You gotta ck out the sixgill gear it amazing . It's all I use now
That’s one that I haven’t yet. Definitely need to👍
I bought the exact $100 combo recently and i can’t seem to dial the reel. it backlashes every 2-5 casts and i’m not doing anything different than i would with any other baitcaster. i tried different weight, lure, line, ect and it still performs the same
What type of line are you using?
@@live2fishofficial i tried 10lb fluorocarbon and then put on 8lb of the same kind and i had the same results
Just found the OG Jordan Lee for $88 at scheels
@@dadbod4life nice!👌
My silver max comes with the spool release button.
Is that on the latest model?
@@live2fishofficial no, mine was bought about six yrs ago. I should have said ‘came’ with spool release button.
@@daveversion2.2 gotcha. Must have been something they used to add to them. My new Piscifun Alijoz 300 has one as well, which makes me wonder if it’s the Abu Garcia base reel.
what weight and brand line do you suggest for this combo and can this fish any type of lure like a daredevil, to a wacky rig, to topwater
30# Seaguar TactX braided line for topwater.
12# Seaguar BasiX for everything else.
Haven’t thrown anything lightweight like a wacky or daredevil, so I can’t speak for that.
Just subscribed too bro
Thanks and welcome to the channel!
no on both
The OG is still a favorite of mine
... and I SUBBED 'Ya
Thank you - welcome to the channel! 👍🎣