DaleGribble Posted October 31, 2015 Posted October 31, 2015 I am currently looking for another casting rod in the 7 to 7-3 length for general purpose applications. I have a few already but I'm looking for one to fill light jigs or weighted plastics as well as the ocxasional chatterbait. I think I've narrowed it down to these two rods as I want to try something different. Really like the looks of both rods and he weights. Does anyone have anything to say about these two? Is the fancy handle on the elite tech worth $50 more? Fwiw, I can get either at %25 off if it would make a difference to anyone Quote
ClackerBuzz Posted October 31, 2015 Posted October 31, 2015 do not buy the Elite Tech Smallmouth. I've gotten a lot of great gear based on BR members but this would be one I regret. the guides are cheap metal and the lowest most guide broke off like a hot knife in butter. honestly i could tolerate it if the rest of the rod was quality. however the blank is dull like fishing a wet tree branch. there are so many other good rods in the $100 range; powell, shimano, abu; i haven't fished them but i only read good things about ***; used st croix. fyi i have the 6'9" ML w/ braid as main line and fluror leader for drop shot, tubes, weightless plastic. you know it's bad when braid can't help a blank Quote
GoCougs14 Posted October 31, 2015 Posted October 31, 2015 do not buy the Elite Tech. I've gotten a lot of great gear based on BR members but this would be one I regret. the guides are cheap metal and the lowest most guide broke off like a hot knife in butter. honestly i could tolerate it if the rest of the rod was quality. however the blank is dull like fishing a wet tree branch. there are so many other good rods in the $100 range; powell, shimano, abu; i haven't fished them but i only read good things about ***; used st croix. fyi i have the 6'9" ML w/ braid as main line and fluror leader for drop shot, tubes, weightless plastic. you know it's bad when braid can't help a blank I really hope youre wrong haha, I literally just bought that rod in a ml spinning Quote
Super User Fishes in trees Posted October 31, 2015 Super User Posted October 31, 2015 I don't think you can go wrong with Fenwick rods. I don't have any experience with Elite Tech. I have several Fenwick HMG rods, spinning & casting, in various actions and they work good, what I like best is the lifetime warranty. I've had to use that a few times when I did something dumb. If possible, spend a few extra dollars and go AETOS. I have a couple of 7/2" MH extra fast tips that are my go to jigs/soft plastic rods. They handle 1/4 to 3/8 oz (total actual weight) finesse jigs real well and they handle 5/8 oz jika rigs too. Next time I need another jig/soft plastic rod, I'm buying another AETOS, same length & action. Quote
Global Moderator Mike L Posted October 31, 2015 Global Moderator Posted October 31, 2015 Find yourself a discontinued Techna A/V and now you have something! Mike Quote
k3bass Posted October 31, 2015 Posted October 31, 2015 do not buy the Elite Tech. I've gotten a lot of great gear based on BR members but this would be one I regret. the guides are cheap metal and the lowest most guide broke off like a hot knife in butter. honestly i could tolerate it if the rest of the rod was quality. however the blank is dull like fishing a wet tree branch. there are so many other good rods in the $100 range; powell, shimano, abu; i haven't fished them but i only read good things about ***; used st croix. fyi i have the 6'9" ML w/ braid as main line and fluror leader for drop shot, tubes, weightless plastic. you know it's bad when braid can't help a blank Which elite tech rod do you have? I have 4 of the discontinued elite tech smallmouth rods and would buy as many as possible if Fenwick still made them. Quote
Lendiesel22 Posted October 31, 2015 Posted October 31, 2015 I have an elite tech and its not bad. No problems with light carolina rig bites or jig bites in deep water. The guides do seem light though. Quote
ClackerBuzz Posted October 31, 2015 Posted October 31, 2015 Which elite tech rod do you have? I have 4 of the discontinued elite tech smallmouth rods and would buy as many as possible if Fenwick still made them. Yup I have discontinued elite smallmouth. Wanna trade trade or buy Quote
k3bass Posted October 31, 2015 Posted October 31, 2015 Yup I have discontinued elite smallmouth. Wanna trade trade or buy Well if they didn't have broken guides I would buy them. I don't understand your cheap metal guide and wet tree branch comments. Those smallmouth elite tech rods were awesome for the price! The new elite tech bass version doesn't compare. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted October 31, 2015 Super User Posted October 31, 2015 Yup I have discontinued elite smallmouth. Wanna trade trade or buy Sorry to hear of your trouble with the Elite Tech Smallmouth. I have 1 spinning and 3 baitcast rods and love them. OP: No experience with the Elite Tech Bass rod so no comment other than to say I have at least 6 other models of Fenwick rods and feel they all offer a lot for your money. (Elite Tech, old HMG, new HMG, Elite Tech Smallmouth, River Runner, Aetos, Techna AV, plus an old fiberglass rod from about 45 years ago.) The Aetos is a beautiful rod, but the trigger isn't the most comfortable ....for me. Friend who suggested the Aetos loves it. You would have to make that decision for yourself. Doesn't keep me from using the rod, tho. It is very nice otherwise. My newest HMG is the 7' 2" Medium-Moderate Fast rated 3/8-1 oz. Had it out a few times this year, but fishing has sucked worse than usual. Wish I had more to say about it other than it (and the Tatula) cast real well. Maybe Dan (smalljay67) will see this post and comment. He has a fair amount of experience with Fenwick rods. Unlike me, he catches quite a few fish with his. Quote
Super User DogBone_384 Posted October 31, 2015 Super User Posted October 31, 2015 I have a 7'6" ML/F HMG spinning rod. To me, it borders a medium action rod, casts a mile, and is sensitive. It's not my lightest ML, built like a tank, perhaps great for fishing from shore. I just picked up a Kistler 6'10" MH/XF on sale from T**** W**** and really like it. It's light as a feather, well built, and the two outings I've had with it can say it's as sensitive as my *** and Villain. I like it so much I bought a MH/F spinning version 'just because'. I like my HMG well enough, but prefer my Veritas, ***, and Kistler rods (spinning and casting models). Good luck, whichever you choose. Quote
Craiger12 Posted November 1, 2015 Posted November 1, 2015 I have a 7'6" ML/F HMG spinning rod. To me, it borders a medium action rod, casts a mile, and is sensitive. It's not my lightest ML, built like a tank, perhaps great for fishing from shore. I just picked up a Kistler 6'10" MH/XF on sale from T**** W**** and really like it. It's light as a feather, well built, and the two outings I've had with it can say it's as sensitive as my *** and Villain. I like it so much I bought a MH/F spinning version 'just because'. I like my HMG well enough, but prefer my Veritas, ***, and Kistler rods (spinning and casting models). Good luck, whichever you choose. I apologize for the temporary hijack, but I just purchased the 7'6" ML/F HMG for shore/wading primarily in rivers. I'm wondering what is the lightest weight you are able to cast? I'm hoping to be able to cast 1/4 oz spoons and inline spinners a long distance. Thanks for any help. Quote
PatrickKnight Posted November 1, 2015 Posted November 1, 2015 I apologize for the temporary hijack, but I just purchased the 7'6" ML/F HMG for shore/wading primarily in rivers. I'm wondering what is the lightest weight you are able to cast? I'm hoping to be able to cast 1/4 oz spoons and inline spinners a long distance. Thanks for any help. I use a 6'9" ML HMG for this exact purpose and it casts my 1/8th oz jigs a mile I could imagine the 7'6" model would probably have me hitting the far bank. To the OP I have had nothing but great experiences with my HMG. I cant speak to the Elite Tech because I don't own one but I will not hesitate to buy another HMG if my price range is at the 100 dollar mark. Quote
Craiger12 Posted November 1, 2015 Posted November 1, 2015 I use a 6'9" ML HMG for this exact purpose and it casts my 1/8th oz jigs a mile I could imagine the 7'6" model would probably have me hitting the far bank. To the OP I have had nothing but great experiences with my HMG. I cant speak to the Elite Tech because I don't own one but I will not hesitate to buy another HMG if my price range is at the 100 dollar mark. Sounds excellent. I was hoping to be able to launch some 1/8 oz lures as well. I should have it by the end of the week, so I should get a chance to try it out before the end of the season. Thanks. Quote
Super User smalljaw67 Posted November 1, 2015 Super User Posted November 1, 2015 I have a bunch of Fenwick rods and the smallmouth series was excellent. I don't know where clackerbuzz purchased his but he is the only one that described the blank in that manner, most will say it is has a crisp, responsive action and is incredibly sensitive, the only real problem was some of the reel seats would strip out, I had one do that on a casting rod but the spinning rods have been excellent. I took my neighbor out with me, he his a St. Croix fanatic, I let him use my 6'9" M-XF smallmouth spinning rod, he went home and sold one of his Avids to get 2 of the smallmouth rods and to this day he uses them for his finesse techniques. Now, regarding the new Elite Tech and the HMG, the new ET bass rods are a little heavier and the reel seats were made better but they still have a really high level of sensitivity, the HMG isn't a slouch either, I have a 7'2" M-MF casting that is my square bill/trap rod and I'd never give it up. The rods you are looking at I'd go with the ET 7'3" MH, the reason being is you only have the 7' in the HMG and then you can go to the 7'6" as you wouldn't want the 7'2" as it is more geared toward reaction baits with a treble hook. There are a lot of good rods out there in that price range, I like the Fenwick rods because they offer me the performance I'm looking for and the actions fit my style of fishing, the actions are how I expect them to be and at a price I can deal with, I was a G.Loomis fan for years and still am but I can't afford their rods anymore and the E6X isn't above the rods I'm using so I stick with the Fenwick rods. The only other rod I want other than the Fenwick rods is the St. Croix Avid X, the regular Avid is a good rod but not better than the rods I'm using but the Avid X, that rod has the same feel as my smallmouth spinning rods which I can no longer get, just a change in components really made that rod come to life and if you can find one of those I would put that on your list. Quote
tappinbass Posted November 1, 2015 Posted November 1, 2015 do not buy the Elite Tech Smallmouth. I've gotten a lot of great gear based on BR members but this would be one I regret. the guides are cheap metal and the lowest most guide broke off like a hot knife in butter. honestly i could tolerate it if the rest of the rod was quality. however the blank is dull like fishing a wet tree branch. there are so many other good rods in the $100 range; powell, shimano, abu; i haven't fished them but i only read good things about ***; used st croix. fyi i have the 6'9" ML w/ braid as main line and fluror leader for drop shot, tubes, weightless plastic. you know it's bad when braid can't help a blank Huh? Wet tree branch? Could not disagree more. I love my ET Smallmouth. I think that it is very sensitive and great to fish with. I use mine for various applications including Ned rigging. I can feel everything on the bottom and the lightest of taps. I have caught some monster smallies on it. No problem with guides whatsoever. Quote
The one that got away Posted November 1, 2015 Posted November 1, 2015 The only ET smallmouth I had was the 6'9" medium light spinning rod. I got it right after they came out and loved it. My fishing partner only has one rod of his own, so I let him borrow it while we were in the canoe earlier this year, and he uses it all the time now. I ended up selling it to him but regret it...should have had him find his own. Quote
k3bass Posted November 1, 2015 Posted November 1, 2015 I think the reason Fenwick discontinued the et smallmouth is because it was so much better than their higher priced rods than they weren't selling any of them. Quote
wisconsin heat Posted November 2, 2015 Posted November 2, 2015 I have a couple 7' MH HMG's (different year models) and I love them. Also have one of the old Eagle GTs which is good for the price too. No experience with the Elite techs, but the next time I am in the market for another rod, it's going to be a Fenwick, likely an HMG. Quote
Allen Der Posted November 3, 2015 Posted November 3, 2015 FFO tackle still has some elite tech smallmouth rods at a great discount plus promo codes. Quote
Super User MIbassyaker Posted November 3, 2015 Super User Posted November 3, 2015 FFO tackle still has some elite tech smallmouth rods at a great discount plus promo codes. Well, there's my impulse buy for the week. They have three casting models in stock (none of the spinning from what I can see) -- the 6'9" MHF, 6'10" MHMF, and the 2-piece 6'10" MF. I just got the MHF. 42% off the original $130, with an additional -$15 on the promo code (good through 11/12), brought it to $60, before tax and shipping. Sweet. Quote
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