Abu Garcia Zenon MG-LTX BFS BF8 BF6 Reel Product Review

BFS Reel Review

Abu Garcia's Formula for BFS Success - Part Two : The Reels

Date:	8/5/24
Tackle Type:	Reel
Manufacturer:	Abu Garcia
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 8.00 + EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD

Introduction: As part one in a series of two articles, earlier this year, we took a close look at Abu Garcia's new BFS tuned casting rods in their Zenon lineup. Today we look at that second part of the formula, the reels. Abu Garcia's Zenon MG-LTX casting reel is already considered a finesse reel, but like the rods in part one of this series, the Zenon MG-LTX BFS reels are built with more intent to facilitate presentations with thin diameter line.

Abu Garcia Zenon MG-LTX BFS Specifications
Line Capacity - Rated (#test/yds)	6/65, 8/50
Line Capacity - Spool Volume	4.6 cm³
Retrieve Ratio	6.8	8.3
Inches Per Turn (IPT) - calculated	20 - 24	24.5 - 30
Weight	5.3 oz
Spool Weight	12.1 g
Handle Length	85 mm
Bearings	9+1
Bearings per Knob	2 bearings
Levelwind Bearings	1 bearing
Rated Max Drag	~11lbs
Origin	Made in Korea
MSRP	$549.95

Introducing Abu Garcia's Zenon MG-LTX BF8

Impressions: Case in point? While the standard Zenon MG-LTX is rated to carry up to one hundred twenty yards (120yds) of ten pound (10lb) test, the MG-LTX BFS reels come with a rated capacity of only fifty yards (50yds) of eight pound (8lb) test. That's quite the difference. Another is in their respective braking systems. The original MG-LTX's is centrifugal - the same system found in the MG-X, Abu Garcia's IVCB-4. The new MG-LTX BFS reels follows suit with the majority of BFS platforms, including their own, limited edition LX992Z and is equipped with a braking system consisting of magnets, the company's MagTrax.

And the Zenon MG-LTX BF6

There are, of course, some minor cosmetic differences too, but once you swap out the braking systems, you're already dealing with an entirely different beast - no not THAT beast. The '22 Zenon Beast is a JDM reel. The '24 MG-LTX BFS features an X2-Craftic alloy (aluminum) frame, yet even with that aluminum frame, it tipped our scale at only five point three ounces (5.3oz). The standard MG-LTX is made from Abu Garcia's X-Mag alloy (magnesium) and is specified at four point seven ounces (4.7oz).

Because you never really outgrow the matching combo vibe

Real World Tests: Abu Garcia offers their MG-LTX BFS platform in two retrieve ratios, a 6.8:1 and 8.3:1. I was fortunate enough to have both on hand to test and paired each up with a matching Zenon BFS fishing rod as reviewed in part one of this series. I lined the 6.8:1 reel (the BF6) with YGK's G-Soul Upgrade PE X8 #2 in chartreuse, and topped it with a leader of 8lb Seaguar Gold Label FC. For the 8.3:1 reel (the BF8), I chose Varivas's Super Trout Advance Double Cross X8 in #0.8 with a leader of 6lb Gold Label FC.

The Zenon MG-LTX BF6 is intended for moving baits like these BFS versions of popular Megabass profiles

Casting: It was while fishing these two and another reel during the early part of this year where I came up with the idea to attempt the Shallow Spool Challenge test because over the past couple of years, it's become obvious manufacturers have figured out the formula of how to tune their reels enabling anglers to cast finesse sized (and weighted) baits for bass fishing. Really, most of these BFS baits for bass fishing don't go much below one quarter of an ounce (1/4oz) and while this can challenge many reels built for more conventional presentations, almost any casting reel equipped with a shallow spool can handle 1/4oz - when spooled with the right line and matched with the right rod.

Reel weight...

Spool weight...

Case in point? The MG-LTX BF6 and BF8, in the line and rod combinations I used during their review, handle casting duties like we breathe air. While I'm an oddball and actually prefer the feel of centrifugal brakes in my finesse casting reels, Abu Garcia's MagTrax works perfectly to help tame the spool even with occasionally difficult to cast baits like Megabass's Griffon SR-X BFS crankbait rated at three sixteenths of an ounce (3/16oz). Most would fish a lure like this on spinning gear, but with a capable BFS combo like the MG-LTX BF6 paired with the equally capable ZENBFC71-5, casting gear is back in play.

But how much weight does it take to get that spool moving?

So I wanted something a bit more stripped down and repeatable with a method to try and discern potential differences in performance. For the Zenon MG-LTX BFS reels, this equated to a peel weight of 0.2 grams - that's roughly seven thousandths of an ounce (.007oz) for those who don't do grams. If you're unfamiliar with what I'm referring to as peel weight, please visit our article from March 27, 2024, the BFS Shallow Spool Challenge.

Peel Weight Spool Test (Lined w/ Spro Finesse Braid PE #0.8)
Manufacturer	Model	Spool	Spool Wt (grams)	Load (grams)
Abu Garcia	LX992Z	Stock	9	0.1
Abu Garcia	Zenon MG-BFS	Stock	12	0.2
*Shallow Spool AVG	--	--	10	0.2

From that exercise, we can see the Zenon MG-LTX BFS's peel weight lines up well with the average of the sixteen different BFS capable reels tested. It's a bit early in the data collection process to draw much more from that, but for now, it's an interesting data point for comparison.

The MagTrax (magnetic) brakes are adjusted via this dial

Back to on the water performance, another difference maker for this reel, and one I almost forgot to address is the presence of ceramic spool bearings or as Abu Garcia refers to them CeramiLite. I'm not typically a fan of ceramic bearings because those I've fished with in the past were noisy. These are not. There were a couple casts I had, especially with a Ned rig, where the bait went surprisingly far. Considering the reel's braking system, I'd attribute that free flying experience to those bearings.

I used the BF8 for drop shot and Ned rigs

Next: Retrieve feel with the Zenon LTX