Fishing rod to use with a Abu Garcia Abumatic 170 spincast reel

[BillBrett]

I'm looking to purchase a fishing rod to use with a vintage  Abu Garcia Abumatic 170 Spin Cast reel that weighs 12 ounces and will be spooled with 12 to 15 lb. monofilament line for freshwater fishing. Outfit is for my grandchildren who are 8 years old. I don't want a seven foot rod. Something shorter. Prefer fiberglass for durability. Any suggestions? Thanks, guys.

[bulldog1935]

A good friend had me rebuild his Abu 170 (gratis, of course).  When he came by to pick it up, I donated a Browning Silaflex 910.  It was meant to be a baitcast rod in the 70s, but the tip was way too soft, and made a perfect combo with his Abumatic.  He was casting 1/8 oz 100' that afternoon.  

 

I searched "glass casting rod" on ebay, and came up with some similar rods, modest cost, and many in light-use condition.  

In particular, there was one listing with two Shakespeare rods that looked good, both 5'6", one L, one M.  Plug in this number into ebay search to find it: 224292101039

 

I also checked Eagle Claw, their micro glass is UL - my daughters grew up with those matched with Zebco UL-1. 

They also offered Crafted Glass in a range of lengths and actions, but unfortunately, most of those options are sold out.  

 

 

[Mobasser]

Academy Sports has a fiberglass, pistol grip rod. I believe less than 20.00. Should work well with a spincast reel.

[BrianMDTX]

59 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

Academy Sports has a fiberglass, pistol grip rod. I believe less than 20.00. Should work well with a spincast reel.

 Classic! 

[BillBrett]

Thank you, everyone. Great suggestions.  The rods you mentioned on eBay look like they will work just fine. I'll try  5 1/2 foot length, pistol grip fiberglass rods with this reel. 

 

 

[WRB]

Suggest 10 lb Berkley Big Game mono.

Tom

[Linewinder]

One thing that really bothers me about typical spincast rods is a deficiency of line guides, where the line rubs the blank when bent under load.  Sure, turn the rod slightly.  Recently I was in a local Dick's Sporting Goods and saw this combo  Prophishiency Spincast Combo   A rod with an action I would expect on a spincast outfit being a little more flexible but with backbone, perhaps should be labeled with a moderate to fast action -- something not too different than very old spincast rods I have (like a Heddon) but very low weight.  Simple stainless steel guides.  I can't recall the exact number but do know it was at least 6 plus the tip guide.  I thought the reel was useless in long term and $40 might be a bit much for an IM6 rod, however I may go back for it just for fun.  I think it would be enjoyable.

[bulldog1935]

18 minutes ago, WRB said:

Suggest 10 lb Berkley Big Game mono.

Tom

The problem with most spincast reels, and definitely the Abu 170, is that the line pick-up often won't release the line if the mono is too thin.  Zebco makes their own mono with larger diameters than typical for the breaking strength.  Abu Bonyl also fit that description. 

I think he can bank on 12-15-lb mono working well on the reel.  Abu rated the reel for 12-lb mono (0.30 mm).  

 

If it's sometimes not releasing not releasing the line for you, you can "double-button" -

Push the button, grab the line outside the reel, release the button, then push the button again - this time it will cast.  

 

and big never mind, I looked up Big Game 10-lb, it's 0.305 mm

[Stasher1]

56 minutes ago, BillBrett said:

Thank you, everyone. Great suggestions.  The rods you mentioned on eBay look like they will work just fine. I'll try  5 1/2 foot length, pistol grip fiberglass rods with this reel. 

 

 

 

If possible, take the reel with you to the store and try it on the rod before you buy. A heavy spincast reel on a pistol grip rod will probably be awkward for an 8 year old. It might feel fine in the hand of a grown man, but those grips are often much too large for a child's hand.

 

I made that mistake several years so with my boys and Zebco 33s and pistol grip Ugly Stiks. 

[WRB]

12 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

The problem with most spincast reels, and definitely the Abu 170, is that the line pick-up often won't release the line if the mono is too thin.  Zebco makes their own mono with larger diameters than typical for the breaking strength.  Abu Bonyl also fit that description. 

I think he can bank on 12-15-lb mono working well on the reel.  Abu rated the reel for 12-lb mono (0.30 mm).  

 

If it's sometimes not releasing not releasing the line for you, you can "double-button" -

Push the button, grab the line outside the reel, release the button, then push the button again - this time it will cast.  

 

and big never mind, I looked up Big Game 10-lb, it's 0.305 mm

10 lb Big Game is .30mm / .012D

Tom