Baitcaster Question?

I've been a spinning reel user for many (all my) years. A while back John (jmairey) posted a reel question to me and it intrigued me into purchasing a bait casting reel. I purchased a AG 6500-C3 and found it too big for my small hands, so I also purchased a 5500-C3. I have been using the 5500-C3 with large top water lures and frogs. I now feel comfortable with the smaller reel and really enjoy using it.

Well, now I'm being tempted by the low profile reels. I was at FW the other day and checked out the AG Revo S bait caster.  It looks like a good reel and the price is right.

I know...blah, blah, blah...bottom line here. Have any of you fine people used this reel? What is your opinion?

Wishing you all the best...Al

Go to e-bay and get yourself a Shimano Curado BSF 200 (or 201 lefty).

This is by far the best baitcast reel for the money out there.

The new curados are too expensive, but the bsf200's are sweet!

MolBasser

The Revo SX is verry nice. I'm running a lefty and like it a lot. Factory drags are carbon graphite, and while I can't remember the exact amount, can put out something like 15 lbs of drag? Glenn at FW knows the exact details, but considerably more drag than an equivalently sized Shimano. I'm also using a Citica 100. It's comparable to an old Curado. I paid a little more for the Revo than the Citica, but think it's a much nicer reel overall.

Regards,
Scott

hey al, one thing that is interesting is that on a lot of low profile reels, the level wind does not operate on a cast,
only on the retrieve.

it is disengaging...

but this is not true on the ambassadeurs. the level wind operates on the cast.  they are non-disengaging.

it's debateable to me whether one or the other casts further, as in one case the line has to move the levelwind,
but in the other the angle of the line going through the line guide can be extreme. this would also
contribute to variability in the cast.

in any case, check the sniffer bass forum for guys that have tried way too many bass reels.

myself, I tried an old abu low profile for $12 off ebay.  and a $28 one off factor fisherman's outlet. but I don't
like the disengaging feature so much.

are those revo's disengaging or non-disengaging?

John

For kayak fisherman, the light weight of these low profile reels are a real benefit when yo-yoing for yellows or bottom fishing for rockfish. The ergonomic feel and light weight reduces cramping and fatigue and but you may lose drag pressure and line capacity.
Manufacturers are now making low profile baitcasters for salt water with corrossion resistant components - the Quantum Accurist AC500pts is something to look at it. It weighs 10ozs, has 5 bearings and a retrieve of 6.2:1

They make the Revo in an inshore model also http://www.tackletour.com/reviewabugarciapreview08.html
I have always wondered why abu has never broken into the low profile market given there sucess with the round reels.

People at TKF LOVE the Revo...I have 2 on order.

Thanks for the link Mike...maybe I need to order 2 more!!!

scwafish - I find it very difficult to believe that you'll dislike the Revo. I'm hoping that ABU decides to make a smaller version for finesse baitcasting.

jmairey - The Revos disengage the level wind. So does the Calcutta, so it's not necessarily a "low profile" thing. I agree that there's probably very little difference in casting distances between engaged and disengaged level winds. State of reel tune and casters ability would have more effect, don't you think?  The SX and STX use magnetic casting drags, I believe the S is centrifugal casting drag.

Regards,
Scott

<Edited to refer to the casting drag, as opposed to the fish fighting drag.>

.....another vote for the shimano curado 

Thank you for all the great input, and the review link. Lots of good info shared. I look forward to seeing the new 2008 AG reels.

My son gave me a FW gift cert for fathers day, so I plan to use it this week on a new Revo.

Best regards, Al

No doubt that the Curado is good.  It was the long-time TKF favorite, but it is being replaced in fast order over there by the Revo.  Besides, for bigger fish, no small reel can crank out the drag numbers of the Revo.  The inshore version looks delicious 

Where is Alan with reel widsom when we need him?  Paging Mr. Tani!!!

a lot of bearings in those things for saltwater use, I kind of like the fact that the black max version in that writeup
is only $50 and has fewer bearings to corrode and seize up.

I guess I'll wait for one of those if I get one of these.

Thornley: name a low profile reel with non disengaging level wind,   .

low profile is sufficient but not necessary for non-disengagement,  .