"The Browning Midas reels are impressive. I recently took one out and loaded it with braid to do a little flipping. My sole intention was to tear the reel apart—but it stood up to my abuse!"Marty Stone4-Time Bassmaster Classic® qualifierFor the accomplished sportsman in search of that ''golden touch'' on the water, a reel worthy of the quest. Beneath the rich gunsmoke metallic finish lurks a reel loaded with premium features and ranked near the top in every performance category. Its powerful 1-piece aluminum frame, double-anodized forged aluminum spool and stamped aluminum handle keep the weight down and strength up; inside are 9 double-shielded stainless steel bearings, plus the PowerLock™ instant anti-reverse roller bearing. Advanced Fail Safe dual braking uses both centrifugal and magnetic cast control to provide unparalleled accuracy; both systems are externally adjustable, and the left-side palming cover has a pushbutton release for easy maintenance. The drag stack offers a whopping 12.3 lbs. of drag pressure—enough to subdue a freight train if need be. Handy thumb bar spool release; titanium nitride line guide.
Average Customer Rating:
4.6 out of 5
Rating Snapshot
Rating Snapshot
(50 reviews)
5 stars
36
4 stars
10
3 stars
2
2 stars
1
1 star
1
46 of 50 (92%) customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Browning® Fishing Midas® Low-Profile Baitcast Reels
Top 1000 Contributor
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
my favorite,October 20, 2009
By luckychuckfrom Indiana
Advantages: Performs well, Quality, Style/Design
"I have 3 baitcasters right now. A quantum, a shakespeare, and this one. It was not as expensive as the quantum but it is easily my favorite. It casts a good 20 ft. furthur and it reals in twice as smooth. I matched it up with a 7 foot bps xps bionic blade and it is one heck of a combo."
What is your favorite type of fishing?:
Freshwater
How many times a month do you fish on average?:
5+
Do you own a boat?:
No
Would you recommend this product as a gift?:
Yes
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Review 2 for Browning® Fishing Midas® Low-Profile Baitcast Reels
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Browning Midas reel has me spoiled rot!,August 30, 2009
By FishinFanaticTwofrom Florida Panhandle
Advantages: Ease of use, Performs well, Quality, Style/Design, Value for money
"I bought a Browning Midas baitcaster during spring 2009. It was my first baitcaster; I paired it with a 7' MH Midas rod. It took some time to get the hang of it, but after a week of throwing practice plugs in the backyard and picking out a few beginner's birdnests, I hit the lake and haven't looked back! This thing is smooth, casts a country mile with ease, has great drag, and the external adjustments make set up for different lures quick and easy. I fish a couple of hours 4 times a wkend and 2-3 evenings each week after work. I LOVE this reel!...so much so that I picked up another one ("caught" it on sale!), and I paired it with a St Croix Mojo rod. I highly recommend this reel! Now if I could just find a good bargain on a john boat and trailer! :)"
What is your favorite type of fishing?:
Freshwater
How many times a month do you fish on average?:
5+
Do you own a boat?:
No
Would you recommend this product as a gift?:
Yes
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Review 3 for Browning® Fishing Midas® Low-Profile Baitcast Reels
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Midas M120HA,August 9, 2009
By jbelowfrom Vidor , TX
Advantages: Ease of use, Performs well, Quality, Style/Design, Value for money, good line capacity
"This reel is not marketed as a salt water reel but that is what I use it for. I've been using it for specks , flounders , and redfish for a few months now . So far no corrosion.
The standards I use to judge a reel are the Shimano Citica and Garcia ABUs round bait casters. The Midas M120HA has the line capacity of a Garcia 5500/5600 round bait caster with the ergonomics and comfort of the low profile Shimano Citica. The Midas will outcast both the Citica and ABUs. The line capacity is a bonus. There is still enough line capacity left even after braking off on a few snags. You do not have to respool like you would with most low profile reels on the market. The drag is a Bull Red Fish beater. This reel is smooth. Do not know how well this reel will hold up in the long run but I am pleased so-far."
How many times a month do you fish on average?:
2
Do you own a boat?:
Yes
Would you recommend this product as a gift?:
Yes
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Review 4 for Browning® Fishing Midas® Low-Profile Baitcast Reels
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Baitcast reel,July 1, 2009
By chitlinsfrom Georgia
Advantages: Ease of use, Performs well, Quality
"I bought the midas baitcast reel along with a 7 foot medium heavy midas rod. The reel casts great and I would definately recommend this reel. I have been using the reel for several months and have not had any problems. I hardly ever backlash the reel, and love the midas rod i bought with the reel as well."
What is your favorite type of fishing?:
Freshwater
How many times a month do you fish on average?:
5+
Do you own a boat?:
Yes
Would you recommend this product as a gift?:
Yes
Share this Review:
Review 5 for Browning® Fishing Midas® Low-Profile Baitcast Reels
Top 250 Contributor
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
One of the Best,June 13, 2009
By Egregiousfrom New Orleans, Louisiana
Advantages: Ease of use, Performs well, Quality, Style/Design, Value for money Disadvantages: the bronwning logo comes off easily.
"This reel is absolutely worth of its price. It performs solidly and combined with a solid rod you will be very please. The dual braking system allows you to perfectly tune your reel for amazingly long and smooth cast."
What is your favorite type of fishing?:
Freshwater
How many times a month do you fish on average?:
5+
Do you own a boat?:
No
Would you recommend this product as a gift?:
Yes
Share this Review:
Review 6 for Browning® Fishing Midas® Low-Profile Baitcast Reels
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
AWSOME,June 3, 2009
By stumpedfrom Maryland
Advantages: Ease of use, Performs well, Quality, Style/Design, Value for money
"I absolutely love this reel. I tried baitcast reels thirlty years ago and gave up frustrated with bird nest every other cast and have stayed with spinning reels until I found the Midas. After reading all of the reviews on all of the baitcast reels that bass pro have, I decided on the Browning Midas. For the price and the performance, this reel is amazingly a pleasure to fish with. I admit that I had a few birdnest the first day but after tuning the brakes in. it is a true pleasure to fish with. I can fish all day and every day without a birdnest (professional over-ride). The Midas is a awsome reel."
What is your favorite type of fishing?:
Freshwater
How many times a month do you fish on average?:
5+
Do you own a boat?:
Yes
Would you recommend this product as a gift?:
Yes
Share this Review:
Review 7 for Browning® Fishing Midas® Low-Profile Baitcast Reels
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
GREAT REEL,May 21, 2009
By KIRKLANDfrom Hosford, FL
Advantages: Ease of use, Performs well, Quality, Style/Design
"got this for fathers day last year and has the best reel I've ever had.. easy to set up and casts a mile. it can handle any thing u can dish out."
What is your favorite type of fishing?:
Freshwater
How many times a month do you fish on average?:
5+
Do you own a boat?:
Yes
Would you recommend this product as a gift?:
Yes
Share this Review:
Review 8 for Browning® Fishing Midas® Low-Profile Baitcast Reels
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5
good reel great drag,May 20, 2009
By VinRfrom Southern California
Advantages: Ease of use, Performs well, Quality, Value for money
"i use this mainly for saltwater fishing. i have the wide version. used it for the first time last saturday for live bait mated to a shimano 9' salmon steelhead rod spooled with pline 10 cxx. didnt need to cast too far out since we were in a boat. the drag held up to an 18 lb bat ray. which if any of u have ever fought one is referred to here as a mud marlin because of their ferocious runs. still need to test the casting capability of this reel. good reel. there is noise on the retrieve a slight clicking. the handle is a lil sloppy but nothing major. otherwise very sturdy reel overall. good buy for 99.00. and as with the previous reviews i can see the problems with the front of the reel giving problems due to the sharp edge. i have big hands so it doesnt bother me one bit. but smaller hands would have problems. and this is not a "low Profile" more like in between a low pro and a round. it does sit high. but i am also used to a round so for me it is not an issue. hope it helps."
What is your favorite type of fishing?:
Saltwater
How many times a month do you fish on average?:
5+
Do you own a boat?:
Yes
Would you recommend this product as a gift?:
Yes
Share this Review:
Review 9 for Browning® Fishing Midas® Low-Profile Baitcast Reels
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
great reel,May 14, 2009
By outfishing
Advantages: Performs well, Quality, Value for money Disadvantages: beginners may have trouble setting brakes
"I traded a johny morris signature reel for this one. This reel out performs the johnny morris easy. I like the dual brake and both are adjustable on the outside. Make sure you follow directions to adjust the spool tension properly and you can really cast amazingly for a hundred bucks."
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Review 10 for Browning® Fishing Midas® Low-Profile Baitcast Reels
Top 250 Contributor
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
amazing reel,April 26, 2009
By fishdaily
"i bought this reel a few months ago and could not be happier with it. i spooled it with the cheapest 12lb i could find and have managed to not get a single backlash. the braking systems are convenient and work great and it is easily the smoothest reel i have ever used."
Would you recommend this product as a gift?:
Yes
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Review 11 for Browning® Fishing Midas® Low-Profile Baitcast Reels
Top 250 Contributor
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
My Number One Baitcast Real,April 10, 2009
By DrBassfrom Tx.
"This is my number one baitcast real. I have two and thay are the best in my book. I have one spooled with half 12 pound mono and the other half with with 14 pound braid. I have the other real in 8 pound mono for the lighter work.
keep fishing, DrBass"
What is your favorite type of fishing?:
Freshwater
How many times a month do you fish on average?:
4
Do you own a boat?:
Yes
Would you recommend this product as a gift?:
Yes
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Review 12 for Browning® Fishing Midas® Low-Profile Baitcast Reels
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Nice reel great price,April 9, 2009
By WishinIwerFishinfrom The great CA Delta
"I just got the mi20 in the mail to put on my 7'11" Okuma swimbait rod and is fits perfectly. I spooled it up with 50lb powerpro and it casts a mile. I like that I can have 230yds of 50lb and have it all in the palm of my hand. Vary comfortable and easy to cast with its dual braking system you can adjust it to throw anything perfectly."
What is your favorite type of fishing?:
Freshwater
How many times a month do you fish on average?:
5+
Do you own a boat?:
Yes
Would you recommend this product as a gift?:
Yes
Share this Review:
Review 13 for Browning® Fishing Midas® Low-Profile Baitcast Reels
Top 250 Contributor
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Amazing,April 1, 2009
By ManiacFishermanNGUfrom Springfield, MO
"I have two of these reels and they are phenominal. This is my favorite braking system, I have never birds nested this reel. This is actually the only reel I haven't bird's nested. There isn't a lure I can't throw with this, the lightest of the light and the heaviest of the heavy it lets you adjust for anything. The drag is very strong and reliable It has never slipped on me in the year in a half that I have owned it. I love this reel more than the expensive Abu Garcia SX that I own. This is my favorite reel and hopefully it will replace all of my other reels soon."
What is your favorite type of fishing?:
Freshwater
How many times a month do you fish on average?:
5+
Do you own a boat?:
Yes
Would you recommend this product as a gift?:
Yes
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 14 for Browning® Fishing Midas® Low-Profile Baitcast Reels
Top 250 Contributor
Overall Rating:
1
out of 5
reel retrive,February 25, 2009
By fishbillfrom texas
"This reel is not a good reel. It will spool up uneven and the brake system has not lasted. The magnetit brake system is cheap and compoared to similar priced reels it isn't worth it."
What is your favorite type of fishing?:
Freshwater
How many times a month do you fish on average?:
5+
Do you own a boat?:
Yes
Would you recommend this product as a gift?:
No
Share this Review:
Review 15 for Browning® Fishing Midas® Low-Profile Baitcast Reels
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Endless adjustments,November 19, 2008
By bassfearmee1from New Hampshire, Missouri, Arkansas, Maine, Mass
"I got this reel to use as a crankbait/swim bait rig. After tuning it and trying different lure weights I quickly realized this was no ordinary reel. I'm finding an infinite number of adjustment combinations between the reel friction knob and the magnetic/brake knobs. I can switch to flipping jigs in no time just by taking the brake down to 0, all controls are adjusted externally so I don't have to take the side of the reel off everytime I want to change the brake setting. Used it in a night tournament and it was fantastic. This is a very nice reel, solid metal construction and it feels great, even after 8 hours on a tournament. I highly recommend."
What is your favorite type of fishing?:
Freshwater
How many times a month do you fish on average?:
5+
Do you own a boat?:
Yes
Would you recommend this product as a gift?:
Yes
Share this Review:
Review 16 for Browning® Fishing Midas® Low-Profile Baitcast Reels
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Shimano who,November 17, 2008
By lungehunter
"I originally purchased 1 reel. Now I have 4 and have sold two friends on them as well. If that doesn't say enough my father -in-law was affraid to even look @ baitcasters until I convinced him to try this one. I'm finally able to get him off of his Zebco 808 and 880 habit. Now that should say it all. I fish for toothy critters in Canada and this reel preforms in all conditions better than any reel I've ever used. Recommend for all species. Even cast lighter tackle 1/4 oz. with ease"
What is your favorite type of fishing?:
Freshwater
How many times a month do you fish on average?:
4
Do you own a boat?:
Yes
Would you recommend this product as a gift?:
Yes
Share this Review:
Review 17 for Browning® Fishing Midas® Low-Profile Baitcast Reels
Top 500 Contributor
Overall Rating:
3
out of 5
Solid Reel - Dual Brake Useful but Finicky,November 13, 2008
By CowboyFanfrom Memphis, TN
"Bought one of these on vacation in the St. Louis store this summer. Found the reel to be a solid performer. It does have its quirks and limitations.
First, the reel is large and does not palm as well as some my other reels. To underscore this point, if you look closely at this reel and the big 'hawg pullin' 2008 BPS Nitro, they both share the same body. Both do palm better than a round Abu Garcia C3, but both this Browning and the BPS Nitro are so big and sit so tall above the rod I wonder how BPS can call either a 'low profile' reel.
Second, if you hold the reel so that your index finger is at the front of the reel just below and to the side of the the line guide assembly, you will notice a kind of a point where the body shape transitions. If this is the way you like to hold the reel, it does get annoying over the course of the day. Because of this, I do not consider it a primary 'go to' reel, its uncomfortable, but the other features of the reel are quite useful in certain situations.
Third, the dual brake system does work, but it is finicky. It must be adjusted precisly for the conditions and the bait you are throwing. I bought this reel for the dual brake feature thinking it might be useful in windy situations. I also liked the fact that both brakes adjust from the outside of the reel unlike the 2008 Pflueger Supreme and 2008 BPS Johnny Morris reels that require you to remove the sideplate to adjust the centrifugal brakes.
Overall, the Browning does perform very well in a steady wind. Unfortunately, in variable winds I found myself adjusting the brakes more than I would reels with just one brake system, which, to me, negated the usefulness of the dual brake system and actually decreased the fun of fishing in general. Too much messing around with the adjustments, not enough time fishing.
However, the dual brake system did have a benefit that I did not anticipate, but in retrospect, I should have. With the dual brake adjusted properly, this reel, more than any other baitcaster I own or have owned intended for bass fishing, allows me to rare back and chuck a bait as hard and far as I can with minimal backlash. This reel simply casts farther with less incidence of backlash than any other reel I have used. I found this particularly useful when pulling Rattle-Traps through and under schooling baitfish in the late summer and fall. Even with a 'slower' 6.4 retrieve ratio, the reel allows you to cover a lot of water quickly, is very smooth doing so, and has a nice and fairly powerful drag system to boot. In this sense, I would call this reel an 'optimal distance caster' as the dual brake system does allow you to dial in things just so, that you can chunk just about anything (with some weight) a far as you can. The reel simply excels at this.
Overall the Browning is solid performer with good and very useful features, but I just feel that the physical design of the reel is not as well thought out as others for primary use, especially reels that are around the same price. If you buy one, buy it on sale. $100-$110 is justifiable for this reel and I'd personally consider purchasing another at that price. This said, I would rather spend $150+ on something else that was more comfortable and less finicky than what I have found this reel to be."
What is your favorite type of fishing?:
Freshwater
How many times a month do you fish on average?:
4
Do you own a boat?:
No
Would you recommend this product as a gift?:
Yes
Share this Review:
Review 18 for Browning® Fishing Midas® Low-Profile Baitcast Reels
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Amazing Reel,October 8, 2008
By Buck08from Florida
"Just the right reel.I love it. Bought it at Bass Pro in Macon, Georgia. Took it back to the camper, spooled it with Berkley Vanish, and set it on my new 7 foot md.-hvy. action rod. Next morning, took her out, put on a brush hog, and went to work.Casts like a charm, about 3 casts, and it was tuned perfect.No problem whatsoever. Easily, casted 40-50 yards, smooth, no backlash at all! I almost forgot all about it reeling it in, I couldn't even feel it, itwas that good. Not a backlash for 3.5 hours, and the action was great. No fish, but I enjoyed putting time on the reel. Every weekendI'm out at the lake, pond, or the river, workin' them fish. Have already caught 2 Largemouths, 2lbs a piece, the drag is right on, and this thing wrenches 'em right out! Smoothest 10 bearings I've ever casted. :)"
What is your favorite type of fishing?:
Freshwater
How many times a month do you fish on average?:
5+
Do you own a boat?:
Yes
Would you recommend this product as a gift?:
Yes
Share this Review:
Review 19 for Browning® Fishing Midas® Low-Profile Baitcast Reels
Top 250 Contributor
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5
Good reel.,August 20, 2008
By Shuffletownfrom Charlotte, NC
"This reel has a pretty good drag and is smooth. If you get it tuned right, it casts well.
I don't, however, care much for its dual breaking system. I have the previous model Browning Midas with just a centrifugal break and I like it better.
More options, in this case, didn't really translate into better performance...just takes more time to adjust. But, it's still a good reel. I am satisfied."
What is your favorite type of fishing?:
Freshwater
How many times a month do you fish on average?:
5+
Do you own a boat?:
Yes
Would you recommend this product as a gift?:
Yes
Share this Review:
Review 20 for Browning® Fishing Midas® Low-Profile Baitcast Reels
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Dear Dano111,August 13, 2008
By Dazzmanfrom Omaha, Nebraska
"Set the inner dial at two and the outer dial (both on the left side of reel) to eight. Lastly, hold the rod tip at an angle of 2 o'clock and adjust the thumb screw till it will allow the lure you have to drop slowly. These settings can be tweaked to your own preference and casting style. BTW, i used these settings today and did not even use my thumb and had no backlash at all. This reels is highly adjustable and the folks at Bass Pro can take the cover of it off the reel and show you how each setting actually works. I am going to buy another one of these before they decide to chance the model. I love this reel."
What is your favorite type of fishing?:
Freshwater
How many times a month do you fish on average?:
3
Do you own a boat?:
No
Would you recommend this product as a gift?:
Yes