Good Combo?

[VinnieT]

Hi all, I was looking into getting an Abu Garcia Revo sx gen 3 and an Abu Garcia Vandetta gen 2 (Medium heavy, medium action). Has anyone had any experience with either this reel or this rod? Are the good? Any problems? Would you recommend them?

[Arv]

I think it would be a good combo. I may have said this already, but I would recommend looking for a different reel. If I remember correctly, this is your first baitcasting combo. If I'm wrong, I apologize and disregard what I'm about to say. But, for a beginner I would not recommend the SX since it has only magnetic brakes. I would recommend either a Lews Tournament Speed Spool or a Shimano Curado. The Tournament is 150 most places and the Curado is 160 most places. The Tournament has both centrifugal brakes and magnetic (this was my first casting reel and I'm glad it was, the brakes being one of the biggest reasons) and the Curado has centrifugal brakes. I strongly feel that someone starting out learning a casting reel will learn a lot quicker and deal with a lot less frustration with centrifugal brakes. I have both the Tournament SS and Curado and I love them. You might wind up loving the SX, I dunno, but that's my 2 cents. If anything else, the SX and Vendetta will look really good together.

[LgMouthGambler]

^yup^

[bassinbrian]

Don't be afraid of magnetic brakes, the difficulty is really about the same. I personally wasn't affected by either but with time I prefer magnetic. Though both breaking systems maybe the way to go but I've never used a reel like that.

[tbone1993]

Go with the STX if not having both brakes is going to be an issue. There are a few gen 2 models up for sale in the flea market for $115 a piece. The vendetta rods are a lot stiffer than listed, the medium action preforms a lot stiffer IMO. Honestly go to BPS and put these rods and reels in your hands and see how they feel.

[BassinLou]

You are going to get various responses from a lot of good fisherman here. I personally started with a mag brake system and honestly I did not know any better. I didn't even know about braking systems. I adjusted the tension knob accordingly and time on the water and backyard took care of the rest. The Sx is a nice reel. I have a Gen 2 and compared to the new Gen 3 its heavy. I also have the Gen 3 Revo S this has a centri brake system and if you adjust properly and practice its one heck of a reel and its cheaper than the Sx. I have no experience with the garcia rods so I am out of that conversation. I have mine paired with a 7ft carbon lite MH and it weighs practically nothing.

[VinnieT]

I think it would be a good combo. I may have said this already, but I would recommend looking for a different reel. If I remember correctly, this is your first baitcasting combo. If I'm wrong, I apologize and disregard what I'm about to say. But, for a beginner I would not recommend the SX since it has only magnetic brakes. I would recommend either a Lews Tournament Speed Spool or a Shimano Curado. The Tournament is 150 most places and the Curado is 160 most places. The Tournament has both centrifugal brakes and magnetic (this was my first casting reel and I'm glad it was, the brakes being one of the biggest reasons) and the Curado has centrifugal brakes. I strongly feel that someone starting out learning a casting reel will learn a lot quicker and deal with a lot less frustration with centrifugal brakes. I have both the Tournament SS and Curado and I love them. You might wind up loving the SX, I dunno, but that's my 2 cents. If anything else, the SX and Vendetta will look really good together.

Don't worry, although I am relatively new to the great world of baitcasters, I have had one in the past with magnetic brakes, and I learned how to cast for the most part with that reel.

[VinnieT]

Hey Arv, why exactly is a centrifugal better for a newbie?

[new2BC4bass]

I'm not Arv, but speaking from personal experience I would say not much since you learned on a magnetic only reel. For me the centrifugal brake becomes more beneficial once I start going below 1/4 oz. lures. HOWEVER, notice that Daiwa's Pixy is a top rated light lure b/c reel, and it is magnetic only. Speaking from personal experience...again....I think light lures require more finesse from the caster with a mag only reel. I can do better with my Curado 51E than either the Daiwa Sol or Alphas ito. You have to be pretty smooth with a magnetic only reel when throwing the light stuff.

EDIT: People just getting into b/c reels have a tendency to buy a low cost one to see if they are going to like using one. I'm guessing from what little I know of the various reels is that a centrifugal brake system is going to be more backlash resistant than a magnetic brake system in that price range. I will say that my $30 Daiwa (on closeout) does a nice job of casting, but I wasn't a total newbie by the time I bought it.

[Arv]

Hey Arv, why exactly is a centrifugal better for a newbie?

Centrifugal brakes will act more heavily upon the spool when it is spinning its fastest (right at the very beginning of a cast). From my experience, this when I am prone to get the nasty type back lashes that may need to be cut out. Especially starting out, getting the timing, touch and control can be a little tricky, which is where I feel the centrifugal brakes are important. Magnetic brakes will act on the spool based on the distance of a magnet to the spool. This system will act on the spool ALMOST the entire time, except for that initial high velocity of the first portion of a cast. They can also be tougher to dial in for the weight of your lure. Starting out, I had the mag brakes on my Tournament SS, but quickly turned them off. I know several other people that have done the same thing. Now, I only turn them on if I'm flipping or casting light lures into the wind.

I don't want you to think that I'm a magnetic brake hater or anything like that. I've really only heard good things about the Gen 3 SX as well. Just as your first reel, I wouldn't want to get something that might make you hate casting reels all together. It just happened to my girlfriend's dad. He got a casting reel with only mag brakes. I don't think I saw him not backlash one time. Finally he caught one so bad that he gave up on it. The reel is still sitting on a shelf with line sticking all out of the spool. Now, the SX and the other reel are not on the same level, but that's the big reason I'm suggesting otherwise. Again, I could be wrong. You may never backlash once with the SX. Just my 2 cents.

[LgMouthGambler]

I had an SX, and the mag brakes are a bit finicky to get used to. Once you can get past the fact that you have to be VERY smooth with your casts, its a good reel. I didnt have it, or any of the other Abu's that I had owned, for very long before that "smoothness" that they have when new went away, and the real quality of the product showed itself. Im sure there are people that have had Abus for longer than I could tolerate them (and I know they are going to comment on this), but they just didnt last with my torture. I have tried the BPS, and Abu route, and will not even bother with the Lews (because they are all madde by the same company). But, if your gonna get an Abu, I would get the S due to its easier to adjust for different weighted baits by setting 2-3 brakes, and adjusting finer with the spool tension knob.

[central.PA.bass]

Vinnie,

Go with the Gen 3 Revo S.. Put it on a Veritas. You got yourself a cheaper, but better combo in doing so. The rod is much more sensitive than a Vendetta, and the reel is priced 40$ cheaper than the SX. I don't own a Gen 3 Revo S but my Gen1 and 2's are as good if not better than any of my other reels. They are smooth casting and easy to adjust.

If you like Abu Garcia (which by the sound of your questions about rod and reel choices) then stick with it. Don't let people try and deter you from doing so. They make quality products and are pretty much all I own. I would not purchase a brand new baitcasting reel that did not have the REVO stamp printed on it. I have tried other products and those saying that Revo's are buttery smooth but lose their smoothness after getting put through a beating either A. Don't know how to take care of a reel, or B. Don't know how to clean them.... or Both...

Shimanos have less bearings so I guess that is less bearings that will get dirty and slow your reel down some, but I would not be so soon to jump on the Shimano bandwagon as which 90% of this board has done.

Its rare to go through a post titled ABU garcia, Quantum, Lews, Daiwa without getting bombarded by LMG or someone else saying Shimano, Shimano , Shimano... It gets annoying especially when someone asked a simple question about a rod/reel combo not pertaining to their brand of lust.

[bassinbrian]

Vinnie,

Go with the Gen 3 Revo S.. Put it on a Veritas. You got yourself a cheaper, but better combo in doing so. The rod is much more sensitive than a vendetta, and the reel is priced 40$ cheaper than the SX. I don't own a Gen 3 Revo S but my Gen1 and 2's are as good if not better than any of my other reels. They are smooth casting and easy to adjust.

If you like Abu Garcia (which by your questions about rod and reel choices) then stick with it. Don't let people try and deter you from doing so. They make quality products and are pretty much all I own. I would not purchase a brand new baitcasting reel that did not have the REVO stamp printed on it. I have tried other products and those saying that Revo's are buttery smooth but use their smoothness after getting put through a beating either A. Don't know how to take care of a reel, or B. Don't know how to clean them.... or Both...

Shimanos have less bearing so I guess that is less bearings that will get dirty and slow your reel down some but I would not be so soon to jump on the Shimano bandwagon as which 90% of this board has done.

It rare to go through a post titled ABU garcia, Quantum, Lews, Diawa without getting bombarded by LMG or someone else saying Shimano, Shimano , Shimano... It gets annoying especially when someone asked a simple question about a rod/reel combo not pertaining to their brand of lust

Well said

[LgMouthGambler]

Vinnie,

Go with the Gen 3 Revo S.. Put it on a Veritas. You got yourself a cheaper, but better combo in doing so. The rod is much more sensitive than a vendetta, and the reel is priced 40$ cheaper than the SX. I don't own a Gen 3 Revo S but my Gen1 and 2's are as good if not better than any of my other reels. They are smooth casting and easy to adjust.

If you like Abu Garcia (which by your questions about rod and reel choices) then stick with it. Don't let people try and deter you from doing so. They make quality products and are pretty much all I own. I would not purchase a brand new baitcasting reel that did not have the REVO stamp printed on it. I have tried other products and those saying that Revo's are buttery smooth but use their smoothness after getting put through a beating either A. Don't know how to take care of a reel, or B. Don't know how to clean them.... or Both...

Shimanos have less bearing so I guess that is less bearings that will get dirty and slow your reel down some but I would not be so soon to jump on the Shimano bandwagon as which 90% of this board has done.

It rare to go through a post titled ABU garcia, Quantum, Lews, Diawa without getting bombarded by LMG or someone else saying Shimano, Shimano , Shimano... It gets annoying especially when someone asked a simple question about a rod/reel combo not pertaining to their brand of lust

I do a complete teardown and grease and lube once a year, and a drop of oil on the spool bearings once a month on my Shimanos and no problems ever. I know how to work on reels, been cleaning my own since I was 12. You might be right about the fact that the Abus have way more bearings than Shimano, and that they require a lot more attention. My reels get a beating some days, but they are very well taken care of, I mean they dont have a scratch on them either. When I said Abu lost their buttery smoothness, I wasnt talking over a year, I mean it was only a matter of months. I went from the S, to the SX, then to the STX to try and resolve this figuring I need higher quality in the brand, nothing. The STX did last about 7 months before getting the boot. Im just speaking from my own experience on the brands. Whether people follow my advice or not, it wont bother me. Im not a bandwagoner, due to I have always had Shimano, and always will. My first baitcaster was a CU-200. I just really like their products, and feel I get my moneys worth when I buy one. But anyway, take the advice on the Revo S and Veritas, better deal.

[Arv]

Go with the Gen 3 Revo S.. Put it on a Veritas. You got yourself a cheaper, but better combo in doing so. The rod is much more sensitive than a Vendetta, and the reel is priced 40$ cheaper than the SX. I don't own a Gen 3 Revo S but my Gen1 and 2's are as good if not better than any of my other reels. They are smooth casting and easy to adjust.

Couldn't have said it better myself

[DINK WHISPERER]

For the rod, go with the veritas. A lot lighter and more sensitive. But they are way stiffer than listed so keep that in mind. As for the reel either up to the STX or go with the S model. They cast a lot better, especially lighter baits.

[bass1980]

I think the Veritas is cheaper than the Vendetta right now. $70 at Walmart for the Veritas. Vendetta is $80.