Abu Garcia Jordan Lee Rod & Reel Baitcast Combo Review for 2023

Whether you’re new to angling or due for an upgrade or trying to become a bass fishing master in 2023, a balanced, properly weighted, and budget-friendly baitcast combo is always a good idea. While the market has tons of options to consider, the Abu Garcia Jordan Lee Baitcast Combo is one of the most exciting options.

Per Abu Garcia, the combo is designed by one of the hottest anglers, two-time Bassmaster Classic winner Jordan Lee and is packed with iconic Abu Garcia features. The five stainless steel HPCR bearings + 1 roller bearing, paired with the Power Disk™= drag system and custom Winn grips, make it easy to fish like Jordan Lee during one of his classic victories.

If you want to know more about the baitcaster combo, you’re in for a treat! In today’s article, we’ll walk you through a brief guide with everything you need to know about the Jordan Lee rod and reel combo from the renowned Abu Garcia, so you can figure out whether it’s the ideal option for your needs. Let’s dive right in!

For quick reference, below is the Jordan Lee combo as a baitcaster and spinning reel (learn about the different types of fishing reels here).

Highlights of the Abu Garcia Jordan Lee Baitcast Combo

• Winn advanced polymer Dri-Tac grips
• Five stainless steel HPCR bearings + 1 roller bearing
• Machined aluminum spool
• Abu Garcia’s Power Disk drag system
• Duragear brass gear.
• MagTrax brake system.
• Compact bent handle and star.
• One-piece graphite frame, graphite sideplates, and rocket clutch
• The drag type is Star drag
• The guide type is Stainless steel
• The luge rating is 3/8-3/4
• The real size is LP
• Split rod handle with the left hand and right hand options
• 7′ rod length
• Medium-heavy power

About Abu Garcia

The best way to start our guide is by walking you through a brief overview of the folks behind the Jordan Lee casting rod and reel. Learning more about the history of a company will give you an insight into the level of quality and experience the manufacturers have under their belt.

Abu Garcia is originally a Swedish company founded in 1921 as “AB Urfabriken.” Back then, the company wasn’t focused on a specific item and used to make watches, among other things. However, this all changed when the son of the founder, Göte Borgström, took over.

Göte was a highly experienced fishing enthusiast, so he directed the company to focus on making fishing gear. Thanks to his knowledge in the field, the company grew fast and started exporting to many countries, including the United States, through the American Garcia Corporation.

The Abu Svangsta/Garcia partnership grew even stronger when the American company acquired its partner and changed the company’s name to “Abu Garcia.” Today, the company is one of the most reputable in fishing gear, with some excellent products carrying their name, such as the Ambassadeur line of baitcaster reels.

What to Look for in a Great Rod and Also Rod and Reel Combos

Whether you’re buying a fishing rod or going for a rod and reel combo, you should always try to make the most informed purchase.

To achieve this, there are a few aspects that you always need to keep in mind while buying fishing gear. Let’s have a quick look at those aspects:

The Price and Warranty

If you’ve been shopping for a rod and reel combo for catfish, for example, you’ve probably noticed that these options come in a vast range of prices.

For instance, a simple rod and reel combo for walleye, for example, with decent quality for entry-level anglers can cost you as little as $50. However, if you want a higher quality option, you should expect the rod and reel combo to set you back up to 600 or even 700 bucks.

Of course, the more expensive the item, the higher the quality and longevity. However, you should also factor in the warranty policy of the product you’re buying, as it adds massive value to your purchase.

Performance and Specifications

Another thing to look for while buying a reel combo is the materials and performance specifications of the item and the different gear ratios.

Different specifications make the combo suitable for different types of techniques and fish. While buying a combo, always look at these numbers and make sure they match your fishing style.

For example, if you’re looking for a suitable combo for drop shot fishing (see the best drop shot rods here), you need a rod with a fast action so that the tip is soft and delivers vibrations to your hand quickly.

Overall Design and Variety of Options

Specifications aren’t the only aspects that may vary among casting rod and reel combos. In fact, even within the same product, there can be various options that will suit different anglers based on preferences or requirements.

For example, you should look for the rod and reel combo handling and make sure that it’s right or left-handed, depending on your preferences. The same applies to other aspects, such as rod length and other design options.

5 Advantages of The Abu Garcia Jordan Lee Combo

If you’re wondering why the Abu Garcia Jordan Lee Combo is a great pick, here are the top 5 advantages of the combo:

1. Excellent Value for the Money

The Jordan Lee is on the pricier end of the scale for Abu Garcia’s broad range of rod and reel combos.

However, this combo delivers a lot of value, making it a worthy competitor to even pricier options.

2. Incredibly Durable and Fast

Graphite is easily one of the best materials used for fishing rods on the planet. But despite being lightweight, it can easily snap under pressure and with heavy use.

To overcome this problem, Abu Garcia uses 24-ton graphite to make the fishing rod lighter while boosting its durability by up to 15% compared to average rods on the market!

3. Aesthetically Pleasing Design

The design of the rod is a significant feature for those who like attractive fishing rods and take pride in their stylish fishing gear.

The casting rod is primarily white with gray accents around the handle area and features an ergonomic reel seat for stability and ease of use that complements the style of the rod.

4. Highly Performance

The Jordan Lee is built for performance with 24-ton graphite construction with Winn advanced polymer Dri-Tac grips. The Winn grips provide a non-slip performance in all weather conditions. These extremely comfortable, slip-resistant grips reduce stress on hands and body while enabling anglers to lighten their grip pressure, increase control, and enhance accuracy over extended periods.

5. Super Comfortable Grips

The grips of this Abu Garcia Jordan Lee casting rod are made of closed-cell EVA foam instead of the classic cork, perfect for bass (learn the best way to hold a bass here) anglers. 

What’s great about this grip design is that EVA foam is much softer and more comfortable to hold on to without reducing the rod’s sensitivity.

Moreover, EVA foam is naturally resistant to corrosion from salt water and wear and tear due to weather or consistent use.

What You Should Consider Before Buying

Here are some of the things you should consider before buying a good rod and reel combo:

The Combo

The Jordan Lee Casting rod and reel combo offers the premium Jordan Lee rod and an impressive reel made from carbon fiber. Packed with cutting-edge features, this stylish, low-profile baitcast reel combines a super-strong machined aluminum spool (learn how to spool a baitcasting reel here) that provides strength without adding excess weight and a compact bent handle, promoting comfort during all-day fishing trips. The reel also delivers exceptional castability thanks to its MagTrax brake system, which exerts consistent brake pressure to boost your cast’s range and accuracy.

With its Duragear brass gear, this casting reel is built to last for hobbyists and seasoned pros alike. The power Disk drag system gives smooth, reliable drag performance throughout the drag range. The reel also comes equipped with five stainless steel HPCR bearings + 1 roller bearing that provide smooth operation and corrosion protection.

The Rod Materials

Rod and reel combos are made of various materials. Ideally, it would help to focus on rods made of carbon fiber or graphite and carbon fiber because they’re durable and lightweight.

The sturdier the fishing rod, such as salmon and steelhead rods, the easier it will be to deal with stubborn and large fish species without snapping. As for the weight, a lighter rod is always essential for better maneuvering and control. 

The flexibility provided by the previous materials also makes a more sensitive rod to the slightest changes around the bait, which results in a more efficient catch.

The Reel and Gear Ratio

As for the ideal reels, the first thing to consider is the quality of the ball bearings and internal components.

These should be corrosion-resistant materials, such as stainless steel and brass. 

The spool should also be made of lightweight material like aluminum so that it doesn’t affect the rod’s balance.

The reel’s gears should always have a proper ratio that suits your fishing technique. For example, the ideal gear ratio for most fishing techniques is between 6.2:1 and 7.1:1.

The Sizes Offered

The rod length is measured from the rod’s tip to the end of the handle and can significantly impact your casting abilities. A shorter rod is ideal for casting a smaller distance and vice versa. 

Luckily, the Jordan Lee rod is available in different sizes, 6 ft 6 inches, 6 ft 9 inches, and 7 ft, so you can pick the one that will work best for you.

The Rod

The Abu Garcia Veritas casting rod is a great option to pair with the Jordan Lee reel if you buy them separately. It is one of the most popular options on the market, and it can be used with a wide range of reels and different fishing techniques. This design makes it a must-have for any beginner or experienced user who wants a versatile rod in their inventory. In terms of price, the Abu Garcia Jordan Lee rod is still considered an excellent value for the money, although it can be a little on the pricey side.

The rod is made of carbon fiber blank and fortified with Abu Garcia’s Powerlux resin, an advanced material that is incredibly lightweight without sacrificing durability. In fact, according to Abu Garcia, this material is up to 15% sturdier and 5% lighter in weight than the average carbon and composite rods.

In addition to the Powerlux resin, Abu Garcia also uses titanium alloy to manufacture the guides and zirconium for the inserts, an incredibly lightweight material. Thanks to these material choices, the durable rod is less than 0.24 lbs, making it one of the lightest casting rods on the market without affecting the balance or weight distribution of the rod.

The guide train and casting systems are also robotically optimized to provide maximum casting distance using lightweight lures. The Jordan Lee rod is available in one-piece and two-piece construction and fast action tips, which helps deliver every twitch and vibration from the fishing line.

Abu Garcia Rod and Reel Combo FAQs

Where Are Abu Garcia Products Made?

Back in the day, almost all Abu Garcia products were manufactured in the company’s facilities in Sweden. Many of them are still made in Sweden today when it comes to high-end products.

However, to keep the cost of these fishing gear affordable for most anglers without compromising quality, most of the Abu Garcia budget-friendly products nowadays are made in Asia, particularly China, while undergoing a rigorous quality control process. 

How Long is the Warranty Offered on the Jordan Lee Combo?

The Abu Garcia Jordan Lee Combo is backed by a limited three-year warranty, which is a bit underwhelming compared to some other options on the market that offer more extended warranty policies.

However, most of Abu Garcia’s products are usually highly affordable and remarkably durable for their price class, so they remain an excellent bang for the buck even with the limited warranty!

What People Are Saying About the Abu Garcia Jordan Lee Rod and Reel Combo

Below are a few comments from reviews found on our favorite fishing forum.

-Bought this for a friend as a Christmas gift. He LOVES it. Great value for the money, and he tells me the action is smooth and the rod is not too stiff. He uses it for largemouth bass competitions in the Tampa, FL area.

-Excellent for Neko rig, a heavier lure weight, and drop shot

-Love the 1-piece graphite frame and the line control by winner Jordan Lee

-The rocket spool lip design is as good as more expensive rods, with maximum performance

-The high-performance reel pairs nicely with the rod and rocket line management system

-One of my favorite products, I bought this for my son with free shipping for Xmas, and he absolutely loved it!

-Love this fishing pole setup and I’m a pole junkie and buy a lot of different ones, and this is by far one of my favorites

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