No kidding.

Just wondering what the latest impressions of this reel are from those that have been fishing the reel.

I used the 61 to back bounce on the Kenai and Nushagak a little bit last summer. I paired it with a GLoomis BB965 (Parker, Doc says you tried to steal this rod and take it back to WA with you). I put 65 lb braid on it and I have to tell you, I will not be without this reel on the Kenai. It is hands down and by far the most comfortable, capable reel I have ever backbounced with for this situation (heavy water, huge fish). It's not only comfortable but practical as well. I especially like the large open space on top of the reel so you have plenty of thumb room. This reel was way more comfortable (to me) than the Calcuttas and round Ambassadeurs I've used for backbouncing in the past.

This reel came with carbon fiber drag washers and I believe they were dry. If I remember right, I greased them with Cal's grease. The drag performed flawlessly on the several fish I caught with it. It has good range and was very smooth. Additionally, it has a synchronized level wind which prevents braid dig in at the edges of the spool. Aside from the dry drag, there is nothing I'd change on this reel based on my experience so far.

The only thing I can't vouch for on this reel is durability. I haven't had any problems, but I'd like to test it more. By the end of this coming season I'll have a pretty good idea of its durability.

It also comes with a power handle in addition to a standard double paddle handle. This will come in handy if your using it for kwikfish/diver combinations. I used the standard handle for my fishing. One caveat on the 'standard' handle--it is a little wider from paddle to paddle than say a 6500 handle. This is a good thing in my opinion.

That does it.... I'm gettin' one. Haven't bought a new Kenai-caliber reel specifically for me since I purchased my Calcutta 400TE. That was back in 2005. Somehow that one spent more time in other people's hands than my own.

You'd better keep a sharp eye on that rod - I still have my eyes on it!

That rod kicked ass as a back-bouncer on the Kenai! Not a pool cue like the 966 and just a little more "ooomph" than the 964. Perfecto!

I can only imagine a Revo 50 or 60 would excel on that river.

If reel truly has 23lbs of drag on it, one shouldn't need a bazillion yards of line on the reel. Just a good still rod and some drag power.

I don't think I ever saw a fish that was more than 50 yards from any boat.

Fished them hard the past month, and they are even cooler than I thought they'd be.

Fish on...

Todd

What's the trick to getting a 50 open? Mine is either sealed really well, or I'm missing something obvious.

Besides the two case screws, and the long spool screw that wants to loosen, but not fully come out, what else does one have to do?

Also, what's the opinion on applying some Cal grease on the carbon fiber washers....if I can ever get too them?

My thought on opening up the 50 was to apply a light layer of grease to the washers.......

Took me a few minutes to get the hang opening it, too...the pivot point on the sideplate is off center, so it takes a little touch to find out where it is and turn it on the point...just mess around with it for a few and you'll get it.

I left the drags as is out of the box...working fantastic so far.

Fish on...

Todd

REVO 24# drag fans, take your medicine

From Alan Tani :
" there was a slight problem with this reel. i bottomed out the star to check for the maximum drag pressure and it got only 8 pounds of drag. the manager of my local tackle shop told me that this reel was supposed to get over 20 pounds of drag. i initially thought that was odd, because that amount of drag pressure would most assuredly shred the main and pinion gears. i had him check another revo inshore that he had in stock and the star on this reel also bottomed out at 8 pounds."

With a mod, he was able to get to 15#
See the teardown.

Thanks for the info! Saw that post over on the other board but it didn't equate in my brain that the models were similar to what he was working on.

Just took apart both the 50 and the STX and Cal'd up the fiber washers!

Better than new! Not too sure why anyone would *not* do this is kinda beyond me. Seems like a no-brainer upgrade on an already great reel.

Drag startup will be smoother running the drag washers "wet".
I just found a deal on an Inshore....this one is 200 size and has centrifugal cast control.

All of my reels have been upgraded (if not shipped stock) with carbon fiber washers that I've installed wet. smoothdrag.com has washers for just about any Shimano, ABU, or Dawia out there.

Should note that one needs a 20mm washer for the "upgrade" and that smoothdrag sells a 21.5mm that works just fine.

When I get some downtime later this month, I'll do the wet drag thing on my Revo Inshore. Got a question for you reel junkies.


Can the Shimano white drag grease be substituted for Cal's drag grease ?

I have the Shimano stuff on hand & will use it if the results will be the same. I'm going to go w/ the stock Abu washers that are in the reel & just lube them up.

Thanks in advance.


c/22

Yep Shimano Drag Grease and Cal's are very similar products.
Cal's is less expensive when buying larger quantities.

DD
Factoid:
A REVO will work better with Shimano Drag Grease
Hmmm....an interesting thought

DD, I'm still in the Shimano camp. This Revo is on double secret probation till proven better or equal to my satisfaction.

Must say it worked very well on a summer 09 Westport charter trip, lots of hot & feisty ho's in the 10-17 lb. range tested the drag. All the bigger ones were C&R wild fish, just smoked some runs.

On the other hand dropping a 3 oz mooching lead off the side didn't tell me much on the casting merits......