Revo S Or Citica 200G?

[alexandboi]

Hey guys I'm relatively new to using baitcasters but decided to get something a little more expensive then I'd usually get since i'm going to be fishing a lot more next season. So I've narrowed my choices down to the abu garcia revo s or shimano citica. I'm not sure which one would be better since I've read reviews saying that the citica feels "cheap" and is not that great. However, i haven't heard much about the revo s either so i'm kinda stuck. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

[shootermcbob]

You will get many varied responses. I have no experience with the current model of either reel. Therefore, I can not give an informed suggestion.

My advice to you would be to put each one on the rod you will be using at your local fishing store, and see which one feels best in your hand. Both Shimano and Abu Garcia make excellent products.

[LgMouthGambler]

Both good reels. The new G series Citica is not that bad. The Abu is going to feel alot smoother than the Citica, but an easy crankshaft bearing upgrade will fix that. The Revo S gets very high reviews due to its pricepoint. Longevity, and ease of use, I would go with the Shimano product, especially in the brake dept. What else is nice is that you get extra brake tabs, oil, and the reel tool. Shimano knows how to treat their customers.

[ww2farmer]

I can only speak about Gen 1/2 Revo S's vs. Citica D's and E's, but my experiance with both generation Revo's, vs both Citica's were the same, so my logic says that the gen 3 Revo S vs the Citica G would be similar. The Revos both casted further, and were "smoother" out of the box than the Citica's. I have always found Shimano reels need a "break in" period. The real test was after awhile of hard use, the Shimano's got smoother, casted better, and required less oil/maintainence to stay that way. The Revos....just the opposite, after 1 season they got noticably worse, after 2 years they were terrible. To put it in easier to understand terms, the Revo's after two seasons of normal use that needed constant lube to keep them casting just half way decent, and other annoying issues were popping up (break blocks worn out, sticking level winds, thumb bars not engaging, etc...) compaired that to the Citica's which ,now, after 6+ years of normal to heavy use, have never been opened up, cast as good as they did new (minus the break in period), require only periodic oiling/maint. to keep them that way, and have had no issues. I know some people hem and haw about the drag power the Revo's have, but it's semantics. The Shimanos have all the drag power you need plus some to spare for bass fishing. To me it's simple. Do I want a reel that's great out of the box? Or do I want a reel that's going to last a long time? I don't know about you, but $129 is to much money to spend on a "disposable" reel. I am not a Shimano homer because of blind brand loyalty, but because I have had enough reels from other brands ( Pflueger, Abu, BPS , Quantum, Daiwa, etc...) to know that Shimano's, while not the "sexiest" or smoothest out of the box, will outlast all the others..........period. The only other brand that comes close is Daiwa.

[Hanover_Yakker]

I have no qualms against the Citicas like mentioned before. My recommendation would be to break the Citica down as soon as you get it and "clean it" to remove all the extra grease and lube they put on it straight out of the box. Once you do that, it will be one of your favorite reels. As a loyal Abu owner, I have 2 1st Gen Revo S reels and a Revo Inshore and love them both. I use mine in both fresh and salt and can tell you I have no complaints. I fish regularly alongside other kayakers that are loyal Shimano users and can tell you firsthand that many of my friends were amazed at the difference in drag functionality compared to their Citicas and upper end Curados when fighting equivalent sized saltwater species.

It may not make a huge difference when you fish for bass or stick to freshwater only, but I can tell you from personal experience in the saltwater for the last 3 years and with great confidence that my Revo Inshore's and Revo S' drag will out perform a stock Citica right out of the box and three years later regardless of feel. The key is proper off the water maintenance after every trip. I lock the drags down, then use a warm water rinse after every trip to clean my reels. I'll loosen the drags and hang them upside down to allow them to drip dry. My original Revo S purchased over 7 years ago still works flawlessly, and it has been used in the saltwater now almost exclusively for the past 3 years.

Now with that said, I owuld most likely opt for the new Citica G only because I prefer the old school centrifugal braking systems than the new version that Abu has now in their Revo line. While I have every confidence the new braking system will work, I prefer the older style. Just personal preference - yours may vary.

Before I get chastised as an Abu homer, I also own a Curado 200 DPV and Calcutta 200B and love them just as much, and am saving some cash to snag a Chronarch or two in the near fuiture, but for now my Revo reels are the choice when it comes to saltwater inshore for me. They just happen to rock in freshwater too!

[RyneB]

I have no experience with the Citica, but i have 12 Revo S's. I have gen 1,2, and 3s. My gen 1s are still performing great, and i have only started to clean and lube them this year. My Gen 3s have performed above my expectations, but i have only had them out a few outings. So the jury wont be out for awhile. The brakes on the gen 3 Revo S are really easy to work with and definately keep it from backlashing. Just like every product, you will have positive feedback and negative feedback. I have not experienced loss of casting distance or performance over time as stated above. Actually, my smoothest S is the first Revo i bought when they were first introduced. That exact reel had not been cleaned,lubed, or any regular maintenance since the day i bought it. See if you can find yourself a Gen 2 Revo Premier on sale, thats the best reel i have ever put in my hands.

[rubba bubba]

Fairly big difference in palm-sizing between the 2 so that will be a big factor.

The Revo is the better reel but if you prefer a larger footprint you should get the Citica.

[alexandboi]

Okay thanks guys. I guess I'll be getting myself a citica.

[RyneB]

Okay thanks guys. I guess I'll be getting myself a citica.

shocker

[LgMouthGambler]

Use it for a while, and when your ready, send it to DVT for a crankshaft bearing, carbontex drag, and a supertune, you wont be disappointed. You made a good choice for years of great service. Dont let the haters spoil your purchase.

[OkobojiEagle]

Use it for a while, and when your ready, send it to DVT for a crankshaft bearing, carbontex drag, and a supertune, you wont be disappointed. You made a good choice for years of great service. Dont let the haters spoil your purchase.

So how much does this Citica cost after you pay for the upgrades that allow it to perform as a Revo S?

oe

[Basswhippa]

After all the Revo's(decent reels for a while by most accounts) in this thread have breathed their last breath and have had a plastic clutch/cam break and are rendered permanently motionless, lying dormant and no longer economically viable in a junk reel graveyard (think cardboard box in the dark, dusty and cobweb covered corner of someone's garage) with the unlikely and faint hope that they might some day be awaken from the dead, rising again upon some future yet unproven miracle, you will still be chunking and winding and catching because of your choice of going with a Shimano.

There is a reason that every single reel mainenance guys works on Shimano, many of them exclusively. They are worth maintaining over the long haul.

I would try to find an E. Take the suggestion of upgrading a bearing and you'll basically have the new Chronarch!

[LgMouthGambler]

So how much does this Citica cost after you pay for the upgrades that allow it to perform as a Revo S?

oe

Bwahahahahahaha, that made me chuckle.

[RyneB]

i have yet to have one of my Revo S's fail on me. None have had to have a part replaced and nothing has broke. I fished one of my gen 1 Revo S's in saltwater for 6 straight days while surf fishing. It was getting drenched with water and even got dropped in the sand a few times. I didnt clean it until the end of the trip and everything worked flawlessly. I dont mind people ripping apart a product I like, but i dont respect when people rip a product that they have never used and are going by what they hear and not experience. Unless i just got the best 12 Revos ever made.

[Diggy]

They say the citica e is better but my friends G series felt smoother than the e I own. Reel seemed pretty good to me from the initial usage of it. Havent used the s

[alexandboi]

thanks... well like i stated earlier im going to get a citica for now. but if i get the chance to I'll get myself a revo s whenever i can.

[BradH]

So how much does this Citica cost after you pay for the upgrades that allow it to perform as a Revo S?

oe

I stuck a bearing on the driveshaft of my E and added a Curado E Handle. I'd say it would cost you about 40 for those parts. I don't feel bad since I only gave $50 for the Citica NIB.

[Basswhippa]

I stuck a bearing on the driveshaft of my E and added a Curado E Handle. I'd say it would cost you about 40 for those parts. I don't feel bad since I only gave $50 for the Citica NIB.

Sounds like you got something that is very comparable to a Chronarch for $90. That is awesome!