Fenwick Aetos Or Hmg?

[icemonkey]

Hi guys,

 

I finally narrow down on the rods, Thinking of

 

Fenwick Aetos  

Fenwick HMG

 

Reel (still not sure)

 

Leaning towards pflueger president for reel

 

What are your thoughts? i was thinking of getting Aetos now and then upgrage the reel later down the road

 

 

Thanks,

[thunderballs]

I own an hmg and love it. Spinning rod with a pflueger supreme reel. Smooth, light, and sensitive. I don't own an aetos, but a buddy has two, both of which broke while virtually brand new. No idea what the deal was, maybe he's just unlucky.

[new2BC4bass]

I hope Dan sees this thread and posts.  He can give you some excellent insight to both models.  I have a new HMG on backorder.  I do have an older 7' ML HMG that I paid (used) what the new ones cost.  Nice rod.  The newer ones are said to be a bit lighter, well built and have good sensitivity.  Only practiced casting with my Aetos so far.  It is a beautiful rod.  I know Dan will re-tie lures on his Aetos rather than use another rod already set up.  He likes it that much.

 

I've always found Fenwick to give you a lot for your money.  I probably have 6 different Fenwick models.

 

This is the first I've heard of an Aetos breaking.  I think Dan will suggest the Aetos if you can afford it.  I heard Fenwick under-priced these rods like they did the Smallmouth series which just also happen to be exceptional rods for the money.   I've got 3 casting and one spinning in that model, and wish I had purchased duplicates.  Like them better than my *** Black although I consider it a great rod for the money even though the handle is a bit too thin for my liking.

 

I don't have a President casting reel, but use reels on both ends of the Pflueger line....a Trion and Patriarch XT.  Personally I feel they are the Rodney Dangerfield's of baitcast reels....they don't get any respect.    The Trion is on a Heavy rod, and is a casting machine.  The XT handles pretty much everything except for the lightest lures for which I have several other combos set up for.

 

I think you will be well served (and well satisfied) no matter which way you decide to go.

[smalljaw67]

I have the Elite Tech smallmouth in both casting and spinning, I have the Aetos in casting and spinning and I have a casting rod, so far, in the HMG and while I'm not a brand loyal guy, I can tell you Fenwick is now my rod of choice. I'm not sure what model you're looking at but the 7' M-F Aetos spinning rod is incredible, there is no other way to put it but, you have to really like the skeleton reel seat. That rod is super light and the sensitivity is just fantastic, it really is a high end rod in my book but again, we all have different taste and feel so that is for you to decide. The HMG, well I can't speak for the spinning rod but my casting rod should have been priced a lot higher, build quality is excellent and for a $100 dollar rod it really is incredible. The feel of the rod at that price point is also something you don't get, the rod is really responsive and if I find I need another spinning rod down the line I'd have no problem grabbing an HMG. Thunderballs, breaking a rod when it is pretty new can come from defects or damage from being on a shelf or from shipping but normally when someone breaks more than one high modulus graphite rod, it is usually user error, high sticking or boat flipping fish, one or the other.

[thunderballs]

I am by no means suggesting this was the norm. I apologize if it came off that way. I love all my Fenwick rods and will own more.

And that very well could be, I wasn't with him when they broke.

[icemonkey]

I get the same feeling from any Fenwick owner / reviews. They all love it and the price is in line with outher brands in the market like the Abu Garcia, St Croix and G lommis but fenwick seem to have the most love insted of hate.

 

if i go for the Aaetos i will problby go it with the pflueger president to save cost (unless you have nouther reel to recommend)

 

 

if i go for the HMG i will problby go it with the Daiwa Ballistic to save cost (unless you have nouther reel to recommend)

 

 

What you think?

[new2BC4bass]

TT gave the President a Best Value Award.  http://www.tackletour.com/reviewpfluegerpresident.html

 

They only gave the Ballistic a Fair.  Slightly over half my reels are Daiwa, but I don't own (and have never used) a Ballistic so no comment on it.  I do have several other T3 platforms and like them a lot.

 

The Tatula is a great option.  Some feel it is a bit large, but I have no problem with it.  Check into the Pinnacle line of reels.  I have one of the hand-tuned models and it is one smooth reel.  Check the articles on this forum.  These reels get some lovin' 

 

Wait a few minutes and I'm sure you will get recommendations for lower cost Lews and used Shimanos.  You might think I don't like either from my comment.  You'd be wrong.  I'd suggest looking at a ***, but feel it is more than you would like to pay at this time.  It is on my wish list.  Gets excellent reviews.

 

We really have it made today.  Tons of good options.  The biggest problem is narrowing the field to just one. 

[Fishes in trees]

I don't think that you can go wrong with either the HMG or AETOS brand.   They both have lifetime warranties and I've found Fenwick customer service to be relatively reasonable.  I"ve broken one AETOS - definitely operator error and they replaced it - I paid for shipping - $10 I think.

[new2BC4bass]

I don't think that you can go wrong with either the HMG or AETOS brand.   They both have lifetime warranties and I've found Fenwick customer service to be relatively reasonable.  I"ve broken one AETOS - definitely operator error and they replaced it - I paid for shipping - $10 I think.

 

Can't beat that with a 10 foot stick....as my Dad use to say.  I call that great customer service.  Even better than what Falcon did for me when I fell and broke one of their rods.

[Jig Man]

I can only speak for the HMG.  I own 8 of them they have always been good and served me well.  I use them as much a I do my Gloomis or St. Croix Avids.

[icemonkey]

i think i am gonna go with the HMG i dont think the extra $80 for the aetos is worth the difference and i also dont think i am that professtional to notive the differnece either. 

 

So i guess its a matter of what is in stock.

[Hogsticker]

The Aetos has a lighter, more crisp and responsive blank. I've seen some on sale at various places. The Hmg models I've handles felt a little more heavy and clunky in comparison. If you can afford it go with the Aetos.

[bigturtle]

Why buy hmg when you can buy aetos

[smalljaw67]

I think it depends on the model, what are you looking at specifically for length, action, and type, spinning or casting? As I said, I have the Aetos in spinning and casting and an HMG casting and if you are looking at spinning rods in the medium power, go with the medium light HMG and the medium Aetos. The HMG will hold its own but it is noticeably heavier than the Aetos and the HMG is far from a heavy rod. If you are going with a MH then I'd go with the Aetos and that is just because you say you can get an Aetos, and if you can afford it the difference in weight with a MH will serve you really well. The reason I have the HMG casting rod is that made one in a power and action I needed and the price was just icing on the cake and really like the feel of the rod but I probably would have gone Aetos if they had the rod I needed in that line because I already have 3 of them, they are my favorite rod. S, which model are you looking at?

[icemonkey]

so if i was looking for a All round rod to do everyting for ....

 

Aetos - What is the recomended Length / Action / and Power (i was thinking 7" / Medium heavy / Fast)

 

HMG - What is the recomended Length / Action / and Power (i was thinking 7" / Medium / Fast)

 

NOW I HAVE TO DEBATE IF I WANNA TRY BAIT CASTING or stick with my spinning

[madweazl]

I have a 20, 25, and 30 series President and I've been very happy with all of them. I think they're impossible to beat for the money. I've never used an HMG but have a HMX that I use for trout and I really like the rod. I cant imagine you'd be disappointed with the HMG/President combination for the relatively small investment you'd be making. 

[icemonkey]

my thought exactly its jsut a matter of how much i want to spend becuse if i go all out i would do the aethos and the sardic Ci4 LOL

 

That will run me in the 500 - 600 range.

 

but for sure 100% now i am sticking with spinning! I HAVE NO LOVE FOR BAITCASTING!

 

[Angry John]

The reel seat may be a deal breaker. Have you used a skeleton type. I hate them but others like them just fine. I will not own an altos for that reason but the elite rods dont have them. They are also great if you like Fenwick which I do.

[icemonkey]

^{you make a solit point i will have to test it out to see but correct me if i am worng WACKY WORM style is also knows as the shakey head technique?}

^{and if taht is true according to Fenwiock for}

 

^{Aetos - its Medium , Fast 6,6}

 

^{HMG - Medium, Fast, 7.0}

 

^correct?

[bigturtle]

Wacky and shakyhead are different things, as far as most of us here are concerned. shakyhead is rigged at the end of a plastic, with a jighead. wacky is rigged at the middle, with or without a jighead.

 

As far as length, power and action goes, both of those rods will work. Aetos wont cast as far, but has much better sensitivity for bite detection. HMG casts further, but is sub-par in the sensitivity department, compared to Aetos. I would buy the Aetos, between the 2 you mentioned.

[smalljaw67]

^{you make a solit point i will have to test it out to see but correct me if i am worng WACKY WORM style is also knows as the shakey head technique?}

^{and if taht is true according to Fenwiock for}

 

^{Aetos - its Medium , Fast 6,6}

 

^{HMG - Medium, Fast, 7.0}

 

^correct?

 

Wacky worm is usually done with a Senko or other stick worm but can be done with any worm, you simply hook the worm through the middle so when you pull it both ends of the worm flutter. Shaky head is work rigged on a jig head, we now have heads made for shaky head which have a screw lock or barb on the head designed to hold the worm so it can be hooked weedless and still stay straight. As for the rod, why go with a 6'6" M-F for 1 and a 7' M-F for the other? If I was looking to fish those techniques I'd get the 7' M-F Aetos or the 7' ML-F HMG, both will give you good casting distance and while the Aetos is a much more sensitive rod, the HMG is decent and remember, I own both and if you want maximum sensitivity go Aetos, if you want a really good rod with good sensitivity go HMG, both are fine and even though I own the Aetos, if I needed another spinning outfit I'd have no problem buying a HMG.

[icemonkey]

Thanks for the advise guys i think i will go wiht the Aetos 7" m-f .... now i just need to narrow down how much i am willing to spend on my reel LOL

 

thanks!