Gen3 Stx Review

[jeb2]

I received my Gen3 STX from my local tackle store on Friday. Tore it down and clean/lubed it. Bearings were over oiled, like pretty much all factory bearings are in any reel. But they spun up really, really well once I was done. Used the oil that came with the reel and Hot Sauce on the gears, pawl, etc. Spooled it up with 12# Sequar Invisix. I put the reel on an NRX853 and took it fishing this morning.

One thing I noticed once spooled and mounted is that you really have to crank on the reel tension knob to get a 3/8 jig to slow it's decent. I thought something was wrong with it at first. I have a bunch of other Abu's and the Gen2 Premiers and MGX use the same components inside that knob. So I tried transplanting the guts, using extra shims, even swapping the knob from my MGX. The MGX knob as a whole did make it a little easier, but not just switching the guts out. But it seemed to get a little easier as I worked on it, so I just put it together stock.

Had it out on the lake today and am really impressed with it. Tried jigs between 1/4-1/2oz. Casted them all really well, into the breeze, with the breeze, didn't mess it up. With the 1/2oz, I had one centrifugal brake on, about 1/2 on the mags and a bit loose on the spool. Cast that jig a mile! Really impressive distance. And I have Gen2 premiers, Steez, Cores, MGX and Calais DC's to compare it to. Yeah, the Calais is still the king for distance, but this thing was impressive, right at the top of the list, for sure.

Palmed really well. I got the 7.1:1 model and I did notice the bigger gear housing with the end of my fingers when I was handling it. But it otherwise felt like my Core 50's and Steez. EVA knobs have a little more textured feel than the Gen2 reels, but I think it's a good thing. Biggest fish I caught on it was a 2lb Kentucky, so no real test of the drag. But I'm sure it'll be fine considering it's a carbontex type setup.

I still think the cast control knob needs too much pressure to get the spool to slow down. But it didn't seem to need as much tension. I'll wait to hear what others report about it. I know AG/Pure Fishing will stand behind it, so I'm not worried.

Bottom line, great reel. I removed a Steez to put this reel on the NRX853, and it looks like the STX has found a long time home there.

[TNBassin']

One thing I noticed once spooled and mounted is that you really have to crank on the reel tension knob to get a 3/8 jig to slow it's decent.

I just made a thread about my SX that has this same issue. It's a gen 2 though. It's almost as if that little brown disc isn't thick enough or something.

[jeb2]

I doubled the brown discs on my Gen3, and it made no difference. Even though the same components are used on the Premiers and MGX I have, they do not need nearly the force. Hard to understand why it would be different.

[TNBassin']

It's frustrating more me because my cheapo black max 2 is much easier to get dialed in than my sx. It also doesn't need near the amount of cranking on the spool tension knob to adjust for lure weight. I have until September 25th to return this and I may just do it.

[Quillback]

Great review, thanks!

[WIBassMan]

Thanks for the review...hoping the tension knob issue doesn't become a huge flaw in what seems to be a great reel

[jeb2]

Forgot to mention about the finish. About the only knock on the Gen2's was that the finish was quick to show boat rash and thumb bar wear. Very durable reels otherwise, and boat rash does not bother me personally as these are just tools to me. But it is something you hear pretty often about them on the forums. Just from looking at the Gen3, I'd guess that issue will continue. Finish was a slightly different color than my Premier's, but otherwise seems the same. Thumb bar does not seem changed at all.

Only time will tell for sure, though.

[jeb2]

Thanks for the review...hoping the tension knob issue doesn't become a huge flaw in what seems to be a great reel

Me, too. I was half expecting the reel to blow out huge bird nests because of the spool tension, which I did run a little loose. Was not an issue, though. I got one mild birds nest while using it, but that's to be expected with a new reel while exploring its capabilities. And it was not a big mess. Easy one to clear.

[Diggy]

It's frustrating more me because my cheapo black max 2 is much easier to get dialed in than my sx. It also doesn't need near the amount of cranking on the spool tension knob to adjust for lure weight. I have until September 25th to return this and I may just do it.

gen 2 or 3 sx? Im assuming 3, thats sucks if so

[TNBassin']

Gen 2 actually. PITA this reel is.

[Diggy]

Gen 2 actually. PITA this reel is.

take it back, sounds like its wacky

[Goose21]

Jeb I'm curious how do you stack up your mgx against your other revos? I got along with mine so well I just bought another.

[Hooligan]

I doubled the brown discs on my Gen3, and it made no difference. Even though the same components are used on the Premiers and MGX I have, they do not need nearly the force. Hard to understand why it would be different.

From what I can tell, it isn't the shim sets, it's the actual pressure plate that regulates spool tension on the very inside of the tension cap. They're using a different material than they have in the past and it seems to compress much more easily and doesn't provide the resistance. I would think that you could replace it with a cork/rubber of the same thickness and you're going to get better spool tension results. I know for a fact the STX I have right now is still just as touchy as a gen2. It doesn't like to hold a point of spool tension that it cast consistently. It varies greatly in how much pressure I have to apply with my man-made anti-backlash: my thumb. I haven't put a cork in to verify that, but from looking at it, and reading the issues; I'm near 100% certain that will correct it.

[jeb2]

From what I can tell, it isn't the shim sets, it's the actual pressure plate that regulates spool tension on the very inside of the tension cap. They're using a different material than they have in the past and it seems to compress much more easily and doesn't provide the resistance. I would think that you could replace it with a cork/rubber of the same thickness and you're going to get better spool tension results.

I replaced that part on my new STX with the plate from my MGX knob. It did not make any difference.

I know for a fact the STX I have right now is still just as touchy as a gen2. It doesn't like to hold a point of spool tension that it cast consistently. It varies greatly in how much pressure I have to apply with my man-made anti-backlash: my thumb. I haven't put a cork in to verify that, but from looking at it, and reading the issues; I'm near 100% certain that will correct it.

What gen STX are you referring to here? I didn't see any inconsistency in spool tension on my Gen3. Took some force on the knob to get it set, but it stayed where I set it.

[jeb2]

Jeb I'm curious how do you stack up your mgx against your other revos? I got along with mine so well I just bought another.

Glad you like your MGX! I'm not a fan of the IVCB brakes. Just makes the reel too hard to set and fussy to fish, especially with baits from 3/8oz and under. And you do read that often on the forums. I never should have bought it given the very mixed reviews it gets. But I eventually had to see for myself. I've tried different lines, upgraded spool bearings and a different rod. But it just remained more of a pain to fish with than my Gen2 Premier's. Unfortunate as I really like the way the reel feels and fishes otherwise. It's currently stored in the boat as an emergency spare reel. I guess I should probably just sell it.

The brakes are the reason I choose the STX in the Gen3's. It still uses the dual brakes like the Premier's used to have. The Gen3 Premier's get the IVCB. And I hope they work fine in that reel. But I'll wait for a few months and see how the reviews roll in for those.

[TNBassin']

I have a Gen 3 STX on order. Does the dual brake system let you have "thumb free" casting, or is some thumbing still required?

[Megastink]

I got two Gen3 REVOS in the mail yesterday, spooked them up, and took them out. One was married to a Powell Endurance 7'1" H with 65lb power pro and a SPRO Popping Frog.

The second was paired with a 7'3" H Powell Max and 15lb Vicious Fluoro.

I could cat that weightless senko half a mile with my reel, and the frog was thrown effortlessly. I had three pins engaged, three locked, and the magnetically on zero. They worked great...

[jeb2]

I have a Gen 3 STX on order. Does the dual brake system let you have "thumb free" casting, or is some thumbing still required?

You can certainly dial them up to be thumb free. But it will obviously impact your casting distance, as it would on any reel. I don't generally have them set that way though, unless I'm throwing into a stiff wind.

[barroncooper]

I've got the new winch but i haven't encountered this problem. mainly because every reel I own, the cast control is tightened just enough to keep the spool from sliding left and right. I prefer to let the breaking system do it's job and just feather it a hair with my thumb towards the end of the cast. Most notably on anything I flip or pitch with. However, it im throwing something pretty heavy or with a lot of wind resistance or if it's extremely windy, I'll crank the cast control down a hair. but jus a bit.

[TNBassin']

You can certainly dial them up to be thumb free. But it will obviously impact your casting distance, as it would on any reel. I don't generally have them set that way though, unless I'm throwing into a stiff wind.

Windy conditions is why I wanted the dual braking system. Hopefully it will help in that regard.

[rockchalk06]

Windy conditions is why I wanted the dual braking system. Hopefully it will help in that regard.

If its anything like the Gen 2's it will. I believe they have the same breaking system and spool system as the Gen 2's. I have two of them. One is on a 7' Heavy Veritas. I throw Jigs in clear water with it. When its windy as heck, I turn 4 breaks on and turn the mag break to about 3-4ish. Rarely do I have to thumb the spool during the cast, maybe at the end just a tiny bit. I set the spool control knob just to where the side to side play is gone. Setting it like that for me, on windy days, creates almost no over runs.

[Quillback]

I noticed the same thing on my Gen 3 STX that Jeb reported in his review, you really have to tighten down the cast control knob (almost to full tightness) to get the spool to slow down. I usually fish with the knob fairly loose, so I can live with it, but it is something to note if you're considering purchasing a Gen 3 STX.

[TNBassin']

Just got my STX in the mail. I have yet to fish with it, but man it feels awesome. Love those EVA handles. Might have to pick up a set for my gen 3 S.