Abu Garcia Fantasista Regista Rods 2025
FishTank reply :
Has anybody had a chance to use one of these rods? I found a good deal on one and was thinking of picking one up (MH or M casting 7'). It looks like a well made rod based on the components but I have very little info on it.
new2BC4bass reply :
Let's see if this link for TT will go through. http://tackletour.com/reviewabufantasistafnpc706.html
It is on the lower priced Fantasista Premier. The Regista originally listed for $200 more so it should be a better rod.
Good luck finding some reviews. You can find a couple on the Premier, but a review of the Regista is almost impossible to find . Here is the only one I found..other than a couple videos that just show the rod. http://tackletour.net/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=76398
Sierra Trading Post has the 6'10" ML and 7' Med. casting rods on closeout for $200. I've yet to spend that kind of money on a rod, but am tempted by the 7' Med.
I bought a used 6'10" ML spinning rod for my all around finesse rod. Beautiful rod....as it should be for that kind of money. I haven't even spooled the reel I have for it yet so I can't give any kind of review of the rod. I will say that the tip looks a little slower than a true Fast. It also feels like it has a fair amount of power for a ML once it gets partway down the blank.
Stephen B reply :
On 7/31/2018 at 5:56 AM, FishTank said:Has anybody had a chance to use one of these rods? I found a good deal on one and was thinking of picking one up (MH or M casting 7'). It looks like a well made rod based on the components but I have very little info on it.
It was Abu Garcia's top of the line rod for awhile but discontinued. If it's legit it would be a good purchase. However, I have never purchased anything nor heard anything about Sierra Trading Post. Be careful buying from them. Make sure everything is legit.
That price is very sketchy ($149.99-$199.99 shipped for a $500 rod). If it was me, I would not buy from them.
DogBone_384 reply :
I got one from Gander when they were going out of business for $250 just to see what a “$500” rod might fish like. With a Revo MGX on it it’s a featherweight and very sensitive. It’s really pretty too, fantastic workmanship, feel, and quality....
I like my Kistler’s in the $250 range better, however, truth be told, my Kistler MG2 is one of my favorite M/F casting rods and it’s $199.
Overall, it’s worth $250, at best. I sure wouldn’t pay retail for it.
RichF reply :
Sierra Trading Post is a 100% legit site. I buy tons of stuff from them. The only issue with them is they'll send you rods on rectangular cardboard boxes. I was lucky enough to get all of mine in tact but I've heard of others breaking during shipment. Pretty sure they'll take care of you if that happens though.
Stephen B reply :
They look to deal in mostly discount gear that is old or discontinued. I am skeptical about buying from certain sellers plus there name isn't very reassuring haha. They seem to have a Paypal option which I would highly recommend using.
fishwizzard reply :
I have bought a ton of stuff from Sierra Trading Post, they sell new-old stock gear and have been around for a while. They get great reviews on most hiking/camping forums.
RichF reply :
On 8/1/2018 at 1:49 AM, Stephen B said:They look to deal in mostly discount gear that is old or discontinued. I am skeptical about buying from certain sellers plus there name isn't very reassuring haha. They seem to have a Paypal option which I would highly recommend using.
It's a totally legit site. They are affiliated with the TJ Maxx/HomeGoods/Marshalls brand.
J Francho reply :
On 8/1/2018 at 3:11 AM, RichF said:It's a totally legit site. They are affiliated with the TJ Maxx/HomeGoods/Marshalls brand.
Yep, they've been around a long time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Trading_Post
FishTank reply :
I will be picking one up Friday. It may be a week before I can fish it but I will let you guys know how it goes.
blckshirt98 reply :
I've gotten a few rods from Sierra Trading Post - great deals but they ship in flimsy boxes, one rod was a two piece that had turned into a four piece, so be sure to check it as soon as it arrives.
ohtheguilt reply :
Sierra may have actually upped their shipping game recently...I received a rod from them this past march in a heavy cardboard tube, ala, Tacklewarehouse. Plus one for a legit website with great deals.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 8/2/2018 at 11:35 AM, FishTank said:I will be picking one up Friday. It may be a week before I can fish it but I will let you guys know how it goes.
Let us know what you think once you've had a chance to fish the rod.
FishTank reply :
On 8/8/2018 at 9:17 AM, new2BC4bass said:Let us know what you think once you've had a chance to fish the rod.
I had to order it. It's going to be a week before it arrives. I was hoping it was going to be in for me to have in hand last Friday but it did not work out.
Raul reply :
I had one of the old Registas and not only it was a beautiful rod but also very light and sensitive.
FishTank reply :
Finally got this thing today. I ordered the 7' M casting.
It is simply amazing. Not only is super sensitive and it just flat out looks cool. I would say it is just slightly more sensitive than my G. Loomis 803c GLX and is more fun to fish. The micro guides are a bit weird though.
If I can get a few bucks together I am going to try pick up another one.
new2BC4bass reply :
I had to do it. 7' Medium was down to $149. Shipping and tax still made it under the $199 they had been asking.
Choporoz reply :
On 8/17/2018 at 6:49 PM, new2BC4bass said:I had to do it. 7' Medium was down to $149. Shipping and tax still made it under the $199 they had been asking.
Me too...I don't even need another M...but my shipping was free and tax was under $10.00. Funny...my two existing MF rods are favorites of mine...and both of those were also more than 50% clearance years ago....site said only two left, so someone better grab the last one
new2BC4bass reply :
On 8/16/2018 at 10:09 AM, FishTank said:Finally got this thing today. I ordered the 7' M casting.
It is simply amazing. Not only is super sensitive and it just flat out looks cool. I would say it is just slightly more sensitive than my G. Loomis 803c GLX and is more fun to fish. The micro guides are a bit weird though.
If I can get a few bucks together I am going to try pick up another one.
Got home about 10:30 or shortly thereafter last night from my second job and my 7' Medium casting rod was there waiting for me. I like what little I saw looking it over quickly last night. Feels pretty light. I probably should have ordered two while I had the chance. Suppose to be very nice this weekend. Am going to try to make it to a lake somewhere.
Think I will put a light reel on it....a Primmus or Helios Air or maybe go with a little heavier Alphas.
FishTank reply :
On 8/24/2018 at 10:16 PM, new2BC4bass said:Got home about 10:30 or shortly thereafter last night from my second job and my 7' Medium casting rod was there waiting for me. I like what little I saw looking it over quickly last night. Feels pretty light. I probably should have ordered two while I had the chance. Suppose to be very nice this weekend. Am going to try to make it to a lake somewhere.
Think I will put a light reel on it....a Primmus or Helios Air or maybe go with a little heavier Alphas.
I took it out today for a few minutes and it was just awesome. It's sort of addictive. I paired mine with an older Shimano Chronarch 51e.
Choporoz reply :
Finally got mine today. Stunning rod. Thank you, @new2BC4bass
FishTank reply :
On 9/6/2018 at 11:43 AM, Choporoz said:Finally got mine today. Stunning rod. Thank you, @new2BC4bass
Love mine so far. Which one did you end up getting? Also, that reel looks pretty cool with the rod.
You often see a lot a hype surrounding specific rods and/or brands. I like mine so much that I wonder why this series of rods did not get all the fan fair that others do. In in end, it doesn't matter much. I just feel lucky to have found the one I have.
Choporoz reply :
I got 7MF. Not sure what I'll use it for...it is more like XF. Only thrown 75 Whopper so far..I've got two other MF rods I love, so we'll see, I guess. Total impulse but. The other two have shorter handles, which I appreciate in the kayak. I love the weight and feel, but it may take a while to work it into the regular rotation.
Tywithay reply :
I have the 7' MH. It's not a rod that I use often, because I don't care for split grips. That said, it's really light and very sensitive. Performance-wise, I think it's in the IMX Pro/Legend Elite range. Though, the build quality isn't quite as tight as those brands.
OkobojiEagle reply :
Anybody able to make a 1st hand comparison with personally used Fenwick Techna AV's? My fishing preferences have changed to the point my 6 Technas sit in the corner in favor of the slower action HMGs.
oe
Stephen B reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 2:46 AM, Tywithay said:I have the 7' MH. It's not a rod that I use often, because I don't care for split grips. That said, it's really light and very sensitive. Performance-wise, I think it's in the IMX Pro/Legend Elite range. Though, the build quality isn't quite as tight as those brands.
Interesting. I have had similar experience to yours in that I have never seen impressed even the slightest with Abu Garcia's rod build quality.
Tywithay reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 6:53 AM, Stephen B said:Interesting. I have had similar experience to yours in that I have never seen impressed even the slightest with Abu Garcia's rod build quality.
It's not a poorly built rod, by any means. But, with a $400+ retail price tag, the attention to detail was lacking, in my opinion. For $200 or less, it's an absolute steal.
FishTank reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 6:53 AM, Stephen B said:Interesting. I have had similar experience to yours in that I have never seen impressed even the slightest with Abu Garcia's rod build quality.
I have looked at several Abu Garcia rods and you're right, most that I have seen have been kind of sketchy when it comes to the quality control. The rod I purchased (Fantasista Regista) is a different animal. I have found zero issues with this rod and I would compare it to my G Loomis MBR783 GLX. The build may even be slightly better.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 2:54 AM, OkobojiEagle said:Anybody able to make a 1st hand comparison with personally used Fenwick Techna AV's? My fishing preferences have changed to the point my 6 Technas sit in the corner in favor of the slower action HMGs.
oe
I have a 7' MF and MHF Techna AV and the new 7' MF Regista. However, by the time I will be able to make comparisons on the water I will have forgotten this post. 
Not really an apple to apple comparison because the 7' MF Regista is 1/4-5/8 oz. while the 7' MF AV is 1/4-1 oz. which puts in in MH territory AFAIC. What I can tell you from pressing the tips against the floor is that the Regista definitely has a faster action. The AV bends quite a bit further into the blank.
Westcoast reply :
I have the 7’ medium fantanista regista. It’s a great rod, I got it for $200 on close out too. Abu rods get a bad rep sometimes but I have the FR and a couple villian 2.0 that I find to be just fine and do everything I expect them to do. I wouldn’t trade them for any of my Loomis rods though as the blanks just don’t have that same light refined feel
Choporoz reply :
1 year update....(Fantasista Regista 7' Med Really Fast)
Still agree with my initial assessment...quite sensitive, but never much got used to the way it loads and casts. Tip too stiff for my liking. Been used almost exclusively for jerkbaits and small swimbaits like keitech on about 1/4oz heads.
One year to the day after ordering, I snapped it in two while high sticking a snag.
Big shout out to AG Cust svc - one email with pics and explanation, one short phone call and $10....and they had replacement in the mail to me less than a week after it broke.
FishTank reply :
On 8/23/2019 at 1:43 AM, Choporoz said:1 year update....(Fantasista Regista 7' Med Really Fast)
Still agree with my initial assessment...quite sensitive, but never much got used to the way it loads and casts. Tip too stiff for my liking. Been used almost exclusively for jerkbaits and small swimbaits like keitech on about 1/4oz heads.
One year to the day after ordering, I snapped it in two while high sticking a snag.
Big shout out to AG Cust svc - one email with pics and explanation, one short phone call and $10....and they had replacement in the mail to me less than a week after it broke.
I have been using it every week since I got it. It sort of found a permanent way into the rotation of rods I use. The tip I had on mine did break but it was user error on my part, not the rod's. I was able to get another one shipped from STP.
As far as the how fast the tip is, compared to my other rods I would say its really not that stiff at all. I can actually load this rod quite easily and when I am bringing fish in you can notice the parabolic arc is greater than other rods of the same power. I would say its actually a true fast rod. I am comparing this to the following rods though..... St. Croix Avid 7' M Fast, St. Legend Elite 7' M Fast, G. Loomis 783C GLX, and a G. Loomis 843C GLX.
I have been using a Abu Garcia AL-X with this rod and it balance perfectly. I like the reel but it has it's limitations. You can definitely tell it was made for this rod.
Choporoz reply :
One more update.....
Received warranty replacement from AG on Aug 26. Pretty good customer service all around.
One small wrinkle....Since the Regista is discontinued, I got a Premier. No issues from me, since the fit/finish looks even better, IMO....and I wasn't perfectly satisfied with the Regista. Easy to imagine some not happy getting a "$300 rod" to replace a "$500 rod"
I'll get it broken in on Friday and see if I find if it fishes as well or better
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