Review of Abu Garcia Salty Stage: amazing value

So i thought id do a review of the 2021 abu garcia salty stage prototype 7'3 extra ultralight slow taper, for some reason I haven't really seen any reviews on it beside some japanese ones, and i think it deserves some more attention. My review will focus a little less on the specific model but more on the salty stage line up as a whole, but anyway I bought the rod as a beater rod since its cheap and i am not always fishing spots that Im comfortable taking high end rods. Now one of the best parts about the rod is the value, it performs as well a 300$ jdm rod in my opinion, which is pretty insane considering how cheap it actually was. I paid around 150-160$ including shipping, but i think you can find them for even cheaper then that. The action and performance was comparable to my eradicator 6'9 slow taper special, which is about a 350$ rod, the eradicator is still better but not by much. Fighting a fish on this rod is also really fun due to the slow taper action combined with the high sensitivity, i believe it has an even slower action then my slow taper eradicator. One of the reasons i would assume the performance and sensitivity is so good is because its suppose to be a 100% carbon blank, which is also pretty rare for rods in this price range. I typically see high carbon % jdm rods going for 200$ on the low end. Another thing i think is important to mention is how light all the rods are in the salty stage line up, my 7'3 one weighs something like 53 grams, which is pretty crazy for a rod that size. I also think its important to mention, that there is little to no whippyness in this rod, so you get the benefit of a fun deep rod bend on smaller fish but without that whippy drawback. Now on to a few of the negatives with the salty stage series as a whole because i have no major complaints about my specific model. The 1st is very lackluster looks, it is a very basic looking rod, which i think was a result of weight cutting measure but still very unimpressive. My 2nd problem with the rod is the guides, which are micro guides which im no stranger to, but because its a beater rod i wanted to use heavier line to go after bass but it kills the casting distance, so ur pretty much stuck with small diameter lines, roughly around 0.14mm and under for my model atleast. My 3rd and biggest problem with the rod is the reel seat, which is moslty subjective and preference but for me the grip is way to fat, the whole lineup uses the same reel seat and grip and they dont seem to bad in pictures but even after using it for around 4 months the grip still bugs me. I much prefer the smaller toothpick feel of other jdm rods especially when talking about an ultralight rod. But to leave things on a positive note i have several other jdm rods that are in this similar price category but the prototype is by far the king in its price range, atleast from the rods that i've tried.

Nice write up! I also own a Eradicator 5:10 and can attest the feel of a all-carbon rod, very crisp and stiff but will bend to the pull of a 3 inch bluegill. Without photo I can’t imagine how bad in the look department of your Salty Stage, but the Eradicator had been dubbed “ a rod designed by Pininfarrina!”


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Thank you for the write up. One day I will take the JDM plunge

Great write up. Thanks!
Bob

I use 2 different vendetta rods , both are nice , one was 25 on clearance and the other 39 on clearance
But to be VERY sure if you don’t try the Ozark trail Walmart rod for 39 bucks you will never know .
The one I got is now my favorite light rod and eclipses several others I own that cost lots more change .
Every day seems to bring on new surprises in how good a rod can be for how cheap .
Nice write up

Right, u gotta love that quality in a rod, and had to look up the Pininfarina reference but that's spot on, the rod is a beauty

Nice write up. Been eyeing this one for a while. The micro guides are not really an issue for me as I stick with small diameter lines. But folks who have not used JDM UL rods have no clue just how small those guides are. Even though I have not purchased a US domestic rod in years I am constantly checking on different US market rods. Have never run into a rod sold here that has guides anywhere close to the micro guides on JDM rods. I have a couple of rods that inner diameter is only 1mm. And many rods with 1.5mm ID guides.

Regards


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

thanks, im curious if you have your eye on a specific model and if so which one? And no kidding about those tip diameters my thinnest is also 1mm, from my eradicator prototype. I can also relate about not having purchased a US domestic rods in years, once you get into the jdm world its very hard to go back. Even though im burning a hole in wallet i say its worth it since each rod brings me a new level of joy i don't get with US rods

Something I'm thinking is fishing isn't about catching fish, it's about testing equipment!

JDM, please don’t talk about burning a hole in your wallet. My loacal ramps have been closed since the hurricanes and I e been at the clay target field til they got right. I’ve taken to shooting what’s called sub guage, little guns. In particular a 28 ga. Shells have gone up and these are half again, or more, than the twelves. So much less recoil makes the enjoyment better. It’s been fun and the new gun will continue the enjoyment but I’m about ready to step back a little and get back to fishing. I also haven’t taken the dive into JDM gear but will one day, I’m sure. Whoever said less is more might have been onto something.