2 DropShot Rods, need help deciding (EDIT: Phenix M1 BROKE!)

[DanQS13]

Just picked up a Pflueger Supreme XT 30 and now need a sweet rod to go with it.  Rod will primarily be use for DS with the occasional grub or ned rig thrown on it.  I have narrowed it down to 2 rods:

Fenwick Elite Tech 6'10 ML/XF for $135 or Phenix M1 6'9 L/F for $153.  I also had the *** Muse Gold ML/F as a possibility, but since more than 1/2 my rods and baitcasting reels are ***, I figured I would try something new.

In regards to the Phenix, my only worry was the L/F being too soft as I have heard Phenix rod are a little below their stated rating.  For people who have used the Phenix rods, would I be better off going with 7'2 M/XF and it would act more like a ML?  This rod doesn't have a "ton" of info about it online so figured I would ask here.

As for the Fenwick, I have heard alot of great things about it and think it would fit the bill if I go that route.

PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD... Stay on topic in responses, I don't care about your $500 Gloomis rod or how good your StC Legend rod is... I'm only concerned with the rods listed above.

(I know how you guys get in threads like these , lol)

I thought about adding Dobyns to this list, however I've heard the Phenix M1 line beat out anything below the Champion Extreme price point, (of course this is subjective)

Even though I could get 30% off, the standard Champion would be as high as I could go at this moment.

[lakeannaangler]

I say get the Fenwick 

[S Hovanec]

BOTH!  You can never have too many DS rods on deck!  Use the Fenwick for bulkier baits and the Phenix for smaller baits!

[blckshirt98]

Of the too-many-rods-to-give-a-number I have, my Phenix M1 spinning 7'2" M/XF rod has caught more fish than all my other rods combined and I've used it primarily as a dropshot rod.  I haven't fished or felt the Phenix L/F, but if my entire rod collection burned to the ground and I could only afford one rod for the next 5 years, the 7'2" M/XF would be it.  I pair it with a 2500 size Shimano with 15 lb braid, and use 7-10# fluoro for a leader when dropshotting.  I also use it to throw KVD 1.0 size squarebills using a Norman Speed Clip tied to the braid.  My favorite all-around spinning rod hands down!

[Airman4754]

I'm a Phenix guy and they under rate rods power wise. I wouldn't fish anything in their spinning lineup under a Medium power. 

[DanQS13]

41 minutes ago, blckshirt98 said:

Of the too-many-rods-to-give-a-number I have, my Phenix M1 spinning 7'2" M/XF rod has caught more fish than all my other rods combined and I've used it primarily as a dropshot rod.  I haven't fished or felt the Phenix L/F, but if my entire rod collection burned to the ground and I could only afford one rod for the next 5 years, the 7'2" M/XF would be it.  I pair it with a 2500 size Shimano with 15 lb braid, and use 7-10# fluoro for a leader when dropshotting.  I also use it to throw KVD 1.0 size squarebills using a Norman Speed Clip tied to the braid.  My favorite all-around spinning rod hands down!

 

35 minutes ago, Mosster47 said:

I'm a Phenix guy and they under rate rods power wise. I wouldn't fish anything in their spinning lineup under a Medium power. 

Thanks guys, this is what I was looking for... this actually makes me happy because if they fish lighter than the rating then the Medium should be more like a medium light which is what I wanted.

Now to order one and hope the sensitivity is on par with what I'm wanting.  I'm sure it will be, I have heard nothing but great things about the M1 line-up.

[LuckyHandsINC.]

You should get a $500 loomis rod. Also the StC legend is very good.

[DanQS13]

55 minutes ago, LuckyHandsINC. said:

You should get a $500 loomis rod. Also the StC legend is very good.

LOL.... I'll cut u

[BassThumb]

1 hour ago, LuckyHandsINC. said:

You should get a $500 loomis rod. Also the StC legend is very good.

But which is better?

[S Hovanec]

5 minutes ago, BassThumb said:

But which is better?

Neither!  All mass produced rods suck!

[Airman4754]

11 hours ago, DanQS13 said:

 

Thanks guys, this is what I was looking for... this actually makes me happy because if they fish lighter than the rating then the Medium should be more like a medium light which is what I wanted.

Now to order one and hope the sensitivity is on par with what I'm wanting.  I'm sure it will be, I have heard nothing but great things about the M1 line-up.

I mostly have UMBX rods, but I do have an M1 that I throw Keitech's on and I really like it. 

[DaleGribble]

I had the same dilemma between the same rods!

 

I went with the Fenwick and so far I've been happy. 

[DanQS13]

So check this out guys... got the Phenix M1 Medium/XF.  Supposed to be this super awesome, super strong rod... well, it couldn't handle a second cast of a 1/8oz tungsten weight and a 4.5 SK Finesse worm, lol.  So ticked at the moment and TackleWH better pay to ship this **** back.

[DanQS13]

This really sucks... the rod looked really good, but I just don't know if I would be comfortable getting another.  Another guy posted a review on TackleWH about his reel seat falling apart and having to send it back.  Maybe Phenix screwed that last lot of these rods up or maybe they are just slacking now

[blckshirt98]

UGH this makes me feel terrible since I was one of the ones that gave the M1 such a rave review.  Let us know if TW will take it back and pay for the shipping!

[WRB]

Take a look at Shimano Compre drop shot rods about $100.

Tom

[Capt.Bob]

I love the 6'10MXF Legend Extreme I have custom built, but the Legend Elite or Extreme in  6'10" MXF rod is in my opinion the best drop shot,,, finesse rod out their, very fast, super light,, with plenty of backbone for big fish.

 

I think the MXF is the right action,,, you just the wrong the wrong rod,, good luck, I would expect them to have your back.

[DanQS13]

8 hours ago, Capt.Bob said:

I love the 6'10MXF Legend Extreme I have custom built, but the Legend Elite or Extreme in  6'10" MXF rod is in my opinion the best drop shot,,, finesse rod out their, very fast, super light,, with plenty of backbone for big fish.

 

I think the MXF is the right action,,, you just the wrong the wrong rod,, good luck, I would expect them to have your back.

Well I mainly got the MXF on the M1 because Phenix ratings are supposed to fish lower than whats listed... so it was more of a ML which is what I was looking for

 

10 hours ago, blckshirt98 said:

UGH this makes me feel terrible since I was one of the ones that gave the M1 such a rave review.  Let us know if TW will take it back and pay for the shipping!

There's no way either of us would have known.  It had to be damaged before shipping, or a manufacturers defect, but now I just don't know what I'm going to do.  I use alot of 13 envy rods so I might just get one of the new finesse rods from them.  The envy 7'1 cranking stick is one of my favorite rods I have.

But the "finesse versions" of this rod, which there are 2 in the list, have a different style handle and all are 40ton Toray.  This is what I was gonna get to begin with but wanted to try something new... we see how that went, LOL.

[buzzed bait]

looks like it broke right at the guide/thread wrapping which is kind of odd to me...  i've had a couple rods break on the first trip from a manufacturers defect and they broke like right halfway in between two guides, but never right at the guide like that!  if TW doesn't take it back, does phenix have a warranty on these rods?

[blckshirt98]

Phenix has one of the best warranties around.   This has to be a manufacturing defect but shipping cost is always the problem.  I'd check with TW first to see if they can replace it and cover shipping....theyll see you bought the rod a few days ago.

[DanQS13]

TackleWH apparently had a UPS Ground return label already in the box that my Roboworms came in.  So I sent it back with that, and hopefully by next week they will refund the money when they get it.

I also pulled the trigger on the envyBLK 7'2" ML Finesse rod... ive got envys/omenz/conc Cs/conc As/etc... and they just flat out perform for me.  I've caught hundreds of fish over the past 2 years and never has a 13 product fail on me.  From here on our I'm not buying stuff to "try something new", I'm just going to stick with old reliable.

1 hour ago, blckshirt98 said:

Phenix has one of the best warranties around.   This has to be a manufacturing defect but shipping cost is always the problem.  I'd check with TW first to see if they can replace it and cover shipping....theyll see you bought the rod a few days ago.

Oh and Phenix warranty is a pay warranty, think $50+shipping... however with it being a new rod they probably would have just replaced it for shipping cost.  However, TackleWH is taking it back so don't have to worry about it now.

[fisherrw]

On ‎4‎/‎28‎/‎2016 at 7:52 PM, Mosster47 said:

I'm a Phenix guy and they under rate rods power wise. I wouldn't fish anything in their spinning lineup under a Medium power. 

x2

[blckshirt98]

6 hours ago, DanQS13 said:

TackleWH apparently had a UPS Ground return label already in the box that my Roboworms came in.  So I sent it back with that, and hopefully by next week they will refund the money when they get it.

I also pulled the trigger on the envyBLK 7'2" ML Finesse rod... ive got envys/omenz/conc Cs/conc As/etc... and they just flat out perform for me.  I've caught hundreds of fish over the past 2 years and never has a 13 product fail on me.  From here on our I'm not buying stuff to "try something new", I'm just going to stick with old reliable.

Oh and Phenix warranty is a pay warranty, think $50+shipping... however with it being a new rod they probably would have just replaced it for shipping cost.  However, TackleWH is taking it back so don't have to worry about it now.

I'm glad TW has the free return label so you're not paying anything extra out of pocket.  Sorry the Phenix rod didn't work out for you, was hoping to get another forum person on the Phenix boat, but if the *** rods are working for you, go crack em!  Oh, the Phenix pay warranty is the no-questions-asked warranty - you could take a 5 year old rod and snap it over your leg and get a new rod for the pay warranty price (not that I condone this), they have the normal only-pay-for-shipping for factory defect rods as well.

[Quarry Man]

On 4/28/2016 at 10:50 AM, Mosster47 said:

I mostly have UMBX rods, but I do have an M1 that I throw Keitech's on and I really like it. 

How do you like to fish Keitechs, looking to get a rod for them only

[WRB]

On May 2, 2016 at 4:57 PM, DanQS13 said:

So check this out guys... got the Phenix M1 Medium/XF.  Supposed to be this super awesome, super strong rod... well, it couldn't handle a second cast of a 1/8oz tungsten weight and a 4.5 SK Finesse worm, lol.  So ticked at the moment and TackleWH better pay to ship this **** back.

This is what the OP decided on without wanting anyone's suggestions....sometimes you get what you deserve. This is an old thread and haven't noticed the OP postingfor awhile now.

Tom