Had Issue With Fenwick Et Smallmouth. Seeking New M Casting Rod.

[Cgrinder]

Part one: After reading good things about it on this forum, I purchased a Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth rod in 6'10" M-F. However, I had a real problem getting a reel to fit snugly in the reel seat. I tried multiple Shimanos and a Pro Q, but they all had a lot of wiggle room in the seat with it cranked down all the way. So I took it back to the store, but they didn't have another in stock. Has anyone else experienced this issue? A Google search turned up nothing.

 

Part two: I'm in the market for a new M power casting rod to fish Senkos, Ikas, and light baits. I plan to pair it with a Shimano Chronarch 51 of some kind, probably a 51e but maybe a 51mg. I was thinking of a 6'10" M ***, but they're a little heavy despite their amazing balance. I have my eyes on a used Cumara 6'8", but I don't really care for micro guides. I browed Dobyns and Powell's offerings, but I was hard pressed to find M power rods. My budget is $200 max. $150 or under would be ideal. As a long term goal, I'd like to be able to throw 3/16 oz Shad Raps on a casting reel. I'm aware that sounds a bit silly, but I dislike spinning reels and enjoy lighting money on fire. :]

 

Any ideas or recommendations?

[Bronzebacksrule]

I'm sure you'll get a lot of responses but I love my 6'6" B&R outlaw rods. I had gotten them after fishing with a guide who recommended them about 5 years ago. Thsi past year, I tried the Fenwick Elite Tech smallmouth rod as well as a St. Croix Avid and ended up ordering another Outlaw rod because I didn't like how they compared in weight and balance.

 

Tight lines!

Chris

[roadwarrior]

Avid AVC69MXF or Pinnacle DHC5-701CAMCB

[thehooligan]

Look for a first gen cumara, i have the 6'8 medium and that would cover everything your trying to do.

[new2BC4bass]

I've only tried a Curado 51E on my 6'10" MF, and it fit fine.  However, I had the same problem with my 6'9" MXF when I tried putting a Chronarch 101A on it.  Feet are a little too short (or not high enough) to tighten down.  Wound up putting a Zillion 100SHLA on that rod.  Casts like a dream.    I haven't tried any other reels on these rods.  I still have a few reels that aren't mounted on a rod yet, so I could try a few other brands/models to see if they fit okay.

 

I grew up using spinning gear, but when I changed to b/c gear I found I didn't want to use spinning gear anymore than I had to.  Picked up a TD-Z105H on a Fenwick HMG over the winter. Started casting with a 3/16 oz. spinnerbait (1/8-1/2 oz. rod rating) because I know how easy it is for me to backlash light lures.  Was casting it almost as far as a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait on a MHF rod.  Went out a couple days ago to try a 3/16 oz. Shad Rap so I'd have an idea how well I could cast an actual 3/16 oz. weight.

 

Can't throw it as far as the spinnerbait, but definitely well within fishing distances.  Hopefully a little more practice will increase distance.  Of course a Pixy, PX Type-R would be great for what you want to do.  50 size Shimano should also work.

 

I've thrown a 3/16 oz. spinnerbait on my Curado 51E and Smallmouth 6'10" MF a goodly distance. 

 

EDIT:  Meant to mention a recent post on the Fenwick Aetos suggests it would also fit the bill for you.

[bass1980]

I tried my buddies setup on 3/16 shad raps before and cast excellent. The length will help casting those balsa.

My buddies setup.

7'2 Shimano Cumura MF 1st gen

Shimano Chronarch 50E.

[lmbfisherman]

I'd go with a Cumara 1st Generation if you don't like the newer ones.  The difficult part would be if you could find one.

 

I guess I never noticed an issue with my M/F 6'10" BC, it has a Citica G7 on it and had no issues with the reel wiggling or not fitting snug.  I also would second the Aetos, I like this line of rods over my Avids.  I have Curado 200E7 on a 7'6" H/F rod, very good sensitivity.  Maybe take your reel and mount it before you purchase.  I can get them for 139-149 around where I am and I'll say this with confidence.  I think they fish just as well as my Cumara 1st gen.  (I own 2 Cumaras)  I love both lines equally.  So either one would be good for what you are looking for. 

[new2BC4bass]

I'd go with a Cumara 1st Generation if you don't like the newer ones.  The difficult part would be if you could find one.

 

I guess I never noticed an issue with my M/F 6'10" BC, it has a Citica G7 on it and had no issues with the reel wiggling or not fitting snug.  I also would second the Aetos, I like this line of rods over my Avids.  I have Curado 200E7 on a 7'6" H/F rod, very good sensitivity.  Maybe take your reel and mount it before you purchase.  I can get them for 139-149 around where I am and I'll say this with confidence.  I think they fish just as well as my Cumara 1st gen.  (I own 2 Cumaras)  I love both lines equally.  So either one would be good for what you are looking for. 

Wow.  Great to know you feel the Aetos is equal to the 1st gen Cumara.  I know I love my Cumara 7'2" MHF.  Enough so I would buy others in that line if I could find them.  Looks like I can substitute a current production rod for them now.

[lmbfisherman]

Wow.  Great to know you feel the Aetos is equal to the 1st gen Cumara.  I know I love my Cumara 7'2" MHF.  Enough so I would buy others in that line if I could find them.  Looks like I can substitute a current production rod for them now.

Ya don't get me wrong I love my Cumara too, but I passed up a Gen1 7'7" Cumara for the Aetos 7'6".  The Aetos had similar action and feel when I checked them in store.  The Aetos was slightly "faster", but not by a huge margin.  I also felt the Aetos balanced better with my reel than the Cumara did.  The sensitivity is up near or on par imo, I own two Cumara Jig and Worms vs 2 Aetos 7' M Spinning and a BC.  Frankly I don't feel I'm losing anything when I switch up  between the two lines.  I will buy more Gen 1 Cumaras though as they are harder to find now a days.  That would be the only "reason" I'd pass on an Aetos, however I definitely would say if you wanted to go higher than 7'2..the Aetos feels better and balances better.  BUT another line that has intrigued me is the new HMGs, especially after smalljaw informed me of the changes.  Ah soo many toys, not enough cash!  My wish list right now:

 

NRX 893C or 895C

Chronarch CI4+

New BC MH/F rod - Aetos, HMG or Cumara

Another spinning rod - Probably another Aetos - I really love the M/F 7', that rod is really versatile!

[BradH]

 I'd like to be able to throw 3/16 oz Shad Raps on a casting reel. I'm aware that sounds a bit silly, but I dislike spinning reels and enjoy lighting money on fire. :]

 

Any ideas or recommendations?

 

 

First, I have that same exact Fenwick 6'10" MF.  For what it's worth a 50e fits on it and the rod performs great.

 

Second, I cast Shad Raps all the time.  You don't need to light money on fire to get it done.  Look at the ML BPS Crankin' Sticks.  I have 6' and 7' ML Crankin' Sticks and that's what I use them for, casting shad raps, flicker shads, small topwaters, scatter raps, etc.  That's all I use them for.  That buggy whip action allows them to cast light lures very well.  One wears a Curado 50E and the other a Revo Premier.  Both are spooled with 20 pound braid (6 pound mono diameter) and a suitable leader. 

[Cgrinder]

Great replies. It seems like I may have gotten a bad seat.

 

I did handle the Aetos rods a little when I took the rod back. They feel pretty nice in the hand. I wish they made a 6'8" or 10".

 

I'm concerned about the sensitivity on the Crankin Stick, but that is a really good idea.

[BradH]

 

 

I'm concerned about the sensitivity on the Crankin Stick, but that is a really good idea.

 

Casting shad raps in the #5 to #7 sizes with a casting rod requires a rod that won't be much good for anything but light, treble hooked lures with the ballistic coefficient of a piece of Styrofoam.  That less sensitive action is what allows it to cast those lures.  I also fish finesse worms wacky style and light jigs on another casting rod.  It's a ML/F rod that won't cast the shad raps as well.

[Cgrinder]

Well, maybe I need to get one of those next time they are on sale. $60 or so for a dedicated rod doesn't sound too bad.