There are quite a few important variables to keep in mind before purchasing a baitcaster that’s right for whatever job you’ll be using it for. Before you just take the prettiest looking reel off the shelf, be sure to do some research to make sure you purchase the right baitcaster for you.
After testing countless reels, I came to the honest conclusion that the Abu Garcia Revo X (Link to check the price on Amazon) is the best reel out there when it comes to quality as well as affordability. The Revo X has most of the features of a high-end reel such as a dual-braking system, high-end durability, and high gear ratio capabilities. I’ve been super happy with its performance and I’ve bought two more and added them to my arsenal.
The most important thing to take away from this article in my opinion, is to shy away from baitcasters under the $60 price mark. I tested a few in this price range and unfortunately the reels just weren’t as high-quality and they would begin to wear in a few months. The reels just didn’t stand up to the high-pressure of braided line like the Revo X does.
What to Look for In a Baitcaster
- Gear Ratio
Arguably the most important feature in a reel, the gear ratio in a reel determines how much line the reel takes up per turn of the handle. A 7.3:1 gear ratio (the model I use the most) takes up 30″ inches of line per turn. This helps when working fast baits and hauling fish out of cover.
- Bearing Count
The number of ball bearings in a reel directly affects how smooth a reel is. I can tell you for a fact that the Revo X is slick smooth with 7 stainless steel ball bearings plus one roller bearing.
- Reel Handle Length
Reel handle length may seem like an insignificant feature to a reel but when you’re yanking fish out of heavy cover like so many of us often are, it’s nice to have a long reel handle to give you lots of leverage when pulling on fish. I can say that I’ve used these reels with heavy cover tactics such as flipping and froggin’ and they perform very well.
- Price
As I mentioned earlier, I wouldn’t recommend buying reels less than $60. They seem to break faster and not stand up to the high-pressure action that they are faced with when bass fishing with braid.
- Weight
The overall weight of your reel will affect its overall performance and ease of use in your hands. A heavy reel will result in lots of fatigue when working fast-moving baits. The Revo X only weighs a mere 8 ounces but it also performs very well in heavy-duty situations.
Popular Reel Brands to Consider
- Abu Garcia (Revo X)
Abu Garcia has been one of the leaders in reels for a long time and continues to produce some of the highest-quality reels out there.
- Lew’s
Lew’s has been a household name in the fishing industry and produces reels that are well known for being extremely lightweight.
- Favorite Fishing
Favorite Fishing is fairly new into the fishing industry but their reels have had no problem penetrating a highly competitive market.
- Daiwa
Daiwa is notorious for producing the Tatula series of baitcasting reels which features three reels, each situation-specific.
- Shimano
Shimano was one of the first companies to breakthrough by putting a digital computer (DC) into a baitcaster to prevent backlashes.
- Quantum
Quantum reels have been heavily endorsed and favored by arguably the best bass fisherman in the world, Kevin VanDam, from 1990-2019.
- Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops actually boasts their own line of high-quality reels that are reasonably priced and perform well.
Why I Chose the Abu Garcia Revo X
I chose the Revo X as my recommendation for a baitcaster for three specific reasons.
The first is its high gear ratio capabilities. A 7.3:1 gear ratio can absolutely get the job done for me in most situations and the Revo X has models in 5.4:1 as well as 6.6:1 if you need to go lower. I prefer the 7.3:1 model because it allows me to keep up with fish and reel in the slack quickly when I’m fishing in heavy cover.
The second is the fact that it can handle and cast braid extremely well. I’ve tested a lot of reels that just haven’t stood up to the no-stretch tendencies of braided line. The Revo X not only handles it but it simply excels in these heavy line situations. Here’s an example of a tournament day where I caught over thirty fish under the sole use of the Revo X using braided line in heavy cover.
The third and most important reason for the Abu Garcia Revo X being my top recommendation when it comes to baitcasters is simply the price. I have not found a reel ANYWHERE CLOSE to the quality of this one under the $100 dollar range. If you gave me $100 dollars right now to spend on a reel I’d with out a doubt spend it on the Revo X.
So How About the High-End Reels?
You may be asking yourself the same question I did after deciding on a reel to purchase that’s in a reasonable price range: How about the high-end reels?
Well, there is certainly something to be said for using a high-end reel such as the Abu Garcia Revo Rocket which has a 10.1:1 Gear Ratio as well as braid-handling capabilities. Higher-end reels normally contain more ball bearings which result in a smoother reel and simply better performance. High-end reels also have more premium-quality components and are made of better materials to help the last longer.
That said, you can certainly utilize a reel that’s cheaper but still on the upper-spectrum such as the Revo X to get you through a couple of years of fishing and then simply replace the reel since it’s already priced reasonably.
Care and Maintenance
There isn’t a whole lot of maintenance that comes with owning a baitcaster. One important thing to keep in mind is that there is almost always a lube port somewhere on your reel. The port can be found using the instructions that come with a baitcaster.
Utilizing the lube port can help keep your reel smooth and make sure the all of the gears and ball bearings are working properly while also maximizing the life of the reel.
When shopping for a baitcaster, keep in mind the simple tips above and you should be on the right track.