88: Abu Garcia Super Ascalon Advanced Stage 3

Powered-Up: Abu Garcia Super Ascalon Advanced Stage 3 Rods

By The Angler

“Never bring a knife to a gun fight.” This is a phrase that many have used. It means simply to bring the right tools or the proper tools that suits the occasion. If you bring a switch blade to a bear fight, you will most likely end up an unrecognisable piece of “modern sculpture.” A gun will certainly be better.

Yet, when it comes to fishing especially field testing fishing tackle, we do bring a knife to a gun fight. We do this not because we enjoy getting our butts kicked (there certainly have been times when we got our butts handed to us on a silver platter). We do so to test the limits of these fishing gears and then push them some more (within reasonably crazy limits).

The Advanced Stage 3.

Of course, when we torture fishing tackle this way, we know what we are doing (sometimes we get caught by surprise too) as we lab test first to learn of the said fishing tackle’s limits. Needless to say, testing in a lab is not as much fun and is not a true representation of real world fishing. So, to learn how fishing tackles actually handle and perform in the real world we take them to ponds that we are familiar with (a form of more controlled testing).

Abu Garcia well proven 24 ton graphite blank.

This time we brought the new Abu Garcia Super Ascalon Advanced Stage 3 Ultra Light action rod to a fight in an arena that is home to some hard fighting groupers. Do note that these groupers are no friendly little fishes that helped make Bubble Guppies a well liked children’s series. These groupers really throw punches and run like crazy.

Rod Brand: Abu Garcia

Series: Super Ascalon Advanced Stage 3

Model: AAS602UL A

Action: Ultra Light

Length: 6′

Lure Weight: 1-7gm

Line Weight: 2-6lb

Beautiful reel seat with carbon fibre lock nut.

Components

Blank Type: Carbon Graphite

Rod Grip / Handle: EVA

Guides: Standard O-Ring

Reel Seat: Fuji

Castability

When it comes to casting, the Abu Garcia Super Ascalon Advanced Stage 3 Ultra Light action rod casts really well. It is an impressive Ultra Light rod to cast with. Every cast is smooth and confident. The 24 ton graphite blank executes a smooth and power cast with a tip that has very good rebound action to shoot baits (lures) far. The blank is steady and well composed.

The Ultralight action Abu Garcia Super Ascalon Advanced Stage 3 taking on a hard fighting grouper.

Fighting Ability

When it comes to handling fish, the Abu Garcia Super Ascalon Advanced Stage 3 has enough backbone power to manage the hard fighting groupers. Despite being an Ultra Light rod, hook setting was no issue at all. The power is also consistent throughout the fight despite being a two piece rod, and we managed to turn the hard running fishes away from obstacles.

Hard fighting groupers landed. Despite being an ultralight rod, the Abu Garcia Super Ascalon Advanced Stage 3 took them down.

Tackle Used During Test

Rod Brand: Abu Garcia

Series: Super Ascalon Advanced Stage 3

Model: AAS602UL A

Action: Ultra Light

Reel: Abu Garcia MAX X Spinning

Reel Model: X5

Reel Size: 5

Main Line: Berkley Fireline Braid (Flame Green)

Line lb: 10lb

Leader Line:

Line lb:

Baits / Lures: Berkley Powerbait Pro Grub

Size: 3 inch

Hooks / Jig-heads: Berkley

Test Conditions: Sunny afternoon with slight wind

Another hard fighting groupers landed.

Conclusion

For an affordable rod, the Abu Garcia Super Ascalon Advanced Stage 3 Ultra Light action rod certainly did very well. It performs like higher end Ultra Light rods. It also looks good.

During this field test an angler approached me after I landed one of the groupers to take a closer look at the setup. He was amazed that the Ultra Light Super Ascalon Advanced Stage 3 rod (and Abu Garcia MAX X size 5 spinning reel) managed to subdue the hard fighting groupers. He remarked in Malay language “eh, such a light setup can bring up these fishes…” He was fishing with a Medium Heavy setup.

If you are in the market for a new Ultra Light action rod at an affordable price, the Abu Garcia Super Ascalon Advanced Stage 3 is certainly one rod worth considering.