Kevin Van Dam Forums

I have a SX and like it but I wanna get 2 winch’s eventually for my crankin rods and maybe a couple stx’s as well, seems premiers are not that much more but are they better than stxs’? Thanks!

I have really looked hard at the Premier and I can’t bring myself to buy one. The focus on the Premier was to drop the weight of the reel, which they did a very fine job of doing. But in doing so, they reduced the amount of bearings. I’m not 100% certain, but I believe the changed the drag system also.

In my opinion, the STX is the better reel even though it is a little heavier.

You can find Premiers on eBay & Amazon for under the price of STX & I think the weight reduction is well worth it. It’s not quite as smooth as the STX, but it’s still extremely smooth & the drag was a bit weak before the redesign, but it’s rock solid now, with 20 on the regular & 18 on the HS. I have both & would take a Premier over the STX 99% of the time due to the weight reduction, which is significant on current models, and the performance/feel on both is pretty close, so I don’t think you can go wrong either way in terms of performance/feel. Although the new remodeled STX that’s coming out in the not too distant future will be in the 7oz range & negate that advantage, which makes me wonder what they’ve got up their sleeve for a new Premier. Also rumors floating about an aluminum MGX coming out as well, which would be way cool.

Thanks for input guys, I am bidding on a stx currently winning it! I also may get a winch soon, sounds like either way is a good choice, I was just wondering cause you can get the stx for like 167$ brand new off ebay and the premier for around 200-210$ so I wondered if it was worth it. I wish I would bought the stx over my sx but i like the sx i just want more breaking system. I plan on using the sx on my spinnerbait rod when I retire my quantum that is grinding when spun.

Good luck on the STX hope you win it.  You will like the Winch.  I also use it for my deep cranking and that thing will cast a country mile.

Yeah thats what Ive been researching too is the winch. I want 2 for my deep and shallow/squarebill rods.Ill be pulling my sx off the veritas deep crank winch rod and putting a winch reel on to match it, then another on my crankin stick replacing my pro qualifier. SX will go on spinnerbait rod like i said so this shoud work out well and I have more rods to decide what i want the stx on. Thanks again.

I am big fan of ABU!

I have 2 stxs, a winch, a premier, and sx.  The premier feels smoother than stx’s. And the winch is awesome cranking any size lure from 1/4oz to 1oz lure.  I had all mine supertuned by Pro Reel improves casting distance.  .Highly recommend the premier and the winch.

Just bought my first couple ABU’s….they are STX’s and they seem very nice.  I bought them at the suggestion of the guys on this board a few months back.  I like how they handle fish and are exceptionally smooth. Very nice reel.  I’d like to try the Premier, but really have no need for the Winch….For big cranking’ I stay with my Shimano Calcutta’s.  They are the best in the biz I think (at least for me).

Yeah i have winch, sx and stx now and like them all, the winch is awesome in my opinion

i have an STX on backorder from Tackle Warehouse for $159 and got a SX coming from Cabelas for $129. i looked at the premier vs STX didn’t see much difference besides the weight and the STX had 1 more bearing. i’m happy without the premier