Abu Garcia Vengeance Vs Vendetta Rods – What Are The Differences, And Which One Is Better?
UPDATED 17 MAY 2023
by Robert Ceran
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If you’re looking for a new fishing rod from Abu Garcia, two of their top lineups to consider are the Vengeance and Vendetta series.
Both of these are available as either spinning or casting editions.
So what are the most important differences between these two rod series, and which one is better for your purposes?
In this article we compare both lineups side by side, and discuss their most important differences, so you can decide which one suits you best.
Abu Garcia Vengeance vs Vendetta- what are the differences?
| Image | Price | Length | Blank material | Action | Power | LIne rating | Lure rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vengeance spinning series |  |  | 6'6" to 7' | 24 ton graphite | Fast | Medium to medium heavy | 6 to 14 lb | 1/4 to 3/4 oz |
| Vendetta spinning series |  | | 6'3" to 7'4" | 30 ton graphite | Moderate fast to fast | Medium light to medium heavy | 6 to 14 lb | 1/8 to 3/4 oz |
| Vengeance casting series |  | | 6'6" to 7'6" | 24 ton graphite | Moderate fast to fast | Medium to heavy | 8 to 30 lb | 1/4 to 2 oz |
| Vendetta casting series |  | | 6’3″ to 7’6″ | 30 ton graphite | Moderate to fast | Medium to heavy | 8 to 30 lb | 1/4 to 1 1/2 oz |
The table above compares the specs of both series side by side.
If you’re not sure which fishing rod type to choose, take a look at our guide comparing casting rod vs spinning rod.
As you can see, both rod series are broadly similar to each other in most areas. So what really sets them apart?
Let’s discuss their most important differences in full detail.
The most important differences between the Abu Garcia Vengeance and Vendetta series
Blank material and construction: This is the category with the biggest differences between the two series. The Vengeance is made with 24 ton graphite, while the Vendetta is made with 30 ton graphite.
Higher graphite tonnage of a blank results in a rod that is lighter and more sensitive, compared to lower tonnage. However, higher tonnage graphite is more expensive to make, and it also tends to be more brittle.
Because of the brittleness, manufacturers use various strengthening techniques to enhance durability and the ability to stand up to strain without breaking.
In the case of the Vendetta, Abu Garcia uses IntraCarbon technology to strengthen the 30 ton graphite blank, which is based on multi directional meshing of carbon fibers to make the pole less brittle.
This technology strengthens the pole while hardly increasing its weight, so the result is a very lightweight pole that’s also durable.
Bottom line: Vendetta rods are lighter and more sensitive than Vengeance rods because they are made with more advanced graphite materials and strengthening technology.
Length: There are only small differences between the two series in this category. The Vendetta series is generally available in a slightly wider range of sizes for you to choose from. This difference is biggest in the spinning lineup.
To gain deeper insight into fishing rod length, and which one to choose, check out our fishing rod length guide.
Action: The Vendetta series is available in a wider range of actions, ranging from moderate to fast, while most Vengeance poles are either the moderate fast or fast.
To learn more about action, take a look at our guide on fishing rod action.
Power: Both series are identical in this respect, with medium to heavy power. If you’re not sure which rod power to choose, check out our fishing rod weight guide.
Guide material: Both series are very similar in this respect, with stainless steel guides. However, the Vengeance has titanium oxide inserts, while the Vendetta has zirconium inserts, but this is a minor distinction.
Handle material: Both series are identical in this respect, with EVA foam handles.
Line rating: Both series are identical in this respect.
Lure rating: The Vengeance series can handle heavier rules on average, with the casting series going up to 2 oz lure rating, while the Vendetta casting series only goes up to 1 1/2 oz lure rating.
Let’s look at each of the series in more detail.
Abu Garcia Vengeance spinning rod
Compared to the other series, this is a slightly heavier pole, and is best suited for heavier applications and bigger fish. In addition to being heavier, the 24 ton graphite blank is intrinsically more powerful than higher modulus blanks, and can effortlessly handle fighting big fish.
Features:
- Split grip high density EVA handle
- Texas-rigged hook keeper
- Stainless steel guides with titanium oxide inserts
Abu Garcia Vendetta spinning rod
The 30 ton graphite makes this a lightweight pole that’s ideal for ultralight to medium spinning applications from panfish and trout to bass and walleye sized fish. The contour design of the split grip EVA handle feels great to hold, and contributes to a very well balanced spinning pole.
This is an excellent bass fishing rod for beginners, which is why we included it in our article what is the best bass spinning rod?
Features:
- Contour curve handle
- Stainless steel guides with zirconium inserts
- IntraCarbon blank strengthening technology
Abu Garcia Vengeance casting rod
For the casting edition of this model, the extra weight is not much of a problem, since its ideal use is more on the heavy side anyways. With a lure rating that goes up all the way to 2 oz, this series is better for heavier applications than the other series. So if you are looking for a heavy rod to cast a big lure, and one that can deliver a powerful hook set, this is the right choice for you.
Features:
- Split grip high density EVA handle
- Texas-rigged hook keeper
- Stainless steel guides with titanium oxide inserts
Abu Garcia Vendetta casting rod
This series is better suited for lighter casting applications compared to the other series. It is perfect for light to medium weight casting with lures up to 1 1/2 oz. It makes an ideal lightweight bass fishing rod, since it also comes with enough power to handle big fish that put up a determined fight all the way to the boat.
Features:
- Contour curve handle
- Stainless steel guides with zirconium inserts
- IntraCarbon blank strengthening technology
Conclusion
Abu Garcia is well known for making high quality fishing rods for both spinning and casting, and have been doing so successfully for almost a hundred years now. So if you’re looking for a new rod, one of their models would be an obvious choice.
The Vendetta is a lighter and more sensitive rod compared to the Vengeance, due to the fact that it is made with more advanced materials and technology. This is also the reason why it’s about $30 more expensive than the other series.
So if you’re looking for a sensitive rod for lightweight applications, then the extra cost is probably worth it. On the other hand, if you’re more interested in heavier applications, then the other series is the better choice.
If you’re specifically interested in lightweight rods, also take a look at our review of the best rod for drop shot.
