Anyone Have One Of The New Hmg's?

[Smallmouth Hunter]

Looking for a review on the new fenwick HMG rods. The Smallmouth ET rods don't have the rod models I am looking for so I am going to just go ahead and get an HMG most likely.

[LMB KING]

Get it. Its a very good rod that (in my opinion) beats other 200 dollars rod. Its well made and very sensitive. For $99 you cant beat it. The Fenwick HMG is the first fishing rod that made the first graphite rod ever, then other companies followed. Just to give you a little history background of this great rod. 

[Capt.Bob]

The original HMG was no where near the same rod as the HMG made today. The first rods were a lot heavier than the blanks and material used to build them today although in the day we thought they were very light. They were also very stiff blanks in the but as well as the tip's I mean extremely fast compared to today's XF rods. If I remember correctly,  20 years ago I paid $79.00 so today they are a huge bargain @ 100 buck's and better everything.   I had a couple and hated them, but these rods like all other rods today are huge improvements, lighter blanks better components, and much better tapers. The new model HMG's are very nice for their price, an excellent choice in this price range.  

[smalljaw67]

It is no secret here that I love the new Fenwick offerings, it started with the ET smallmouth rods and then the Aetos really made my day so when they came out with the new HMG I had to take a look. I got to play with them at Cabelas, I really had a hard time not buying one but I was saving for my 3rd Aetos. Anyway, they made the blanks a lot thinner and you can really feel it, and that is where I tell some anglers that if you don't like a thin grip then you won't like the HMG. I got to use a friend's HMG when he got one at the end of April, 6'9" ML-F 1-piece spinning rod, I only got to throw it for 30 minutes using a 1/8oz hair jig but I was impressed at how it felt compared to the old model. The action is crisp, it actually was more like my 6'9" Medium power ET smallmouth rod as it had the same power and once again, very good sensitivity, it is something I noticed with all the rods that I have used from them, the graphite seems to be very good. I also like the up-locking Fuji reel seat, I have a G.Loomis SJR in a GL3, I bought it over the IMX because I like that reel seat better when it is up locking but some don't care for it. It is much lighter than the previous rod but the crisp action and sensitivity for a rod that price is just awesome, I think you'll like it.  

[Smallmouth Hunter]

Get it. Its a very good rod that (in my opinion) beats other 200 dollars rod. Its well made and very sensitive. For $99 you cant beat it. The Fenwick HMG is the first fishing rod that made the first graphite rod ever, then other companies followed. Just to give you a little history background of this great rod. 

What reel do you have on yours? How does it balance?

[Tywithay]

I think they feel a little heavy and dead. Was well built and I really liked the long handle, with the TAC cork. Not a bad rod for moving baits. I ended up putting a Tatula on mine and it balances fairly well, bout the middle of the foregrip. I use it for catfish now, because it didn't really have a place in my bass arsenal. I think it's pretty comparable to a St Croix Premier, though I prefer the TAC cork over the real cork on the Premier. Premier might be a touch lighter too, likely due to the density of the cork.

[LMB KING]

What reel do you have on yours? How does it balance?

I have it with a Quantum Centex and its pretty balance. I am a quantum freak so thats all i buy now

[Hogsticker]

I question if the guide frames are 100% titanium. Are there any other 100 dollar rods that have titanium guides? Even a cheaper spinning set of Alps guided run close to 55 bucks. Has anyone noticed if the stripper guide looks small. Is it a 20 or 25?

[Tywithay]

I question if the guide frames are 100% titanium. Are there any other 100 dollar rods that have titanium guides? Even a cheaper spinning set of Alps guided run close to 55 bucks. Has anyone noticed if the stripper guide looks small. Is it a 20 or 25?

Just the *** and Veritas, to my knowledge. Though "titanium" is a very open-ended term. They only have to have a certain percentage of titanium with nickel to be considered "titanium." There's also varying grades of titanium. The stuff that we use where I work for the thrust reversers on Boeing jets is likely a much higher quality than scrap yard titanium used to make cheap guides. I know the Evolve titanium guides are far cheaper looking than a good set of Fuji guides, but the price reflects that.