When Wesley Littlefield received the Abu Garcia Beast casting rod last fall, he knew it wasn't designed for delicate presentations or finesse fishing. True to its name, this 7-foot, 9-inch heavy-power rod was built for one purpose: battling large fish with substantial baits across diverse Oklahoma waters.
"With a name like Beast, it's no surprise this isn't a finesse setup, but if you target big fish, using big baits, then you need to continue reading this review," said Littlefield, who put the rod through extensive testing on ponds, lakes, creeks, and rivers throughout Oklahoma.
"With a name like Beast, it's no surprise this isn't a finesse setup, but if you target big fish, using big baits, then you need to continue reading this review,"
The Beast's construction reflects Abu Garcia's commitment to durability and performance. Built from 30-ton graphite combined with the Powerlux 200 resin system, the rod features a carbon cross-wrapped butt section that enhances its ability to handle trophy-sized catches. Stainless steel guides with zirconium inserts complement the salt and freshwater design, while a 2-piece ferrule locking mechanism ensures stability during powerful casts.
"The Beast series rods use 30-ton graphite and a Powerlux 200 resin system that gives anglers plenty of power to set the hook and handle big fish," Littlefield noted, highlighting the technical specifications that translate into real-world performance.
"The Beast series rods use 30-ton graphite and a Powerlux 200 resin system that gives anglers plenty of power to set the hook and handle big fish,"
During his testing period, Littlefield targeted largemouth bass, stripers, hybrids, and catfish, finding the rod's moderate-fast action particularly effective when paired with the Abu Garcia Beast 200 casting reel. The combination proved formidable for managing oversized lures and the substantial fish they attract.
"They cast and retrieve like a dream," Littlefield stated, praising the rod's ability to handle heavy presentations that would overwhelm lighter tackle. However, he acknowledged that specialization comes with trade-offs. While the Beast excels at its intended purpose, sensitivity doesn't match that of more specialized jig rods in his collection.
"They cast and retrieve like a dream,"
"Though I wouldn't say this rod is as sensitive as some of my jig rods, it's still plenty sensitive to feel those light bites in cold water on a glidebait," he explained, noting that the rod maintains adequate feedback despite its heavy-duty construction.
"Though I wouldn't say this rod is as sensitive as some of my jig rods, it's still plenty sensitive to feel those light bites in cold water on a glidebait,"
The casting performance reflects the rod's design philosophy. Littlefield found that while the Beast isn't suitable for light lures, it delivers impressive accuracy with heavy baits whether casting overhead or sidearm. The rod's backbone becomes particularly apparent during hook-setting scenarios with large fish.
"This is the beefiest bass fishing rod I own; it's got plenty of backbone to get a good hookset on the biggest fish around, even on a long cast," Littlefield observed. This power proved invaluable when dragging large bass through heavy cover or battling trophy-sized stripers and catfish that would test lighter equipment.
"This is the beefiest bass fishing rod I own; it's got plenty of backbone to get a good hookset on the biggest fish around, even on a long cast,"
The rod's versatility extends beyond bass fishing, though Littlefield noted its specialized nature. "This rod was designed for a few specific uses (primarily throwing big lures), so it's not the most versatile bass rod in my lineup, but I wouldn't hesitate to chase a couple of other big species with it," he said, even considering its potential for musky fishing applications.
"This rod was designed for a few specific uses (primarily throwing big lures), so it's not the most versatile bass rod in my lineup, but I wouldn't hesitate to chase a couple of other big species with it,"
However, the Beast's specialized design and corresponding price point may limit its appeal to casual anglers. With the tested model retailing at $180 and longer versions reaching $230, the investment reflects its niche market positioning.
"As much as I've enjoyed using this rod, I don't fish with giant lures enough to justify spending that kind of money on a bass rod," Littlefield remarked candidly. Despite this reservation, he acknowledged that the rod's multi-species capability adds value for anglers who regularly target various large gamefish.
"As much as I've enjoyed using this rod, I don't fish with giant lures enough to justify spending that kind of money on a bass rod,"
The Beast's performance in Oklahoma's diverse fishing environments demonstrated its reliability across different scenarios. From pond fishing for largemouth bass to river fishing for stripers, the rod maintained consistent performance. Its construction quality became evident during extended fishing sessions, showing no signs of fatigue or degradation despite handling substantial fish and heavy lures.
Littlefield's assessment reflects the reality many specialized fishing tools face: exceptional performance within their intended application, but limited versatility for anglers seeking all-purpose equipment. The Beast casting rod succeeds in delivering the power and durability needed for big-bait, big-fish scenarios while maintaining the refinement expected from Abu Garcia's engineering.
"It's handled all the big lures I've tied on and the fish that bit those lures," Littlefield affirmed, summarizing months of field testing. His evaluation suggests that while the Beast may not appeal to every angler, it delivers exceptional value for those committed to targeting large gamefish with substantial presentations.
"It's handled all the big lures I've tied on and the fish that bit those lures,"
For serious anglers pursuing trophy fish across multiple species, the Abu Garcia Beast casting rod represents a purpose-built tool that prioritizes power and reliability over versatility, making it a worthy consideration for specialized fishing applications.