OHUB Overview: Abu Garcia SX Spinning Combo

I’ve spent years testing fishing gear throughout all value factors, however lately discovered myself on a mission: discover a really strong entry-level spinning combo that wouldn’t break the financial institution however might nonetheless carry out when it counts. After researching quite a few choices and studying numerous opinions, I landed on the Abu Garcia SX Spinning Combo. 

What It’s Made For

As somebody who’s spent years testing fishing gear, I can inform you this entry-level spinning combo is completely designed for freshwater fishing, notably bass fishing in ponds, lakes, and even rivers. With its 6-12lb line ranking and 1/4-5/8oz lure ranking, I discovered it to be a great selection for anglers like me who need a versatile, budget-friendly possibility that may deal with numerous methods whereas concentrating on these elusive bass that cover in our native waters.

First Impressions

Once I first unboxed this combo, I used to be instantly struck by its smooth, matching flat black end that provides it a cohesive, purposeful look slightly than showing as mismatched elements slapped collectively. I bear in mind considering, “This doesn’t appear to be an $80 rod and reel.” The light-weight nature of the two-piece composite development caught my consideration instantly.  I might inform this was thoughtfully designed regardless of the inexpensive value level. After years of testing gear throughout all value ranges, my preliminary skepticism shortly started to fade.

I hit the swamps with the 6′,6″ Max SX rod

Casting & Line Administration

Casting efficiency exceeds expectations at this value level. The road unloaded effortlessly off the reel – throughout preliminary testing, casts truly overshot targets because of the easy casting motion. The QuadCam engagement mechanism considerably improves line pickup on the retrieve with zero hesitation: simply easy, constant cranking that retains the angler related to each motion of the bait. The 8 chrome steel guides permit the road to stream easily on each casts and retrieves, with no indicators of wear and tear after a number of fishing journeys.

Ranking: 8/10

Sensitivity & Suggestions

The moderate-fast motion supplies good sensitivity, permitting anglers to really feel strikes and keep reference to their lures. Whereas not particularly talked about as a finesse rod, the combo gives sufficient suggestions to successfully work lures just like the Berkley Drip Minnow and really feel the bait’s motion all through the retrieve. This degree of sensitivity is spectacular on the $80 value level.

Ranking: 7/10

The combo was light-weight – excellent for my backwoods trek to the swamp

Energy, Drag & Combating Efficiency

That is the place I used to be most impressed – the combo overachieved when combating fish. Once I lastly related with a strong bass, I received to expertise firsthand how the oil felt, entrance drag supplied easy, constant strain with out these jerky begins and stops which have price me fish previously. What impressed me most was how simply I might modify it on the fly. I reached up with my left hand and made a rapid flip of the knob because the fish made highly effective runs towards close by construction.

The rod gave me that excellent stability between energy and suppleness I’m all the time in search of. I by no means felt underpowered, even when dragging that bass onto the financial institution. The moderate-fast motion supplied sufficient spine for my strong hooksets whereas nonetheless permitting these shock-absorbing bends when the fish made sudden surges. Even utilizing lighter 8-pound check line, I had full confidence within the combo’s capability to manage and land bass successfully.

Ranking: 8/10

Versatility

It is a genuinely versatile setup that performs nicely throughout totally different methods. With a 6-12lb line ranking and 1/4-5/8oz lure ranking, it could possibly deal with a wide range of shows from working finesse baits to dealing with decent-sized bass. It comes pre-spooled with premium monofilament however would seemingly carry out nicely with different line varieties. Moderately than being a specialty instrument, this combo capabilities as a superb all-around workhorse that might serve nicely as a major rod for learners or a dependable backup for extra skilled anglers.

Ranking: 8/10

Worth & Worth Level

At round $80, this combo considerably outperforms its value level. Initially skeptical about what efficiency might be anticipated at this value, testing revealed that this setup performs nicely above what its price ticket suggests. With efficiency metrics (5.8:1 gear ratio, 29″ per flip restoration price) that match combos costing twice as a lot, it represents distinctive worth. For anybody trying to increase their arsenal with out breaking the financial institution, this combo deserves severe consideration as probably the most spectacular budget-friendly setups in latest reminiscence.

Ranking: 10/10

The rod had sufficient spine to drag this 2-pound bass onto the shore

Area Notes

I spent a number of weeks with this combo deep within the swamps of Southeast Louisiana, loading it with 8-pound monofilament in utilizing it in swampy circumstances. I’ll always remember my first forged at a college of rain minnows being chased by bass – I truly overshot my goal and landed on the shoreline, that’s how easy the casting motion was!

The combo dealt with our notoriously abrasive Louisiana swamp water with none complaints, and I inspected the guides after every journey – no indicators of wear and tear in anyway. Throughout one notably memorable outing, I related with a strong 2-pound bass. Since I used to be utilizing lighter 8-pound check, I needed to rely closely on the drag system, making fast changes because the fish made highly effective runs towards submerged construction. The combo carried out flawlessly, permitting me to ultimately drag that bass onto the financial institution regardless of its dedication to flee.

The light-weight design proved to be a blessing throughout my backwoods treks, once I needed to hike via thick swamp vegetation to achieve my favourite hidden fishing spots. After a full day of casting, my arms weren’t fatigued in any respect – one thing I can’t say about many different combos I’ve examined over time.

The Verdict

• Greatest For: Entry-level anglers in search of their first high quality combo, financial institution anglers who want dependable efficiency with out breaking the financial institution, and skilled anglers like myself searching for a strong backup rod.
• Keep away from If: You’re particularly concentrating on trophy-sized fish or want specialised efficiency for tournament-level competitors.
• Total Ranking: 8.5/10

After completely testing this combo in a few of Louisiana’s hardest fishing circumstances,  the Abu Garcia SX Spinning Combo has earned a everlasting place in my gear assortment. I’ve examined gear throughout all value ranges, and I can actually say this is without doubt one of the most spectacular budget-friendly setups I’ve utilized in latest reminiscence. It’s not simply “good for the worth” . It’s genuinely good, interval. When buddies ask me for a advice that gained’t break the financial institution however will nonetheless carry out when it counts, this combo is now on the prime of my record.

Take a look at  AbuGarcia.com for extra particulars and measurement choices.

Keith Lusher

Keith Lusher is an award-winning out of doors journalist who resides in Covington, Louisiana. He owns and operates NorthshoreFishingReport.com and writes a weekly out of doors column for the Slidell Impartial Newspaper. He additionally writes for the St.Tammany Parish Tourism Fee’s VisitTheNorthshore.com. He’s the previous host of The Northshore Fishing Report Radio Present and is on the board of the Louisiana Outside Writers Affiliation. Keith contributes to quite a few publications each on-line and in print and prides himself on selling South Louisiana’s distinctive fishery. To contact Keith e-mail: keithlusherjr@gmail.com