I posted a while ago about whether to get a Revo STX or a Curado for a frogging/jigging reel. After all the debate I ended up getting the STX on sale about three weeks ago.

I have fished it almost exclusively in my last 5-6 outings and have caught fish on jigs and frogs with it including a great guided trip on the Potomac in a grass filled creek that is the prototypical sloppy, lily pad infested frog-gear testing area.

The end result is: I like it! A lot! I was worried about the brakes after reading that they could be touchy and required more attention than the centrifugal brakes that I'm used to. I haven't really had much of a problem with the brakes. I have noticed they can require a little tweaking between different lures but it's really not as bad as I thought. The reel casts notably farther than my Citica (which it should because the MSRP is higher) and the reel feels smooth and solid. I can count how many times I've backlashed on one hand. I can also throw weightless senkos with it very easily. Overall, I'm very happy with my STX, so happy that I ordered a Premier and mounted it on my Zillion short distance plastics and jig rod. I hope to test out the Premier in the coming weeks and see if it really is noticeably different than the STX or not. I still want to try a Curado E though.

Thanks Dan, good info. just received mine, waiting on my new GBlanks to hook her up. May be a few more weeks though, hand surgery has put my fishing on hold.

Good report, Dan.  Glad you like the reel.  STXs are excellent.

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Glad you like it Dan... STX's are great!

17 months later...

                             

17 months later...

yeah, we'll see...I'm hoping for the best though.

Still, my next reel WILL be a high end Shimano or Daiwa. I would just say Shimano (I already own a Fuego) but the Zillions are just too tempting. I own a Daiwa, several Shimanos, and a couple of Abus and I am very satisfied with all of them. I guess I'm not as much of a "brand guy" as I thought I was.

If I can pull back the curtain for a bit and be honest... :-/

In the last three years I've fished quite a few reels.  Daiwa, Flooger, Garcia, Shimano.  Of those reels, I don't think I've actually hated a single one of them.

I wasn't fond of the braking system on the Revo Premier and I'm not a fan of the Daiwa Magforce system.

Other than that, I would be happy fishing anything I've owned over the last few years.  The bottom line for me is that I just love Shimano reels.  Always have, always will.  I like being able to pick up any rod in my locker and casting.  

I have been wanting to try out a Curado for awhile now, I really wish tackle warehouse had them in the rental thing they do.  Reason I was started on Abu's is a friend had them, I fished his, liked them and stuck with them because I knew them.  I have a hard time buying a $200 reel on a whim and hoping I like it.  

If I can pull back the curtain for a bit and be honest... :-/

In the last three years I've fished quite a few reels. Daiwa, Flooger, Garcia, Shimano. Of those reels, I don't think I've actually hated a single one of them.

I wasn't fond of the braking system on the Revo Premier and I'm not a fan of the Daiwa Magforce system.

Other than that, I would be happy fishing anything I've owned over the last few years. The bottom line for me is that I just love Shimano reels. Always have, always will. I like being able to pick up any rod in my locker and casting.

Out of all my reels, I like my Fuego the LEAST. I like my Citica the best for ease of use but the new Garcias are better casters. I suspect a higher end Shimano would cast more like the Garcias so that's why I am going to get one next.

I suspect a higher end Shimano would cast more like the Garcias so that's why I am going to get one next.

FWIW, in my experience with the STX, Premier, and S vs. the Citica and Curado, the Shimanos win the casting distance challenge.

I suspect a higher end Shimano would cast more like the Garcias so that's why I am going to get one next.

FWIW, in my experience with the STX, Premier, and S vs. the Citica and Curado, the Shimanos win the casting distance challenge.

Good, well whoever loses will end up a flipping or pitching reel and some other type of short distance technique.

If you know how to use the STX, there is NO WAY the Curado casts farther!

Up until I owned Zillions, the Revo STX were the longest casting low profile reels I've tried, with Fuegos a somewhat close second.  But the Zillions really stepped it up.  I feel like I can get significantly more distance on the Zillion than the Revo.  The Zillions feels more refined than the Revo.  Nevertheless, unless I'm trying to cover a lot of water with a crankbait, distance it hardly a major concern.  They can all be cast equally accurately which is more important in most situations.  

If I had to do it over again, I probably would not have bought any Fuegos - even though I like them immensely (and won't get rid of the two I have).  I would have just bought Zillions and Sols.  In fact, I just bought another Sol.  I really like them.  It is the easiest casting, best feeling, easiest palming, lightest-bait casting reel I've tried

Up until I owned Zillions, the Revo STX were the longest casting low profile reels I've tried, with Fuegos a somewhat close second. But the Zillions really stepped it up. I feel like I can get significantly more distance on the Zillion than the Revo. The Zillions feels more refined than the Revo. Nevertheless, unless I'm trying to cover a lot of water with a crankbait, distance it hardly a major concern. They can all be cast equally accurately which is more important in most situations.

If I had to do it over again, I probably would not have bought any Fuegos - even though I like them immensely (and won't get rid of the two I have). I would have just bought Zillions and Sols. In fact, I just bought another Sol. I really like them. It is the easiest casting, best feeling, easiest palming, lightest-bait casting reel I've tried

Yes, the Zillion is very tempting for me, especially to put on my Zillion rod. I love the way they look and feel and cast. I honestly don't know why I don't like my Fuego. It palms well, it casts pretty well, it backlashes a little but not too bad as far as I set it right and don't get over zealous, but for some reason I just feel like I could backlash at any time when I'm using it. Also, it feels like it lacks power when cranking a bait with resistance or fighting a fish. I think I'm going to get the mechanics checked out as I think I may have messed it up somehow.

I have been wanting to try out a Curado for awhile now, I really wish tackle warehouse had them in the rental thing they do. Reason I was started on Abu's is a friend had them, I fished his, liked them and stuck with them because I knew them. I have a hard time buying a $200 reel on a whim and hoping I like it.

If you live near a BPS or Cabelas, you can buy it and if you don't like it within 30 days you can return it.

If you know how to use the STX, there is NO WAY the Curado casts farther!

Yep, I hear the professhunul fishers can spool an STX with nothing more than a 1/32 oz. duck feather fly.

I prefer a weightless feather myself!

I too think the STX outcasts Curados and Chronarchs, including the 50 mg (I own a 50 mg, 100B Chronarch, E7 and 100D). I just purchased a Zillion Cranker (on Sale at Cabellas Bargain Cave for 189.99 at the moment) and agree with Micro. It outcasts the STX.

P.S. The Chronarch 100B is a highly underrated reel in my opinion. It is somewhat heavy (9 oz.) but I found that it is smoother and outcasts the E7. The Zillion and STX still cast farther in my experience than the CH100B, but not by alot.

I have been wanting to try out a Curado for awhile now, I really wish tackle warehouse had them in the rental thing they do. Reason I was started on Abu's is a friend had them, I fished his, liked them and stuck with them because I knew them. I have a hard time buying a $200 reel on a whim and hoping I like it.

If you live near a BPS or Cabelas, you can buy it and if you don't like it within 30 days you can return it.

Yeah I have debated this, but the nearest BPS is 3.5 hours and the nearest cabellas is about 2.  I may buy one if I'm ever out near one of them and have the money to give it a shot.  

Dan ... Just curious as to why you like the Fuego the least. I really like the feel and performance of mine. Like I said, just curious. Not looking for an argument.

Dan ... Just curious as to why you like the Fuego the least. I really like the feel and performance of mine. Like I said, just curious. Not looking for an argument.

I honestly just don't know. I feel like I have to baby it but I'm not really sure why. Also, it seems to struggle under heavy loads. I'm going to get it repaired sometime soon because I think I may have messed up the gearing somehow.

I suspect a higher end Shimano would cast more like the Garcias so that's why I am going to get one next.

FWIW, in my experience with the STX, Premier, and S vs. the Citica and Curado, the Shimanos win the casting distance challenge.

Wow, I use nothing but Revo's and my experiences have been just the opposite. My Abu's outcast the Shimano's. How ironic is that?

If you know how to use the STX, there is NO WAY the Curado casts farther!

Yep, I hear the professhunul fishers can spool an STX with nothing more than a 1/32 oz. duck feather fly.

and that's into the wind buddy.  

If you know how to use the STX, there is NO WAY the Curado casts farther!

Yep, I hear the professhunul fishers can spool an STX with nothing more than a 1/32 oz. duck feather fly.

and that's into the wind buddy.

while taking a leak on the cigarette butt they just flipped into the lake...