Photos: Abu Garcia · supplied retailer imagery
Predator reels · Low-profile baitcasters · Our take
Abu Garcia Max STX Low Profile Reel
Left-hand retrieve · UK model 1539732
A compact baitcaster with a useful gear ratio, plenty of drag and a proper predator-fishing attitude. Is this Abu the right reel for your lure work?
- Low-profile baitcasting reel for predator lure fishing
- 6.4:1 gear ratio with a maximum drag of 15 lb / 6.8 kg
- Six-bearing system: five stainless-steel ball bearings plus one roller bearing
- Machined aluminium spool, MagTrax braking and Duragear brass gearing
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Abu Garcia Max STX Low Profile Reel, including the left-hand retrieve version listed under UK model code 1539732.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A capable, sensibly equipped predator baitcaster that offers strong everyday performance without pretending to be a flagship reel.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality8.6/10
- Performance8.8/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.6/10
- Ease of Use8.4/10
- Value for Money8.9/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Predator lure anglers. The compact profile, 6.4:1 retrieve and controllable braking suit regular casting for pike, perch and zander.
- Anglers moving from fixed-spool gear to baitcasting. It offers the key controls you need without burying you in complicated settings or premium-reel pricing.
Maybe skip if
- Ultra-light lure specialists. A baitcaster like this is generally happier with a suitable lure range than tiny finesse offerings that need very little spool resistance.
- Anglers wanting a fully metal, flagship feel. The graphite construction keeps things practical, but it won’t feel as substantial as a more expensive all-metal reel.
The lowdown
Introducing the Abu Garcia Max STX Low Profile Reel
A compact baitcaster with a useful gear ratio, plenty of drag and a proper predator-fishing attitude. Is this Abu the right reel for your lure work?
- Low-profile baitcasting reel for predator lure fishing
- 6.4:1 gear ratio with a maximum drag of 15 lb / 6.8 kg
- Six-bearing system: five stainless-steel ball bearings plus one roller bearing
- Machined aluminium spool, MagTrax braking and Duragear brass gearing
Quick verdict
A cracking little baitcaster for predator work
The Abu Garcia Max STX Low Profile Reel packs a lot into a neat, palm-friendly body. Its 6.4:1 gearing, aluminium spool and MagTrax braking make it a sensible choice for lure fishing, especially when you’re casting regularly and want more control than a fixed spool gives you.
It’s not a fancy flagship reel, and the graphite frame won’t appeal to anglers chasing the most premium feel. But for pike, perch and zander lure fishing, it’s a capable, straightforward bit of kit with useful features where they matter.
A capable, sensibly equipped predator baitcaster that offers strong everyday performance without pretending to be a flagship reel.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality
- 8.6/10
- Performance
- 8.8/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.6/10
- Ease of Use
- 8.4/10
- Value for Money
- 8.9/10
The aluminium spool, brass gearing and tidy bearing setup are backed by a practical graphite body.
The 6.4:1 ratio, MagTrax braking and 15 lb drag cover a broad range of normal lure-fishing jobs.
Good casting control and quick line pick-up can help you present lures accurately and stay connected to takes.
The controls are approachable, but baitcasting still demands sensible setup and a bit of thumb practice.
It concentrates the features most predator anglers need into a compact, no-nonsense reel rather than charging for luxury touches.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Abu Garcia
Abu Garcia Max STX Low Profile Reel (this one)
Top scorer
Top scorer
Scores are our own, out of 10. Best in each row is in green. Prices change, so check the latest before you buy.
The full rundown
Everything you'll want to know about the Abu Garcia Max STX Low Profile Reel
There’s something properly satisfying about a low-profile baitcaster in your hand. It feels compact, direct and ready for a day of chucking lures. The Abu Garcia Max STX Low Profile Reel is built around that idea, giving predator anglers a practical reel without loading it up with daft extras.
This is the left-hand retrieve version, listed in the UK under model code 1539732. That matters if you naturally prefer to cast with your right hand and wind with your left, or you simply find that retrieve side more comfortable. Get that choice right before buying, mate. Swapping your habits on the bank is a needless faff.
At the heart of the reel is a 6.4:1 gear ratio. That’s a useful all-round speed for lure fishing. You can pick up line briskly after a cast, keep a spinner or plug working at a steady pace and stay in touch when a fish follows right to the boat or bank. It isn’t an extreme burner, nor is it painfully slow.
The drag is rated to a maximum of 15 lb, or 6.8 kg. For normal predator lure work, that gives you a good chunk of control when a pike turns in the cabbage or a chunky perch dives for a snag. Naturally, the number on the box isn’t a reason to lock everything solid. Smooth pressure and sensible tackle still matter more than heroics.
Abu Garcia uses a machined aluminium spool here, which is a welcome feature on a reel in this sort of practical bracket. The one-piece graphite frame and graphite sideplates help keep the low-profile body manageable in the hand. You get a compact package that won’t feel like you’re lugging a brick around while walking the reservoir or canal.
Casting control comes from the MagTrax braking system. That’s the bit that helps manage spool speed and reduce those horrible overruns when the lure slows down in flight. You’ll still need to set the reel for the lure, wind and casting style, but the principle is simple: start with more control, then ease it off as your thumb and timing sharpen up.
The reel also has Duragear brass gearing, five stainless-steel ball bearings and one roller bearing. That six-bearing setup should give the mechanics a tidy, purposeful feel, while the compact bent handle and large co-moulded soft-touch knobs give you something comfortable to hang onto through a long session. A screaming take is easier to enjoy when your grip isn’t getting battered.
The Power Disk drag system adds to the reel’s predator credentials, while the Flipping Switch is handy for close-range work around cover and the margins. The recessed reel foot helps the reel sit neatly on a casting rod, too. It’s the sort of design that makes sense when you’re hopping between swims, firing at overhanging branches and putting a lure in front of every likely ambush point.
There are limits, of course. This isn’t aimed at the angler who wants a jewel-like flagship reel with an all-metal chassis and ultra-fancy refinements. The graphite construction keeps things sensible rather than luxurious. Lighter lures can also expose the learning curve that comes with any baitcaster. But pair it with the right rod, line and lure range, and the Max STX looks like a bob-on tool for proper predator sessions.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Reel type
- Low-profile baitcasting reel
- Gear ratio
- 6.4:1
- Bearings
- 5 stainless-steel ball bearings plus 1 roller bearing
- Maximum drag
- 15 lb / 6.8 kg
- Frame and sideplates
- One-piece graphite frame with graphite sideplates
- Spool and controls
- Machined aluminium spool, MagTrax braking and Flipping Switch
Specs checked with Abu Garcia, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
The useful bit: a compact baitcaster that keeps lure work simple
The Max STX is best viewed as a practical predator reel rather than a blingy bit of tackle. The controls are familiar, the drag has enough muscle for proper fish and the low-profile shape sits nicely in your hand during a day of casting.
The main thing to get right is the baitcasting setup. Match the reel to a suitable rod and lure range, set the MagTrax braking sensibly and thumb the spool properly. Do that and it should feel far less faffy than a cheap, poorly balanced baitcaster.
What you’re buying
A neat baitcaster with the key predator features covered
The Max STX is a low-profile baitcasting reel with a 6.4:1 gear ratio, machined aluminium spool and a one-piece graphite frame. That makes it a sensible fit for mobile lure fishing, where you’re casting often and carrying the outfit from swim to swim. The recessed reel foot helps it sit cleanly on a casting rod, while the bent handle and big soft-touch knobs make winding comfortable.
Its drag package combines the Power Disk system with a maximum setting of 15 lb / 6.8 kg. Add Duragear brass gearing and you’ve got a reel designed for more than just dainty perch work. It has the muscle for pike and zander situations, although your rod, line, leader and knots all need to be up to the job as well.
The MagTrax braking system is the feature beginners will appreciate most. It helps control spool speed during the cast, which can make baitcasting less wild while you’re getting your thumb timing sorted. The six-bearing system — five stainless-steel ball bearings and one roller bearing — rounds out a solid, straightforward build.
Worth knowing. A baitcaster isn’t completely set-and-forget. Begin with the MagTrax control set conservatively, use the spool tension to remove obvious side-to-side play and make a smooth cast. Once the lure is flying cleanly, you can back the braking off a touch.
On the bank
Best when you’re casting predators all day
This reel makes most sense for anglers fishing artificial lures for pike, perch or zander. It’s particularly handy when you’re covering water, firing casts tight to reed beds or working a lure along a margin. The 6.4:1 retrieve keeps line pick-up brisk enough for active lure changes and quick recasts.
It also suits someone who wants to move from fixed-spool tackle into baitcasting without jumping straight to a top-shelf price bracket. The controls are familiar, the profile is compact and the left-hand retrieve option lets you choose the winding style that feels natural. Pair it with a casting rod that matches your lure weights and the outfit should feel properly balanced.
Where it’s less convincing is ultra-light finesse fishing or premium-heavy-duty use. Tiny lures can be more awkward on a standard baitcaster, especially into a headwind, and the graphite body won’t deliver the same planted, expensive feel as a metal-framed reel. For everyday predator work, though, those are fair compromises.
Quick answers
The bits anglers usually want to know
It has the drag capacity and brass gearing for normal pike lure work, but don’t forget the rest of the outfit. Use a proper wire or hard fluorocarbon trace where appropriate, check your knots and match the line and rod to the lures you’re throwing. The reel alone doesn’t make a safe pike setup.
Yes, it’s a versatile middle ground. You get useful line pick-up without making every lure feel like it’s being dragged back at daft speed. That makes it suitable for a broad spread of plugs, soft plastics and moving lures, with your retrieve controlled mainly by the handle speed and lure design.
Set the reel for the lure weight, start with plenty of MagTrax braking and use a smooth casting stroke rather than trying to launch it like a spod. Keep your thumb hovering over the spool, especially as the lure lands. A little practice in an open area saves a lot of swearing beside the lilies.
Worth knowing. Check the retrieve side before you order. This review covers the left-hand retrieve version, UK model 1539732. Right- and left-hand variants can have different model codes, so don’t rely on a tiny product photo or a vague listing title.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Compact low-profile shape with a comfortable bent handle and soft-touch knobs
- 15 lb / 6.8 kg maximum drag gives it plenty of control for predator fishing
- MagTrax braking helps make casting adjustments more manageable
- Aluminium spool and brass gearing give the reel a purposeful, fishing-ready specification
- Left-hand retrieve option makes it a useful choice for anglers who prefer to keep casting and winding naturally
Worth knowing
- The graphite frame and sideplates don’t give it the same premium, rigid feel as more expensive metal-bodied baitcasters
- Baitcasting still has a learning curve, particularly with lighter lures and changing wind
- Six bearings are perfectly serviceable, but this isn’t pitched as a silky, top-end reel
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Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01What sort of fishing is the Abu Garcia Max STX Low Profile Reel for?
What sort of fishing is the Abu Garcia Max STX Low Profile Reel for?
It’s a baitcasting reel aimed at predator lure fishing. Think pike, perch and zander work where you’re casting plugs, soft plastics, spinnerbaits or similar lures on a suitable casting rod.
02Is the Abu Garcia Max STX suitable for beginners?
Is the Abu Garcia Max STX suitable for beginners?
Yes, provided you’re happy to learn baitcasting technique. Start with sensible braking, keep your thumb lightly over the spool and practise with a lure weight your rod and reel handle comfortably. Rushing the first cast is how the dreaded bird’s nest arrives.
03What does the Flipping Switch do?
What does the Flipping Switch do?
The Flipping Switch lets you engage and disengage the spool in a quick, handy way for close-range presentation work. It can be useful around cover, reeds and the margins when you want immediate control without constantly reaching for the normal release.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: a cracking little baitcaster for predator work. The strongest reasons to choose it are compact low-profile shape with a comfortable bent handle and soft-touch knobs and 15 lb / 6.8 kg maximum drag gives it plenty of control for predator fishing; the main trade-off is the graphite frame and sideplates don’t give it the same premium, rigid feel as more expensive metal-bodied baitcasters.
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Compact low-profile shape with a comfortable bent handle and soft-touch knobs”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Predator lure anglers: The compact profile, 6.4:1 retrieve and controllable braking suit regular casting for pike, perch and zander.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “The graphite frame and sideplates don’t give it the same premium, rigid feel as more expensive metal-bodied baitcasters”
Tackle Index’s take from the product details and fishing fit we checked. We haven’t found enough independent public feedback to call this an angler consensus yet.
Angler score
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