I know the Revo's are highly praised but I have a question.

Has anybody actually hooked a Revo up to a spring scale to verify the 20+lbs of drag? How about other small low profile reels with similar claims?

I'm asking because I have a specific (non bass fishing) purpose in mind for a small reel with high drag pressure. That drag rating seems really really high for the size of the reel so I wanted to verify it. I actually need a reel to put out some big numbers and not strip gears or warp the frame.

By way of example I have a Penn International Torque star drag that's like 2 lbs of stainless steel with a 2 inch main gear that puts out 25lbs of drag and for the size I know it can outpull almost all my conventional reels. A similar number for a small low profile reel seems a bit unbelievable.

It might have that much force out of the box, but not after some break in.  I've seen them bench test at 12-16 lbs.

tackletour.com/reviewabugarciarevostxpg2.html

"The drag system of the Revo STX was the most impressive I've fished to date in such a small reel. In the lab, our Revo STX produced a killer 24 POUNDS of drag pressure when locked down. That's right!!! 24 lbs of drag pressure! At first the 12 pound line on the reel kept on snapping in the middle of the line during the test. We finally spoolled up some 20 pound line and that still snapped half of the time. So we had to up the line test one more time before we got the final result. After we tested out the 24 pounds of drag force, we thought our scale was going bad, so we replaced it with a spare and we were simply amazed by what the Abu Garcia can achieve. "

and these dudes love Shimano.

They tested ONE reel.  Every single Revo that graces my hands gets the test.  NONE has ever come close to 24#, LOL.  I love the TT articles as well, but it isn't gospel either.

of all my reels, the stx has the strongest drag. never tested it with a scale, but i do get into a lot of snags.(mostly tree bass!)

I love the TT articles as well, but it isn't gospel either.

Tell that to the posse.

;D

Thanks guys. If I could count on 12-15 off the bench after some break in that'd do the trick.

25 is just unneccessary anyways for the size of that reel.

If the application you have in mind requires sustainded drag pressures of 20#> You're going to be hard pressed to find that in a typical bass reel, Revo or otherwise.

It might have that much force out of the box, but not after some break in. I've seen them bench test at 12-16 lbs.

Is it typical for baitcasters to lose that much drag power after break-in or is this something specific to the Revos?

Are you testing the drags with the reel rod mounted and lined with the scale off the rod tip?

If not none of your results hold water.

Unless your using one heck of a stout rod your not going to get 24# drag test off of the reel.

Thought you guys new how to properly test drags....

Are you testing the drags with the reel rod mounted and lined with the scale off the rod tip?

If not none of your results hold water.

Unless your using one heck of a stout rod your not going to get 24# drag test off of the reel.

Thought you guys new how to properly test drags....

Sorry David, that's not right.  "X" lbs. of drag is "X" lbs. of drag, on a straight pull, or loaded on the rod.  Don't believe me?  Measure it both ways.  It will be the same.  The way the drag performs may be a completely different story, however.

In fact I'd wager that 90% of most bass rods would snap under 24 lbs. of load.

It might have that much force out of the box, but not after some break in. I've seen them bench test at 12-16 lbs.

Is it typical for baitcasters to lose that much drag power after break-in or is this something specific to the Revos?

I never tested a Revo straight out of the box, but I suspect many don't even start out that powerful.  Most other brands actually gain some max power, but then get sticky, or chatter.  Smooth Drags Carbontex replacement washers resolve the issue almost every time.

If the application you have in mind requires sustainded drag pressures of 20#> You're going to be hard pressed to find that in a typical bass reel, Revo or otherwise.

Nope just need about 12. I just needed to know how much it could put out. They claimed 24 which just seemed silly.

Are you testing the drags with the reel rod mounted and lined with the scale off the rod tip?

If not none of your results hold water.

Unless your using one heck of a stout rod your not going to get 24# drag test off of the reel.

Thought you guys new how to properly test drags....

I understand how mounting a reel on a rod will change how the drag behaves. Obviously mounted on a rod there's going to be a bit more effective drag from friction and the arc of the rod... but how would mounting a reel on a rod reduce a reels drag capabilities? If a reel can put out 15lbs of pressure on a bench scale it'll do that on any rod.

They tested ONE reel. Every single Revo that graces my hands gets the test. NONE has ever come close to 24#, LOL. I love the TT articles as well, but it isn't gospel either.

/agree

I have two Winches, both are at 17.5 cranked down.  Both were 20 on the nose fresh out of the box.

They tested ONE reel. Every single Revo that graces my hands gets the test. NONE has ever come close to 24#, LOL. I love the TT articles as well, but it isn't gospel either.

/agree

I have two Winches, both are at 17.5 cranked down. Both were 20 on the nose fresh out of the box.

Thanks! 

according to TT:

• quantum smoke 150 is rated at 15 lbs. but only tested out at 9.75 lbs.
  
• the new lew's tournament pro speed spoolwhich is rated at 14 lbs.actually tested out at 16 lbs.
  
• revo winch, rated at 24 lbs., but tested out at 21.8 lbs.
  
• shimano curado E5, rated at 12 lbs., and tested out at 12.7 lbs.
  
• daiwa zillion CC, rated at 8.8 lbs., and tested out at 9 lbs.
  
• quantum energy PT, rated at 18 lbs., but tested out at 15.6 lbs.
  

The Ardent flipping reel has a non-adjustable drag that is high but I don't remember the number.