St. Croix Or Fenwick Or Other For Spinning?

[hoosierbass07]

I'm trying to start buying nice fishing rods now.  When I started fishing during the spring I focused on lures and reels.  I bought three reels - two spinning reels and one baitcaster.  I had one baitcaster and one spinning reel on Ugly Sticks.  I picked Ugly Sticks because they were cheap and I figured if I broke one it would easy to replace.  Also they were on the slightly heavy side, so I figured I would be ready to reel in the giant bass or other giant fish I might find here in Indiana, lol.  My other spinning reel was on one of my brothers Shimano Spinning rods and after some research I think that rod is made for trolling more than casting.  

 

 So now I want to upgrade my rods to some nice ones.  I bought my first St. Croix Triump last night at Gander Mountain.  Gander really did not have much of a selection.  I understand now that I will have to start ordering rods online if I wan the good ones.  

 

 Anyway, I bought the St. Croix Triumph for one of my spinning reels.  It's 7 foot medium with fast tip.  

 

 Now I want to buy another spinning reel, this time online.  I was thinking about one of the St. Croix Premier rods or a Fenwick.  

 

 The two rods I'm looking at are:  

 

 St. Croix Premier:  PS66MF - six foot six inch medium/fast.  1/4 to 5/8 lure weight.  

 

 Fenwick HMG: GS - 66M - MF - six foot six inch medium/moderate fast.  1/4 to 3/4 lure weight.  

 

 

 What's everyone's opinion on these two rods?  I assume the St. Croix is one of the most well known rods in fishing.  I don't know much about Fenwick though.  

 

 One important thing I do want is a good warranty in case the rod breaks because of me or something else.  

 

 Also, any other rods I should consider?  My price range is around $100 to $120.  

 

Thanks! 

[ww2farmer]

Warranty will be a non-issue with either brand. St Croix, and Pure-fishing (fenwicks parent company) are two of the best in the business. I have fished both brands, I always thought St Croixs were a little better made, and finely finished, but you get more bang for the buck performance wise with Fenwick. Never had a durability issue with either brand, both make good solid rods. Then there is the whole "made in the USA" vs. made overseas issue.......if that matters to you, the Premier is made in the US, the Fenwick is not. It matters not to me, but some people it does.

 

In your price range your going to get dozens of different answers, I like what I like, and that's all that matters............. and now I humbly bow out of the $100 dollar rod war before guys start getting stupid. But I do think it's fair to warn you about the *** fan boys............they are like locusts.

[tomustang]

Well the premier isn't a jump up from the triumph, it's the same except where it's made, the name on it, and a tiny USA flag. If you liked the triumph that much than stick with the brand. You can also look at the mojo bass since they are in the same st croix family of rods, they have split grips with cool paint jobs on them.

Don't know where you're located but since you want to upgrade its best to plan a trip to one of the big box stores like bps or cabelas and put some rods in your hands to get a better feel for them. Who knows maybe there's even a big mom and pop shop around you that has a big rod selection.

Just about any rod in the $100 range will perform well enough, the market is flooded with good choices.

[SirSnookalot]

In the $100 price range I would not shop warranty unless it's over the counter.  I don't think it pays to pack and ship a rod back, for more expensive rods it does for sure.

 

 St. Croix Premier:  PS66MF - six foot six inch medium/fast.  1/4 to 5/8 lure weight.....  I'd call it a med light rod

 

 Fenwick HMG: GS - 66M - MF - six foot six inch medium/moderate fast.  1/4 to 3/4 lure weight....Medium for sure

Either rod is fine, I'd base my purchase on the kind of water I mostly fish and the the kind of lures I like to cast.  I really like ml rods, but if the vegetation is thick I'd want a bit more beef.

[Bluebasser86]

I wouldn't spend the extra money for a Premier unless you're wanting one of the split grip versions. If you liked the Triumph then just stick with that. For a little more I'd probably go with a Mojo though. I've never fished a Fenwick spinning rod so can't really give an opinion on them but I love my St Croixs but I try not to use anything below an Avid for baits where a lot of feel is required. 

[hoosierbass07]

In the $100 price range I would not shop warranty unless it's over the counter.  I don't think it pays to pack and ship a rod back, for more expensive rods it does for sure.

Either rod is fine, I'd base my purchase on the kind of water I mostly fish and the the kind of lures I like to cast.  I really like ml rods, but if the vegetation is thick I'd want a bit more beef.

 

 

  Maybe a little vegetation but not much. 

[Fishes in trees]

I don't know about you, but I won't buy a rod on-line unless it is a replacement or copy of one I've already got.  I've got to hold one in my hand prior to purchase.   Anyway, are you telling me that there aren't any fishing tackle stores in Indiana besides Gander Mountain?  I'd do some more research, that's just me . . . . .

 

Should it happen that there aren't any worthy fishing tackle stores in Indiana, I'd invite you to come to Kansas City, actually Liberty, MO.   Go to Rogers Lures and drop the screen name of any of the guys who are active around Kansas City.

The people at Rogers will take care of you and hook you up.  They carry low- med - high end Shimano, Berkley, St Croix, Fenwick, Loomis, plus a smattering of other brands.

 

Perhaps I'm joking here, but the point is that I think buying a fishing rod on line that you haven't handled before is a bad idea.

[Goaltender]

I fell in love with St. Croix. In Jan/Feb they run a special that if you buy 3 rods (greater than $300) they send you one free. I understand they run this promo every year. I bought an Avid and a MOJO, and got a Rage (for free). I was SOLD. All great rods and fell in love with the Rage. Since I have bought a few used Premiere rods from the sites flea market forum. Before this I bought the $50 and under rods and now I get why you spend the extra $$$. I don't know about the Fenwick line up but if you extend yourself to $150 - go RAGE! Otherwise watch the flea market forum - I've had nothing but good experiences from it so far - you find what your looking for and save some cash.

[slonezp]

I'm a Fenwick fan. I have the HMG's in baitcasting and use the EagleGTs for spinning. As far as being well known, Fenwick is better known in the north and more popular with multi species fishermen. They've been around since, I think, the 50's.   

[new2BC4bass]

No St. Croix here, but have an older HMG casting, a River Runner spinning, 2 Smallmouth casting, 3 Techna AV casting and an old (and I mean really old) glass spinning rod.  I feel Fenwick puts out a good rod for the money.  The older Technas are excellent rods, and the Smallmouth series is under priced.

 

I've only handled the lower priced St. Croix rods in the store.  I much prefer the looks of the Premier, but that is just me.

[TrippyJai]

If those 2 rods that you listed are your choices then I would easily pick the HMG. I personally don't like the current line of HMG design so I'll either wait until the 2014 series HMGs are out, which look really nice or buy an Elite Tech Smallmouth rod if you want a rod now. I wouldn't touch anything from Croix under the Avid series. I would rate the HMG just under the Avid in terms of sensitive.

[smalljaw67]

The new 2014 Fenwicks are out at Cabelas, these are probably the best rods you'll get for $100, yes, I've been a Fenwick fan for the last couple of years and the new HMGs are really light but the new blanks are a little thinner and they aren't a spit grip. I also like the fact that the new HMG spinning rods have a 6'9" ML with a fast action, this rod will be more versatile letting you go really small, but I have nothing bad to say about St, Croix.

[Marty]

 

 Fenwick HMG: GS - 66M - MF - six foot six inch medium/moderate fast.  1/4 to 3/4 lure weight.

 

I've owned that exact same rod for 15+ years and have been very pleased with it. Now I'm sure that it has undergone some changes since I bought mine, but I'd certainly consider another one if the need arose.

[hoosierbass07]

 OK, I placed an order for the 2014 Fenwick spinning HMG.  6'6" medium.  Can't wait to try it out when it arrives next week (if it's not freezing out lol).

 

 I did go to Gander Mountain again this evening and they did have a couple of St. Croix Premier rods.  Also many Bass Mojo rods.  Those Mojo rods looked nice but since I bought a St. Croix Triumph a few days ago I was wanting to try a different company.  So I picked that Fenwick HMG.  My brother says Fenwick was one of the premier fishing rod companies back in the 70s (or before) before all those other rod companies came out.  Can't wait to go after bass with it! 

 

 I hope I can advance my fishing skills with those two rods more than I have with my Ugly Sticks.   

 

 Anyway, those two rods should hold me over till spring 2014.  

[J.Wood]

I'm late on this topic but if someone reads it like me now here ya go. I love the now new in 24 Fenwick eagle. Got a 7 foot medium walleye rod that I use for all my shore fishing. I do a lot of wacky,spinning,jigging and that rod is great in a lake as it is in a river. It's NOT great for float fishing the eyes are very small. But it's a walleye rod and they are light and sensitive. I also am going to get a triumph 7'6 medium light to handle float and to cast real light stuff further. Both rods are great at that price point. I'd say the Fenwick has more back bone with the fast action and they just seem a bit more stiff than a triumph in the same setup.

[Hulkster]

wow 2013 was back when St. Croix made good rods that didn't fall apart or break lol 

[new2BC4bass]

This post must be about ready to disintegrate it's so old. 

 

J.Wood, I don't know about the new ones but when I handled the Eagles a few years ago I liked how they felt in hand.  Seemed light to me given their price (or even higher priced rods).  I have HMG, Smallmouth, Techna AV, and Aetos models.  Have always felt I got good value for my money.  Especially since I bought new on closeouts or used.

[Brian11719]

21 hours ago, J.Wood said:

I'm late on this topic

 

yeah pretty sure he made a decision by now...

[J Francho]

Four score and 11 years ago…