Fenwick Rod

[SuburbanBassaholic301]

hey guys are fenwick rods pretty good rods?i am looking at buying one and branching out from my usual st.croix rods. i am looking at a casting rod medium action. i need it to be sensitive enough for cranking and for carolina rigs too. any input you could give would be great. i would like to buy it a.s.a.p before someone buys it. thanks

[Micro]

I have several Fenwick rods, HMGs and HMXs.  They are extraordinarily good rods.  

As far as one rod for cranking and carolina rigs goes, IMO, a rod that is preferable for crankbaits isn't the best choice for carolina rigs, and vice versa.  A medium power graphite rod with a medium, medium/fast, or fast action should do fine with cranks.  I use a Fenwick HMG 6'6" and a 7' (GT66M and GT70M models, respectively) for lighter crankbaits.  They are great for that.   (I have a Fenwick Elite Tech Crankshaft rod for heavier, deeper diving crankbaits.)

IMO, a carolina rig rod needs to be a heavier duty - a medium heavy or a heavy power, with a fast action.   For carolina rigs I would look at the Fenwick HMG 7' MH (GT70MH) model.  It would be suitable.  But it's not my first choice.  For me, it's a wee bit too limber.  I use an Allstar American Classic 7' MH/F for carolina rigs.  In the Fenwick HMG I don't think there is a really good carolina rig rod.

In the Fenwick HMX lineup there is a 7' Heavy (HMXT70H) which would excel as a carolina rig rod.  I don't have this rod but I've seen it and it seems to be a very stout rod.

So, Fenwick makes very good rods.  But I've yet to see one that would make a good crankbait rod and a good carolina rig rod.  IMO, their respective requirements prevent one rod being good for both.

[LAO162]

I am very pleased with my Techna AV's.  Recently, Cabelas had an "exclusive" Fenwick Rod, the World Class on sale in the bargin cave.  The description makes it sound similar to the Techna AV, but was only $99 when added to the cart.  Wish I could justify another Fenwick...

Leon

[Grey Wolf]

Why would you need a sensitive rod for cranking ? That's not the rod you want for carolina rigging.

[Joe Boss]

I love my Eagle GT. I know that is one of the lower end rods that Fenwick makes so I can only imagine their high end stuff is even better.

[Dan:]

I've yet to see one that would make a good crankbait rod and a good carolina rig rod. IMO, their respective requirements prevent one rod being good for both.

Truth. There are rods that can do multiple techniques fairly well but cranks and carolina rigs are pretty much on the opposite side of the technique spectrum as far as optimal rod characteristics go.

[MSPbass]

I don't think you'd be disappointed with a Fenwick.

I have a HMG paired with a crankin' reel and I like it; but I'm not a huge crank thrower. The Cabela's World Class, IMHO, is a great rod and for $99 it's a bargain. But, last time I looked, the sale selection was limited. This year, I used a new World Class set up more than my Technas though. The Techna's, by the way, are awesome. A little stiff, but very sensitive. That's my worm rod.

[LAO162]

Not to hijack the thread, but Fishcat, can you give a quick description of the differences between the HMG, World Class & Technas?

Thanks

Regarding multipurpose rods, I have never experienced any significant advantage of slower action rods for cranks.  Then again, my Dad always uses my moderate action  I don't have enough experience yet to understand the nuances of setting the hook with different rods..

Cheers

[Jig Man]

I have 7 HMGs and they are very good and very sensitive but a little heavier than my Gloomis rods.

[roadwarrior]

I have had a couple of Techna AV and currently fish an AVS70MM.

These are outstanding rods, comparable in every way to the St. Croix

Avid series. However, after raising prices last year, I no longer

recommend the Fenwick rods because they seem overpriced vs. the

Avids. The "relative value" simply isn't there. Fenwick's warranty sucks,

too.

8-)

[MSPbass]

I've never had to utilize a Fenwick warranty, but also have never heard a bad thing about it. I thought there's a lifetime warranty on all rods over $100 though. RR has a lot more experience than I, but the one guy I know who did break his HMG, got a new rod in the mail. As for the difference, I am by no means an expert or even a tournament fisher, I'm just a weekend warrior who likes Fenwick. Here's what I know:

The Techna AV the lightest and most sensitive of the 3. The "Aramid Veil" is made of Kevlar. (The bullet proof stuff.) So it's thin and light but strong and sensitive. It's very sensitive. The reel seat and guides are highest quality Fuji components Fenwick uses and offer less weight on the rod. Frames and hoods are stainless steel. I think the blank is IM8. All 3 have the "soft touch" coating though. I believe all use Fuji "concept spacing" for the guides, as well.

The HMG is your average, mid-priced, good-quality rod. It was also the fist graphite bass rod. "The one everyone else imitated" is their tag line. It's a solid rod with more give than the Techna. The Carbon Veil makes it a little heavier and thicker. Guides are Fuji Hardloy. (Mine are older and have titanium inserts by Berkley. I like these.) I haven't ever worried about breaking a HMG. It's a quality rod that anyone can appreciate. I was introduced to Fenwick after I got (semi)serious about fishing and decided to upgrade from the equip. I'd been using since high school. I liked it so much, I've stayed with Fenwick ever since. I know there are better rods out there, but Fenwick has never let me down and they continue to offer innovative products. I honestly recommend the HMG to anyone looking for a quality bass rod. IMO, you can't go wrong with the HMG. But, when you hold a Techna in one hand, and an HMG in the other, you will feel the difference in rods even before you make a cast. It makes a great spinnerbait and/or crankbait specific rod though.

The Cabela's World Class falls right in-between the two. I got a 7'M this year to throw buzzbaits and topwaters and I love it! When I first saw it, I thought it was going to be a supped-up HMG. It's not. It's its own rod. It's the same High Modulus Graphite, and Carbon Veil, but a stronger, thinner, blank. (Might even be the Techna blank.) Guides are Fuji Alconite. It's strong like the HMG, but lighter and uses better (Techna) components. Apparently, Cabela's likes the HMG so much, they worked with Fenwick to come up with this one. The actions and rating are HMG, but it's a nicer rod. If you can find the size you want in the Bargain Cave, don't hesitate to grab it. If you can put down the extra $, I'd get this over the HMG.

Also, Amazon.com is an authorized Fenwick dealer. The regular prices are good (@ $150/Techna) but they sometimes have sales that are just fantastic. You have to jump on them though. They sell out in a day or two, but I've seen folks here snag a Techna for under $100.

[roadwarrior]

Here is the warranty: http://www.fenwickfishing.com/warranty.php

The most common need for warranteed service, accidental breakage,

is specifically denied.

Cost: http://www.fenwickfishing.com/prod.php?k=76555&sk=76555&p=PURAVS%2060LF%20%20(1093909)

My Techna AV AVS70MM msrp is $210, up from $170 a year or so ago.

As for the rod itself, as I said, I like it!

8-)

[MSPbass]

Wow. I don't think that was there when I registered my last rod. I know it wasn't there last year. That's...that's lame! It honestly left a sour taste in my mouth. That's a shame. BUT, I still love my rods.

I guess you can always send it in and see what they say. If you did snap it during a particularly hard fought battle with a fish, it would be hard not to argue that it was somehow defective. If you break it off in your car door, or garage ceiling, it might be a little harder to pull off a replacement.

[Micro]

"Accidental" breakage means you slammed your car door on it, not that it snapped fighting a fish. Big difference. Why should Fenwick warranty against someone's carelessness?

Fenwick's is the only rod warranty I've every had to utilize. I broke an HMG -fighting a fish- and the Lifetime Warranty was administered in the store. In fact, the stores I've been to administer the Fenwick warranty for the first year, then you have to send it in to Fenwick. It's as easy as walking in with a broken rod and walking out with a new replacement.

BTW, according to the vast majority of posts I've seen, and people I've talked to, the Techa AV is more equivalent to the Loomis IMX than the Avid (people I know with them say its better, but not as sensitive as the GLX). The Fenwick HMG is comparable to the Avid. The HMX is comparable to the Premier (though most I know say its better). The HMG represents a fantastic value compared to the Avid. The HMG has hardloy guides verus the Avid's alconite, but in terms of sensitivity they are in the same class. When I've handed off my HMG to my friend and he's handed off his Avid to me they felt virtually identical. The HMG is about $50 less than the Avid - $130 vs $180 (though my local tackle store sells them for $119).

BTW, there is Tackle Tour's review of the Fenwick HMG GT66M (6'6" M), the same rod I use for light cranks.  New HMGs have Fuji Hardloy guides.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewfenwickhmg.html

[LAO162]

Great information.  Thanks!

If I recall correctly, when I called Fenwick earlier this year about their replacement policy for accidential breakage, they will replace it for 55% of MSRP.

The average price for my two Technas (including rebate) is about $100.  Occassionally Amazon has great sales on individual models.  The everyday price of the Techna at Amazon is about $50 less than MSRP and includes shipping.  Thus, the Amazon price may be less than an Avid.

Not considering MSRP & Warranty, it is a good endorsement for RW consider the Techna to be comparable to the Avid.  Unfortunately, that means an upgrade from the Techna will require an even bigger budget

[MSPbass]

Except that you may never want to upgrade from a Techna.