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2007 Fishing Gear Buyer's Guide: Baitcasting Gear
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Editor's Pick
Abu Garcia Revo STX
$200 · 800-228-4272 · abugarcia.com
This is the sweetest-casting baitcaster I've fished in a long time. It's widely regarded as being a home run for Abu Garcia, which hasn't had a major hit for some time. Key is a newly designed magnetic braking system that provides a true linear adjustment range from full-off to full-on. Most other magnetic systems (including those on other models from this company) offer limited adjustment at lower settings, which means casting is less efficient. With the Revo STX, you also get an oversize main gear for cranking power at retrieval rates up to 7.1:1, 11 bearings, and an exceptional carbon-matrix drag. At 8.8 ounces, the reel holds 140 yards of 12-pound mono. The aluminum frame is nicely die-cast rather than fully machined, which is partly why this premium reel is such a bargain.

More Top Baitcasting Gear
Pflueger Summit
Bass Pro Shops Prolite Finesse
Shakespeare Synergy
Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris ¿¿Signature Series
Quantum Alliance
Lamiglas Kayak
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How To Choose Baitcasting Gear:


Bass/Walleyes/Pike: Medium-size baitcasters abound, usually weighing 8 to 12 ounces and most often used with mono testing at 12 to 20 pounds. Spools are narrow; line capacity is not an issue. Teardrop-shaped, "low-profile" styles are easier to "palm" on the retrieve than equally popular round styles. Six to 7.5-foot rods are most often rated for one-quarter- to three-quarter-ounce lures. Note that many new rods are designed to be technique-specific-a "worm-and-jig" rod, for example-making choices even easier.

Salmon/Catfish/Stripers: There are plenty of heavy duty baitcasters, too, usually with wider spools and greater line capacities than freshwater-bass-size reels. Reel weights range from 12 to 26 ounces or more, taking upwards of 200 yards of 20-pound mono. Powerful rods rated to 5 ounces or more range from about 7 feet (catfish/muskies) up to 12 feet or more (surfcasting).

-- John Merwin

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