The Abu Garcia Workhorse 2 Salmon/Bass rod

By | September 18th, 2009 | Category: Reviews | 3 comments

DSC04305I recently received this rod as an extra bonus when purchasing an Ambassadeur reel. The rod is 10′ long and classified for lure weights of 20 to 60 grams.

At first I was rather sceptical of this rod as it was a free bee. Could there really be such thing as a free lunch? I was rather sceptical, after some bad purchases in the past. But lets have a look at what I got.

The rod features a trigger. Only natural as it came with my newDSC04307 Ambassadeur 7000i C3 reel. But I plan to use this one for casting lead lures while waiting for something huge to bite on the bait rods.

The Reel Seat
Unfortunately the reel seat has quite a plasticy feel to it. But then again, I had the same feeling with my 20 year old and trusty Tjøstheim 600N rod. And that one is still in use on every trip. So ok, I’ll give that the benefit of the doubt.

DSC04308The Line Guides
The line guides where pure metal of some kind. No porcelain to be seen here. Well, when they go bad I can always change them for something better. Abu Garcia lists this rods as “a specialist rod to made to perform using super lines”. So maybe that is the reason for the cheap line guides?

I think I prefer  porcelain line guides. But it could be my own blatant ignorance talking. Who knows?

DSC04310The Tip
The tip is white. will be handy in the winter dark, if I use it as a bait rod. Else the tip is supposed to me made from e-glass. But can’t seem to dig out the reference for that. So don’t take my word for it.

Casting
It was when I took this rod out fishing that it surprised me. I set it up with my old and trusted 6500 CS Rocket multiplier reel, loaded with 0.25mm 17.5kg test Fireline braid. The lure was a Stingsilda 40gr lead lure.

telefon 116So it was just to launch it. And what a launch. It must be a new distance record for me. Cod knows how far it really was, but that pice of lead and treble hooks disappeared into the horizon…and cam back with a small green saith.

Conclusion
I have taken the rod on 3 fishing trips so far. And I am quite happy with it. I have not gotten anything big on it yet. But I feel confident that it will do the job. Despite the plasticy feel from the reel seet and the surprising line guides at a time where the cheapest of rods have porcelain guide lines.

Would I recomend the rod…yes, with the reservations in this review I would.

Thats it.

3 Comments to “The Abu Garcia Workhorse 2 Salmon/Bass rod”

  1. Rune says:
    June 14, 2011 at 10:45 am

    2 seasons on the rod is still going strong, and has landed me cod to 12 lb from the shore, my first flounder etc. But unfortunately it looks like my doubt about the reel seat was warranted, as the lock down screw has developed a crack, and the meatl is about to split. Else the rod is still performing and I even use it as a “beach rod” using mackerel for bait and 1,7oz leads. Works a charm.

  2. Les Young says:
    July 12, 2011 at 1:44 am

    With reference to the porcelain line guides; where can I purchase these guides? Living in Australia I’ve not been able to find a supplier. Looking for help.
    Thanks

  3. Rune says:
    July 12, 2011 at 6:04 am

    I have no idea, but try to ask in the World Sea Fishing Forums, here is the URL: http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/index.php

    There is several people there who build rods, so you should get a good answer there

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