Phenix Rods

[KritterGitter]

Im looking into buying one of their rods and would like to know how true their weight ratings are. Anyone who has one could ya please chime in and lemme know what ya think?

 

Thanks in advance.

[kickerfish1]

Which rod series were you interested in? The recon series for example is more like a true JDM rod in terms of its power. They tend to fish about a 1/2 power under their suggested ratings. They have a slightly softer tip section but it gets to the back bone pretty quick. This makes some of their rods more versatile. If you are familiar with the Loomis IMX series (previous generation) the rods are similar in sensitivity in my hands. The actual rod weights are very light but the balance is slightly tip heavy with a very light reel. Something around 7 ounces balances very well on my 714. Not a real popular rod like it was a few years ago but they build a pretty good rod for the money.

[Arv]

I used to have a 7'2 H/XF M1. I believe it was rated 1/4 - 1 1/4oz. From what I remember, this was accurate, although I preferred throwing lures towards the top end of the rating.

[Tywithay]

The first Recons were pretty soft compared to the ratings on the rod. With the M1 and Recon2, they've improved that and gotten the ratings much closer. My biggest issue with Phenix was the build quality. I had one Recon2 I had to send back because the reel seat was put on so crooked, you couldn't even get the reel on there. The replacement they sent me had epoxy all over the blank and a couple crooked guides. They do look nice, but there's pretty performing rods for the money, in my opinion.

[Jaheff]

Which rod series were you interested in? The recon series for example is more like a true JDM rod in terms of its power. They tend to fish about a 1/2 power under their suggested ratings. They have a slightly softer tip section but it gets to the back bone pretty quick. This makes some of their rods more versatile. If you are familiar with the Loomis IMX series (previous generation) the rods are similar in sensitivity in my hands. The actual rod weights are very light but the balance is slightly tip heavy with a very light reel. Something around 7 ounces balances very well on my 714. Not a real popular rod like it was a few years ago but they build a pretty good rod for the money.

This is exactly why I like the recon2 for braid and leader. I liked the M1 Blank better than the Recon2, but the trigger is higher up on the rod a 1\4 inch or so, making it uncomfortable, pinching my ring finger against my reel. I now have three Recon2's.

[fisherrw]

They are pretty true to there radings.

[kickerfish1]

Should have noted that the Phenix Recon rod that I am using is the Gen 1 rod, which explains the reference to a slightly softer tip and a slightly lower power rating. I can't comment on the Gen 2 Recon or the M1 / MBX series rods. If you want assistance picking out the best rod give Vince Borges a call at Phenix Rods. He is a very knowledgeable and nice guy who will help you in your decision. After a brief phone call and a few emails I settled on the 714.

 

The only gripe I have had with my Recon was the hook keeper. The position of it is terrible and mine broke within a few months. It wasn't a big deal, as I put a Fuji keeper in the "usual" spot on the lower portion of the blank.

[KritterGitter]

Awesome, thanks for all the replies and info guys. Ill try an get ahold of Vince over there and see if Im on the right track.

[21farms]

The only gripe I have had with my Recon was the hook keeper. The position of it is terrible and mine broke within a few months. It wasn't a big deal, as I put a Fuji keeper in the "usual" spot on the lower portion of the blank.

i have a recon2 (713) and an M1 (72H)...i've had the recon2 for two years already and still have not found a chance to fish with it yet so i cannot say about that one. the M1, however, is much closer to a 'medium-heavy' than 'heavy'. i like both of my phenix rods but i cannot for the life of me figure out why they can't get their hook keepers right (both the type of hook keeper and their placement). there were a lot of complaints about the hook keepers with the original recons so i thought they'd do a better job with the recon2s and M1s.

[webertime]

I have a 766 Recon, 715 Recon2 (replaced Recon) and a 714 Recon2 (replaced Recon).  The difference between the Gen 1 and 2 is some slight cosmetics and they are slightly more powerful.  The 715 is a "Heavy" according to Phenix and to me feels like a slightly more moderate St. Croix Avid 70MHF, if you are familiar with that rod, just imagine a bit softer tip and lighter weight.  The 714 is what you could call a "heavy medium" and very versitile.  The 766 is an awesome frog/flipping/swimbait rod, for ME, it is not a pool que, I'd say a Powell 765 has more power.  If I were to label the Recon's action I'd call it a Fast Moderate Fast. 

 

If I took my Recon2 715 and my Avid 70MHF I could do all the things with my Recon2 that I can with the Avid, but I also could throw some bigger treble baits with the Recon2 that I really couldn't do effectively with the Avid (BIG spooks, Shellcrackers, Big Pencil Poppers).

[MediumHeavy]

Can folks comment on which they think is more sensitive, the Recon2 or M1?

[Jaheff]

I have both in the MHF rated 1/4-3/4. To me they are two different blanks. The Recon is a little bit more parabolic then the M1. 

The M1 is more a traditional type of bass rod. As far a sensitive, I would give the nod to the M1, but its close ,and could be cause I'm use to the traditional feel.

I personally like the recon2 with braid and leader due to it being a little slower. This is all just my opinion, and I only fish for fun!

[MediumHeavy]

I'd use it for weightless plastics, 1/4oz. jigs and some topwater lures up to 1/2oz. I'm having a build made and was trying to decide which blank to get since I can't step up to a K2 just yet.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I'd use it for weightless plastics, 1/4oz. jigs and some topwater lures up to 1/2oz. I'm having a build made and was trying to decide which blank to get since I can't step up to a K2 just yet.

Whatever builder you work with should be able to walk you through blank choices. If you haven't committed anywhere yet I'll be happy to discuss options and quote a build for you.

[MediumHeavy]

I've decided to do the build myself, going with the M1 69ML. Depending how this goes, I may be in touch about future custom, though.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

No problem. If you have any questions or get stuck, let me know and try to help.

[MediumHeavy]

Much appreciated, thanks! Gonna try to keep the first build simple, but I'm sure I'll have a question or two.

 

Looking forward to trying out a Phenix, too.

[RyneB]

i loved my Recon, that was until I swung in a 12 inch bass and it snapped in half. It caught countless fish over 2 pounds, no problem. Then snapped on a dink. Since then, iv been loving my Kistler Carbon Steels.

[Mike L]

I have 3 Phenix rods...

* 7'2" mh/f M1 which I think fish's more like medium action.

I originally bought it for bottom contact plastics as the weight and sensitivity is what I was looking for, but it just seems too overmatched given the grassy lakes I fish in down here.

It is now my spinner/chatter rod teamed with a Curado I and 15# Invisex.

* 7ft X11 composite crank rod.

I just love this rod. It is thier "deep diver". Even tho it has a max lure rating of 3oz, I use it for all crank sizes including 1.5 sq bill's with no problems. It's matched with a Johnny Morris Sig reel with 12# Yo Zuri.

*7'3" m/xf spinning rod.

Excellent weight, length and sensitivity for all finesse fishing

I use it more for wacky and shaky presentations.

20# power pro with 12# floro leader on a 3000 symtere reel.

Mike

[BasshunterJGH]

The m1 7 ft 2 medium x-fast is a nice rod. The sweet spot is 1/4-1/2 IMO it's a little stiff for 1/8 ounce lures but handles the 1/8-3/4 ounce lure weight rating fine.