Replacing ET Smallmouth with ET Bass

[Toeshots]

So my shaky head/tube/finesse t-rig rod (6'9" M-XF Elite Tech SM spinning) broke on a fishing trip this summer and I finally sent it in for replacement last week. I was expecting an email or phone call saying they received the rod and they would tell me my options for replacement.

Instead, I found a rod on my doorstep today.  

Unfortunately, the rod they sent me is a 6'9" Medium with Moderate-Fast action, which I don't really have a use for so I will be contacting Fenwick and sending it back next week. Sucks because I'm going to be in for $40 on shipping charges on my replacement rod, but it is what it is.

That being said, I am eyeing the 6'9" ML-XF or the 7'0" M-F.  I have reservations with both - since this is really my only spinning rod, I am hesitant to go ML. Also, I prefer slightly shorter rods for spinning, so going up to 7' was not really what I was looking for. 

Had anybody used both series of rods that can give a comparison of the two?  Is the handle length the same? The power? The weight and balance?

Also, did anybody have to replace the same ET Smallmouth rod that I had? If so, what did you get?

[FryDog62]

First I think the Fenwick ET series was awesome...best handle/grips on the market, great blank, action, etc.. Went through the same process you did when my 6'-9" MXF broke and it was replaced with a Fast action of the new model.  Not nearly the same rod without Extra Fast action... Moderate and even Fast action in that rod is mush.  Stick to the models with XF.  Still a good rod but needs the right action to be effective IMO.

[smalljaw67]

What they did was add power to the blank so what you have is a rod that is heavier with good sensitivity but I don't like them because of the added weight but it seems a lot of people wanted to throw light weight rigs with 30lb braid and that is why we have the ET bass line. If I were you, I'd ask about upgrading the Aetos 7' Medium power, fast action, it will cost a little more so you'll have to add some money to it but it will be in your best interest. You'll get a rod that is as light as the rod you broke (I wish I could get a few more-my favorite as well in spinning) with even better sensitivity and the fast action is very crisp and responsive. Now, the rod they sent you, if you go to tackle tour website, they have a review on the 6'9 medium, mod-fast spinning rod and they do tell you that it has more weight but it is offset in the fact the balance is perfect and the sensitivity is where is should be. The action was described as crisp with just the right amount of flex and I'll be honest as I like Fenwick, if I was using braided line, then this is the rod I'd have. You may want to give it a go or like I said, the 7' medium power, fast action Aetos is a killer rod but you have to like the skeleton reel seat which some don't care for.

[MRG]

I had virtually the same experience with my  6'9" M-XF Elite Tech SM spinning... My son broke it during a cast this past summer, so I sent it in under warranty. I knew that Fenwick had discontinued the ET Smallmouth, so I figured they'd probably give me something different. Sure enough, a couple of weeks later an Elite Tech Bass ETB69M-MFS - 6'9" medium fast one piece. 

My feelings were the same a yours regarding the replacement rod. The extra fast ETS was really a special rod with nice fast crisp action. The ETB is average at best, unlike the SM which was exceptional. I didn't bother dealing with trading the ET Bass back for another model, perhaps I should have. Possibly the ETB610ML-XFS (6'10" medium-light extra-fast)would have been more like the old rod.

It's interesting that others feel the same as me regarding the replacement rods. At first I thought it was all in my head.Not that it matters to the fish... but, I also liked the color of the ET Smallmouth, I had it paired with a dark green Shimano Symetre. They looked great together. The green Symetre on the brown ET Bass doesn't look quite right. I wish I could get the old ET SM rod back again.

[Fishes in trees]

Once you've got your reel attached to your rod, one roll of tennis raquet handle tape or one package of rod wrap and you can create a handle that perfectly fits your hand .   Keep layering it until you like how it feels.   That is how I deal with nearly all spinning reel handles, because I've gotten used to how the raquet tape feels.

[Toeshots]

7 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

First I think the Fenwick ET series was awesome...best handle/grips on the market, great blank, action, etc.. Went through the same process you did when my 6'-9" MXF broke and it was replaced with a Fast action of the new model.  Not nearly the same rod without Extra Fast action... Moderate and even Fast action in that rod is mush.  Stick to the models with XF.  Still a good rod but needs the right action to be effective IMO.

Did they ask you what model you wanted for the replacement?

[Toeshots]

6 hours ago, smalljaw67 said:

What they did was add power to the blank so what you have is a rod that is heavier with good sensitivity but I don't like them because of the added weight but it seems a lot of people wanted to throw light weight rigs with 30lb braid and that is why we have the ET bass line. If I were you, I'd ask about upgrading the Aetos 7' Medium power, fast action, it will cost a little more so you'll have to add some money to it but it will be in your best interest. You'll get a rod that is as light as the rod you broke (I wish I could get a few more-my favorite as well in spinning) with even better sensitivity and the fast action is very crisp and responsive. Now, the rod they sent you, if you go to tackle tour website, they have a review on the 6'9 medium, mod-fast spinning rod and they do tell you that it has more weight but it is offset in the fact the balance is perfect and the sensitivity is where is should be. The action was described as crisp with just the right amount of flex and I'll be honest as I like Fenwick, if I was using braided line, then this is the rod I'd have. You may want to give it a go or like I said, the 7' medium power, fast action Aetos is a killer rod but you have to like the skeleton reel seat which some don't care for.

Thanks for the heads up on the TT review. I read through it and they do seem to like the M-MF as an all purpose rod.  That being said, I'd really like this rod to excel at single-hook, bottom contact presentations.  If they've made the Bass series rods more powerful, I'm wondering if the 6'10" ML-XF would be close to my previous 6'9" M-XF? I want to make sure I still get a good backbone  

The Aetos seems interesting but the reviews on the Fenwick site give me some concern. Several people complaining about the eyes and the handle. 

[Toeshots]

3 hours ago, MRG said:

I had virtually the same experience with my  6'9" M-XF Elite Tech SM spinning... My son broke it during a cast this past summer, so I sent it in under warranty. I knew that Fenwick had discontinued the ET Smallmouth, so I figured they'd probably give me something different. Sure enough, a couple of weeks later an Elite Tech Bass ETB69M-MFS - 6'9" medium fast one piece. 

My feelings were the same a yours regarding the replacement rod. The extra fast ETS was really a special rod with nice fast crisp action. The ETB is average at best, unlike the SM which was exceptional. I didn't bother dealing with trading the ET Bass back for another model, perhaps I should have. Possibly the ETB610ML-XFS (6'10" medium-light extra-fast)would have been more like the old rod.

It's interesting that others feel the same as me regarding the replacement rods. At first I thought it was all in my head.Not that it matters to the fish... but, I also liked the color of the ET Smallmouth, I had it paired with a dark green Shimano Symetre. They looked great together. The green Symetre on the brown ET Bass doesn't look quite right. I wish I could get the old ET SM rod back again.

Exactly! I just want the same rod I had!

[Toeshots]

At this point, I'm looking at the following options:

- send the rod back to Fenwick for the 6'10" ML-XF or the 7'0" M-F

- send the rod back and upgrade to the Aetos and pay the difference

- sell/trade the rod for something else or use the money to buy another ET Smallmouth (if I can find one)

 

Why did they have to discontinue this model?!?

 

 

[FryDog62]

3 hours ago, Toeshots said:

Did they ask you what model you wanted for the replacement?

They told me the models had changed and gave me a choice.  Would have opted for the Aetos but disliked the handle

[Toeshots]

49 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

They told me the models had changed and gave me a choice.  Would have opted for the Aetos but disliked the handle

Well at least they asked you. I would have loved if they contacted me before choosing my rod for me. 

[Robert Riley]

I own the same rod as OP, one of my lower end rods, and I'm terrified of breaking it since it's discontinued haha.

[Angry John]

I have the mlxf and I use it for tubes small cranks for trout and as my dropshot rod.  I had the 6'3" and it was a great river rod.

[FryDog62]

We seriously should get a Bass Resource petition together for Fenwick to bring back the Smallmouth Elite Tech rod back --

[smalljaw67]

14 hours ago, Toeshots said:

Thanks for the heads up on the TT review. I read through it and they do seem to like the M-MF as an all purpose rod.  That being said, I'd really like this rod to excel at single-hook, bottom contact presentations.  If they've made the Bass series rods more powerful, I'm wondering if the 6'10" ML-XF would be close to my previous 6'9" M-XF? I want to make sure I still get a good backbone  

The Aetos seems interesting but the reviews on the Fenwick site give me some concern. Several people complaining about the eyes and the handle. 

I have 4 Aetos rods and have not had any problems with guides or the handle but, I like the SK 2 reel seat. If the guides were bad then why put a lifetime warranty on the rod? Just as every Chevy, Ford, and Ram has bad truck, so does every manufacturer have bad rods, they get parts from supplier and sometimes you get ones that aren't up to grade and they end up on a rod but that is why you have the warranty.

[Toeshots]

23 hours ago, Angry John said:

I have the mlxf and I use it for tubes small cranks for trout and as my dropshot rod.  I had the 6'3" and it was a great river rod.

Decent backbone on the ML?

 

That is my main concern - if they added more power to the Bass series, is the Smallmouth M comparable to the Bass ML?

[Toeshots]

13 hours ago, smalljaw67 said:

I have 4 Aetos rods and have not had any problems with guides or the handle but, I like the SK 2 reel seat. If the guides were bad then why put a lifetime warranty on the rod? Just as every Chevy, Ford, and Ram has bad truck, so does every manufacturer have bad rods, they get parts from supplier and sometimes you get ones that aren't up to grade and they end up on a rod but that is why you have the warranty.

I don't disagree with you. Just going by the reviews on their site. The Aetos spinning average review is 3.9. The ET Bass is 4.9. 

I need to take a ride to BPS and handle both. 

[Angry John]

2 hours ago, Toeshots said:

Decent backbone on the ML?

 

That is my main concern - if they added more power to the Bass series, is the Smallmouth M comparable to the Bass ML?

I would say so but the rating for power and speed are different and so is length.  I find it very versatile and it is one rod in my yak that always goes.  I don't bring more than 3 and most times just 2.  I run a 2000 daiwa spinning reel with my ml and its very nice.

[smalljaw67]

12 hours ago, Toeshots said:

I don't disagree with you. Just going by the reviews on their site. The Aetos spinning average review is 3.9. The ET Bass is 4.9. 

I need to take a ride to BPS and handle both. 

BPS doesn't carry any of them, at least they didn't.

[MRG]

Yes, unless you're interested in Johnny Morris gear, your options are getting more and more limited at BPS these days. The only Fenwick they carry is some oddball travel rod. Cabela's has a fairly complete Fenwick selection. I bought my Elite Tech Smallmouth at the local Cabela's store a few years back.