New Senko Rod Choices

[upnorthbassin]

I've been using 5" senkos so often that I'm looking to get a rod specifically for them (spinning). 99% of the time this rod will be used for smallmouths from shore. The reel I'll probably put on this is my pfleuger supreme xt in the 30 size. Right now I'm using a 7' St Croix Triumph MF because I just had it here to use. It's been an ok rod but it's not terribly sensitive and heck, it's an excuse to buy a new rod so why not.

I don't want to drop a ton of money on a senko rod but I want to upgrade a little bit. I'm not stuck on 7' rods because I do fish in some tight areas sometimes with lots of trees and brush around so sometimes a bit shorter is handier but 7' is ok too. I'm looking at maybe a 6'8" MH XF rod like the Shimano crucial but that might be a little more than I want to spend because I have other rods to buy too. I've also been looking at the St Croix mojo 6'8" M XF. I think the M is good and it feels kind of more towards MH rods I've had. I am also considering the Veritas but unsure of which model Veritas.

Debating M versus MH and F versus XF. I like some of the fenwick rods but I'm unsure of how the elite tech smallmouth 6'9" XF M would work for 5" senkos.

I've found a lot of info searching the forum but any kind of input other other suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

[S Hovanec]

Avid 68MXF would be my choice if you don't want to drop a bunch of $. It also would make a good tube rod.

[flyfisher]

Avid 68MXF would be my choice if you don't want to drop a bunch of $. It also would make a good tube rod.

I agree with the above. The st croix mojo 6'8" M XF is a pretty nice rod too for a little less cash.

[upnorthbassin]

I like the Avid rods but the only deal I can get on one that would be close in price would be the 6'6" MF 2 piece which I don't want or the 7' MF. I may end up with the 7' one either way since I can get one for $120 brand new in a couple months from now. For now I'm wondering if the mojo is really a worthwhile upgrade from the triumph or if maybe the elite tech might be a better all arounder if I decided to replace it with the avid for next spring. I know little about the crucial and I own a vendetta..which I only bought because it was $50 and it's so/so..people seem to like the veritas. I dunno. I'm kinda leaning towards the elite tech for some strange reason even though I prefer st croix rods more in general. Is this more of a tube/smaller senko kinda rod? It seems like it is. Am I headed the wrong direction then? Spec-wise I think the mojo is more appealing but they seem to get kinda mixed reviews. I must have taken an indecisive pill today or something.

[S Hovanec]

Triumph = Mojo........same SCII Blank, different color and components.

Just about all of my rods are either SCIV's or SCV's. I only own 2 SCIII. One is because the model wasn't offered in SCV when I built it (7'6" MLXF) and the other one is because I wanted a fuschia rod! Yes, I built myself a 6'8" PINK Avid.

[roadwarrior]

Avid 68MXF would be my choice if you don't want to drop a bunch of $. It also would make a good tube rod.

X2

[Darren.]

I'll chime in with a different take, and not to diss St. Croix, because I'd own an Avid if I could.

Before I'd look at a Mojo, I'd consider a Shimano Compre. And not just for the lifetime over-the-counter warranty.

I've got the previous gen Compres and love them. I was amazed when I compared the Avid with the Compre at BPS up in Richmond. The price differential was big, and I've not been disappointed.

However, if $160 were at my fingertips, I'd buy an Avid just to have one, but I love my Compre rods. And the new models are upgrades to IM9 over my model's IM8. And I do use my Compre's for "senko" fishing all the time.

Just FWIW.

[DaveT63]

I have to agree with the avid. If you post a "wanted to buy" ad for one in the flea market, you can probably get one for a great buy. I've seen several there in the past for $120 or under. At that kind of price, its almost a no-brainer.

[skeletor6]

I've been using 5" senkos so often that I'm looking to get a rod specifically for them (spinning). 99% of the time this rod will be used for smallmouths from shore. The reel I'll probably put on this is my pfleuger supreme xt in the 30 size. Right now I'm using a 7' St Croix Triumph MF because I just had it here to use. It's been an ok rod but it's not terribly sensitive and heck, it's an excuse to buy a new rod so why not.

I don't want to drop a ton of money on a senko rod but I want to upgrade a little bit. I'm not stuck on 7' rods because I do fish in some tight areas sometimes with lots of trees and brush around so sometimes a bit shorter is handier but 7' is ok too. I'm looking at maybe a 6'8" MH XF rod like the Shimano crucial but that might be a little more than I want to spend because I have other rods to buy too. I've also been looking at the St Croix mojo 6'8" M XF. I think the M is good and it feels kind of more towards MH rods I've had. I am also considering the Veritas but unsure of which model Veritas.

Debating M versus MH and F versus XF. I like some of the fenwick rods but I'm unsure of how the elite tech smallmouth 6'9" XF M would work for 5" senkos.

I've found a lot of info searching the forum but any kind of input other other suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

Like others have said, don't get the mojo. I wouldn't get a veritas for your purposes either. MXF is the way to go.

The avid is an excellent choice those things are made to last too, but I am going to throw another option out there for you to think about. Not saying it is better than the avid just maybe another option.

How about the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth Spinning 6'9'' MXF (ESMS69M-X). I had a chance to use my buddies who was very happy with it and this rod is not bad at all, very sensitive IMHO. It has a split grip and is under 7' like you wanted and MXF. I think you can test one out at Gander Mountain too, and you can find these really cheap if you are patient.

If it were me I would wait for a deal on an used avid, if you cant find one then jump on a Fenwick. I do not feel you will be disappointed once-soever wacky fishing with the Fenwick. If you would like, I could get you a detailed response about what its like to wacky rig fish with 5'' senkos on the reel I mentioned? I do think its a good idea to have a reel set up just for wacky rig fishing. That method just flat out catches fish period. And since it is spinning, you can hand it over to the wife or gf and let her catch a couple.

[Hooligan]

The avid is a superb choice, I happen to know there will be one for sale shortly in the flea market; at a reasonable price no less.

Another recommendation that I could happily make is the Carrot Stix Wild Black. I've spent a bit of time with that rod in my hands this year and am duly impressed with the sensitivity, the construction, and the overall feel of the rod. The rod performs well above its price tag, at least thus far. It seems, as well, that E21 has overcome their breakage issues on earlier rods. I've broken many E321 rods through the years and was intitially hesitant to have these put in my hands again, fearing tainted opinion of the rods. The single, biggest drawback to the rods are the messed up-stupid hook keeper placement. It is a completely bunk keeper that does nothing but get in the way. I broke it off and filed it down- the heck with it.

Anyhow, like the rest of the gang has said, the Avid is a super choice for the purpose. That rod really is built around that exact purpose, you're not going to get a better one for the money. As stated earlier, as well, there will be one coming for sale shortly.

[central.PA.bass]

Get a Powell max 7' M action. Or to save a dime, try the new Powell diesel in 6'10 m... I just picked up the diesel for specifically throwing weightless senkos and wow.... Get ready because you will love this rod!!!

[sarcazmo]

Just ordered a *** *** black 6'10" M/XF and cant wait to give it a shot! I have a 7'1" MH/F I use for texas rigs and absolutely love it.

That bein gsaid I was @ sportsman warehouse the other day and handled a Powell max. 702C I think the model was. I was very impressed!

[upnorthbassin]

The specs on that *** look good for the money. Other than that I don't know much about them. They have a nice look to them though. I'm pretty sure I'm just going to get the 7' Avid MF. Even though it's not the exact spec model of the Avid series that I want (they don't stock that one and I can only get deals on in stock rods), it's a heck of a deal at $120 new and I already know I like the Avid series so it's a safe bet. Everything else in the $100-130 price range doesn't seem to do it for me and the ones that do are $180-$350 or so. I think the Avid is closer to those than other choices and I can save a few bucks too.

[jkarol24]

If you go into the sale section of takclewarehouse, they have a nice Powell max wacky rig spinning rod (6'10" med x-fast). This is a great rod for senkos.

[upnorthbassin]

Well, I got the Avid 7' MF. I haven't tried this one yet but I know the avids as a safe bet. I put the supreme xt on it and can't wait to see how it does.

[kadas]

Get a Powell max 7' M action. Or to save a dime, try the new Powell diesel in 6'10 m... I just picked up the diesel for specifically throwing weightless senkos and wow.... Get ready because you will love this rod!!!

X2 on the diesel rod--great rod for senkos--hard to beat for the price

[fishking247]

any medium action st croix rod in the 6'6"-7' will work fine

[upnorthbassin]

Took the Avid out today for a test spin. Wow....what a difference between that and the Triumph. It's a completely different animal. Nothing against the Triumph but the Triumph feels like a baseball bat compared to the Avid even though they are the same length and both MF rods. I put the supreme xt on it and spooled it with 6lb yo-zuri hybrid. Casts a mile with less effort (noticeable increase in casting distance), sensitivity on the rod is very good but hard to tell using hybrid versus braid. The braid definitely magnifies the sensitivity on the rods I'm using it with and makes it hard to compare without using the same line. The hybrid seems very good so far but too early to tell until I use it more.

[Silas]

I agree with the above. The st croix mojo 6'8" M XF is a pretty nice rod too for a little less cash.

I've got one of these.....makes a good all around rod. I've used it for frogs, spinnerbait, crank and senkos.

While it does ALL of those things fairly well, I find it doesn't shine in any one area. Of all the rods I have, I have designated that one as a "spare rod" and at present am trying several reels on it. At present, I have a Team Daiwa-X 105 for spinnerbaits. I feel it is more a "utility" rod. But one I would never cherish.

It does well for $100, but not well enough for me to buy another one. ( I know.....this is FAINT PRAISE!)

[upnorthbassin]

Ok, I had to just go and get a Dobyns 763SF for the Avid's big brother for when I'm fishing more open areas and want to send some plastics into the next zip code. I hope I like it. Now I need to get another reel....again!

What am I thinking? First I want to get a shorter rod because most of mine are 7' and then I go and get another 7' and then a 7'6" after that. At least I'll have a variety I guess! After using a 6'6" the other day I think the 7' is closer to the sweet spot. I hope 7'6" doesn't feel ridiculously long. Well....I do have some 9' and 10' rods so it probably won't but I don't use those rods for the same purpose.