2009 TackleTour Holiday Gift Guide

Event Article

TackleTour's 2009 Holiday Gift Guide (Part 1) (continued)

Freshwater Rod: (Abu Garcia Vendetta Rods) Abu Garcia is making moves! The company has a big hit on their hands with the Revo series but who would have guessed the company would build a rod to pair with their reels that anglers would actually want to fish? The Vendetta series from Abu Garcia does what few rods are able to, it offers quality components and performance while remaining extremely affordable.

Searching for a great priced rod, look no further than the Vendetta

Engineered for perfect balance, the Abu Garcia Vendetta Casting Rods are designed to match the weight and specifications of the Abu Garcia Revo Casting Reels. The rod features 30 ton graphite blank construction and make use of Pac Bay DPL TiCH Frame Guides and a Fuji Soft-Touch ACS reel seat which provides quality access to the blank.

The Vendetta pairs perfectly with the Revo series

The Vendetta features a split grip handle design that incorporates EVA material with a one-piece machined double anodized aluminum fore nut for superior comfort and the perfect balance. The Vendetta Casting Rods also sport a dynamic look, complete with a Laser Etched Abu Garcia Crest on the Butt Cap and anodized red highlights, contrasting with the rod's black and grey coloring. The Vendetta is a great deal at only $79.95 per copy and is available in a range of lengths and powers. This rod can be found at Tackle Warehouse.

Ready to go jigging for rockfish? Shimano has a rod just for this application but supplies are limited

Saltwater Rod: (Shimano Tescata Rods) We had a lot of fun this year jigging up Rockfish with the Lucanus system and did so with help from the application specific Tescata rods. Designed with specific tapers and powers to accommodate every Lucanus jig weight from 60- to 200-grams, the Tescata rods have crisp actions and lightweight feel due to their TC4 Construction. The rod blank has an inner spiral pattern layer of high modulus graphite, which is then wrapped with two horizontal layers of advance T Glass. From there, the rods are wrapped with another spiral pattern layer of high modulus graphite.

Shimano's Tescata rods make rockfishing more fun with the Lucanus system

Other rod features include New Concept Fuji Alconite guides which are wrapped directly onto the blank, a process that adds to both rod sensitivity and durability, custom shaped fore and rear grips, a Fuji reel seat with Soft Touch paint for added comfort, a metal ring below the reel seat to service as a unique hook-keeper, and Shimano’s limited lifetime over-the-counter warranty. The Tescata rods all retail for $199.99 and are available now at Tackle Direct but here's the catch, the rods have already been discontinued and whatever is left in the channel, well that's it. So if you are into fishing for rockfish with Lucanus jigs you might want to grab one now. What Shimano introduces as a follow up product remains to be seen but we like this series even if it is reaching EOL.

Zander better watch out or Ms. Casey is going to be the 704CB's newest owner

Crankbait Rod: (Dobyns Rods 704CB Glass) Since this is the Year of the Crank here at TackleTour our Holiday Gift guide just wouldn't be complete without picks in the crankbait category. This previous winner of our Editor's Choice Award has caused fights among our staff. Originally assigned to Cal to review the Dobyns 704CB rod now resides in the hands of Zander who has caught 7+ lb. largemouth with this glass rod and has no intentions of giving it back to Cal. Though made of glass you would never know it as this rod is both light and crisp and is an absolute pleasure to fish 1/4-3/4oz. crankbaits with. The rod also doubles as a decent spinnerbait rod as well and makes use of Kigan SiC guides with stainless steel frames. The 704CB retails for only $199.99 at Monster Fishing Tackle.

Next Section: Crankbait Reel and great lure gifts