NoFroFishing

The brand has definitley taken a huge hit and I feel like they really need to push how Dave & Justin are in charge of this rebrand and their previous work. Like I see advertisements for Abu all the time. Don't think ive ever seen one for Fenwick. The Eagle and HMG are priced so well and are really nice rods

I buy used rods all the time from ALF. Reels though, assuming its Shimano or Daiwa you can get brand new from Digitaka or JLS for usually the same price as they are being sold used. I didnt know they had a used market. What's the site?

@Brian11719 The lure rating system confused the hell out of me which is why I had issues figuring out which rod should be used for what. It feels like they can all fish heavier than what's listed. I also fish out of a Yak so most of my rods stay under 7'3. Here is what I currently have and the techniques I use them for. Spinning: 6'8 MMXF Elite - Ned Rigs Rod is like a feather paired with a 2500 Vanford. The XF action hasn't caused me any issues. 1/8oz with usually a RoboNed or crush city BLT Casting Reaction: 6'8 MMF Elite - Jerkbaits 7'1 MHMF Eagle - 3/8oz Chatterbaits, Spinnerbaits, small Swimbaits, small swim jigs ($99 is an insane value on this rod imo) 7'1 MHMF WC - ^Same stuff. Got on a massive discount. Casting Bottom Contact: 7'1 MHXF Elite - Haven't got a chance to use this one yet. Just got it Tuesday

Wanted to chime in on my experience with these new Fenwick Rods as I now own 5 of them. 1 WC, 3 Elites, 1 Eagle. I love every single one of them and I still plan to get more. I actually have one arriving today. I have been a Dobyns fan boy for a while but I cannot tell you the last time I have used one of my Dobyns since picking these up. All of my favorite technique specific Dobyns rods have been replaced with a Fenwick. The new grips on the Elite and WC do take a little getting used to, maybe an hour if that. For me they became the most comfortable rod I have personally ever used. I LOVE the soft touch reel seats. The ergonomics and comfort of these things are amazing. I did also have an issue with the cork on a brand new elite that had a pretty significant chip in it. The vendor gave me a small refund and I hit it with some wood filler. So wasn't a huge deal for me. This is the only issue I have had though. I do seal all my cork rods. I would agree that Fenwick/Pure did a pretty bad job at marketing these things. I pretty much never hear anyone talk about them at all and my biggest complaint is that none of the rods list specific techniques. Some may not care but for me it's really helpful. They only use Bottom Contact, Finesse, and reaction. Obviously there is a wide variety of what a reaction bait is so that naming scheme isn't very helpful.. Most of their rods use the same rating system as the Loomis NRX so I just cross compare them to get a better idea of what each rod may be ideal for. What I have learned though is that the reaction rods are very very similar to something like a Dobyns Sierra or Champion in terms of action and power. A 7' MHMF reaction rod from Fenwick can pretty much do everything. I have used it for spinnerbaits, swim jigs and the Shadtron. Has excelled at it all. With this current TW trade in deal I might even get more.

Funny how Mr Glenn closed down the other thread after calling everyone with concerns gossiping housewives. if you want to talk about leaving out critical information how about the fact that everyone lost their jobs after Gary said they wouldn’t. What’s your take on that Glenn? moderation here can really be a joke.

TBH I dont really care what happens to the company itself even with how much I loved the product. My issue is that Gary said those people wouldn’t lose their jobs. His words and he repeated this many times as being one of the main reasons he did what he did. Im sure he has a fantastic relationship with the man who gave him millions of dollars but right now he looks like a snake. Allegedly of course.

These days thats kind of all we got. With all the rumors swirling a simple response from Gary would be great but the forced silence and deleting any kind of discussion related to it on the Dobyns group page isn't helping. Although from I read he probably can't even say a word due to NDA. Allegedly of course 🤐

So has anyone else seen the rumor that GSM is shutting down the Dobyns facility and firing everyone? I hope it’s not true but I knew who GSM was and what they do.

Not to sound rude but what is the issue with that? Why are guys who are consistently average being rewarded with fat checks? But also these guys don't need 120k boats and trucks to fish. Idk man it just sounds like guys who were complacent are now mad they have to do more than just actually show up. Everything about professional Bass fishing seems backwards compared to other "major" professional sports

I'm not the most well versed in tournement fishing but his logic seems off.. No one should be having to gamble 50k in hopes of seeing some kind of return from it. Your winnings shouldn't be coming from other anglers going into debt or losing a ton of money. But also if you are placing 25th-40th why should you expect a big payout? idk it seems weird to be upset at this change.

Just wanted to come back and say the Ichikawa Rick Clunn Kamikari lightwire #8 are spot on. Been using them ever since this post. Action and Suspend/Slow float are from what I see, the exact same.

Yea the spinning rods are pretty lackluster and I hate how they do the locking nut. As a whole there hasn't been a whole lot to look forward to with Dobyns so I hope they revamp or put something new out soon. Pretty sure the Champ blank is pushing 20 years old or something like that and you can tell when you use a newer rod. Marketing is pretty non existent. I saw the videos at iCast and they immediately caught my eye but other than that it's been crickets. With who's in charge of the revamp you would think they would push that. I hope the word spreads because these rods are so d**n nice. It really does feel like you are holding and using a carefully crafted piece of equipment.

Got the new Fenwick Elite delivered today, fished for an hour and landed 5 fish. On the ned of course. 6’8 M Spinning rod specifically for close combat ned rigging. I haven’t been instantly impressed with a rod maybe ever? The aesthetics, comfort, ergonomics, balance, sensitivity, and the action. All of it are unlike anything I’ve seen in a while. The grip on the spinning rods is definitely different but it also absolutely works. The soft touch rubber makes it comfortable and nothing digs into your hands like I thought it might while your pinky and ring finger rest on the exposed blank. Does take a few minutes to get used to. Also if the perfect rod action exists this might be it. My understanding is that these are the guys who made or helped make the NRX (out of my price range) but I can see why those rods are cherished. I’ve been a Dobyns fanboy for a while but wanted to try something new. This outshines any Dobyns I’ve put in my hand and I have a bunch 🫣 Maybe I’m easily impressed but would like to hear what others think that have used them. The lure ratings on the casting rods seem low but maybe there is something I don’t know or maybe someone can give insight on that.

I am also curious of how you like the World Class. Really good looking rod and I am wanting to try something new.

Only way it could be slick is if they are using a bad sealer. I use U-40 on all my cork and it is in no way slick at all. To me it actually adds more grip while still staying true to the cork feel. It does change the texture very slightly and will darken the cork.