timsford Posted June 6, 2014 Posted June 6, 2014 I fish mostly from the bank and i'm needing a shorter spinning rod for jerkbaits. I would like to keep the rod price under 130 if possible but would be willing to save more if i need to. Ive seen 3 rods in my price range: fenwick elite tech smallmouth, abu vendetta, and the *** *** black. I need a rod that can handle 1/8 to 5/8 ounce hard and soft jerkbaits amd the fight a striper can put up. The fenwick looks like the best fit because i haye downlocking reel seats like on the vendetta but im worried the other two won't have the backbone i need. Does anyone have any experience with any of these three in this length? Also the st croix eyecon really intrigues me. its a little out of my price range but i hear their medium action is stiffer than most so im thinking of saving up for it. Can anyone give me opinions on these rods or offer any other suggestions? Quote
Cgrinder Posted June 6, 2014 Posted June 6, 2014 I am a big fan of the 6'3" MXF Eyecon. You might have trouble doing 1/8 oz and 5/8 oz jerkbaits on the same rod though. Quote
timsford Posted June 6, 2014 Author Posted June 6, 2014 I mostly use baits in the upper end of that range. Does the eyecon have enough backbone to use for weightless soft jerkbaits? Quote
Cgrinder Posted June 6, 2014 Posted June 6, 2014 Yes you should have no problems with soft plastic jerkbaits. Quote
thehooligan Posted June 6, 2014 Posted June 6, 2014 I have the 6'3 fenwick smallie rod. its rated up to 3/4oz but 1/2oz - 5/8oz would be the max id push it. 3/8 - 1/2oz is the sweet spot. Its very light rod as well, 3 oz's i believe... 1 Quote
Super User Master Bait'r Posted June 6, 2014 Super User Posted June 6, 2014 I have a 6'3" *** Black spinning rod and a 7'3" *** Green casting rod... Backbone is actually the best part about both of them. My *** is actually an ML and has more backbone than some of the M rods I've used. Very impressive. The same could be said of the *** Green- the F action coupled with the sweet backbone make it great for a lot of things. I would venture to say that their 6'3" *** Black spinning rod would be an outstanding rod with plenty of backbone and would be my first choice of those three. Quote
Super User Darren. Posted June 6, 2014 Super User Posted June 6, 2014 I've had two 6'3" rods, only one is still that length, the previous-gen cork handled Shimano Compre. Great rod, durable as all get out, light. The other, an Avid. Brittle is how I'd classify it. It's down around 5'9" now. I will eventually replace it under the warranty, but I'm leery of another Avid at this point. Quote
Super User OkobojiEagle Posted June 6, 2014 Super User Posted June 6, 2014 I've had two 6'3" rods, only one is still that length, the previous-gen cork handled Shimano Compre. Great rod, durable as all get out, light. The other, an Avid. Brittle is how I'd classify it. It's down around 5'9" now. I will eventually replace it under the warranty, but I'm leery of another Avid at this point. Only a few years ago the Avid was the "cat's meow"... there was G. Loomis (if you could afford it) then a St. Croix Avid. I guess times change... oe Quote
Super User Darren. Posted June 6, 2014 Super User Posted June 6, 2014 Only a few years ago the Avid was the "cat's meow"... there was G. Loomis (if you could afford it) then a St. Croix Avid. I guess times change... oe Indeed. I'm wondering if I just had a bad experience with the one given the immense praise most give these. Quote
Super User Felix77 Posted June 6, 2014 Super User Posted June 6, 2014 I bought a Rapsody Rod Dock Star at a state federation tournament on Chatauqua, NY last year and I absolutely love it. It's 6'3" and only $99. Great rod at a great price. http://rapsodyfishing.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&path=60_64&product_id=52 Quote
OntarioFishingGuy Posted June 6, 2014 Posted June 6, 2014 I have the 6'3 fenwick smallie rod. its rated up to 3/4oz but 1/2oz - 5/8oz would be the max id push it. 3/8 - 1/2oz is the sweet spot. Its very light rod as well, 3 oz's i believe... I have the same rod paired with a Supreme XT and 20lb 832 for flukes, no problems with the rod at all.The reel on the other hand... Anyways, the rod is a great choice for both hard and soft jerkbaits. Quote
timsford Posted June 7, 2014 Author Posted June 7, 2014 Thanks for all the great info guys! I think im gonna go with the fenwick or the *** black. Im gonna try to find both in a tackle shop and see which feels better in hand. Does anyone know how good either companies warranty works? Ive only broke one spinning rod my whole life so it may not matter im just curious if one has a better warranty than the other Quote
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