Opinions On The Phenix Recon Rods?

[TNBassin']

Been debating on picking up an Abu Villain micro guide rod for my new STX, but then I saw the Phenix Recon which looks amazing. TW's reviews are a mixed bag, with the cons mostly being that the Recons snap easily. The same thing was said about the Veritas, but we own 3 of those with no issues so I don't put a ton of weight in reviews. If any of you have any experience with these rods, I'd appreciate a heads up on how the perform. Looking at the 7'1 MH. Thanks.

[Bass_Fanatic]

I've had the 764C for about 8 months now and I love the rod. The original rod did break on about my 5th trip with it, but I contacted Vince at Phenix and he shipped me a brand new one, no questions asked, and I didnt even have to ship back my broken rod! Cant beat that kind of customer service. The rod is VERY light and sensitive. I actually won 2 tournaments this year using this rod flipping plastics and jigs. I wouldnt hesistate buying another. Oh and by the way...one of the best looking rods around!

[TNBassin']

More breakage. Might take a pass on it then. I hate having to return anything, as it always seems to be a hassle or take forever to get replacements. It's a sweet looking rod though, and less bling than the Villain which I liked.

[webertime]

I have 2 and love them. I have the 715c and 766c. The 715c fishes small swimbaits (Keitechs) and jigs very well. The 766 is a GREAT frog rod as well as great for flipping and C-Rigs, I've even tossed 6" Hudd Swimbaits with it and it was fine for that as well. The 715 is my favorite rod (mount an E series Shimano and use 16lb sniper Fluoro and you can do nearly anything with this rod and it weighs just over 11oz!)

The breakage thing with rods always gets me. (example) Read one review on TT then another on TW... Wow that's two saying it broke in the same spot! We'll it's the same guy writing two reviews. That's what people see when they read these reviews. I would buy another Recon in a heartbeat, especially with the Customer Service I've seen people get from them should an issue arise.

[sarcazmo]

Been looking @these as well.

Acording to TT they recon 2s are coming out as are the 'm1' series. The m1 series seems very similar but more robust and is priced very similarly. Might be more what you're looking for.

If they recon2s are coming out I wouldnt mind picking up the originals if they were on clearance for a good deal.

[webertime]

My understanding of Recon 1 vs 2 is cosmetics and a different hook hanger. If 1's go on sale grab them!

M1 vs Recon is like this (M1) Nicer resin, not as nice carbon/graphite vs. Recon "regular" resin and nice carbon/graphite. Recons have a more moderate action/more parabolic bend than M1's.

[sarcazmo]

Someone posted on TT saying the new resin makes these rods a bit more 'stout.' If thats the right word.

Definitely seem interesting and at a pretty good price point. Might pick one of these and a recon up with an *** during black friday sales. If they're out by then that is.

[Kahuna bass]

You can't go wrong with either the Recon2 and M1 rods. Looking to fish the M1 swimbait rod. Has a excellent feel, even better, great price. M1's are out and Recon2 should be out in 3 weeks.

Mel - Kahuna bass

[Goose52]

I have a Recon(1) PHX-C682L (6'8" light-power BC rod). It's light, sensitive, seems well made. I don't have enough time on the rod to have any opinion about durability - but with a light-power rod fished with light line - I don't think breakage will be a problem.

My only issues with the rod are that both sides of the split grip are too small in diameter for me, and it has the EVIL rear hook-keeper. Hopefully, they will be moving the hook-keeper up in front of the reel on the next gen rod.

Having said the above, if any of the Recon1's show up at good clearance prices, I could picture getting a few more...

[webertime]

I have a Recon(1) PHX-C682L (6'8" light-power BC rod). It's light, sensitive, seems well made. I don't have enough time on the rod to have any opinion about durability - but with a light-power rod fished with light line - I don't think breakage will be a problem.

My only issues with the rod are that both sides of the split grip are too small in diameter for me, and it has the EVIL rear hook-keeper. Hopefully, they will be moving the hook-keeper up in front of the reel on the next gen rod.

Having said the above, if any of the Recon1's show up at good clearance prices, I could picture getting a few more...

The hook hanger is different and moved for Recon 2. (Happy dance) I took mine off and used one of the Fuji's with an O-ring. WAAAAY better.

[sarcazmo]

You can't go wrong with either the Recon2 and M1 rods. Looking to fish the M1 swimbait rod. Has a excellent feel, even better, great price. M1's are out and Recon2 should be out in 3 weeks.

Mel - Kahuna bass

Where are they available? I'm not seeing them @ TW?

[Goose52]

The hook hanger is different and moved for Recon 2. (Happy dance) I took mine off and used one of the Fuji's with an O-ring. WAAAAY better.

X2 on the Fuji o-ring hook-keeper...

[webertime]

X2 on the Fuji o-ring hook-keeper...

Preach It! (sick combo!!!)

[zachb34]

I'm going to end up getting one and want the power and action to be similar to my 7 foot medium-heavy veritas should I jump up to a 7'1" heavy?

[kickerfish1]

I have been fishing the 714 rod since June. My impressions of the rod are very good with only a few minor complaints. First the rod is very light for it's legnth and power. I think the rod I have weighs around 3.5 ounces. Slap a sub 6 ounce reel on it and you have a combo under 10 ounces. The finish and appearance of the rod is very good. The blank is a 36 ton graphite and is very sensitive. Having spoke to the good folks at phenix rods they compared the sensitivity of the rod as between the Loomis IMX and GLX. Having said that my hook keeper in the back of the rod broke within two months. It was not a big deal... just filed it down and put a Fuji keeper on it.

From what I understand the M1 rods started shipping to retailers earlier this week so look for them in a few weeks or less would be my guess.

I have fished alot of rods around that full retail price point and none I like better than the recon.

[kickerfish1]

X2 on the Fuji o-ring hook-keeper...

Absolutely gorgeous! That my friend is a superb finesse casting setup!

[webertime]

I'm going to end up getting one and want the power and action to be similar to my 7 foot medium-heavy veritas should I jump up to a 7'1" heavy?

Yes 715. It's similar to a 706 Veritas or a Avid 7mhf, just a bit more parabolic tip than those two.

[LuckyHandsINC.]

I have the 714 and 764 casting models. As others have said the 714 is less powerful than you would expect from a true MH,and has a soft tip with more of a mod/fast action. The 764 on the other hand is exactly what I would expect and it has grown on me as my favorite of the two. I use it for big worms and has really been

great.

I think it would be hard to find a lighter more sensitive rod in that price range. Plus it is very comfortable to hold and looks good too.

[LuckyHandsINC.]

X2 on the Fuji o-ring hook-keeper...

I think this pic says it all. If its worthy of a pixy it must be great.

[TNBassin']

Wow that reel looks amazing!

[sarcazmo]

For those with the 766, I'm looking for an all around rod for heavier set ups. Potentially frogs, flipping, pitching etc. Would you recommend it?

[webertime]

For those with the 766, I'm looking for an all around rod for heavier set ups. Potentially frogs, flipping, pitching etc. Would you recommend it?

I love it for both of those uses. You'll be using braid I would bet, and the slightly softer tip really prevents the hooks from tearing huge holes in the bass' mouth you sometimes get when you are using pool cue's. Plenty of power for flipping into or tossing frogs into gnarly stuff.

[sarcazmo]

I love it for both of those uses. You'll be using braid I would bet, and the slightly softer tip really prevents the hooks from tearing huge holes in the bass' mouth you sometimes get when you are using pool cue's. Plenty of power for flipping into or tossing frogs into gnarly stuff.

How'd you know I'd be spooling it with braid! Thanks for the input.

[skeletor6]

Just wanted to add some input here. Vince is a guy that is a great resource you can contact to find out more infromation with this rod. These are extremely light rods. I'll demonstrate.

Model WEIGHT

Casting

C682 3.41

C683 3.49

C712 3.52

C713 3.58

C714 3.61

C715 3.65

C744 4.19

C764 4.24

C766 5.40

C796 5.52

C804 5.48

Spinning

S692 3.63

S722 3.69

S723 3.71

S762 4.01

S763 4.09

Note: I copied this from Vince Borges.

As far as Power goes, these rods play about 50-75% less in their power range. For example a Recon 714 would be like a recon 713.25 or 713.5 if that makes sense. The actions are more moderate fast, definitely not EF. But I believe Vince noted the sensitivity with these reconds falls somewhere inbetween a Loomis IMX and GLX. That says a lot.

Negatives about Gen 1 recons are the hook keeper, the small handle section that leads to balance issues and the foam grips if you do not like them. I would be hard pressed to find a better rod in this price range. I advice you to look up Phenix's Website call them up and ask to talk to Vince Borges. He'll be able to explain in more detail.