Abu Garcia JDM?

[garroyo130]

Random question but as I've been looking more into the ultralight rods and reels, I noticed that surprisingly Abu Garcia is a big player in the JDM market. I was curious if anyone knew if Abu Garcia JDM stuff is coming out of Doyo or whatever its called or if its made elsewhere. 

 

https://jdmtackleheaven.com/collections/abu-garcia

[KP Duty]

Abu is probably the least popular of the jdm lines....in the U.S. anyway.  I think I've seen 1 jdm abu reel (bf8) and a few jdm fantasista rods on the boards, but that's it.  Not sure where they are manufactured. 

[TNBankFishing]

IIRC there are a couple Abu and Dream colabs I’ve seen on various JDM sites. The elite 8 and BF8 are newer models. The major issue with Abu JDM is they have few unique bass lines, or if they have them finding them in stock is nearly impossible. 
 

That said I’m pretty sure they are still manufactured in the same place. Doyo is love, Doyo is life  
 

[bulldog1935]

I'll have to put in a plus vote for Abu JDM rods - I don't own one, but they're quality rods, and cover the full price and quality range. 

If you want to find stock on Abu JDM rods, try fishingshop.kiwi - they have 8 pages in stock, probably any niche you want to fill. 

 

There are many high-grade rods made in Korea, such as NS Black Hole. 

Black Hole offshore rods are big here, but it's noteworthy that a Korean rodmaker can aim primarily at the Japan market - they have to try harder and offer better quality for the price. 

I do own a Black Hole mid-grade salt finesse rod - friends have bought this rod on my recommendation, also like it, and it's a workhorse. 

mine has caught about 200 of these - every one here larger than the first one I showed above

 

If you've ever visited Korea, you won't forget the pervasive smell of dried fish, which is the national snack, and every water body is lined with fishermen - they are as much a fishing culture as any. 

[torm]

I have 2 of the eradicator realfinesse xul 69 and they are probably the best rods I've used in the ultralight setting. Very sensitive and a blast to fish with. Biggest fish I've caught with it is a 10lb american drum with 2lb polyester line. It is made in China however but to me that really doesn't matter much. Can't say much for the reel side but I was very curious in the revo aurora elite bfs a while ago which looked nice. 

[QED]

Good ultralight spinning gear is readily available in the US, so no need to go the JDM route unless you want something different. Ultralight and BFS casting gear are a different story though BFS gear seems to be becoming increasingly available in the US market.

[bulldog1935]

Good is a little bit subjective, and a lot niche, if you have a small-water niche where it fits.  The traditional American UL is a short parabolic rod with a narrow lure weight range, and most of the flex in the rod butt - the taper goes back to the 50s and the origins of fiberglass. 

 

What the Japanese are making are fast progressive tapers with wide lure range and more powerful butt.  They're applying it from UL to MH. 

1/16 to 5/8 oz

1/8 to 7/8 oz