Abu-Garcia’s Revo Toro Winch – First Impression Review
The Abu-Garcia Revo Toro Winch is a solid piece of machinery. You notice how solid the reel is as soon as you pick it up and hold it in your hand. It weighs the same as my Abu 6601 level wind reel, but somehow this reel does seem more solid. The first thing I noticed when I took the reel out of the box, is that the manufacturer includes a second handle that resembles a crank, which leads me to believe that I can use this reel in the saltwater… great! This reel has a really nice star drag system, which clicks gently when you turn it, the drag can be completely released or will completely lock the spool. For those of you that have level wind reels you probably know what its like to have a fish on then trying to work the drag at the same time. The revo’s star drag system is smooth as butter and gently clicks incrementally to add or reduce the drag, and doesn’t tighten up when more drag is applied. The digital backlash drag is way better than their other models, when you turn it, it clicks gently as well, and the nob is larger with an indicator on it. I can see this being handy when switching your line weights or lure weights. The drag system is truly impressive and the nicest feature on this reel.
I spun about 200 yards of 15lb maxima on the reel and it had a little room left on the spool. When I mounted the reel to my rod, the difference between the round level wind reels and the revo toro winch low profile reel became obvious. The revo toro winch’s handle is perfectly in line with the rod and the thumb release for the spool is very low to the rod. I can tell right away that holding this reel all day on the river will be considerably easier than the lifted thumb position of the round reels. This is what I had suspected when I saw this reel on the internet a few weeks ago.
One of my pet peeves of a lot of level wind reels that I have owned is that the handle is cheaply secured to the reel and after a few uses the handle starts to wobble when you spin it. Plus, this is not easily fixed. The handle on this reel is definitely secured in a higher quality way than my other reels, but only time will tell.
Anyhow, I have used this reel three times on the river now and I have had no problems at all. Everything has worked as designed. I’m completely impressed with the drag system, I can’t get over how smooth it is and how accurate it is. I haven’t found a fault yet with this reel, but if I do I will post it.
Tight lines,
Ian B.
Category: Abu Garcia, news, Product Review
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Have you ever tried any of the Shimano models? If so, What was the outcome?
The only shimano's I have are the 4000gt's which I really like. But they are mooching reels, and you are probably thinking more along the lines of level winders like their Calcutta. I haven't tried any of those.