Company: Maxel Fishing Tackle Co. Ltd. · Founded: 2003 · Based: Dongguan, Guangdong, China · Category: Slow pitch and jigging reels
Maxel is often taken for a Taiwanese brand, but its own site says it was founded in 2003 and builds its reels in Dongguan, China. Our hub lists the Transformer F30CH, a compact lever drag reel. Maxel sells the Transformer as a high-speed jigging reel, not a slow pitch reel, though the F30CH is small enough for slow pitch work.
The Maxel reel that is sold for slow pitch is the Rage 25H, which Fishermen’s Source calls “a new generation of specialized reels for slow jigging.” This review covers both, plus the Hybrid 20 star drag, and where to buy them in Florida.
Company overview
Maxel’s history page lists the SeaWolf series in 2003, the SeaLion jigging reels in 2008 and the Transformer in 2013. In April 2025 it moved to a new factory. Its address is 11th Floor, Building 16, HengDong Technology Park, No. 7 ManYuan Street, TangXia Town, Dongguan, Guangdong, China. Maxel sells a separate US-market version of its Hybrid reel, but it doesn’t list a US office.
At a glance
| Brand | Maxel |
| Slow pitch reel | Rage 25H (compact lever drag, 6.2:1) |
| Jigging lever drags | Transformer F30CH to F70H |
| Star drag | Hybrid 20 / 25 / 30 |
| Other series | Armory, OceanMax, Rage Pro, Sealion, Oceanic trolling |
| US price | $599.99 (Rage 25H) · $615.95–$679.95 (Transformer) · $349 MSRP (Hybrid 20) |
| Florida dealers | Big Dog Tackle and Johnny Jigs, both in Pompano Beach |
Transformer series
Maxel launched the Transformer in 2013 for its tenth year of making reels and upgraded it in 2018. The upgrade brought an arc-shaped side plate for grip, lighter EVA knobs and a handle shaft with extra bearing support. Big Dog Tackle lists “lever controlled dual drag,” “magnetic cast assist control” and a “one piece tempered aluminum frame.” Compleat Angler adds a cold-forged spool and stainless steel helical gears, and says magnetic cast control is on sizes 30, 40 and 50.
| Model | Gear ratio | Retrieve | Weight | Strike / full drag | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F30CH | 6.2:1 | 96 cm | 446 g | 10 / 20 kg | PE2 / 400 m | $615.95 (sold out) |
| F40CH | 5.8:1 | 98 cm | 533 g | 11 / 22 kg | PE3 / 400 m | Not listed |
| F50CH / F50CHL | 5.8:1 | 98 cm | 542 g | 11 / 22 kg | PE4 / 400 m | $629.95 / $637.55 |
| F60H / F60HL | 5.3:1 | 97 cm | 590 g | 12 / 24 kg | PE5 / 400 m | $639.95 |
| F70H | 5.3:1 | 112 cm | 675 g | 16 / 30 kg | PE6 / 400 m | $679.95 (sold out) |
Specs and prices from Big Dog Tackle, Pompano Beach, September 2026. An “L” suffix means left-hand.
Spec differences between sources:
- Maxel’s own F70HL page lists a 12 kg strike drag, 9+2 bearings and a $689.00 MSRP. Big Dog Tackle lists 16 kg strike
- Compleat Angler (Australia) matches Big Dog on the F30CH: 9+2 bearings, 446 g, 10/20 kg, PE2/400 m, at AUD $869.99 (sold out)
- Australian Angling lists F30CH capacity as 300 m of PE3. It also sells a power-ratio F30 at 5.3:1 (82 cm) that weighs 400 g
The F30CH for slow pitch: The F30CH has the same 6.2:1 gear and 96 cm per turn as Maxel’s Rage 25H, but at 446 g it’s heavier, and its 20 kg full drag is more than three times the Rage’s. In our view it suits heavier jigs, stronger rods and bigger fish better than light slow pitch.
Rage 25H: Maxel’s slow jigging reel
Images: Maxel
The Rage 25H is Maxel’s compact lever drag for slow pitch. Its drag has an extra “M” position between free spool and strike for “more precise control and minimizing line breakages,” and Johnny Jigs and Fishermen’s Source say it handles braid as fine as PE 0.6.
| Spec | Rage 25H |
|---|---|
| Gear ratio | 6.2:1 |
| Retrieve | 38″ (96 cm) |
| Weight | 13.9 oz |
| Max drag | 13.2 lb (Maxel: 5 kg strike, 5.5–6 kg full) |
| Capacity | 20 lb / 400 yd · 30 lb / 300 yd |
| Bearings | 9+2 |
| Handle | 108.5 mm, aluminum ball knob |
| Price | $599.99 |
From Johnny Jigs (in stock) and Fishermen’s Source (sold out), September 2026. Bearings, drag and handle from Maxel’s Rage compact page, which lists 375–395 g for the 20 and 25 sizes.
The Rage 25H has a one-piece machined aluminum frame, cold-forged spool, stainless gears and a four-screw reel foot. The light drag is typical of slow pitch reels, which are built for thin PE and soft rods, not for locking down on a big fish.
Hybrid 20 (star drag)
Maxel’s HY20 USA model is a small star drag: 5.0:1, 76 cm per turn, 346 g, 13 kg drag, PE2/300 m, 7+1 bearings, $349.00 MSRP. Maxel doesn’t market it for slow pitch. The Fisherman magazine calls the Hybrid a multi-task reel for fluke, stripers, bottom fishing and “jigging bluefish.”
Choosing a Maxel reel
| Your fishing | Maxel reel |
|---|---|
| Slow pitch with 100–250 g jigs on PE 1–2 | Rage 25H |
| Faster jigging, heavier jigs, amberjack | Transformer F30CH |
| Deep, heavy jigging on PE 4–6 | Transformer F50CH to F70H |
| General bottom fishing, budget | Hybrid 20 |
These pairings are our suggestions. Maxel also makes slow jigging rods: the Elemento series runs from the 511-3 (80–250 g, $299) to the 511-8 (250–600 g, $349), all 5’11” one-piece.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Rage 25H is a dedicated slow jigging reel with a fine-tuning “M” drag position
- Transformer covers PE2 to PE6 in five sizes
- Stocked by two Pompano Beach shops
- Maxel publishes full specs on its own pages
Cons
- The Transformer is a high-speed jigging reel, not a slow pitch reel
- Specs differ between retailers and Maxel
- F30CH was sold out at Big Dog Tackle
- No US office listed
Maxel vs. other slow pitch reels
| Brand | Reel | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Maxel | Rage 25H · Transformer F30CH | $599.99 · $615.95 |
| Accurate | Valiant BV-300-SPJ | $509.99 |
| Shimano | Ocea Jigger 2000NR HG | $539.99–$569.99 |
| Jigging Master | Violent Slow series | See review |
| Okuma | Cavalla lever drag | See review |
Where to buy Maxel reels
Manufacturer
- Maxel · Transformer series · Rage compact · Hybrid 20 · About Maxel
Florida
- Big Dog Tackle, 1440 N Federal Hwy, Pompano Beach, FL 33062 · (954) 933-7587 · Transformer
- Johnny Jigs, Pompano Beach, FL · Rage 25H
Other US retailers
- Fishermen’s Source, 3501 Sunset Avenue, Ocean Township, NJ 07712 · 800-388-4149 · fishermenssource.com: Rage, Hybrid, OceanMax
Outside the US
- Compleat Angler Nedlands (Australia) · Transformer F30CH
- Australian Angling · Transformer F series
- RedTackle (Singapore) · redtackle.com: Transformer from $730
Verdict
If you want a Maxel for slow pitch, buy the Rage 25H. It’s a compact lever drag built for thin PE and light jigs, and Johnny Jigs had it in stock in Pompano Beach at $599.99. The Transformer F30CH on our hub is a strong, fast jigging reel with a 20 kg drag, better for heavier jigs and amberjack than for true slow pitch. Maxel is a Chinese maker, not Taiwanese, and US stock is limited to a few dealers, two of them in South Florida.
Deep-Drop.com rating: Build quality 4/5 · Slow pitch fit 3.5/5 · Value 3.5/5 · Spec transparency 3.5/5 · US availability 3.5/5
FAQ
Is Maxel a Taiwanese company?
No. Maxel’s own site says it was founded in 2003 and is based in Dongguan, Guangdong, China.
Is the Maxel Transformer F30CH a slow pitch reel?
Maxel and its dealers sell it as a high-speed jigging reel. It can work for slow pitch, but the Rage 25H is Maxel’s dedicated slow jigging reel.
How much is the Maxel Transformer F30CH?
Big Dog Tackle listed it at $615.95, sold out, in September 2026. Compleat Angler in Australia had it at AUD $869.99.
Where can I buy Maxel reels in Florida?
Big Dog Tackle and Johnny Jigs, both in Pompano Beach.
Specifications and prices were checked against maxelfishing.com, Big Dog Tackle, Johnny Jigs, Fishermen’s Source, Compleat Angler Nedlands, Australian Angling, RedTackle and The Fisherman on September 28, 2026.