New Stick in the Stable

Like I need another rod, but 7+ foot rods are my weakness. I prefer this length from the casting deck of my boat and seem to be more accurate by using these longer rods. So last month I sprang for the 7.6 ABU Garcia in the Eradicator Real Finesse line.
?Attachment 408675
?Attachment 408676
Here are the unboxing pics, what a beauty. Now I have the 6.10LT in this line and it is an absolute pleasure to cast and retrieve fish with, toss a 1-1.5g jig head it will. Many here on this forum have and use the Slow Taper Special in this particular line of ABU rods and many videos can be found of it, most made by members here. The new 7.6 has a much softer tip than the 6.10, and I really did not expect that with the specs listed. You actually get a little whip wobble action out near the end when shaking the long rod next to the 6.10. So out to the lake it went, and with a 1.2g and 1.3g jighead, I sure did enjoy the fishing experience with this rod.
?Attachment 408677
Using the Varivas Infinity 8 Area Trout braid I caught several Crappie and a nice Bluegill that was swimming like crazy towards the boat due to being chased by a herd of hungry White Bass. Never seen that before but he was tickled I snatched him out of the water when I did. He was returned later at a different dock and for sure thanked me. The rod, the reel, the line all working flawlessly together, just a pure joy. Soft tip, an actual deeper bending curve than the shorter 6.10, and the lightweight reel seat make this rod very pleasant to cast and retrieve.

Second trip out was Friday, my birthday and you can see some of the pics on the Cooking board.
?Attachment 408678
?Attachment 408679
The handle is the same as the 6.10 and I actually prefer this style for ease of cleaning. With the 1.2g jighead casting distance was good and I felt several short strikes on the tail of the Nikko worm. Fishing for Gills I actually scored several Crappie on this bait and the bite this time of year is not the thump, but just a feel of dead weight on the lure and all that was necessary to set the hook was to raise the rod tip and begin reeling fast. You can see Randy do this on most of his videos using the STS. These rods, with good sharp hooks, set the hook for you. The extremely fine diameter Varivas Braid just seems to flow through the small guides with ease and absolutely no noise. Soft seems to be the recurring word, but with backbone, is how I would describe this rod. Super lightweight and a small diameter blank are standard for this line of rods. No big fish have been fought on this rod yet, but I will report on the feel of the first bully that wants play. ABU has upped their game last few years, check them out if you get a chance.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

Great looking setup.

Nice combo for that skinny-fishin'...like the color match-up!:highfive

u2s

Nice looking setup. Abu has some very pretty rods.

Happy Birthday and congrats on the new rod! Those Eradicators are special for sure.


Regards

very nice

Terrific report back and thanks for the review, Stan. This line of rods are special.
Bob

Man…..I’m beginning to think finding this sub-forum was not a good idea. I started looking for a new ultra-light rig a little over a month ago and this seemed like a good place to do some research. Now that I’m retired, I have a lot more time to do things I want, have some discretionary income, and with my wife still working, (I’m off the chain a little more than she might like ��) there’s a whole day to try new things. I have an old Loomis/Stradic Ci4 setup that I enjoy, but thought I’d look for something a little bit different to play with.

The slippery slope started with trying 3# test line. Wow! 6# line was light for me and 10# had been my standard unless I used braid. Then I found Trout Magnets. Now I’m learning new words like JDM, and Master Craft, and Varivas. There’s a whole world out there I had never even heard of. Earlier this week, I went to the local tackle shop to look at reels figuring I might pick up another Stradic. Funny, I really didn't like the way it looked, and it didn’t feel as good as my old one. I spied a sleek looking reel all the in the back that looked promising. It was called a Vanguard. Holy Moly, was that nice, but so was the price tag!!! I have Sahara’s, a few Siennas, and some inexpensive Diawas, and they all work, but the difference in feel and weight is considerable.

Then I see the pictures of this ABU rod and am completely smitten. I thought they only made reels! Looks like I need to get out more! In any event, congratulations on the new “stick,” it’s a real beauty and I’m sure it will put a smile on your face for a long time to come!!

Nice set up. I'm sure you'll get tons of enjoyment pulling in fish with it!