Fenwick Elite Tech Bass vs Mojo Bass

[Finessegenics]

I have the chance to get my hands on a very lightly used Elite Tech Bass 6’10 ML/XF. Same action and power as my Mojo Bass. Only difference between the two would be the Fenwick is rated 1/8-5/8 oz while the Croix is 1/8-1/2 oz. Anyone have experience with both and if so how do they lineup? 
 

I am very familiar with both Fenwick and St Croix. I find that in this price range (100$-150$) the fenwicks tend to be better quality. I’ve fished the HMG and recently bought an Elite tech Walleye. The elite tech walleye seems much better than the St Croix Eyecon I had, and the HMG was much better than the Triumph...I’ve just never had or even held an elite tech bass. So how do they compare? Thanks! 

[LCG]

I have owned the previous generation HMG and HMX. Liked the HMG, sold the HMX in short order. Also owned the Mojo which was nice and good quality, as was the HMG.

 

I almost bought the same elite tech you mentioned, but both of the rods in the store hand loose reel seats and the action was not xf as stated, a common problem apparently. Shame, because it's the most comfortable reel seat I have ever held. Fenwick is owned by Pure Fishing, which I would not put in the same league as St. Croix.

 

I found the ML-F HMG to be too slow and the St Croix M-XF to be too stout. Found a Carbonlite 2.0 M-XF that is similar to St croix ML-XF, and I love it. I sold both the hmg and st croix. 

 

Long story short between the two you mentioned I would take the st croix ml-xf. I also feel Fenwicks quality has dropped as of late. 

[FishTank]

I have an Elite Tech Bass casting rod 7'2'' H Fast.  It's sort of broom stick but it's not bad.  I also have an Elite Tech Walleye 7'2'' ML XF Spinning rod.  This rod I like quite a bit.  It's just fun to fish.  It's not the most sensitive or the most accurate but the taper and hook sets are great. 

I would say there is not much difference in build quality between the Elite Tech Bass and the Elite Tech Walleye.  I believe the reel placement is slightly higher on the Walleye rod but not much. 

[Finessegenics]

8 minutes ago, LCG said:

Fenwick is owned by Pure Fishing, which I would not put in the same league as St. Croix.

 

I know..I sometimes wonder if some Abu Garcia rods and Fenwicks are just practically the same, just different reel seats and aesthetics..

 

Now St Croix is definitely not in the same league as Fenwick and that’s most people’s first reaction. But it is important to note that the Mojo, Eyecon, Bass X and Triumph are all made in Mexico. Hard to associate those with the “handcrafted in America” series (Premier, Avid, Legend series) so I don’t think it’s exactly fair to say these st croixs are far superior than the Fenwicks. Thanks for your input though! I enjoy my mojo bass so probably no point in changing it.

[LCG]

4 minutes ago, Finessegenics said:

I know..I sometimes wonder if some Abu Garcia rods and Fenwicks are just practically the same, just different reel seats and aesthetics..

 

Now St Croix is definitely not in the same league as Fenwick and that’s most people’s first reaction. But it is important to note that the Mojo, Eyecon, Bass X and Triumph are all made in Mexico. Hard to associate those with the “handcrafted in America” series (Premier, Avid, Legend series) so I don’t think it’s exactly fair to say these st croixs are far superior than the Fenwicks. Thanks for your input though! I enjoy my mojo bass so probably no point in changing it.

I agree that the Mexico vs China debate is mute. But I still feel st croix offer more quality. Now their American made rods are very nice, had an avid x that was fantastic minus the micro guides. 

 

One day I would love to have a custom made rod with the right power and action I want in the blank but with those elite tech reel seats. A man can dream

[Finessegenics]

2 minutes ago, LCG said:

I agree that the Mexico vs China debate is mute. But I still feel st croix offer more quality. Now their American made rods are very nice, had an avid x that was fantastic minus the micro guides. 

 

One day I would love to have a custom made rod with the right power and action I want in the blank but with those elite tech reel seats. A man can dream

Avid blank, Elite tech reel seats, and some normal guides ?? Sounds beautiful! I have the avid x in casting but I use fluoro so the guides don’t bother me

[waymont]

My Elite Tech Walleye rods are very good rods. The 6'6" ML is really nice. Pretty fast action, great for jigs.

The 6'9" EF ML is a great drop shot and jerk bait rod. They are really well balanced and well made.

I tried the Elite Tech Bass rods but didn't like the handles or actions as much.

[Toeshots]

I wish Fenwick would bring back the Elite Tech Smallmouth. I had the 6’9 M/XF and absolutely loved it. Such a great rod. 
 

Mine had to be replaced but the Smallmouth line was discontinued so Fenwick sent me an Elite Tech Bass. Didn’t like it nearly as much and sold it shortly thereafter. 

[NOC 1]

17 hours ago, LCG said:

 

Fenwick is owned by Pure Fishing, which I would not put in the same league as St. Croix.

 

Whoa there...Abu might not be in the same league as SC when it comes to $500 rigs but they are close and they definitely make gear that outshines the rods you fellows are talking about here. I find the ABU Villains in the ballpark with the Avids and I prefer them to some of the Legend T's simply because they are light and balanced where so many of the LT rods are not. ( I have several of both Villains and LT)

 

I would put some of the Abu Garcia Fantasista series rods head to head with many of the St. Croix rods, or any one else's rods at the $350-$400 range.

 

Not to mention that Abu makes a ton of rods that most Americans have never seen or heard of because like most international fishing manufacturers, they realize that the American market prefers a very narrow range of gear (MH-F, 7' rods) and is largely unwilling to spend more than $100-$150 on it. In Japan and around the world Abu is well respected and sought after gear.

 

Now, when you are comparing Abu rods to those like the Premier, Mojo, Bass-X, and etc. Abu is 100% in that league. Those are the $100 rods that Americans buy and Abu sells a ton of rods that compete at that level for $20 less. There is nothing all that special about the St. Croix rods at that price point. One may prefer Mojo Bass rod over an Abu Veritas rod, but hopefully that is because of some concrete personal preference rather that a misguided belief that one major company's $100 rod inherently better because of its name. After all just about everybody makes a decent $100 rod. The American market demands it.

 

 

[MIbassyaker]

The majority of my rods are Fenwick and St. Croix. In general, I find Fenwicks tend to have a little stiffer tips than st. croix, although for overall quality, the various lines seem priced appropriately. I don't have the current Elite tech, but I have two of the older Elite Tech Smallmouth rods, and they are truly great.  However, I have heard the current ETB line is a bit of a step back. How it compares to the mojo, I don't know. Of the models you're looking at, it is listed as slightly lighter than the mojo (3.38oz vs. 3.6oz):

 

http://www.fenwickfishing.com/fenwick-freshwater-rods-fenwick-elite-tech/fenwick-elite-tech-bass-spinning/1363840.html#specifications

 

https://stcroixrods.com/collections/freshwater/products/mojo-bass-spinning

 

However...is there some reason to compare the two in the first place? Why not just get the ETB and have both?

[Finessegenics]

3 hours ago, MIbassyaker said:

However...is there some reason to compare the two in the first place? Why not just get the ETB and have both?

Well...I could afford both but it’s just impractical for me. I don’t need two rods with the same specs that I will end up using for the same techniques. Just seems like unnecessary spending for someone in my position. Would be great to compare but the general consensus seems to be that the mojo is the way to go.