Abu Garcia Revo SX Baitcast Reel Review (Pros and Cons)

Hands-On Abu Garcia Revo Review

The latest in the Abu Garcia Revo line has some serious updates. This has historically been a great option for fishermen looking to get a really beefy reel without shelling out too much cash. Will this fourth generation live up to the reputation of the previous versions? Let’s take a closer look at the Abu Garcia Revo SX Baitcast Reel.

Quick Specs: Abu Garcia Revo SX

• Weight: 6.65 oz
• Drag: 20 lbs
• Bearings: 10
• Gear ratio: 7.1 to 1
• Inches per turn: 29
• Spool capacity (mono): 145 yds/ 12 lbs

What I Like About The Abu Garcia Revo SX

There’s a whole lot to like here. As you’ll see, I find the setup out of the box to be really strong, and the way it feels when I cast is just great.

With some of these reels, you’ll find there’ terribly complicated to work with or adjust, but the Abu Garcia Revo SX makes these tasks very easy. I quickly got this mounted and dialed in and I was ready to fish right away.

Brake System

Probably the one thing that stands out the most about this reel is the Mag Trax braking system. Abu Garcia has given us a top of the line centrifugal braking system in this reel without driving the price up too far, and that’s a game changer.

The system works great and you’ve got very easy access through the side panels if you want to make any adjustments. I’ve found it takes some time for me to dial in the exact settings I want on this reel, but once I’ve got them I’m ready to really let it rip.

The brake system applies good smooth pressure throughout my cast and lets me make the most of each throw.

Weight to Strength Ratio

The Abu Garcia Revo SX really makes great use of not much material in its body. The main parts are constructed of a very lightweight alloy, and no pieces are wasted in the system overall. The result is a reel that feels light in the hand but has no trouble even when lots of pressure is applied.

This is the most important thing I’m looking for when it comes to any reel. The heavier a reel gets, the less feel I can display in my casting and when I’m keeping a fish on the line. Good, light packages like this one allow me to feel every little bump of tension on my line and to respond appropriately.

Casting

I’ve already talked about the brake system, but let me just underscore how smooth the casting is on this reel. I’ve got smooth action from my spool, 10 ball bearings that work perfectly, and a line feed coated in some sort of alloy that just makes it work perfectly. In the time I got to test this product, I don’t think I had a single fouled cast that could be related to the reel itself.

Efficiency

The gear system in here works really well and does exactly what it’s intended to do: help you get the most out of each and every crank. This reel allows me to apply nice smooth pressure throughout the process of reeling in, which helps me do a better job of keeping my fish on the line.

Low-Profile Design

This reel rests right up against the rod and that makes for a fantastic feeling from the angler’s perspective. Nothing juts out or gets in your way as you’re casting. You can focus on the fish you’ve got on the line and on putting yourself in the best position.

I’m a big fan of taking the time to get comfortable with your reel, whatever it is. But with the Revo SX, you’re going to find that it feels just about right as soon as you pick it up, so you’ll definitely minimize the time you need to take getting familiar.

What I Didn’t Like

I have found a few specific issues with the Revo SX, so I’ll mention those here. Mostly what I’m looking at is just some questions about how well it’ll hold up with regular use, and some design choices I’m not sure I’d agree with. These are issues, to be sure, but I can’t say I encountered any glaring problems that you should be wary of here.

Wear and Tear

I only had a few trips with this reel before writing this review, so I can not say conclusively how these parts will hold up over time. That being said, I did notice that a few of my key components did seem to react poorly when they got a bit dirty.

At one point I rested my reel on what turned out to be a bit of mud for a few minutes while getting my boat set up. I was able to get it cleaned out pretty easily, but just that bit of mud that seeped in did give it some issues with the casting lever.

I’m not overly concerned by this, as I’ve owned Abu Garcia reels in the past and I know their parts are high quality, but it is worth knowing that this is a reel you’ll want to take care of.

Look and Feel

Some elements of the design here looked cool to me right out of the box, but aren’t going to hold up well after some time on the water. Nothing corroded on me, but the finish on the outer body started to look pretty dingy after some light use.

I also found that the thumb paddles were a bit too tacky for my taste. This is obviously a small issue, but it’s one of the details that can take a good reel and turn it into a great reel and this one misses the mark.

Conclusion

The Abu Garcia Revo SX gets a lot done with a little – both in terms of its weight and its price. I like the wide handle and the gear setup which let me get a whole lot out of each crank. Plus the casting feel here is excellent and gives you control and power all in one package. I’d call this reel a definite winner.

Abu Garcia Revo SX