Abu Garcia Fantasista and other high-end rods

[ACGOG]

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm in the market for a new rod. Currently using a Shimano Stradic CI4+ and mainly fish for bass in creeks, rivers, and the occasional lake.

 

I've got an Abu Garcia Veritas that I like well enough but think it's time to upgrade. I'd like to spend a little more this time around but I'm not too familiar with the other higher-end brands out there.

 

I like my Abu Garcia well enough; should I just stick with what I know? What other recommendations are out there for the $200-$300 price range?

 

Thanks!

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

look at St Croix Avid. 

[d-camarena]

Shimano zodias is a great rod also

[Choporoz]

I have a Fantasista baitcaster.  It is a great $150 rod.  It is NOT a $300 rod, IMO.

[FishTank]

I have the Abu Garcia Fantasista Regista 7' M Fast and it is fine rod.  I would say the sensitivity is on par with most of the G Loomis GLX's I have but it doesn't have that magical balancing feel, of say my 783C GLX.  In the price range you are looking at, I would say the St. Croix Legend Tournament 7' MH Fast is a great get it all done rod.  The Avid is also a fine rod at a few dollars less. 

[punch]

From my personal experience, if you have 200-300 to spend you NEED to consider Megabass Orochi XX (or even a new Levante), Shimano Expride, and either the St Croix Legend Tournament or Avid X line. 

[FryDog62]

Daiwa has several rods in the $200-300 range.  Even the Tatula at $150 will outshine many in the $200+ range.  I’d also recommend ALX Zolo (10 year warranty), or as mentioned above the Orochi/Levante.  

[hwright38]

For the low end of your price range, I'd take a Villain 2.0 over a Zodias or Avid every day of the week. Especially the Avid. Not even comparable imo. 

I'm struggling to decide whether or not to get a Fantasista Premier, or another Villain and some tackle. 

[jakkbauer]

I have my Stradic Ci4 on a St Croix Legend Tournament Bass 6'8 MH Fast. I will never take it off.

[NathanDLTH]

If you’re not apposed to buying used, look at online market places like Facebook Marketplace and online groups. I’ve seen several high end spinning rods end up for sale at the $300 and under range. Most in my area are well kept. 

 

If you're set on new then St. Croix, Megabass (talk to Gary at Tackle Trap), Daiwa, ALX (great rod for the money), and Shimano Zodias and Expride. All will help you find what you’re looking. My personal preference is towards Daiwa. Great sticks, good sensitivity, and light. 

[fishballer06]

In your price range, I'd be looking at one of the following:

 

Megabass Orochi XX

Dobyns Champion

Shimano Expride

GLoomis IMX Pro

St Croix Avid or LTB

[Dwbassin]

Legend tournament from st.croix is amazing. I have a 7 foot medium and I throw Ned’s, softplastic swimbaits, little darter heads on it and love it. Senkos too. Haven’t tried much else on it but would definitely recommend. Got it at AL used for $170 cause it didn’t have tags 

[Dwight Hottle]

Kistler Helium3 and you will wonder what took you so long. 

[ACGOG]

Thank you for all of the feedback, though I have to say it further complicates it a bit ?

 

So I started going down a rabbit hole. If I'm going to spend $300, then what do I get for $400? And if I spend that much what's an extra $50 or so, which brings me to the NRX and the Legend Elite (even better if I can find one used).

 

The NRX 893 seems to get amazing reviews across the board but I really like shorter rods and I'm not sure if the 803 is on the same level.

 

I also mainly use a Texas rig so not sure if at that level they start to get more and more specialized.

[Fishin' Fool]

2 hours ago, ACGOG said:

Thank you for all of the feedback, though I have to say it further complicates it a bit ?

 

So I started going down a rabbit hole. If I'm going to spend $300, then what do I get for $400? And if I spend that much what's an extra $50 or so, which brings me to the NRX and the Legend Elite (even better if I can find one used).

 

The NRX 893 seems to get amazing reviews across the board but I really like shorter rods and I'm not sure if the 803 is on the same level.

 

I also mainly use a Texas rig so not sure if at that level they start to get more and more specialized.

Don't do it man. Once you go down this rabbit hole you have to have all $600 rods!! All kidding aside i thought Johnny Morris Carbonlite 2.0 were decent rods until I bought a few NRX's and a GLX. Then I wanted to throw my Johnny Morris in the trash. The redesigned GLX is a good rod for the money.

[Nathan.bass.canada]

I had avids and okuma tcs that i thought were amazing. Now have legend xtremes and conquests, VERY slippery slope... ???. And I would do it all over again anytime! In that market of xtremes, nrxs, conquests, xtasys or etc. You cant really go terribly wrong! All fine choices

[ItsHardwick]

$400? I’d already have a megabass destroyer on the way and not even think twice about it. 

[DogBone_384]

A started with Abu Veritas' and bought a Fantatista Regista 7' M/F casting rod on steep discount from Gander when they went out of business.  I also own Kistler Magnesium and Heliums.  They're all light as a feather, very sensitive, and are of exceptional quality.

 

At the time the Abu retailed for $499.  I believe they're $299 now, putting them closer, but still higher, than the Kistlers.  

 

After a couple years of use, I find myself taking my Kistlers out 99% of the time.

 

Both are great rods, but subjectively I've grown to like Kistler rods more, which are made in the USA.

 

Once you get into the $200+ price range, you're going to get a high quality product.  I really comes down to handling the rod and deciding what 'feels' best to you.

 

Best of luck picking out your new rod.

 

[DropShotHotShot]

$149 for a 7' med at Sierra trading post.  https://www.sierra.com/abu-garcia-fantasista-regista-spinning-rod-1-piece-7-medium~p~310am/

 

I don't know anything about them.

[dave]

Kistler Helium 3.  $300 rod for $237 plus free shipping.

 

Like Dwight said,  you'll wonder what took so long.

[Choporoz]

14 hours ago, DropShotHotShot said:

$149 for a 7' med at Sierra trading post.  https://www.sierra.com/abu-garcia-fantasista-regista-spinning-rod-1-piece-7-medium~p~310am/

 

I don't know anything about them.

That's same place/deal that I got my BC Fantasista.  Free, fast shipping.  Sierra is a solid outfit.  I'd buy from them again. 

[ACGOG]

I just joined this forum and already you guys are killing it.

 

I found a local guy selling a GLX 853S that was hardly used for a great price and picked it up yesterday. That being said, that deal on the Fantasista was way too good to pass up so I went ahead and ordered one of those too. I'll give my brother-in-law my Veritas poles as a present . I also need to find someone local who has a Kistler for me to get my hands on to give them a try.

 

Hope I've built up a enough good graces and don't get whalloped for this but I've always used mono. I bought some stealth braid, but when I was picking up the GLX the guy mentioned using fluorocarbon. When I was doing research braided line was mentioned as having no play so it's incredibly sensitive and thought that would be the natural partner for a super sensitive rod but now I'm rethinking it.

 

Long story short, what line is recommended?

[SMITTY0045]

On the low end of your price range, my favs are the Fenwick Aetos, St. Croix Avid X, and the G Loomis E6X. I picked up the Fenwick recently and honestly I’m partial to it right now, but I don’t think you can go wrong with any of these

[Fishin' Fool]

On 4/25/2019 at 10:07 AM, ACGOG said:

I just joined this forum and already you guys are killing it.

 

I found a local guy selling a GLX 853S that was hardly used for a great price and picked it up yesterday. That being said, that deal on the Fantasista was way too good to pass up so I went ahead and ordered one of those too. I'll give my brother-in-law my Veritas poles as a present . I also need to find someone local who has a Kistler for me to get my hands on to give them a try.

 

Hope I've built up a enough good graces and don't get whalloped for this but I've always used mono. I bought some stealth braid, but when I was picking up the GLX the guy mentioned using fluorocarbon. When I was doing research braided line was mentioned as having no play so it's incredibly sensitive and thought that would be the natural partner for a super sensitive rod but now I'm rethinking it.

 

Long story short, what line is recommended?

Braid to a fluorocarbon leader for your new 853s.  I use 16 pound SX1 to a 7 pound fluorocarbon leader. You could go 15 pound braid to an 8 pound leader.