Abu Garcia rods and reels?

[Jeff13]

I need some insight on Abu Garcia gear. I really got into bass fishing last summer and never realized how much fun and how addicting it can be. For years I have fished mostly muskies and walleyes on occasion. I have always used Shimano reels for both of those applications and have been very pleased with the reels.

I have the opportunity to load up on Abu Garcia rods and reels at a bargain price. My wife will kill me if I go crazy this spring and summer buying tons of rods and reels again. So I was wondering if any of you have fallen in love with any of the Abu Products for bass fishing and could offer any insight? I looked on line and some of the reels look pretty nice and they have a ton of rods as well. I can get these all nearly half off.

Thanks,

Jeff

[Nick Kuhn]

The Revo's have always been pretty good reels, and the new ones shouldn't be any different. They are lighter, but if they sport the same durability and castability they will be excellent choices. I cannot speak for the rods though.

[RawHog]

I wouldnt say ive fallen in love with my revo stxhs.... but its definitely done its job well for me over about 5 years.

I tend to buy more shimanos nowa' days because in my opinion they last longer.

I think that when comparing equally priced reels (chronarch/stx, curado/S) the abu is alot lighter and casts a LITTLE BIT better than the shimano.

The abus are really good reels and if you treat them semi-decently like i have, they should last you a while, too.

If i were you jump all over that deal.

[bassinboy3]

I love Abu Garcia, I have been running the Revos since they came out and have owned all of the generations, I have never encounterd a problem and I havent really been easy on them, they have taken some abuse during many hours on the water and different tournaments. I prefer the STX and the SX. I see no reason to go up to the higher buck reals like the mgx or premier. I have multiple veritas rods and love them. I have many different lengths and stiffnesses, depends on the application. I dont see a reason to own anything different when it comes to bass fishing equimpent, I know there is a lot of shimano lovers and they are nice but my preference is Abu Garcia.

[bassfshin24]

I love my Revo's as well. Very nice reels for the money.

[Jeff13]

Thanks for the responses, sounds like I will be buying some new reels and I will give the rods a try.

Right now I have mainly done a lot of worm fishing. I have a sweet set up for that.

What kind of rod length/senitivity would you guys recommend for:

:Throwing cranks

:Slop fishin/real heavy junk

: jerk baits

: spinnerbaits

[bassinboy3]

Jerk baits as in jerk shads or like floating minnows? Either way I like a 7 mh spinning rod with a fast tip just a personal preference I can manage my bait a lot better and the the wippy tip helps give it action but I still have back bone to bury the hook or get it out from a dock or other cover im fishing around, braid is also reccomended for line because it floats and doesnt have stretch where monno has stretch and fluro floats.

Spinnerbaits/swim jigs, 7'3" mh I can make long casts and have better hook sets with the longer rod and the back bone gets it out of cover if I need to.

For cranks I like the same length and sensitivity as spinners but for cranks I wanna fast tip which helps load the rod when a fish hits because I dont like putting the lumber to the fish on a crank bite because they might not have the bait very good so I like the sweeping hook set and if the rod is to stiff it can snap the bait out of its mouth, in that same token you want the rod to have a nice base so you can rip it out of weeds or cabage to get that reaction strike off of a piece of cover. Fluro is a must for line because it sinks which keeps your bait in the strike zone and it has minimal stretch.

[ice-man/vexilar-king]

I am a Fan of the Revo's. I have owned the STX SX and Premier. I got rid of the Premier because it was so light it didn't the same feel as the others. personal preference is all.

i want one of the new Winch for a crank bait reel, but its $200.00.

Wish i got your discount

[tolle141]

STX is fantastic. First time I tested it last year I put my spinner bait wayyy back in the cattails.

Wouldn't be able to hook anyone else up with that deal would you? lol I'd go for a couple Revo Winch's and some Inshores

[gritsnham]

Abu reels are about all I buy these days...for value and quality its hard to beat the revo s never have any issues with them.

Rods are not the greatest and in my experience the guides are a bit cheap and the finish starts coming off the reels. Nice rods to fish with but from my experience and from fishing buddies you can do better on rods.

[riverrat63]

I have 8 veritas I love them I got them 2 years never had a problem with them I fish a lot of tournaments so its not like they don't get used a lot

[Jeff13]

If you guys were to pair a great crank bait abu set up (veritas) rod what action and reel would you go with?

How about for whacky rigging looking for a spinning set up for this?

[Craigums]

If you guys were to pair a great crank bait abu set up (veritas) rod what action and reel would you go with?

How about for whacky rigging looking for a spinning set up for this?

Cranking; Medium/Mod. Fast - 5:1 or 6:1 gear ratio

Deeper Cranking; Medium Heavy/Mod. Fast - 5:1 gr

Wacky Rigging; Medium/Fast - 7:1 gr

[riverrat63]

I use my 7' mh smaller crank baits then a 7'2 mh for bigger crank baits and a 7'2 for rattle trap type cranks then I use a 7' mh spinning rod for wacky rigs I use 10 trilene-sensation it has a low diameter but still has the stregth and it works good on a spinning reel. I'm a little taller so longer rods fit me better its all about what's comfortable in your hands.

[Fairchild_82]

Stay away from abu garcia. Serious. UNLESS you love buying new reels all the time just to have the bearings burn out on you. or if you're getting the premier. Don't even bother. Junk. experienced with the revos s, sx, stx...ALL are effing junk. you really cannot buy quality for under $200 in the world of bass fishing now days.. that's just how it is. but there also has never been as good a equipment. save your money for quality. As for rods. I havent really ever heard of someone using a garcia rod. i never used the veritas. dont buy it. i'd imagine it's flimsy. go with the crucial. for a good price you get everything you need out of it. probably the best line for bass rods. and you dont get in the price range from gloomis/stcroix. and they have many different styles specified for your pattern of fishing. they have flippin, finesse, crank, droppin, spinner. also come with micro guides you may like. for better casting/sensitivity.

So you get to be the deciding factor on which to buy. but i would stand clear of abu garcia. you will hate yourself if you buy a $150 revo s that lasts for 2 days.

Shimano Crucial 7'2 Med Extra Fast

with Daiwa HSTA 6.5 w/ only BRAID!

^ my setup for pitchin. awesome!

oh yea... Fluro sinks bassin boy!!

[bassfshin24]

I've never had a problem with my revos and I've had them for years. There is no way you can call abus junk.

[tolle141]

I've never had a problem with my revos and I've had them for years. There is no way you can call abus junk.

Neither have I. Unless you're throwin Pounders and Double Cowgirls I don't see how you can blow one of these reels out in two days. They're simply fantastic.

[Craigums]

i never used the veritas. dont buy it. i'd imagine it's flimsy.

Case and point...

[gritsnham]

I will second my opinion of the reels as being awesome so dont let the lone negative post scare you away...I have tried every brand of casting reel and revo gets the nod always unless I cant pass up a sale...

Revo-s is the best bang for your buck out there IMHO

[Stringerless!]

I bet I have a 5 gallon bucket full of abu reels in the basement. Never tried the revo. From 5000 to 6500s. All used as musky reels. Still using a Diawa millionaire that I bought used when I started musky fishing 20 years ago!. Bought 2 new ones this year. Will see how they hold up. Never had an abu last more than 3 years. Just my experience.

[Fairchild_82]

I don't fish in a kayak. Which allows me to cast more often, and 2x the distance. I didn't mean to sound so negative this morning. But really.. i've had nothing but stress with the Revo line. The Revo S and SX are by all means JUNK.

[Jeff13]

Well I'm pretty sure I will pick up some reels, to many positives. One of the last posters mentioned they have a bucket if Abu reels at home and none lasted more than 3 years. I musky fish most of the time and have purchased Abu's, Diawas, and Shimano muskie reels. I would agree a Abu cannot handle muskie fishing they are one and done for me and would not purchase one for muskie fishing.

Bass fishing is a lot different and so are the reels, my brother has been using the same 5500 for bass fishing for years and it's been great. I have to good a deal on these reels and Rods to pass it up. Thanks for all the input guys and I look forward to using my new Abu's this summer.

[Esox_Magnum]

I bet I have a 5 gallon bucket full of abu reels in the basement. Never tried the revo. From 5000 to 6500s. All used as musky reels. Still using a Diawa millionaire that I bought used when I started musky fishing 20 years ago!. Bought 2 new ones this year. Will see how they hold up. Never had an abu last more than 3 years. Just my experience.

Never had any muskie reel last me 3 full seasons yet other than my Curado DSV, Shimano, Diawa, Revo all need service after 2+ full seasons...Bet I could make the Millionair do the same in a season...As far as a bass reel I only use 1 bait bass fishing and my Symetrey 1500 works fine...

[gritsnham]

I don't fish in a kayak. Which allows me to cast more often, and 2x the distance. I didn't mean to sound so negative this morning. But really.. i've had nothing but stress with the Revo line. The Revo S and SX are by all means JUNK.

Who said anything about fishing in a kayak?

Still sounds just as negative as first post but you are entitled to your opinion...hard to call them junk compared to some of the other options out there.

I fish outta a bass boat and cast a lot...my revo-s on my deep crank setup takes a lot of abuse...

I would go for it jeff...if you got a good deal its a great way to get more into the sport cause it strangely seems you can never have enough combos and they always seem to go up in price:)

[Patrick duffy]

Revos are awesome, got a s, 2 sx, and an Stx and am happy with all of them. The rods I think are junk. Had a veritas last about 5 months and 2 guides just fell off from bouncing in the boat.