I picked up a revo s this spring and love it. I j=have curados and pfluegers and the revo is the best reel I have owned. I am looking at getting another.

Smallie - What pflueger baitcasters do you have that you are comparing it to. I have a President and was curious for comparison.

I think the Revo S uses a centrafuge brake system (pins), instead of the external magnetic brake adjustment. How does it work for avoiding back lash (especialy with wind) & casting distance? If I go the Revo route, I am trying to figure if it is worth the extra expense to go to the sx or stx.

Same here...except that I'm also willing to go premier or winch.

Any Abu Staffers here in FM?

Not on their staff, but our college bass team is sponsored by Pure Fishing. The benefits have been pretty good so far and now they want to really start promoting some of their newer products through our team which should be pretty fun.

You might want to go to the tackletour website they give a nice breakdown of the new revo reels. There pretty hard to find in stores, but I was just at Joe's and they have the new Skeeter Reese and Winch reels.

If you are looking for a 6.4 speed reel, and have the money, the Skeeter reel may be the one to go. Based on the Premier so it is very light, but has more bearing. Also has a larger crank that feels pretty nice. If you are looking for 5.1 speed then the Winch is the option to go with.

Let us know which reel you end up with and your comments. Good Luck!
Recommend you stop at Joe's to check them out in person. From most reviews I have read, it looks like most of the Revo's have had good feedback, especially if you are looking at the higher end models.

St. CroixFishin: You use the REVO's? Which one/s?

Thanks NCLaker...you think the Winch is TOO specialized coz of the low gear ratio thereby making it less versatile?

BPAddict - check out the recent post exchanges with Dietz - http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1419696/2/Casting_Crank_Rod

He comments specifically on using the 5.x vs 6.x speed reels. Based on his comments I will be looking to go with 7' MH Compre TC4 crankbait rod with a 6.x reel (I don't typically do a lot of deep cranking). My budget for a reel is $200 or less - If I had to make a choice today I would probably go with the Revo STX (Skeeter/Premier out of my price range).

For now I will be using one of my old reels on the new rod. I plan to look at and check out reviews on the new Curado and new Quantum Energy PT before I make my final choice. I think these reels seem to be similar class reel, new design looks to be similar in size to the Revo's.

NC for plueger i have 2 purists. They are alright for the money. Last year I took them apart and when I put them back together the drag wasn't right and I had to make a washer to shim it out. The revo I couldn't figure out how to get to the 6 pin. I have not even moved them just used the side control with all types of lure weights. A guy at work bought a s after I told him about it. Then he went back and also got a sx. I am not sure if the sx and stx are worth the extra money.

I bought my first Abu STX last year before the season opened. It was my first "high-end" reel. I casted the comparably priced Shimano and Quantum reels before I made my choice.
I've never regretted it! I'm a big fan of the magnetic vs. centrifugal brake system (Shimano), even though I rarely mess with them, and I didn't think the Quantum tour was worth the extra $40.
My first baitcaster came several years ago, a 6 to 1 quantum that I now use for plastics. I use the higher gear ratio STX for cranks and spinners, or when I'm wading and only want one rod w/ me.
As long as you're not spending the rent money on it, I'd say get the STX.

I have yet to use a REVO on the water, but I've played with them quite a bit while I worked during school. However, our team will be getting a good amount of the Skeet Reese REVOS once school starts up again this fall along with some of their new Elite Tech rods they came out with last year. Can't wait to use the REVOS, they match our school colors perfectly (U of Iowa) which makes it even more fitting for our club.

I added a Revo to my reels this year, it's the high speed SC (Cabelas model) 7.1:1 reel and I have been really impressed.

I'm almost exclusively a Shinamo guy when it comes to bass reels but this reel has really been a nice addition! I've been using it Carolina rig and jig worm fishing, after I work the spot it burns it right back in.... Nice reel.....

I myself am down to a REVO STX or the Winch.The most glaring difference they have is that one is Mag brake system while the other is a centrifugal brake system.

Either one better than the other in terms of brakes?

those would look pretty sweet with a little herkey on the side.