Abu Garcia Revo5 STX Casting Reel Product Review #abugarcia #abugarciarevo5review

Reel Review

The Final Piece of the Revo5 Puzzle, Abu Garcia's STX

Date:	3/12/24
Tackle Type:	Reel
Manufacturer:	Abu Garcia
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 8.33 - GREAT

Introduction: Having worked my way through the majority of Abu Garcia's refresh of their Revo platform, I didn't think necessary to investigate the remaining model, STX. However, as circumstance would have it, one landed on my desk here at TT HQ, and when that happens, that usually means a spot in the review queue - usually. Trouble was, this STX was a righty, not a lefty and while I can certainly handle a right hand retrieve reel, it's not my first choice. But then I took the STX out of the box, and as you may have guessed by now... well, let's take a closer look.

Abu Garcia Revo5 STX Casting Reel Specifications
Line Capacity - Rated	12/130
Line Capacity - Spool Volume	15.2 cm³
Retrieve Ratio	6.7	8.1
Inches Per Turn (IPT) - calculated	13 - 28	16 - 34
Weight	7.8 oz
Spool Weight	19 g
Handle Length	95 mm
Bearings	10+1
Bearings per Knob	2 bearings
Levelwind Bearings	2 bearings
Rated Max Drag	~25lbs
Origin	Made in Korea
MSRP	$229.95

Introducing Abu Garcia's Revo5 STX

Impressions: As most probably know, I'm a little eccentric not only when it comes to my choice in individual rods and reels, but especially when it comes time to putting my combos together. I recall when joined TackleTour nearly twenty years ago, and brought up the subject of color and brand matching rods and reels on our discussion forum, quite a few members dismissed my obsession. Today, anglers go through great pains to ensure not only that their combos look good, but the brands also align. I'm not claiming responsibility for the madness, but ....

I could not resist the opportunity to match the STX up with this build

Why even bring this up? Well, late last year, I shared my rod building journey with Point Blank Rods's PB731HXF. My first build on that blank was really decked out with decorative parts and even had a Matagi painted reel seat. As a result, it's been a struggle finding a reel to match the red highlights of that build, and even though I fished my red Pixilla on it for a time, the ensemble was never really quite right.

Point Blank's PB731HXF blank is more versatile than its rating might suggest making it a nice base for a stick to handle multiple applications

Then I opened the box of that Revo5 STX. This reel is mostly silver in color, but with very tasteful and strategically placed red highlights at the cast control knob, handle nut, rim of the spool, outer edge of the brake dial and a couple of other key spots. Just enough to give the reel some flare without being garish. It has a nice, long, 95mm bowed handle with those new PVC knobs I like so much. It's just put together in a very smart way with the total package making a perfect match for my PB731HXF - how could I not put them together and fish the combo?

I spooled the STX with Sunline's FX2 braid in 50lb test

Real World Tests: Well, after spooling the STX up with non-matching line, that's exactly what I did. Logic would dictate I use my grey colored Daiwa JBraid Grand on the STX, but no, what do I do? I spool some of my last remaining Sunline FX Braid in the discontinued blue/green color onto the STX. I then installed a leader of ten pound Sunline Shooter for some same brand line mojo. I actually did not have any grey Daiwa JBraid or any other braid in grey on hand in the right strength, so that's how that happened. Sometimes, the need to be practical wins out.

Ready for action

Casting: With their previous generation Revo4 refresh, Abu Garcia outfitted STX with their premium IVCB-6L brake system, an upgrade from the previous generation's, Revo3 STX's, Infini brake system. With gen 5, the refinement continues. Now STX features IVCB-6, the difference being all adjustments are handled at the external dial (located on the non-handle sideplate) only. There is now no opportunity to lock individual brake arms located on the spool. The result is a more simplified system, but one that is more or less just as effective.

The STX is equipped with Abu Garcia's IVCB-6 centrifugal braking system

As noted in the articles covering some of the STX's Revo5 siblings, this is a free wheeling system allowing for excellent casting performance with minimal effort. What's more, depending on the rod you are using and the line you have spooled on the reel, casting lure weights down to a quarter of an ounce is achievable. For me, with this setup, I was having fun fishing Megabass's five inch Spark Shad, and launching the bait at a surprising distance making me question whether I was outcasting my ability for an effective hookset.

The handle is a generous 95 mm center of post to center of post

Retrieve: At first glance, many might find it odd that Abu Garcia only offers the STX in two different retrieve ratios (8.1:1 & 6.7:1). I expected to find at least three complimenting the SX and X platforms. In reality, there are four. The Revo5 Rocket and Revo5 Winch are essentially STX reels with tweaks to cosmetics and specifications. The Rocket has a nicer handle and is painted red while the Winch has one bearing and one bushing in the handle and is painted black and red. There are also some differences in their respective spools, but otherwise they are the same reels and simply celebrated individually.

Knobs are a PVC material, oversized in shape, perfect in grasp

Turning the reel's handle reveals a very familiar, smooth feel. Familiar to me because I've fished the afore mentioned Rocket and Winch reels and while there might be some very minute differences due to the tweaks in the handle assemblies, there is nothing really of note. The combination of nice, long handle and robust, brass gear in the STX delivers a retrieve experience that's smooth, reliable, and reassuring.

The oversized main gear is a brass alloy

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