When The Zata Spins
By: Phil Foo
It has been very long time since Abu Garcia launched its first spinning reel the ABU 444 back in 1955. The ABU 444 most certainly look different than the reels that we have now. Needless to say, performance has improved leaps and bounds. Materials too have gone through a lot of changes. Now the ABU 444 spinning reel is a reel treasured by collectors. One day, many years from now; the reels that are current today will become a collection too.
Perhaps one day the Abu Garcia Zata spinning reels and Abu Garcia Baitcasting reels too will become collectibles. I think they will make a nice set; a spinning reel and a baitcasting reel sitting side by side inside a shining showcase. Before that happens we played more and had ourselves more fun with the Abu Garcia Zata spinning reel. So, how is it like living with the Abu Garcia Zata spinning reel?
[ Ini mini miny moe, which of you fishing reels would like to follow… ]
The Abu Garcia Zata spinning reel together with a few other reels have been sitting on my office table staring at me wondering when I would go fishing again and if I would bring them. If I did, which would I bring? Choices, choices, choices. Isn’t it nice to have choices… Well, with the number of covid-19 positives going up, I did decide that the right thing to do now is to go fishing as a lock down was looming.
The Abu Garcia Zata spinning reel and its well designed reel handle made of high quality EVA provides for a good grip.
Where the heck did I learn to do such crap? Oh, ya! The backstabbing power hungry mindless Dickensians holding on Duracell batteries for dear life. Anyway, off to my favourite fishing waterhole I went. On the way there I picked up a friend who was also eager to do some fishing before we got locked down again.
At the pond I secured the Abu Garcia Zata spinning reel that still had the 20lb Spiderwire Dura-4 Braid from the previous fishing trip, to an Abu Garcia Salty Fighter 2 fishing rod. I was happily casting out my favourite Berkley Powerbait Pro Grub and playing with some of the groupers. The Abu Garcia Zata spinning reel performed exceptionally well.
After about an hour and a half of entertaining a number of snappers and groupers, I decided to take a break from all the fun. My friend then asked if he could try the Abu Garcia Zata spinning reel. Of course he can. He picked up my fishing setup, took a good look at the rod, and then the Abu Garcia Zata spinning reel. He shook his head, smiled, checked the Pro Grub, and proceeded to fish.
The Abu Garcia Zata spinning reel is still performing really well and has attracted a new fan.
He played a few groupers and snappers, and he continued to play a few more. I wanted to start fishing again so I asked him what he thought of the rod and reel. Fantastic is what he said as he continued to fish. I stood up and watched him fish. He then said if I wanted to use his fishing rod and reel I can. So I did for a while before handling his setup back to him, so that I could continue fishing with mine.
As we were driving back my friend asked if we could go to a fishing tackle shop before going for tea and calling it the end of the trip. We did, and he asked the tackle shop owner for the Abu Garcia Zata spinning reel. He played with the reel a little, asked for the price, and paid for it. “Superb reel this is,” he said. I asked him what attracted him to make such a rash decision. He said the reel feels great, handles so smoothly, has good drag, and is lightweight. I agreed.
Unfortunately, it has been over half a year since the trip, and I am unable to take the Abu Garcia Zata spinning reel for another fishing trip. Now it sits on my office table together with a few of my other reels looking at me, wondering when I would go fishing again. If I did, which amongst them would I choose to take along with me on the trip.
