Fenwick Elite-tech Smallmouth rod ?

[OkobojiEagle]

A couple 6' 10" Elite-tech smallmouth baitcasting rods have been standing in my rod box un-used for a couple of seasons and I'd like to change that.  They're rated 1/8 - 5/8oz and are plenty parabolic.  I'm thinking they may work well for suspending jerkbait rods.  I know there are others on this board that picked this rod up while they were available several years ago... what are you using yours for?

 

oe

[dodgeguy]

Sounds like a good jerkbait and lipless rod.

[A-Jay]

2 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

Sounds like a good jerkbait and topless rod.

So does this need to happen at the same time

or can it be one then the other ?

A-Jay

[dodgeguy]

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

So does this need to happen at the same time

or can it be one then the other ?

A-Jay

Stupid spell check.

[Bluebasser86]

I have a 6' 3" Elite Tech that makes a really nice jerkbait rod. I'd use those for jerkbait and topwater also.

[Choporoz]

I broke my ETSM 6'10 MHF last year on a big cat that dove under my kayak and I about cried.  It was my favorite rod.  It was phenomenal for light Trig and skipping.

[OkobojiEagle]

6 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I have a 6' 3" Elite Tech that makes a really nice jerkbait rod. I'd use those for jerkbait and topwater also.

I have that rod also.  It's even more soft and parabolic than the 6'10" rods.  I've used it to teach my young grandkids how to cast...  I've got a 6'4" Aetos rod that is faster and stronger than the Elite-tech smallmouth rods that I prefer throwing topwater with.  I'm able to keep larger smallmouth out of the weeds easier with it.

 

oe

1 hour ago, Choporoz said:

I broke my ETSM 6'10 MHF last year on a big cat that dove under my kayak and I about cried.  It was my favorite rod.  It was phenomenal for light Trig and skipping.

I think I would cry!...

 

oe

[DitchPanda]

4 hours ago, Choporoz said:

I broke my ETSM 6'10 MHF last year on a big cat that dove under my kayak and I about cried.  It was my favorite rod.  It was phenomenal for light Trig and skipping.

Sounds like I'm in the minority here. I have one that's 6'9 medhvy and its not my favorite. The handle seems very short and not super comfortable to me.

[Choporoz]

2 minutes ago, DitchPanda said:

Sounds like I'm in the minority here. I have one that's 6'9 medhvy and its not my favorite. The handle seems very short and not super comfortable to me.

The handles are short.   That was one of the things I liked.  In my Wilderness Tarpon kayak, short handles helped me a lot....less so in my Hobie.

  The reel seats have been a problem,  I'll admit.  I had to shim them up to keep the reel tight....but that seemed like a minor inconvenience.   Though I can see why it really bothered some.

[DitchPanda]

Just between the short handle and the weird grip for me on the reel seat I never feel like I have any control or leverage on the hook set.