Abu Garcia Revo Gen4 Revo4 STX Baitcasting Low Profile Product Review

Reel Review

Breaking Free of Middle Child Syndrome, Abu Garcia's Revo4 STX

Date:	9/16/18
Tackle Type:	Reel
Manufacturer:	Abu Garcia
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 8.08 - GREAT

Introduction: Within Abu Garcia's Fourth Generation refresh of their popular REVO lineup of casting and spinning reels, we've seen kind of subtle, under the hood refinements in drag washer design and composition, gear material, hood/front plate design, and the obvious color schemes. I've fished all the reels from the X through the Premier, but the one reel I was most excited to sample, once I discovered its improvement, is the subject of today's review. Introducing Abu Garcia's 4th Generation Revo STX.

Abu Garcia Revo4 STX Specifications
Line Capacity - Rated	12/145
Line Capacity - Spool Volume	12.6 cm³
Retrieve Ratio	6.6	7.3	8.0 (RH Only)
Inches Per Turn (IPT) - calculated	12 - 26	13.5 - 29	15 - 32
Weight	7.3 oz
Spool Weight	17 g
Handle Length	90 mm
Bearings	10SS+1
Bearings per Knob	2 bearings
Levelwind Bearings	2 bearings
Rated Max Drag	24lbs (Power Stack Carbon Matrix)
Braking System	IVCB-6L (centrifugal)
Origin	Made in Korea
MSRP	$199.99

STX is that rebellious middle child.

Impressions: STX in the Revo family of reels is that rebellious middle child - Not quite as attention grabbing as say the high end Premier, and no where near as popular as the more affordable siblings in X, S, and SX. To me, STX has always been cousin to reels like Shimano's Chronarch and Daiwa's Zillion platforms - just a step up in refinement over Curado and Tatula and right where my collection of workhorse reels begins.

The 4th generation STX, is similar in appearance to the previous gen.

The 4th generation STX, is similar in appearance to the previous gen with a silver and black motif. The difference with the new gen is those silver sideplates have a more muted, matte finish instead of glossy. Additionally the silver metal highlights on this reel are more satin than chrome. This new STX has a much more utilitarian look and feel.

Only with a matte silver finish instead of gloss.

Real World Tests: Anxious to see what the new Revo STX was all about, I spooled it up with some ten pound (10lb) Sunline Shooter Fluorocarbon and paired it with a Megabass US Destroyer F7-76X Valvidia for some real world action.

The sideplate is now locked via this little switch on the back of the reel.

Casting: Why such a stout rod in the Valvidia you might ask? Well, when we conducted our on the water preview of Megabass of America's US Destroyer lineup, the Valvidia really stood out to me because it had a super soft, tip that so easy to cast with. I wanted to validate this impression, so I finally purchased one for a more in depth test.

And it is now attached via this hinge.

The STX was, at first, a convenient match with the rod because I needed to test both products, but when I opened the gull wing sideplate on the STX to check out its casting brakes expecting to find Abu Garcia's Infini braking system (featured in the gen 3 REVO STX), I was surprised to find their top end IVCB-6L brakes! That made the matchup with the Valvidia all the more compelling.

Look what we found - IVCB-6L brakes in the STX!

The Valvidia is designed to be a frog stick, only the time of year I was fishing this combo (pre spawn and spawn) was far from frogging season, so instead I tied on an old Fintech Title Shot jighead and topped it with a Berkley Powerbait Bearded Grass Pig Swimbait for the STX's casting tests.

You can adjust these brakes on the spool and with this dial.

Knowing my casting motion is prone to blowing up reels equipped with IVCB brakes, I made sure each of the 6 in the STX were turned on, and the external dial was set close to maximum on my first cast - not something I always remember to do with a new reel. Then I reared back for a cast with an easy swinging casting motion and let that Powerbait fly. Those IVCB-6L brakes really enable a super free casting experience!

Line flies off the new spool very efficiently.

When we are out on the water testing, both Zander and I have several combos on the deck. Some are there to be tested, others are there for baseline comparisons. I had a hard time putting down the Valvidia and STX combo because it was so much fun to cast. That is, until the wind picked up. I adore the performance Abu's IVCB-6L braking system until there's anything stronger than a mild breeze. When that wind picks up, on a reel equipped with these brakes, you really need to pay attention and moderate the spool with your thumb.

The STX features a stock, 90mm handle.

Next Section: A variety of retrieve options...