Abu Garcia Revo Beast Rocket Gen4 Product Review

Reel Review

Casting Wind Sprints with Big Baits : Abu Garcia's Beast Rocket

Date:	2/26/20
Tackle Type:	Reel
Manufacturer:	Abu Garcia
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 7.75 - GOOD

Introduction: There's no question we are in the midst of a speed war with manufacturers raising the rate of retrieve in low profile casting reels each passing year. Seven point something used to be considered incredibly fast but is now the new five point something as we see several reels cresting ten to one ratios hitting store shelves. The saving grace, it seemed, were the larger sized low profile casting reels. These were somehow immune to the speed force's allure. That is, until now.

There's a new Revo Rocket in town and this one's also a Beast!

Back in September of 2019, we shared our thoughts on Abu Garcia's latest Revo Beast, a very versatile, oversized low profile casting reel built to take on the hardiest of game fish. At ICAST 2020, Abu introduced a souped up version of this reel tuned with a main gear that turns the spool 9.2 rotations per single turn of the handle. It's time to take a look at the Revo Beast Rocket.

Abu Garcia Revo4 Beast Rocket Specifications
Line Capacity - Rated	12lb /240yds
Line Capacity - Spool Volume	24.5 cm³
Retrieve Ratio	9.2:1
Inches Per Turn (IPT) - calculated	12.5 - 42
Weight	9.5 oz
Spool Weight	28 g
Handle Length	95 mm
Bearings	7HPCR + 1RB
Bearings per Knob	2 bushings
Levelwind Bearings	2 bearings
Rated Max Drag	24lbs
Origin	Made in Korea
MSRP	$299.95

Impressions: Abu Garcia's gen 4 REVO Beast is offered in two retrieve ratios, the fastest of which is 7.3:1 and topping out at roughly 33.5 inches of return per turn of the handle. The new REVO Beast Rocket is offered in a 9.2:1 retrieve ratio with a whopping 42 inches of return per turn of the handle (on a full spool).

The Beast Rocket combines the size and power of the Beast with the speed of the Rocket

The reel comes with the same size, shape, handle, and knobs as the standard Beast, but with the color scheme of the latest REVO Rocket. The gen 4 Rocket is a 10.1:1 retrieve reel, but because of its smaller size actually pulls on "only" 40 inches per turn of the handle on a full spool. The Beast Rocket is faster.

It comes with only one handle option and shares the same large knobs as the original beast

Real World Tests: But how does all that speed translate out on the water? To find out, I spooled the REVO Beast Rocket with some 50lb Spider Wire Stealth Camo braided line and paired the reel with Abu Garcia's Veracity VRCTYC79-7 all purpose big bait stick.

Abu Garcia outfits the Beast Rocket with the same Infini II hybrid brake system

Casting: The Beast Rocket sports the same braking system as the standard Beast. Abu Garcia's Infini II brakes are a hybrid system consisting of both magnetic and centrifugal elements. Theoretically, the centrifugal system engages more at the beginning of your cast while the magnets are effective throughout.

Engaging both systems will affect casting distance, but give you good control against "professional overruns." I've stated before that I tend to turn the magnets off on this system and rely more upon the centrifugal system. This gives you the most freedom with a variety of lure weights.

Abu Garcia specs 9.2:1 Beast Rocket with 43" IPT. We calculated it at 42" but perhaps they're assuming a fuller spool than we are

Retrieve: Already familiar with the braking system, the reel test with this reel comes when you turn that handle over and engage the spool. That super fast retrieve is a bit overkill for fishing big baits for black bass where you usually want to employ a slow retrieve, but there are a handful of baits that are effective at the faster speeds like Jackall's Gantarel swimbait. Big topwater walking baits like Strike King's Mega Dawg are another option.

Thanks to the larger gear, this Rocket has good power

Next Section: A Beast that can sprint...