Abu Garcia Report

Abu Garcia Brings Fishing Intelligence to Fishing with Bluetooth Rod

Abu Garcia is forging a new path with connected rod technology as it rolls out the new Abu Garcia Virtual, a fishing rod with Bluetooth technology that fully integrates with the free ANGLR smartphone app. The new series of rods allow anglers to record catches and mark waypoints in their personal and private logbook with the simple press of a button integrated into the butt of the rod. 

The new series of rods is the first to integrate this type of technology and has been created in concert with ANGLR, a fast-growing company that offers a free fishing intelligence app helping anglers plan, record and improve their fishing.

The Virtual rods allow the angler to simply press a button to record catches, double-click to drop editable waypoints at their exact location and press and hold the button to indicate a change in tackle. The action to record a catch also compiles location, weather and water data with the stored catch information. This information, coupled with the durability and performance of Abu Garcia rod technology, will provide anglers a complete package as they look to maximize their time on the water. 

If the angler uses Lowrance Electronics, the ANGLR app can simultaneously transfer waypoints bi-directionally onto compatible Lowrance multifunction displays. The wireless sync also allows data sharing from Lowrance sensors back to the app, providing greater precision by importing precise depth, water temperature, real-time GPS routes and other data to be added to the user’s logbook.

Compatible Lowrance fishfinders include the HDS Live and Elite Ti2, as well as legacy fishfinders like HDS Carbon, HDS Gen 3 and Elite Ti.

The Virtual rod connects to the free ANGLR app on iPhone and Android devices. It allows anglers to record catches complete with automated weather, water and location details. It also enables the phone’s camera to add a photo. All recorded fishing data is 100 percent private by default. The rod does not require charging and delivers a 2-year battery life. It works regardless of cell service for off-the-grid fishing. 

The Virtual rod series consists of ten total conventional and spinning rods ranging from 6-foot, 6-inch Medium Fast spinning to 7-foot, 6-inch Heavy Fast conventional to cover most bass angling techniques. All are built with 30-ton graphite for a lightweight balanced design, IntraCarbonTM technology, providing a lightweight barrier to improve durability without adding weight, and stainless-steel guides with zirconium inserts.

The rods retail for $129.95 and are available from Abu Garcia retailers. For more information, visit www.AbuGarcia.com.