Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth First Test Today!

[rawjuice]

I was looking for a topwater rod for awhile that could cast small skitter pops and also handle larger topwater like spooks and chug bugs. Many, many people on here recommended the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'10" MF. As some of you know, i pulled the trigger and ordered one. Last week I purchased a Revo-S to match with this casting rod. Today I was finally able to at least just cast this rod and see what it can do. WOW, I am more happier than I thought i was going to be, this rod slings that small skitter pop further than i thought and the revo that i matched it up with worked out perfect! I then tested out the spook jr and that casted a mile! I was pretty much casting that small skitter pop as far as i would have with a spinning rod. Im am absolutely happy with this combo and truly feel this IS the perfect topwater rod for me. And the balance with the Revo s is ridiculous, i could comfortably cast one handed and still get distance.

Thank you all again for steering me to the Fenwick, although I have only tested the casting ability today with this rod, I can already feel how great this will treat me this year. Maybe by the end of season i can do a full review if I remember lol!! Thank you guys!

[ww2farmer]

Rub it in. I got a bunch of them myself this winter that , unless I want to take ice fishing, are going to just sit here for a while yet.

[rawjuice]

haha, my lakes are still frozen as well, I ended up going to a river, not expecting to catch anything just wanted to test out the new setup and see how it did. Now im way more excited to get out there this season!

[new2BC4bass]

haha, my lakes are still frozen as well, I ended up going to a river, not expecting to catch anything just wanted to test out the new setup and see how it did. Now im way more excited to get out there this season!

 

Many times the river is were I go to test out my gear.  I am 7 minutes from a boat ramp on the Lehigh.  Been there twice this year testing out 2 of my new-2-me reels.

 

Glad you like the Fenwick.  Got mine 3 springs ago.  Went with me every time that year.  Versatile rod.  You will enjoy it.

[smalljaw67]

I have a lot of rods and I have rods that are $70 up to $300+,and I haven't been as happy with a rod as I have been with this series. I ended up with cancer and had some problems from the treatment that didn't let me return to my job and I found myself on a fixed income and I was worried I would really end up hating the cheap rods I'd be stuck using. When this series was released I jumped in blind, I got one literally 3 days after the official release and I had to order directly from Fenwick as no retailers had them yet. I can still remember when I opened the tube, I was shocked as I never picked up a rod at that price point that was that light and had such a crisp feel to it, but then I worried it would be fragile so I held my enthusiasm until I got to fish with it. Once I got to use it I was really happy, I knew that if, and when I needed a new set up, these will fit the bill nicely and I won't have to save up for 8 months to grab one, I'll also admit it isn't a GLX or Legend Extreme but the actions are perfect for my fishing style and they are incredible light yet still strong with a lifetime warranty and I don't sacrifice a ton or performance, they work for me and I'm happy that you like your rod.

[rawjuice]

Smalljaw, you took the words right out of my mouth, It just felt so crisp, so right!

[lmbfisherman]

Glad you liked it, knew you wouldn't be disappointed.

[5dollarsplash]

Just got mine in today and you guys are making me anxious lol. Of course the weathers decided to dump another 6-10" tonight...

[I.rar]

How's the backbone on the m/f? Enough for single hook baits?

[ww2farmer]

How's the backbone on the m/f? Enough for single hook baits?

I might be talking out me rear end, because I have not used mine yet. But I have the 6'9" M/XF....and it feels like it should be. It almost feels like a clone to the St Croix 6'8" M/XF rods I have used in the past (except it's got a shorter handle) and those were fantastic plastic, and finesse jig rods. I was talked OUT of the M/F by several people who have it for the reason your asking about. But.....every one has diff. opinions.

[I.rar]

Appreciate it. I'm looking into the 2 piece model as an all around rod. I mainly throw small trigs but want something that could handle senkos and flukes as well.

[rawjuice]

Appreciate it. I'm looking into the 2 piece model as an all around rod. I mainly throw small trigs but want something that could handle senkos and flukes as well.

Honestly for senkos and flukes i think it the MF would be fine. Just for practice purposes I tied on a 1/8oz jig head with kalin grub and was still casting nicely. I think its the heavier wired hooks that may be a bit harder for hook sets. I think you will be fine!

[churchcc12]

What do you think about the handle length? I got the 6' 10" M/F for Christmas and it feels nice overall, but I'm not sure about the handle. Everything's iced up, so I can't really test it, but I've wondered how it will feel after a full day of fishing. 

[rawjuice]

What do you think about the handle length? I got the 6' 10" M/F for Christmas and it feels nice overall, but I'm not sure about the handle. Everything's iced up, so I can't really test it, but I've wondered how it will feel after a full day of fishing.

I cant say much about full days of fishing because i only tested it out for about an hour casting various lures, but, the handle is perfect for working topwater because its short, but its not too short. I casted a spook jr so far it was ridiculous and not even joking, my cousin couldnt believe it. With the revo s, the balance point is amazing, i could cast one handed and very very accurate. Ive never been so impressed with a rod before.

I really wanted to try a lews reel for this combo because mainly i already bought a couple abu garcia reels this year and i love trying different things but because i had a gift card to bass pro, i decided to try the revo s. I still had to pay a bit out of pocket but, i felt this reel would be an all around good reel, and glad i got it cause it worked amazing!!

[rmcguirk]

I have the 6'10" M/F. I like it a lot. But, of the three M/F rods I own, it is by far the softest. The other two are a BPS 6'6" Extreme and a 7' Avid M/F. In comparison to those two, the Fenwick has always felt underpowered.

I use it a lot for lighter presentations and also as a back up rod for square bills and lighter cranks.

Though it feels lighter than my other M/F rods, I've never had any issues setting the hook, even in cover (though, to be honest, it's not my first choice for cover applications). And, for whatever reason, it's the rod on which I've caught more pike the last two years than the rest of my rods combined, and I've never had a problem turning and landing them.

[Loop_Dad]

What do you think about the handle length? I got the 6' 10" M/F for Christmas and it feels nice overall, but I'm not sure about the handle. Everything's iced up, so I can't really test it, but I've wondered how it will feel after a full day of fishing. 

 

I don't know how you guys hold your rod, but I put my ring finger (w/o ring) in front of the trigger. I feel my middle finger is a bit restless in the darker part of the cork. I'm thinking about shave a bit of matterial off there to make a bit of groove for better gripping and smaller profile around that area.

[smalljaw67]

How's the backbone on the m/f? Enough for single hook baits?

 

The 6'9" M-XF casting rod has enough backbone to do that but not the 6'10" M-F, if you notice the rod ratings you see the 6'9" M-XF is rated 3/8oz to 5/8oz, the reason is you are getting a pretty stout medium power rod, the extra fast action makes it tough to load with smaller baits but it is still a medium power. The 6'10" is rated 1/8oz to 5/8oz and it is actually closer to a medium light than a medium, I don't have this one right now but I will eventually get it, this would be a hair jig rod for me, I use spinning but I've been wanting a finesse type casting rod for awhile and that is what I would use it for, single light wire hooks will be no problem. The rod was designed as a small crankbait, topwater, and jerkbait rod, it has good sensitivity to fish light jigs and light plastics but the treble hook baits 1/2oz and less are where the rod really excels. I also found that the 6'9" M-XF will throw most 1/4oz baits fine, but I would prefer the 6'9" MH-F, that is a killer spinnerbait stick.