Abu Garcia Fantasista Beast FB79-6 Casting Rod Product Review

Rod Review

Abu Garcia Blends Flagship Status with Big Bait Aspirations (continued)

Power: Despite initial impressions that this stick is super stout, Abu Garcia's Fantasista Beast FB79-6 wrack's out right in line with our Swimbait Rod Wars curve for all purpose big bait sticks. Obviously, I've been handling far too many finesse spinning rods of late.

Fig 1 : The chart above illustrates the deflection characteristics of our Abu Garcia Fantasista Beast FB79-6 against the averages from our original Swimbait Rod Wars.

Out on the water, the FB79-6 performs well both on hookset and controlling your catch. It has enough length to pick up a good amount of line when you swing, and the rod's taper responds well with the load of a feisty bass at the end of the line.

Performance Ratings for Abu Garcia Fantasista Beast FB79-6
Pitch (1-5)	Cast (1-5)	Sensitivity (1-5)	Hook Set (1-5)	Control (1-5)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
3	5	3	5	5	21	25	8.4

The FB79-6 sports name brand, Fuji Alconite guides with stainless steel frames.

Features: The FB79-6 features the afore mentioned Fuji, stainless steel framed guides with Alconite inserts. The first three rods up from the reel seat are double footed and the remaining six before the tip top are single footed. It features a very stout, custom, Abu Garcia reel seat with an oversized trigger and exposed blank, and a standard, closed loop hook keeper. Our test model arrived with no rod sleeve of which to speak.

Features Ratings for Abu Garcia Fantasista Beast FB79-6
Grip (1-5)	Guides (1-5)	Reel Seat (1-5)	Hook Keeper (1-5)	Rod Sleeve (1-5)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
4	4	4	3	1	16	25	6.4

One of the first thing we check on higher end sticks is whether or not the manufacturer takes the time to detail this often overlooked spot on the rod.

Design/Ergonomics: The FB79-6 comes in with a weight of seven point three ounces (7.3oz) which sounds like a lot but is actually over an ounce less than our historical average for sticks of similar power. However, it pays for this lighter than average weight with poorer than average balance point and balancing torque numbers - figures that a lot of anglers won't mind considering most techniques employed with this rod will be with the tip down.

Lab Results for Abu Garcia Fantasista Beast FB79-6
Model	Avg RoD (2-48 oz)	Taper	Measured Weight (oz)	Balance Point (inches)	Balancing Torque (ftlbs)
Abu Garcia Fantasista Beast FB79-6	1.09	Fast	7.3	9	0.37
Finesse SB Rod Avg	1.46	--	6.45	7.8	--
All Purpose SB Rod Avg	1.18	--	8.49	6.68	0.26
Heavy Hitters SB Rod Avg	0.84	--	8.03	11.63	0.53

The rod's EVA foam grips are very comfortable to hold and that foregrip actually comes in handy when a big fish is at the end of the line. Colors and graphics for the rod are very subdued with subtle electric blue and silver highlight threads located up and down the blank.

Design & Ergonomics Ratings for Abu Garcia Fantasista Beast FB79-6
Grip (1-5)	Colors / Graphics (1-5)	Balance (1-5)	Weight (1-5)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
4	4	2	4	14	20	7.0

The FB79-6 comes with a traditional, closed loop hook hangar.

Application: It's quite obvious the FB79-6 has one primary intent in its build and that's to throw big baits. In this application it performs very well and in just about any way you choose to work those big baits, it won't let you down. It doesn't excel at any one thing, but it also does not fall short in any area either. It's just a good, solid stick.

Bass Rod Application Ratings for Abu Garcia Fantasista Beast FB79-6
Rip/Jerk (1-5)	Steady (1-5)	Lift & Drop (1-5)	Drag (1-5)	Twitch (1-5)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
4	4	3	4	3	18	25	7.2

Fantasista Beast combining flagship status with big bait capability.

Ratings:

Abu Garcia Fantasista Beast FB79-6 Ratings (?/10)
Construction/Quality	A nice, clean build	8.95
Performance	Solid performer all around	8.4
Price	...	7.0
Features	Good quality components	6.4
Design (Ergonomics)	More stealth than flash	7.0
Application	Good choice in an all purpose big bait stick	7.2
Total Score		7.49
Ratings Key: 1 = terrible : 2 = poor : 3 = lacking : 4 = sub par : 5 = mediocre : 6 = fair : 7 = good : 8 = great : 9 = excellent : 10 = unbelievable! For More Details of the updated rating system visit our explanation here

Pluses and Minuses:

Plus	Minus
+ Nice and stout stick	- Just a bit tip heavy
+ Rear handle length is good for double handed casts
+ Attractive design

Conclusion: The Fantasista Beast FB79-6 doesn't have the flash and pizzazz of the original JDM line bearing the same name, but that wasn't the intent. Rather it is a blend of the newly branded, extra rugged, Beast motif by Abu Garcia and its new flagship rod series - a blend executed with a solid performing blank, some name brand components, and subtle styling queues to let you know this isn't a run of the mill, budget minded product line.

The FB79-6 is a great choice in an all purpose stick for big baits.

Performance wise, the FB79-6 does everything it should. That's help you fish big baits with the confidence you're holding a stick that's built to get your bait where you need it to be, the feel to sense that take, and the control to land that catch of a lifetime - or in our case, that crazy little fish with double digit aspirations.

Looking for an Abu Garcia Fantasista Beast FB79-6?

Try TackleWarehouse