Abu Garcia Atlantic 464 5-6oz Beachcaster - 06/01/2010

Abu has brought back the famous Atlantic beach rod name using updated technology and materials in the 444, 464 and 484 versions. The original Atlantic 484 revolutionised surf fishing and set many distance-casting records. The blank is constructed from IM6 carbon and fitted with black Fuji Alconite guides. The butt is protected with a cross-weave Japanese shrink tube and fitted with a sliding reel seat so you can fish with the reel in the up or down position. There is also a 45cm extension if you choose to fish with the reel right at the bottom of the butt.

At 13ft 8in, the 464 is rated to cast 5oz to 6oz. The tip isn’t as flexible as that on the original rod but there’s still plenty of power in the butt to blast rigs well out into the horizon. My chosen venue was the ‘Dirty Wall’ at Aldeburgh, in Suffolk, which is famous for producing good catches of cod and whiting, but I arrived at the beach in horrendous weather; it was chucking it down with rain and blowing a gale along the beach – nevertheless, I was on a mission.

I matched the rod with an Abu 6500 CT Hi-Speed mag reel loaded with 15lb mono and a 70lb shockleader, then a clipped-down Pennel rig baited with lug and squid was blasted out into the churning sea. From the first cast I could tell the action was different from the original 464 because the old one needed to be wound up more, due to its softer tip. The new version, with its slightly stiffer tip, meant that I was in contact with the lead immediately. Despite fishing in one of the worst storms this year the rod sat fairly steady in the rest, and the tip curved round well once the lead got a grip. It’s difficult to report on the bite detection due to 50mph to 60mph winds, but nevertheless we did catch whiting.

The difficult conditions meant I had to hit the cast hard to get the bait out a good distance and I could feel the rod definitely had enough guts to cope with hammering a 170g lead and a pile of bait to distance. Conditions during the session meant photography was almost impossible, so I hit the beach again the following morning in more pleasant conditions for a short session. The milder conditions gave me a better feel for the rod. It whacked rigs out a long way and whiting bites showed clearly on the tip. All in all, I’d say that the Atlantic 464 is worthy of its inheritance and name.

Information

• Blank Material: IM6 carbon
• Overall Length: 13ft 8in
• Sections: Two equal plus extension
• Rings: Eight plus tip
• Whippings: Black tipped with blue
• Reel Seat: Sliding
• RRP: £149.99

Roger's Rating

• Appearance: 9
• Casting: 9
• Fishing: 10
• Value For Money: 10

Contact: Pure Fishing (UK) Ltd on 01527 405410
Website: www.purefishing.com