A Low-Gear Performer

BassFans know there's been a decided trend toward super-high-speed reels. Used to be that 6:1 was considered high-speed, but starting with Daiwa's "Burner," gear ratios have now pushed into the 7:1 range.

Great if you want that much speed. And certain techniques like frogging and other topwaters demand it. But overall, a 6:1 is the more versatile reel because you can throw just about anything on it.

That said, even 6:1 reels aren't right for everyone. For example, if you have trouble slowing down and tend to "overfish" baits, a 6:1 reel can only make things worse. And if you multitask like I do – maybe move to longline trolling for walleyes when the sun goes down and the largemouths quit – a 6:1 just usually doesn't have the torque for that.

So over the years and to fit a limited budget, I've generally opted for lower-geared reels in the 5:1 range and kept a single 6:1 out for topwaters and some worming. If I'm making a $100 to $200 investment, I just prefer torque over speed. But there's a tradeoff, because lately, all the high-end reels have been built for speed. So if you truly wanted the latest and greatest, you had to get into the 6:1 range.

That's why I was stoked to see Abu Garcia develop a Revo in a lower gear. It's called the "Revo Winch" and it's tailor-made for deep-cranking, but it can do a whole lot more.

Cranking Tests

I received my Winch in early summer and immediately strung it with 12-pound green Berkley Trilene XT. I like 12-pound simply because, living in New York, I fish clear to clearer water almost exclusively. And XT is tough enough stuff that I can generally fish the outside weedlines and shoreline cover without problems.

The Winch holds 175 yards of 12-pound – an increase of 45 yards over the higher-speed Revos – which is more than I'd ever need. Later in the summer, I did strip off the 12-pound and put on 10-pound for a weekend of longline trolling. After that, I put the 12 back on.

I did a lot of deep-cranking with baits like a Norman DD22 and Fat Free Shad, as well as sinking baits like the Spro BBZ Shad, and the Winch was a true performer.

A lot of the cranking bite around here depends on long casts and erratic retrieves with significant pauses. The 5.4:1 gear ratio really powers the cranks, but it also helps you get a true pause. Even if you move the handle out of habit, it takes that extra moment to get the bait working again. And when you're looking for fish, the gear ratio really helps you resist burning the crank so you maintain that "sweet" speed that lets cranks hunt and kick out.

Also, the lower gear ratio is great for cranking wood. Again, you're moving slower and when you bump, it seems naturally more easy to pause to let the bait float up and over.

In short, we all know cranking's about finding the proper speed, and that's a whole lot easier to do with the 5.4:1 Winch.

And of course, you've got what seems like a ton more torque, so winding deep-digging cranks is physically a lot easier. So is hauling in a fish draped with 5 pounds of hydrilla or pads.

Versatile

I didn't limit my Winch tests to deep-cranking. I also threw several other baits on it.

I pitched worms and it performed well.

Photo: Abu Garcia

I fished football-heads in 10 to 40 feet of water. Again, high marks all around.

And I fished a number of smaller swimbaits like the Basstrix and Berkley Hollow Belly that are best with a slower "thumping" retrieve. The Winch excelled in all cases.

I've now fished the reel hard for more than 5 months and have not had a single problem. The bearings, drive and handles fish exactly like new. I plan to lube the reel over winter, but feel I could get another season of use without a relube.

Overall, the Winch is light (8.54 ounces) and sits low and comfortably in the hand. It may be a niche reel in the eyes of some, but I think it's an extremely versatile, reliable tool that's now the first out of my rodbox each day.

Some Technical Notes

Here are some of the Winch's standout features: