Truth be told, I couldn't care less what a baitcasting reel looks like. As long as it's smooth, has a sturdy drag and can be adjusted to avoid constant backlashes, it could resemble a Styrofoam cup of cole slaw from a fast-food chicken joint and it wouldn't matter to me.

I have to admit, though, that the look of the Abu Garcia Revo Skeet Reese is pretty cool, if only because of its uniqueness. That yellow trim set against a black body gives it the appearance of a piece of equipment that's sleek, light and fast.

In this case, the appearance isn't deceiving. The reel has all of those characteristics, plus a couple of other nice features that I wouldn't have missed if I'd never sampled them, but wouldn't want to do without now.

First and foremost, the reel is a Revo, a name that's become synonymous with ultra-smooth casting over the past couple of years. You can throw baits out of sight with it, but it's so light and carries such a low profile that it feels like almost nothing when you're bringing them back.

The Skeet Revo has 11 High Performance Corrosion Resistant (HPCR) bearings, which is an increase of five over the Revo Premier. It also has a longer handle shank and larger paddle grips than other models in the line – an addition that I found to be especially handy, particularly for flipping or deep-cranking.

Despite those additions, it's less than half-an-ounce heavier than the Premier (6.8 ounces). Some of that difference was made up through the elimination of the magnetic spool-braking system (the dial on the non-handle side). But with proper adjustment of the mechanical brake (the small knob behind the handle), that isn't an issue.

Even throwing dead into a 10 mph headwind, a decent cast without a big-league overrun is not only possible, but can be expected. And when you hook a fish, the Carbon Matrix drag system will put a whoopin' on it.

Don't let the flashy paint job fool you – this reel isn't all about looks. Underneath all that paint, it's got the guts to get the job done.

Specifications

> Retrieve: right or left-hand
> Ball bearings: 10 stainless steel HPCR plus one instant anti-reverse
> Brake: 6-pin adjustable centrifugal
> Body: X-Craftic alloy
> Spool: Infinity II (aircraft-grade aluminum)
> Gear ratio: 6.4:1
> Weight: 6.8 ounces
> Line capacity: 145 yards/12-pound test
> MSRP: $279.99

Notable

> For more on the Revo Skeet Reese, click here.