Abu Garcia Revo SX Review

As summer takes hold, thick vegetation continues to cover my favorite fishing spots. This means I need a rod and reel that can haul in a salad with my fish. However, I don’t fish competitively, so I can’t justify spending a mortgage payment on a reel. Luckily, Abu Garcia sent the Revo SX to test and review this spring and early summer. 

I’ve fished with it in my pond, the lake, and while bouncing a 1-ounce jig in the heavy current of my local lake’s tailwaters. I’m tough on gear and am blessed to fish the pond in my backyard whenever I want. The Abu Garcia Revo SX has been one of the only reels in my hand in the last couple of months. So, how has it held up so far?

In short: After a few casts, I was shocked that this reel wasn’t more expensive. I can launch a cast across my pond, flip into some vegetation, and reel in big fish without concerns. While the Revo SX is not a budget-friendly option, it’s definitely affordable for serious bass anglers. The build quality and performance have proven that this reel is worth every penny. 

Abu Garcia Revo SX Baitcasting Reel Review

In several situations, I’ve targeted largemouth and hybrid striped bass with the Abu Garcia Revo SX low-profile baitcaster. It’s become one of my favorite jig reels for bank and kayak fishing. I have it paired with a 7’5” heavy-power, fast-action Fenwick Elite Bass casting rod.

Build Quality

I’ve used Abu Garcia rods and reels for nearly as long as I’ve fished (a cane pole and Zebco 33 were my first). I’ve always thought Abu Garcia puts a tremendous amount of thought and effort into crafting high-quality fishing gear.

The fifth generation of the Revo SX provides anglers with the perfect balance of weight, strength, and ergonomics, thanks to the X2-Cräftic alloy frame and asymmetrical body design. This reel can winch in big or little fish with lots of salad thanks to the torque and power from the D2 Gear design and Power Stack Carbon Matrix drag system.

I’ve had fewer backlashes, and when I do have a backlash, it’s not nearly as bad because of the IVCB-6 braking system, which has almost limitless braking options.

It is available right-handed or left-handed and with 6.7:1 or 7.3:1 gear ratios (you can upgrade to the Revo SX Rocket for a 9.0:1 or Revo SX-SS for an 8.1:1 gear ratio). 

Now that we know most of the nitty-gritty details, let’s get to what truly matters: how it performed while fishing. 

On-the-Water Performance

When I first got the reel, I headed to my pond and was blown away by how easy it was to cast with minimal effort. I had a few bites while casting and flipping/pitching a jig, but didn’t catch anything, so I was eager to get back to the water. My next trip was to the lake from the bank, where the reel exceeded my expectations, but I didn’t catch a fish. 

Another time, I hooked into one of the biggest bass in my pond. It stripped drag and jumped, and I reeled it to my dock. I made the mistake of allowing it to wrap around one of the dock’s legs and cut my line. Losing that fish was no fault of the reel or rod; I must take full responsibility for it. However, during that fight, I began to see just how incredible this reel is for bass fishing.

On one of my most recent trips with the Revo SX, I met my buddy below our local dam to target hybrid striped bass and catfish. Neither of us caught a hybrid, but my buddy caught a catfish and a big walleye while I reeled in freshwater drum after freshwater drum. A couple of them weighed 5 to 8 pounds. I’m not a fan of catching drum, but I must admit they fight hard. And, paired with the strong currents we were fishing, they were a blast to reel in with the Abu Garcia Revo SX.

When I kayak fish, I suspect this reel will be locked in my hand for most of the morning and throughout the summer. 

What the Revo SX Baitcaster Does Well

The Revo SX baitcasting reel does precisely what you expect it to do. It casts great, reels in big and little fish, rarely backlashes, and is built to last.

I was able to crank up the drag in swift currents to ensure the fish wouldn’t get slack in the line. But I also adjusted it to be sensitive enough to allow big bass in calm water to strip drag smoothly.

I could use it for general fishing, but I’ve found it to fit my needs perfectly while jig fishing. So, I’ve primarily used it in those instances. 

Where I See Room for Improvement

I honestly don’t see much room for improvement with the Revo SX low-profile reel. It’s at an excellent price for the quality, and I’m excited to continue fishing with it for years. 

Who Should Buy It

As an avid bass angler, I can honestly say this reel is ideal for serious anglers. Tournament anglers will find the Abu Garcia Revo SX up to the quality standards they need to land winning fish. Weekend warriors like myself will also find this reel an excellent addition to their fishing reel collection.

However, I wouldn’t recommend this reel to beginners because it is pricey. It costs more than some of my rod and reel combos, which I’ve used for years to catch fish. So if you’re on a tight budget or unsure if you’ll enjoy fishing as much as I do, you should probably keep looking for a different reel.

Conclusion: Abu Garcia Revo SX Reel Review

I’ve been highly impressed with my Abu Garcia Revo SX low-profile baitcasting reel. It’s held up for many fishing trips and still looks barely used. I believe it to be reasonably priced, but it is expensive for many anglers ($180 isn’t cheap). I’ll be fishing with this Abu Garcia reel for a while.