6'9" M/xf Casting Or 6'10" M/f Casting Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth ?'s

[ww2farmer]

I am interested in buying ONE of these two rods, depending on which one would suit my needs best. This rod would toss 5/16 - 5/8 oz jerkbaits and topwaters. 3/8-1/2 oz. drop shot rigs into a little more cover than I would dare with spinning equipment (but not flipping thick cover), 5/16 oz jigs with a light wire hook, the small "jr" size frogs in light cover, and 1/8-1/4 oz texas rigged plastics into light cover. Two things jump out at me about these rods...........first with the 6'9" M/XF...it's rated on the low end to 3/8's oz???? WHAT??? I have MH power rods that are rated down to 1/4 oz....can this be right? Is it that stiff that anythng less than 3/8's won't load it up at all? The handle looks pretty short too. But I am concerned the 6'10" would be too long and not fast enough tip for jerkbaits...just looking for opinions from guys who have one or both.

[Tartan34]

I have a handful of GLX and NRX in MH-XF with a weight range of 3/16 to 5/8.  I throw t-rigs and light jigs on these setups.

 

My M-XF rod is a legend extreme, and it has a range of 1/4 to 5/8.  I fish this rod on topwaters and jerkbaits (at times), and it performs excellent.  

 

My MH-XF rods load up easier than my M-XF.

 

If I were you, I would get a M-XF in the weight range you are looking for.

[iabass8]

I fished with a guy that had the 69mxf he used for topwaters and jerkbaits. No idea what the top end weight is but he was throwing 1/4oz yellow magic poppers and sammy 100s on a 50 size shimano a good distance. I only held the rod for a minute. The handle is short but seemed perfect as perfect could be for working topwaters/jerkbaits. Not sure if you ever used the st croix 68mxf but it was noticeably shorter than the st croix. Guy seemed to love the rod. The material they use on the grip(forgot what its specifically called) was extremely comfortable.

[rmcguirk]

I have the 6'10" M/F.  I like it well enough.  It is light and pretty sensitive.  A fairly all-purpose rod for lighter presentations.  IMO, though you could use it in a pinch, and it does have a nice short handle, it does not have enough tip for hard jerk baits.  In fact, I do like it as a back-up cranking rod for just that reason. 

 

You're in my neighborhood.  If you'd like the chance to try the rod out, I'd be happy to meet you and let you try it out.  PM me if interested. 

[ww2farmer]

I have the 6'10" M/F.  and it does have a nice short handle, it does not have enough tip for hard jerk baits. 

Is it too stiff or too whippy for you? I like a fairly stiff tip for jerkbaits. I don't want the rod loading up when I "jerk", and I like the rod to be fully recovered from the previous jerk when I throw slack back at it so it's ready to jerk again.

[lmbfisherman]

Is it too stiff or too whippy for you? I like a fairly stiff tip for jerkbaits. I don't want the rod loading up when I "jerk", and I like the rod to be fully recovered from the previous jerk when I throw slack back at it so it's ready to jerk again.

I have that same rod and I use it for the same thing as rmcguirk does.  It would be too whippy imo for that.  I'd go for the XF for jerk baits.  It is ok for soft jerkbaits though, will use a super fluke occassionaly in a pinch. 

[ww2farmer]

Thanks....looking like the 6'9" M/xf is gaining traction as the rod to get if I am going to be using it for jerkbaits. What ever one I get, it's going to be mated with one of my Curado 51E's. I am just looking to consolidate two of my M power, fast action rods (a 6'6" I use for jerkbaits, and a 7' I use for light weight worm and jigging duty) into one suited for double duty.

[rmcguirk]

I have that same rod and I use it for the same thing as rmcguirk does.  It would be too whippy imo for that.  I'd go for the XF for jerk baits.  It is ok for soft jerkbaits though, will use a super fluke occassionaly in a pinch. 

Agreed.  Not a stiff enough tip for hard jerk baits. 

[ww2farmer]

 Not sure if you ever used the st croix 68mxf but it was noticeably shorter than the st croix.

I have.....the rod was almost perfect for what I am looking for ,topwaters,jerkbaits, and light plastic/jig work...........except the handle, I thought it was too long for the jerkbaits/top waters. Kept hitting my gut with it or, I had to hold my arm out at a odd angle to keep it from hitting my forearm/gut. LOL

[new2BC4bass]

I know smalljaw has several Fenwick Smallmouth rods, but don't remember if those 2 are among them.  Hopefully they are among the Smallmouth rods he has, and he will comment in this thread.  You can take his word to the bank. 

 

I have both, but am not the guy to give the best information.  Two years ago I used the MF every time I went out (which wasn't a lot).  Used the XF not at all.  I threw a variety of lures on the MF with a Curado 51E/8# mono, but no topwater that I can remember.  Last year I didn't go "fishing" after the first of June.  I did spend more time on the water last year than at anytime since I was a teenager.

 

However, I was trying out different combos, and practicing my casting at a local river boat ramp.  The MXF was one of the rods I used last summer.  It had a 1/2 oz. topwater jerkbait on it, and a Zillion/12# mono (which is why I went 1/2 oz.).  Lure never got changed.  I thought the rod work nicely for that lure, and I enjoyed throwing it.  Originally tried to put a Chronarch 101A on the MXF, but the feet were a bit too short (or too thin) for the seat, and it wouldn't lock down.

 

The handles are short, but last year was the first time I really noticed it, and that was because I switched from a rod with a long handle to the Smallmouth.  I don't notice it being short if I start out on a Smallmouth rod or another with a relatively short handle.  Probably wouldn't notice it at all if I cast one-handed instead of two-handed most of the time.  Only takes a couple casts to get familiar with hand placement again.

 

This particular XF rod isn't the only one where I have noticed that an XF carries a higher low end rating than a similar length Fast in the same line of rods.

[Hogsticker]

The 6'10 MF is perfect for 1/2 oz. jerkbaits IMO. The tip is not to fast as to overwork the bait, yet it recovers quickly for a MF stick. It is quite the unique blank. It may be a bit to much for 3/8 ounce jerkbaits, but I would rather have to much than not enough. When I was deciding between the two I found the 6'9 M a bit whippy for my tastes. For the lighter bottom contact stuff you mentioned I think the 6'9 M would be better, thus stating neither stick would be "ideal" for all techniques mentioned. The upper portion of the handle grip is very small and the reel seat does not jive with all reels from my experience. Have you looked at the new HMG models? The 6'6 medium fast may work, and these are fantastic sticks for 100 bucks.

[ww2farmer]

The 6'10 MF is perfect for 1/2 oz. jerkbaits IMO. The tip is not to fast as to overwork the bait, yet it recovers quickly for a MF stick. It is quite the unique blank. It may be a bit to much for 3/8 ounce jerkbaits, but I would rather have to much than not enough. When I was deciding between the two I found the 6'9 M a bit whippy for my tastes. For the lighter bottom contact stuff you mentioned I think the 6'9 M would be better, thus stating neither stick would be "ideal" for all techniques mentioned. The upper portion of the handle grip is very small and the reel seat does not jive with all reels from my experience. Have you looked at the new HMG models? The 6'6 medium fast may work, and these are fantastic sticks for 100 bucks.

New HMG's are out for me, I don't like the reel seat. I think i am gong to pull the trigger on the 6'9" M/XF casting rod, who's primary function will be the top water/jerkbaits, with some light bottom contact stuff.........and I am going to get the 6'9" M/XF spinning as well, for the light bottom contact stuff.

[thehooligan]

New HMG's are out for me, I don't like the reel seat. I think i am gong to pull the trigger on the 6'9" M/XF casting rod, who's primary function will be the top water/jerkbaits, with some light bottom contact stuff.........and I am going to get the 6'9" M/XF spinning as well, for the light bottom contact stuff.

 

I had that exact model rod with a 51e on it. Its one of those rods that can do everything but the handle was way too short for my liking. I sold it immediately. Heres a pic to show how short the handle is. Handle was so short that it made the rod feel so ttip heavy. Id go for the next model up with longer handle.

 

 

[ww2farmer]

LOL...now you guys got my head spinning. TIp heavy is not what I wanted to hear. I might have to buy both now and try them for their intended purposes and keep the one that feels best to me. I do like the idea of a shorter handle for working jerkbaits and topwaters, but not if it's going ot make the rod too tip heavy.

[bootytrain]

 

I had that exact model rod with a 51e on it. Its one of those rods that can do everything but the handle was way too short for my liking. I sold it immediately. Heres a pic to show how short the handle is. Handle was so short that it made the rod feel so ttip heavy. Id go for the next model up with longer handle.

 

 

 

 

Dude we need to stop buying the same tackle LOL..  all kidding aside, I liked the short handle(great for one handed casting), but shortness of the top grip combined with its sharp taper caused my hand to cramp after a half hour of fishing or so. Also as hogsticker may have pointed out, the rear reel seat portion is wide so under load the reels Ive had on it moved around(shimanos), that may not happen with other brands?  It is a beautiful rod and I love how the foregrip gets totally flush so theres no gap as in the pic. If you do decide on getting one, try Fish USA, 99 shipped to your door, got mine in 2 days.

[new2BC4bass]

bootytrain, if you think the Smallmouth rod grip is a bit too small, then you definitely wouldn't like the ***.

[bootytrain]

bootytrain, if you think the Smallmouth rod grip is a bit too small, then you definitely wouldn't like the ***.

It wouldn't be so bad if it didn't taper down so sharply.

[new2BC4bass]

The *** also has a good taper on it.  I feel like I am going to lose the rod whenever I cast one-handed with the ***.

[ww2farmer]

Big thanks to smalljaw67, whom via PM guided me along with this decision. I ended up ordering today from Fish USA, the 6'9" M/XF spinning rod, the 6'9" MH/F casting rod, and the 6'10" MH/MF casting rod................LOL none of which are rods I asked about in this thread.

[ww2farmer]

Well two of the three I ordered came today (the other should be here soon). All I have to say is, it's been a long long time since a new rod has wow'ed me after buying sight unseen, and upon the un-boxing first impression, these look and feel fantastic, I can't wait to use them.

[5dollarsplash]

Glad to hear your impressed. I'm talking with Ron from Valley Sports to get one for myself. Dang gear monkey doesn't even get off my back when it's -10 out.

[new2BC4bass]

Dan is the guy who turned me onto the Smallmouth rods.  The 6'9" MXF spinning rod and the 6'10" MH-MF casting rod are both on my "want" list for this coming season.

 

Looking forward to a review of those rods once you get to fish them.  Then I expect you to try out a couple of the Aetos rods.  Got mine about 2 weeks ago so I don't have any 'on the water' experience with it yet, but it is a great looking rod, and Dan tells me super sensitive.

[lmbfisherman]

Dan is the guy who turned me onto the Smallmouth rods.  The 6'9" MXF spinning rod and the 6'10" MH-MF casting rod are both on my "want" list for this coming season.

 

Looking forward to a review of those rods once you get to fish them.  Then I expect you to try out a couple of the Aetos rods.  Got mine about 2 weeks ago so I don't have any 'on the water' experience with it yet, but it is a great looking rod, and Dan tells me super sensitive.

Yeah he helped make my first venture into it.  He knows his Fenwick rods!

[lmbfisherman]

Well two of the three I ordered came today (the other should be here soon). All I have to say is, it's been a long long time since a new rod has wow'ed me after buying sight unseen, and upon the un-boxing first impression, these look and feel fantastic, I can't wait to use them.

Really want to hear what you think about them after you fish them.  I don't think you'll be disappointed.