Saw a local store with the Abu Villain rods on clearance around here for 99.99 and for some reason I can't help but wanting to go pick one up. They had a 7'1 MH that caught my eye. Thinking of tossing my second Chronarch 50e on it and spooling it with 30/40 lb braid for light pitching/flipping duties as well as frogs when I need better casting distance than the 65lb braid offers.

Anyone have any experience with these rods? Never owned a new gen Abu rod and while I couldn't see paying 179.99 for it, 99.99 seems like a decent buy.

I have fished a jig on a budddies boat with that same rod. I liked it... its more like a mag med heavy..its a great jig rod. My only concerns would be breakage...but at that price...go for it... abu does stand behind their product.

I'd be all over that like stink on poo

I have the 7'1" MH and love it people complained about the grip or reel seat that its uncomfortable I don't even notice. I have mine paired with a REVO3 STX and 15# P-line flouro clear. It's caught 1 bass 11 pike and 13 trout with everythin from spinners, lipless cranks, t-rig I haven't figure out what I want to use it for yet lol.

Those rods are pretty light too!

I'd be all over that like stink on poo.

Of course YOU would! Sounds like an another opportunity to burn your bar hopping money on a rod..

Yeah that was a good deal if I could find more at that price I'd be all over it again. I love my Abu rods and reels iv been thinking of getting a villain spinning. And leave my bar money out of this lol it's almost Friday the only two not exited about it is my wallet and my liver lol.

Abu rods have a good following here locally too.

Hahaha i had to take a jab at ya on the bar money...lol in all seriousness, you have certainly earned the right to drown a few on the weekennds..we thank u for your service...

Sorry for the short hijack

Yup back on track I'd snag the rod or even a few of them and resell them I'm sure you can find a buyer..........

The rod is supper sensitive I can feel a difference between that and my Veritas rods also I had a jika rig tied on my 7'6 veritas and the same rig tied to the villain for a side by side comparison line was the same also only differences were the rod and reels used. Plus it looks sharp.

So you mean the Villain at my local shop for 79.99 was an awesome deal? (I can Veritas Rods for 79.99 everywhere)  lol  I get confused sometimes which is the higher or lower end (only own 1 Abu rod Veritas), I thought the Villian was the one similar to the Veritas, but with the funky handle.  I guess I should've paid attention.  They had 1 Mh 7 footer, probably should've picked it up for that price.  I needed another shore fishing all purpose one. 

The villain goes for upwards of 200 yeah you should have snagged one for 79.99 lol

The villain goes for upwards of 200 yeah you should have snagged one for 79.99 lol

DOH!  I won't be able to go back for another couple of days.  Probably be gone by then, there was a handful left.  DARN IT!

Yup I was just surfing eBay and amazon 150-180 there going for

Putting a 50e on a MH rod is like dropping a 4 banger in an f250. The 50 is a finesse reel, Id look for a M at the heaviest.

Putting a 50e on a MH rod is like dropping a 4 banger in an f250. The 50 is a finesse reel, Id look for a M at the heaviest.

Well, my problem is that after a recent breakdown purchase of a Dobyns Champion 703 spinning for 109.99 at a local place, I decided I didn't want it and traded it for a brand new 50e my buddy bought and was wanting to sell. I bought a 50e from the same sale (TW 25% off) and it is now on a st croix legend Xtreme 6'10 M/XF.

People punch with this reel all the time. I do have a Lews speed spool tourney MG 7.1 that may work...

There's nothing wrong with a 50 size shimano on that rod at all....

There's nothing wrong with a 50 size shimano on that rod at all....

I agree. In fact, the Villian was made to match perfectly with the Revo MGX. And it doesnt get much lighter than that.

With te new MGXtreme wonder of there will be a new lighter rod to match....I hope so

I appreciate the info. I may just have to snag one and use it as a jig rod. I don't fish enough super heavy cover to justify the heavy.

Maybe I'll mount the 7.1 Lews MG and the Chronarch 50e and see which one I like more.