******thoughts On Abu Garcia Villain 7'6 Mh/f Casting Rod******

[mnvp31]

I found one in the clearance rack at my local Dicks Sporting Goods store a few weeks ago, and my wife went back to buy it for me for V-day.
It's definitely a light, sturdy, and great looking rod!  i compared it with my Shimano Cumara 7'4 heavy, and it's feels just as light, if not lighter, but the action feels the same.

I saw a vid of Mike Iaconelli saying that he uses the 7'6 Villain mainly for frogs/swimbaits/carolina rig.  Have anyone try using it for jigs/worms?  And has anyone used this size?   
Most reviews i've seen are from those who have the 7'1 MH/F.  Just wanted some thoughts.

[smalljaw67]

I liked the Vendetta and the Veritas rods a lot but the Verdict was a miss and the Villian I would say is a disappointment. I really wanted one but because of the price I wanted to at least hold it and inspect it first and when I got to fish with a buddy's rod, 7'1" MH it wasn't what I expected. The reel seat felt funny but you could get used to that, and the rod was much heavier than advertised, and it wasn't crip, it just lacked a realy good feel on the texas rigged worm I tried with it. I used it for close to an hour and decided I wasn't going to get one but it is well made, it wasn't sloppy and the build was nice, it just didn't have the feel I expected based on the other rods they made.

[mnvp31]

smalljaw67 - thnx for the response and info. 

i've held the vendetta and the veritas (the old and new models), but have never fished with them.  from just holding and playing around with them in the stores, IMO, the Villain feels a lot nicer.  Again, i have not fished with either rods. 

This is my first Abu rod and my first 7'6 rod, all my other rods are Shimano (crucials and cumaras), and my biggest rod i own is a 7'4 Cumara H/F.  Just wanted to see if it's versatile for other techniques (jigs/flipping/worms) as well, how's the sensitivity, and if anyone owned or fished with it before.  i live in Minnesota, so it'll be awhile until i can hit the waters with it.

[Arv]

I like the Villain, just not at full price. I do think it is by far the top of the line of the Abu rods, but I also feel that it is overpriced for what you get. I like the reel seat and handle more than the Veritas, but I still prefer a Fuji style grip/seat. If you are paying full price at 180, I would suggest looking at a Phenix M1/Recon, St. Croix Avid, Powell Max/Endurance or a Duckett Magic rod.

[TNBassin']

Abu also makes a micro guide Villain, but with Abu's track record for horrendous alignment of their micro guides(In my experience), I would not buy one without getting to visually inspect it first. I really want one for my new STX, but just can't pull the trigger for $180.

[rockchalk06]

Abu also makes a micro guide Villain, but with Abu's track record for horrendous alignment of their micro guides(In my experience), I would not buy one without getting to visually inspect it first. I really want one for my new STX, but just can't pull the trigger for $180.

Are you wanting it for the color along with the quality of the rod?

[TNBassin']

I really like Abu rods, and it yeah it would look cool with the STX lol. Plus I hear it's lighter than the Veritas, which you know how much I love that rod.

[rockchalk06]

I really like Abu rods, and it yeah it would look cool with the STX lol. Plus I hear it's lighter than the Veritas, which you know how much I love that rod.

I figured. It hurts to say this, but the Shimano Crucial I bought is a sweet sexy rod. Black with white writing, EVA spilt with 100% full exposed fugi reel seat and fugi guides. And pretty d**n light too. I love that thing. The warranty is perfect too

If I didn't find two Gloomis GL2's for 109 a piece the other day, I would have gotten two more.

[TNBassin']

I saw the Crucial and the Phenix Recon. Leaning towards the Recon but not sure just yet.

[rockchalk06]

I saw the Crucial and the Phenix Recon. Leaning towards the Recon but not sure just yet.

Never seen the recon.

I am wanting to get another Veritas Winch 6'8 medium, but every place that has them in stock, I can't find one that doesn't have some flaw in it. The 4 at BP were taken down after I showed the mgr. the QC of them lately is getting out of hand

[Amarley]

I figured. It hurts to say this, but the Shimano Crucial I bought is a sweet sexy rod. Black with white writing, EVA spilt with 100% full exposed fugi reel seat and fugi guides. And pretty d**n light too. I love that thing. The warranty is perfect too

If I didn't find two Gloomis GL2's for 109 a piece the other day, I would have gotten two more.

Where did you find that deal? I'm looking for a 7'5 mh GL2 now.

[rockchalk06]

Where did you find that deal? I'm looking for a 7'5 mh GL2 now.

Off the flea market here. Guy had 4 of them and I bought two. They were like new and came with the wild cards.

[new2BC4bass]

I bought one at a very good price last year at the very end of the season.  I was surprised at how large the diameter of the rod is.  It actually turned me off.  Rod doesn't feel too heavy to me.  Took it down to the river with a new-to-me reel that I had just gotten.  Only tried one lure on it...a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait.  Wasn't impressed with casting distance, but some of that was undoubtedly the line as it was 65#  braid, that looked to be pretty used up.  I have a Villain ML spinning rod that I like the looks of much better.  However, I plan on giving the MH rod a fair test this coming year with a couple different reels and lines.

[kickerfish1]

Your cumara rods will be more sensitive and better built than the villain. If you are hoping they will be as sensitive and as good of performers as your cumaras you may be dissapointed. There are better choices out there for worms and jigs. Frankily I would use your cumara for this technique and use your villian for the techniques Mike Icanelli noted. I have tried alot of rods for worm and jig fishing and for the money I believe the cumara line is one of the best choices out there.

[skeletor6]

Your cumara rods will be more sensitive and better built than the villain. If you are hoping they will be as sensitive and as good of performers as your cumaras you may be dissapointed. There are better choices out there for worms and jigs. Frankily I would use your cumara for this technique and use your villian for the techniques Mike Icanelli noted. I have tried alot of rods for worm and jig fishing and for the money I believe the cumara line is one of the best choices out there.

 

Word!