Fenwick Eagle Gt

[pbizzle]

How are these? I know that they're on the cheaper end, but I really don't want to spend much on a spinning combo. My main concern is that the sensitivity won't be very good. I plan on getting a 6'6 medium fast as an all purpose finesse rod but also as a rod for my senkos and flukes, because those are two techniques that I personally enjoy on a spinning rod more. Sensitivity may not be such a problem since I plan on spooling up some #20 pound braid on it, but I've deep hooked so many fish on senkos that it's a big issue for me. It has to be more sensitive than my current rod though, it just came on a $50 pflueger combo. I plan on putting a president on it.

[smalljaw67]

I have been a Fenwick fan for the last few years, well ever since the elite Tech smallmouth rods. I have looked at and used the HMG and the HMX but not the Eagle GT but even though a lower end model it is head and shoulders above the Pflueger combo rod, I've seen those and the GT is a much better rod. For what you are going to use it for I'd say it is a good rod, One thing I've learned about the Fenwick rods over the last couple of years from having and fishing the Aetos to the HMX, the amount of drop off in performance isn't as much as other companies.  One thing about the combo you want, the 304 Stainless steel guides on the rod can handle the braid but the reel, the president is a decent spinning reel but it has a graphite frame, I would feel comfortable using fluorocarbon or mono on it but not braid, graphite framed reels are less expensive because they can flex when using a strong no stretch line like braid and when the happens the gears never line up exactly right and your reel ends up feeling like a coffee grinder. If you are concerned about deep hooking fish then you need to learn to watch the line as well as trying to feel subtle bites, sometimes they move forward while taking the bait and even high end rods with great sensitivity will end up catching fish that are deep hooked, it happens when using a senko. Spool up with fluorocarbon and the combo you have with the Pflueger and the Fenwick will be great and even though it isn't the best, the sensitivity of the Eagle GT is decent as is the HMX, which is a pretty good rod too. Good luck with your combo.

[pbizzle]

I have been a Fenwick fan for the last few years, well ever since the elite Tech smallmouth rods. I have looked at and used the HMG and the HMX but not the Eagle GT but even though a lower end model it is head and shoulders above the Pflueger combo rod, I've seen those and the GT is a much better rod. For what you are going to use it for I'd say it is a good rod, One thing I've learned about the Fenwick rods over the last couple of years from having and fishing the Aetos to the HMX, the amount of drop off in performance isn't as much as other companies.  One thing about the combo you want, the 304 Stainless steel guides on the rod can handle the braid but the reel, the president is a decent spinning reel but it has a graphite frame, I would feel comfortable using fluorocarbon or mono on it but not braid, graphite framed reels are less expensive because they can flex when using a strong no stretch line like braid and when the happens the gears never line up exactly right and your reel ends up feeling like a coffee grinder. If you are concerned about deep hooking fish then you need to learn to watch the line as well as trying to feel subtle bites, sometimes they move forward while taking the bait and even high end rods with great sensitivity will end up catching fish that are deep hooked, it happens when using a senko. Spool up with fluorocarbon and the combo you have with the Pflueger and the Fenwick will be great and even though it isn't the best, the sensitivity of the Eagle GT is decent as is the HMX, which is a pretty good rod too. Good luck with your combo.

Thanks for the input on the Fenwick. There's not that many Fenwick fans as compared to a company like St.Croix. I know that braid can put more stress on a reel and graphite is cheaper but also a lot weaker, I still think that I'm going to spool braid on it. Mostly because I can't stand to use spinning reels with out it. I've been trying that trilene xl armour coated on spinning reels, and it's ok but I still have a difficult time using it. I don't like fluoro though simply because of the nature of it. It stretches at first but won't go back, and the lack of elasticity I think makes it weaker over time. I may try some fluoroclear though. 

[TrippyJai]

I had a Eagle GT (6'6" M, Fast) and a President for 3 years and it was my dedicated 4" senko rod for fishing ponds. Great combo and very good for the price. The rod has good sensitivity and with the braid it's more than enough. I know there are concerns with a graphite body flexing for the reel, this combo shouldn't be fished in heavy cover or have the drag locked down, so you shouldn't run into any problems. I did use braid and caught a few pike no issues.

[pbizzle]

I had a Eagle GT (6'6" M, Fast) and a President for 3 years and it was my dedicated 4" senko rod for fishing ponds. Great combo and very good for the price. The rod has good sensitivity and with the braid it's more than enough. I know there are concerns with a graphite body flexing for the reel, this combo shouldn't be fished in heavy cover or have the drag locked down, so you shouldn't run into any problems. I did use braid and caught a few pike no issues.

I don't ever lock down the drag on my spinning reels. I figured that with how thin the line is, I have to keep just enough pressure to keep the hook in and no more.