Anyone have the 7' Veritas M/F or the 7' Veritas M/M  Winch model which they use for top water and / or general utility applications ? This (and the newly announced next generation Veritas) seem popular with Justin Lucas and other Pros (i.e. 7' M Veritas) ... *Not sure which model M/F or Winch would be best in the 7'M action (most likely will use #30 lb. ~ #40 lb. braid) with it for Spooks , Sammy's and other top water walking lures and poppers   ... Thanks in advance !

I fish with a casting and a spinning version of the Abu Winch. I fish 8# Sunline on both of them. I fish nothing but crankbaits on them. 110% satisfied with my rods. I threw the reviews I read out the window and went with my gut feeling after handled it. After a few months I bought the spinning version sight and touched unseen. Something I normally would not do. Again I went with a gut feeling it would work out and was glad I bought it. 

17 hours ago, Spankey said:

I fish with a casting and a spinning version of the Abu Winch. I fish 8# Sunline on both of them. I fish nothing but crankbaits on them. 110% satisfied with my rods. I threw the reviews I read out the window and went with my gut feeling after handled it. After a few months I bought the spinning version sight and touched unseen. Something I normally would not do. Again I went with a gut feeling it would work out and was glad I bought it. 

*Good to know ! ... I did hear Jordan Lee comment about the new all white Veritas rods saying at the price point he was really impressed with the quality , action and feel of the rods - if you catch them on sale you might see below the list price of $99 ~ $119 (depending on length) . Justin Lucas uses the winch casting model for top water baits pretty much exclusively . If possible , I like to pick out rods at this price point in person to ensure the rods are straight (when holding them up like a rifle) and that all the rod guides line up properly and not bent) . 

I have older Veritas in spinning and casting versions of what you’re looking at, plus a couple more. 
 

Until I bought my first Kistler, I used my winches for crankbaits and a 6’6” M/F casting model for topwater.  The 6’6” works great when fishing from my kayak.

 

My wife uses a spinning winch for her favorite lipless crankbait.

 

I find the winch’s moderate action too soft for topwaters, especially walking baits, but that’s my preference.

 

The Veritas’ are great $100 rods.  They’d still be my go-to had I not discovered Kistler.

7 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

*Good to know ! ... I did hear Jordan Lee comment about the new all white Veritas rods saying at the price point he was really impressed with the quality , action and feel of the rods - if you catch them on sale you might see below the list price of $99 ~ $119 (depending on length) . Justin Lucas uses the winch casting model for top water baits pretty much exclusively . If possible , I like to pick out rods at this price point in person to ensure the rods are straight (when holding them up like a rifle) and that all the rod guides line up properly and not bent) . 

I want to touch that new version first before buying. If I can’t find it local, I’ll order a couple in and keep the one I like. Most likely the 7’ Winch Spin. I throw a lot of small crankbaits and I found that Veritas Winch Rod Style to fit my fishing well. I believe it is called a PLX or whatever. 
 

I’ve been a St. Croix Fanboy for many many years but the last 4-5 years I’ve opened myself up to a couple of different brands. SC are my soft plastic rods but have come to like Abu and Dobins for some cranking. And their rod prices don’t break the bank. 
 

Good luck on your choice. I would never tell anyone not to consider the reviews they read. Their might be something to it. But I throw all that out the window and make my own conscious decision. If I don’t like it I’ll go get my money back. But on a positive note I believe I did read in Bassmaster Abu has a 3 yr. warranty on that new Veritas. Can’t beat that on a rod that is really not all that expensive in the full scheme of things. Good fishing.