Abu's New Rods for 2015 : From Finesse to Anti-Finesse and All Sorts of Villainy in Between

Introduction: Abu Garcia has been relatively aggressive in the rod market delivering performance at value with a bit of edge considering the naming of their product line. This year, we have three interesting new and revamped lines to talk about.

It's a new year and a new Villain for Abu Gacia.

Villain 2: Abu Garcia takes a fresh look at their top of the line Villain rods with the new, Villain 2. Made from 40 ton high modulus graphite, Abu Garcia increased the overall strength in these blanks by employing their new V-Wrap construction. The rod features titanium alloy micro guides and are built for lightweight performance. There are eight total models and they retail for $199.95.

The Villain 2 Rods feature titanium guides.

 
These rods are built for stealth.

Venerate are actually a series for walleye fishermen but bass anglers would do well to consider these for finesse applications!

Venerate: Built specifically for walleye fishermen in the Midwest, Abu Garcia's new Venerate rods are all light powered sticks with fast to extra-fast tapers. They are built on 36-ton graphite blanks, feature cork handles and titanium framed guides with Zirconium inserts. There are fourteen rods in all with a breakdown of twelve (12) spinning and two (2) casting. Bass fishermen interested in expanding their finesse arsenal might do well to check out these $129.95 sticks.

There are 12 spinning models (including several 2 piece designs) and 2 casting rods.

They are built from the workhorse 36-ton graphite.

Fantasista Beast: Are you targeting big fish with big, obscene lures? Looking for an equally, big, beefy, obscene stick with which to throw those lures? Abu Garcia might have the answer for you. Their new Fantasista Beast rods build on the brand's popular name for reels and extends it over to rods with 8 sticks.

Fantasista Beast Rods are big and beefy!

Big beefy sticks have big beefy reel seats.

designed to handle the biggest baits you can imagine up to 18 ounces! These sticks range from 7'-9" in length on up to 10'1". All but 2 feature two-piece construction for ease of transport and all rods feature Fuji Alconite guides and Fuji Reel seats. these are serious sticks with a serious price tag of $299.95 - $349.95.

Zander trying out one of the two-piece Fantasista Beast Sticks!