fenwick elite tech, or HMG

[papajoe222]

Looking to give my grandson his first baitcaster and have settled on one of these two in MH. Price isn't a factor as the Elite Tech is on sale.  Just wondering if there's anything easily distinguishable between the two performance wise?

[lmbfisherman]

I dislike the new Elite Tech, but they are supposedly better than the HMG.  If they are the same price, probably would go the ET.

[LCG]

I played with a few of the elite tech rods and while they are nice two of them had stripped reel seat screws. 

 

I have the previous  hmg is spinning and it's a great rod. The new Hmg baitcasting rods feel nice. I would go hmg personally. 

[Boomstick]

I seriously considered getting my kid a M/F HMG for Christmas. It felt like it was a little on the stiffer side, and felt like it would have very good sensitivity for a $100 rod from what I could gather by holding it in the store. I ended up getting a Mojo Bass spinnerbait rod (MH/MF) as he likes fishing spinnerbaits and crankbaits and there is a lot more play in the tip of the Mojo.

 

I am now considering perhaps that M/F HMG or Elite Tech Bass MH/F rod for my other kid, or perhaps I'll shell it out and get him a Zodias (I found a good deal on one). He is most interested in paddletail swimbaits and soft plastics.

 

But personally I had a better impression from the HMG than the ETB from checking them out at Dick's. One thing I will note is HMG line runs on the heavier side, and the ETB line runs on the lighter side, so the HMG M/F is closer to the ETB MH/F than the M/F.

[LCG]

The HMG definitely runs heavy. I had a medium spinning rod and sold it for a medium light. You may want to consider a medium as opposed to medium heavy. 

[ZebcoZak]

I have both and prefer the Elite Tech pretty substantially.  Feels like a better quality build with the reel seat, and I like the split grip a lot.  As far as sensativity, I don't notice much betwene these two, but there is a pretty good step up with the AETOS line.  Very nice rods.

[DomQ]

I love my 3 HMG rods, I pulled out a 9.8 muskie  (in my pic) using the m/mf 7'2" HMG rod. Handled that way way better than expected, I had 12lb floro on the reel which really had me worried! Still can't believe I caught that. Still remember feeling my crank slam to a hult and than this hog jumping straight out of the water, you could hear my "oh !@#$" across the lake hahaha

[kingmotorboat]

I used to own every model of hmg and an aetos. The hmg mf is closer to medium heavy. The mh closer to heavy etc. Same with the aetos I felt. But I'll tell you what they are great rods at each price point. I regret getting rid of them at times