Abu Garcia Revo X Combo Review

Baitstick Score
Product
Performance
Price
8
IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE….

The Abu Garcia Revo X baitcasting combo is a good choice for anglers of different skill levels looking for a quality baitcasting rod and reel combination.  Offered at a fair price, the Revo X baitcast combo is a reliable rod and reel combo and one that could be added to most any fishing arsenal.  It can handle lure weights in the ⅜ to ¾ oz range, such as crankbaits, jerkbaits, or soft plastics.

Baitstick Pros:

Good line pick up and good comfort level with the reel handle.

Easily adjustable drag.

Fairly priced combo outfit.

Baitstick Cons:

Hook keeper is located on top of the rod.

Matte finish may be more susceptible to scratching and blemishes.

Overall…

For the $160 price commonly found online and in retail stores, the Abu Garcia Revo X baitcasting combo is a good value outfit for the money.  The combo performed well in testing conducted by Baitstick, with the only stand out being uncertainty about durability and longevity.  Still, the good overall price/value mix of the Revo X combo makes it a rod and reel combination that anglers may have a hard time separating initially from higher priced combos.

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Line Capacity (lbs/yds)*10/175 - 15/130
Gear Ratio*5.4:1 - 6.6:1
Number of Reel Bearings8
Rod PowerMedium - Medium Heavy
Rod Length7’
Additional FeaturesAnodized aluminum spool and handle
18lb. drag power
1-piece rod
OriginKorea
MSRP$159.99
WarrantyLimited 1-year warranty on reel and 3 - year on rod
*Depending on model

Unpacking the ABU GARCIA REVO X COMBO

Baitstick purchased the Abu Garcia Revo X Baitcast combo through an online retailer. The combo outfit was shipped in a thin, clear plastic bag inside a cardboard shipping box. There was no shipping protection for the rod and reel otherwise.

The Abu Garcia Revo X combo includes a well constructed rod and reel. The Revo X reel comes with a drag that is easy to adjust and makes audible clicks when changing drag settings with tension on the line and fighting fish. The audible clicks are helpful for giving a sense of how much or little of a drag adjustment has been made without having to look down a the reel. The audible sounds from the drag adjustment help make this reel easier for a novice to 1) make changes to the drag and 2) to develop an understanding for the different drag adjustments that can be made for performance with the reel.

The rod that comes with the combo set has a classic look with an all black, matte finish. Anglers unaccustomed to matte finishes should note that matte finish may show scratches more easily from expected wear and tear.

The rod has decent ceramic guides and the wraps connecting guides to the rod look well aligned with polished wraps. And the stick comes with a simple but effective hard plastic rod butt….no frills here but no need to be.

The downlocking reel seat has a solid construction. And the rod handle has closed cell black foam in front of and behind the reel location, making it comfortable to hold and less likely to show wear and stains easily.

The hookkeeper is located on top of the rod and in front of the rod grip/handle. It is an awkward place to store a lure, as opposed to the hook keeper being located on the underside of the rod blank. If one used a stick jacket or rod sleeve it would likely get tangled or caught on the lure attached to this hook keeper unless particular care is taken.

Field Testing the Revo X

While casting crankbaits and other lures, the line came off the reel smoothly. Casting distance was good and backlashes were rare and only the fault of the angler. The reel demonstrated sufficient line pick up while using the reel that was noticeably comfortable to crank.

Like with most any baitcasting reel, the Revo X is prone to bird nests from angler error if the spool tension is not adjusted correctly before using the combo. 

The rod that comes with the combo package performed well in testing. It felt lightweight and well balanced and showed plenty of power. The stick has a sensitive  and fast tip that detects strikes well.  Without question, the Abu Garcia Revo X baitcasting combo includes a rod that is a good value for the price.  With proper care it could last several years, though realistically it’s not built to withstand the rigors of heavy use, day in and day out.  BaitStick will continue to test the Revo X baitcasting combo to evaluate how it stands up to the test of time.

The Takeaway For the $160 price commonly found online and in retail stores, the Abu Garcia Revo X baitcasting combo is a good value combo outfit for the money. The combo performed well in testing conducted by Baitstick, with the only stand out question being durability and longevity.  Still, the good overall price/value mix of the Revo X combo makes it an overall baitcasting rod and reel combination that anglers may have a hard time separating from higher priced competing products.

More experienced and advanced anglers may end up looking for a different combo in terms of performance and expected durability. At this point it’s safe to say that the Abu Garcia Revo X baitcasting combo is a good choice for youth, beginner, and even intermediate anglers looking for a quality baitcasting rod and reel combination for a reasonable price.

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