Fenwick Revamp

[NoFroFishing]

Got the new Fenwick Elite delivered today, fished for an hour and landed 5 fish. On the ned of course. 6’8 M Spinning rod specifically for close combat ned rigging. 

 

I haven’t been instantly impressed with a rod maybe ever? The aesthetics, comfort, ergonomics, balance, sensitivity, and the action. All of it are unlike anything I’ve seen in a while. The grip on the spinning rods is definitely different but it also absolutely works. The soft touch rubber makes it comfortable and nothing digs into your hands like I thought it might while your pinky and ring finger rest on the exposed blank. Does take a few minutes to get used to. Also if the perfect rod action exists this might be it. 

 

My understanding is that these are the guys who made or helped make the NRX (out of my price range) but I can see why those rods are cherished. 

 

I’ve been a Dobyns fanboy for a while but wanted to try something new. This outshines any Dobyns I’ve put in my hand and I have a bunch 🫣

 

Maybe I’m easily impressed but would like to hear what others think that have used them. 

 

The lure ratings on the casting rods seem low but maybe there is something I don’t know or maybe someone can give insight on that. 

[FrnkNsteen]

I haven't fished them, but held a few in the store. The rods felt good, but the new grips felt different and didn't grab me right away.

 

I was at our local shop's spring open house and the Pure Fishing rep was there representing the new Abu and Fenwick rods We were talking about the new grips and he said they brought an ergonomics expert in on the design to help design the handle for extended comfort and use. Don't know if that's true, but that's what he said.

 

Like I said,.. I didn't care for the handle, but do LOVE my Fenwick spinning rods. Sounds like I may have to give one a chance (Like I need more rods!!!)

[new2BC4bass]

I haven't used any of the new rods.  However, I've always felt I got good value for my money with Fenwick rods.  AFAIC the Smallmouth series were exceptional value.  Wish they hadn't stopped production of them.  Probably were losing money on that series.  Thus the reason for only one year (afaik) of production.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

16 hours ago, NoFroFishing said:

Got the new Fenwick Elite delivered today, fished for an hour and landed 5 fish. On the ned of course. 6’8 M Spinning rod specifically for close combat ned rigging. 

 

I haven’t been instantly impressed with a rod maybe ever? The aesthetics, comfort, ergonomics, balance, sensitivity, and the action. All of it are unlike anything I’ve seen in a while. The grip on the spinning rods is definitely different but it also absolutely works. The soft touch rubber makes it comfortable and nothing digs into your hands like I thought it might while your pinky and ring finger rest on the exposed blank. Does take a few minutes to get used to. Also if the perfect rod action exists this might be it. 

 

My understanding is that these are the guys who made or helped make the NRX (out of my price range) but I can see why those rods are cherished. 

 

I’ve been a Dobyns fanboy for a while but wanted to try something new. This outshines any Dobyns I’ve put in my hand and I have a bunch 🫣

 

Maybe I’m easily impressed but would like to hear what others think that have used them. 

 

The lure ratings on the casting rods seem low but maybe there is something I don’t know or maybe someone can give insight on that. 

Dobyns doesn’t put a lot of resources into their spinning rods. The new owners will going forward I suspect. 

[Aaron_H]

23 hours ago, NoFroFishing said:

The lure ratings on the casting rods seem low but maybe there is something I don’t know or maybe someone can give insight on that. 

 

My only Fenwicks are a couple of older Aetos spinning rods that I like quite a bit. They are MH and are only rated for 1/4-3/8 oz which is crazy light for a MH, but I have thrown over 3/4oz on them comfortably so I always assumed it was a typo; perhaps it's just a running theme with them.

[MIbassyaker]

I haven't tried any of the newer Fenwicks, but I own several models in the old Elite Tech Smallmouth and Aetos lines, spinning and casting, that have been in service constantly since I got them -- they were very good rods at their price point that never really seemed to catch on. 

15 minutes ago, Aaron_H said:

 

My only Fenwicks are a couple of older Aetos spinning rods that I like quite a bit. They are MH and are only rated for 1/4-3/8 oz which is crazy light for a MH, but I have thrown over 3/4oz on them comfortably so I always assumed it was a typo; perhaps it's just a running theme with them.

Weird!  I have the 7'0 MF Aetos spinning, and it's rated 1/16-3/4.

[new2BC4bass]

40 minutes ago, Aaron_H said:

 

My only Fenwicks are a couple of older Aetos spinning rods that I like quite a bit. They are MH and are only rated for 1/4-3/8 oz which is crazy light for a MH, but I have thrown over 3/4oz on them comfortably so I always assumed it was a typo; perhaps it's just a running theme with them.

I have a Quantum Tour Edition 7' MF rated 1/4-3/4 oz. while the 6'10" HF is rated 1/4-5/8 oz.  Is it a misprint, or is it total weight for the MF and only the lead weight for the HF?

 

Also have an iRod 7' MHF rated 3/16-3/8 oz.  An email to iRod confirmed the rod handled MH weights, so I'm assuming listed weights are lead only.

 

Only the rod maker understands why they have off the wall weight listings. 

 

I have the same Aetos spinning rod MIbassyaker has. 

 

[ABU is overpriced]

Wouldn't mind Fenwick becoming a relevant brand. Haven't had a rod of theirs for about 15 years.

[rangerjockey]

I had the world class, elite and HMG in the '24 models. The only one that survived the tornado is the elite jerkbait/top water rod. I personally really like them. I don't think they have sold as well as pure fishing had hoped but they have taken a big step forward.

[Goby]

I have been wanting to try some of these rods for a while now, finally pulled the trigger last week.

 

I ended up going with some of the new Fenwick rods, three World Class, a 7'1" Medium Mod/Fast Reaction, a 7'2" Medium Heavy Mod/Fast Reaction and a 7'1" Medium X-Fast Spinning Bottom Contact.

 

I have yet to use the baitcaster models, the rods just showed up the other day, but the spinning model is incredible. It really does feel awesome in hand and the craftsmanship is even better than a Dobyn's Xtasy, Loomis NRX+, St. Croix Legend, etc... if you care about that sort of thing, which my OCD very much does LOL

 

I can feel a Walleye eat a 4" split tail minnow on a 3/8 ounce jig in 30'+ of water with it on a bomber cast as if the fish slammed the jig on a tight line right next to the boat. It just simply feels incredible in hand, wish I had tried them sooner. 

 

I think their marketing sucks, they could do so much better with their website, etc... you can hardly find any reviews on them online, etc... That being said, the three I have here all look and feel great and the one I have fished has already become my favorite stick to play with... 

 

 

 

 

[Bigbox99]

I've always wanted a Timco Fenwick just to see what those are all about.

[Hulkster]

I have handled them in store and they felt great. 

 

my only issue is I hate top down locking spinning reel seats lol

 

they put them on upside down!

[NoFroFishing]

On 8/25/2024 at 1:59 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Dobyns doesn’t put a lot of resources into their spinning rods. The new owners will going forward I suspect. 

Yea the spinning rods are pretty lackluster and I hate how they do the locking nut. As a whole there hasn't been a whole lot to look forward to with Dobyns so I hope they revamp or put something new out soon. Pretty sure the Champ blank is pushing 20 years old or something like that and you can tell when you use a newer rod. 

9 hours ago, Goby said:

 

I think their marketing sucks, they could do so much better with their website, etc... you can hardly find any reviews on them online, etc... That being said, the three I have here all look and feel great and the one I have fished has already become my favorite stick to play with... 

 

 

 

 

Marketing is pretty non existent. I saw the videos at iCast and they immediately caught my eye but other than that it's been crickets. With who's in charge of the revamp you would think they would push that. I hope the word spreads because these rods are so d**n nice. It really does feel like you are holding and using a carefully crafted piece of equipment.