Abu Garcia Zata Combo

[MediumMouthBass]

Recently made a post on here asking about some Lews rods and reels that were 50% off and got some good information/advice from it, i have since then bought those items, like the Lews products i asked about i also was able to get a deal on a new Abu Garcia Zata baitcasting combo. Ive wanted this combo for awhile but it comes to $238 after tax, so i just bought some budget rods and reels instead. However, now i am able to get a good deal on it, Ive tried to find information on the combo and just the reel but not many people have talked about it or reviewed it other than just a few.

The Zata combo sells for $238. MSRP

The Zata reel sells for $190 by itself. MSRP

The sale price i got for the rod and reel comes to $151.

(All prices include tax).

I would really like to buy this combo but am a little hesitant because of the reel not being made of an aluminum frame for that price, and also Abu's combos dont always come with that great quality/long lasting rods.... So if anyone has any of the combos/rods/reels of the baitcasting version of the Abu Garcia Zata i would appreciate it. Thank you.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

It is an aluminum frame with carbon sideplates according to description on TW. Sounds like a good value even if the rod gets delegated to a spare or loaner or even sold. 

[GReb]

Stewart’s discount fishing has the Zata for $119. Chris is a great guy to do business with.
As far as the reel or rod goes I know nothing. Seems like it should weigh less for a graphite frame 

[MediumMouthBass]

Thanks for the replies, just checked TW and pure fishing they both have it listed as ultra-light graphite frame and sideplates. A $180 reel with graphite frame..... i think thats the reason why not alot of people have reviewed this combo/reel.

[Bankc]

I've got one of these reels.  I actually won it in a contest on this site!  

 

Yeah, it's an all graphite frame.  However, it's pretty rugged.  I've had it for about 1.25 years now, and it's been my frogging, punching, glidebait, and A-rig setup.  So it's seen a lot of abuse in that time, and it's held together really well.  It's still ultra smooth!  

 

I also have a BPS Pro Qualifier II with an aluminum frame that's about 2.5 years old, and it hasn't held up nearly as well.  It still works fine and everything.  But it's not nearly as smooth as it was when I got it.  I don't feel like that Zata has changed at all.  

 

Having said all of that, the first Zata combo they sent me got destroyed during delivery.  The plastic frame cracked and the rod broke in two places.  But they sent me a new one.  Though I have a feeling that due to the extent of the damage, even an aluminum frame would have been damaged.  It just would haven bent instead of cracked.  

 

My point being, I'm no longer sold on the idea that aluminum frames are always better than graphite.  I think a lot has to do with how it's designed and manufactured.  I now believe that graphite frames got a bad reputation because it is the cheaper material, and thus is usually found on cheaper reels.  But it's not inherently an inferior material.  

 

Honestly $200+ for a Zata reel is pretty steep to me.  But $120-140 is probably around the region where I would think that reel is actually worth.  

[MediumMouthBass]

@Bankc Thanks for the detailed response, i appreciate your comments on your experience with the reel, you mentioned you got the combo aswell. I am wondering if you can tell me about the rod? How did it feel, was it good quality? did it last or break? any pros or cons. thanks again.

[GReb]

Shimano and Daiwa use composite frames in several of their flagship models including Metanium and Steez

[Tatulatard]

11 minutes ago, GReb said:

Shimano and Daiwa use composite frames in several of their flagship models including Metanium and Steez

Those are an alloy of aluminum and magnesium. 

[MediumMouthBass]

I have aluminum and non aluminum frame baitcasting reels, i really dont like one over the other, thats why im thinking about buying this reel.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

ABU website lists an aluminum frame for the Zata. Either way, carbon and aluminum  both have grades of quality. Carbon like Shimano’s Ci4 are strong and light while low end cast aluminum reels can be brittle. 
 

https://www.abugarcia.com/zata-spinning-reel-1523062

 

 

[MediumMouthBass]

@Delaware Valley Tackle Thats the spinning reel that has the aluminum frame, the baitcasting reel is the one with the graphite frame. If only they gave them both an aluminum frame, oh then that would definitely help me decide to purchase it.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

1 minute ago, MediumMouthBass said:

@Delaware Valley Tackle Thats the spinning reel that has the aluminum frame, the baitcasting reel is the one with the graphite frame. If only they gave them both an aluminum frame, oh then that would definitely help me decide to purchase it.

My bad. hadn’t seen the casting version 

[ne_dan]

I bought the reel this winter when Pure Fishing was having the 50% off sale I paid under a $100 for it, only reason I bought it was because I like my Revo Beast reels and wanted to try out a smaller Abu.  Like @Bankc said above the price should probably be around that $100 mark.   For the price I paid I like it, it's on my spinnerbait rod with 15lb fluoro.  I've caught a bunch of fish on it so far, biggest was a hair over 5lb.  Only problem I've had with it is the side plate release somehow opened and luckily it feel inside my kayak but all the magnets stacked on top of each other which was a royal pain to get back in place with frozen hands last month.  

[NYWayfarer]

I have the aluminum framed spinning reel and it has been a great reel. I would stay away from the baitcaster. Too many other great choices at that price or lower with aluminum frames. At that price I would rather have a Shimano SLX DC or save some bucks and get a Lew’s LFS, Abu Revo SX or X