Older Fenwick Hmg Rod, What Do You Think??

[The Rooster]

The store where I was looking at rods today has a few older model Fenwick HMG rods. They are 7' models, rated M and MH (no action listed, just power) and lure weight is 3/8 to 1 1/4 on the MH as I remember, and I think the line rating was 10 to 25 pound. Can't really remember the details on the medium rod. Anyway, I loved the feel and look of the rods but I picked them up originally because they looked like they might make decent jigging rods. The action of them felt more like a cranking rod though. I flexed the MH and it easily bent into the middle section so I'd say it was more of a MF action than a F or XF. The medium rated rod was the same way, just softer overall.

I went in looking for a jig rod but left thinking this might make a decent crankbait rod the way it felt. It was much softer than what I want for jigs (I'm thinking 7' MH/XF there). It has a lifetime warranty, still new on the shelf, but it's the older version to what's being sold now. It's priced at $129.99. I'm sure I could talk the shop owner down on it some being that it's an older model and he's obviously had them around for a while. The rod's colors are like a dark maroon with black guides and a golden lettering for the graphics. Full cork handles (the newer ones have TAC handles now). Anybody know anything about them?? The only reason I'd want the rod is because of the way it feels for cranking, but if it breaks or something then I know it would be replaced with the new ones and I'm not sure I'd like them.

[Wisconsin Heat.]

I have a newer one, i fished with it a few times, i got the 7 MH at Scheels for 70 bucks, i was ecstatic at the deal i got, i bought the rod for spinnerbaits and such. i feel its got a heavy enough backbone for a lot of applications, and i can cast and pitch alot of things pretty far. i love fenwick, i dont own many rods but two of them are fenwicks-

as far as using them for cranking- icould see myself cranking with the MH, ive already used it for lipless cranks and it handles them well....sorry i dont really know anything about the older rods, but fenwick makes great stuff

[The Rooster]

Oh yeah, the rod felt and looked really well made. I liked it a lot. I'm just looking for any information from someone who may have used this exact rod before. I'm on the fence about whether or not to get it. If it had been $70, I'd probably already have it here at the house.

[slonezp]

I have 1 older HMG/AV 7'6" telescopic flipping rod rated 3/8-2oz and 2 newer 7' HMG's rated 1/4-1oz that I purchased for this season. I jig fish alot and the rod is comfortable to throw jigs all day long. The 2 newer rods are set up: 1 for topwater but I haven't caught a topwater fish all year, and 1 I throw either t rigged worms or small cranks.

When I bought the HMG/AV 3 or 4 years ago, it was an older model. I believe it listed for $129. but I was able to get it for $110. I think they are an awesome rod for the money.

[Vinny Chase]

I still use the older HMG for medium cranks...very nice rod, but my next purchase is going to be a dobyns champion to replace it. Also the price is wwwwaaayyy too high on that rod.

[The Rooster]

Ok, I went back today to look at it further. It's an HMG, model GT70MH, rated 3/8 to 1 1/4 oz. lure weight, 10 to 25 pound line. They had a GT70M also, which is the medium version. Rated at 1/4 to 1 oz. and 8 - 20 pound line.

I directly compared it to a Shimano Crucial and a Compre. The Crucial is rated about the same as far as I can tell. The Crucial was a MH with a fast tip. It felt stiffer than the HMG did. Then the Compre was a MH with an XF tip. It was really stiff compared to the HMG. It's like the tip of the HMG is in the MF range, which is what I first thought when I saw it without comparing it to anything at that time. The Compre was only a 6'6" though, so that might make a difference, I don't know, but it's all they had. Their Shimano stuff is really low instock right now, waiting on the new stuff to come.

Also, last night I looked up an old review of the HMG that Tackletour did a few years ago. They reviewed the GT66M, which I would guess is just a 6'6" version of the medium rod I'm looking at. It had different line guides but should be the same blank type. Their take on it was that it was better for crankbaits also.

I'm leaning towards getting this rod. I like the feel of it. I'd use it for cranking though. I think I'm going to see what's the least he'd take on it.

[The one that got away]

I have the GT66M older version rod. I bought mine before last season. It's definitely on the moderate side of "fast". I use it for jerkbaits and crankbaits, and also for some topwater stuff. Real nice rod.

[TrippyJai]

I have the previous model GT70MH. This rod has good sensitivity compared to my Crucials, but I use it mostly for spinnerbaits. I caught a musky on it last year and it has a lot of power/backbone and handled the fish just fine.

The only thing I like about the new models is the TAC material they use for the grips, but I don't like the big front grip and ACS reel seats. If you find a old model on sale, buy it because you won't be disappointed, but I would not pay more than $120 for the rod. I believe they use the same Carbon Veil blanks.

Also the action is listed on the Fenwick website and it's either a Fast or Moderate Fast action. You can easily tell which is which.

[The Rooster]

The medium rod feels noticeably like a moderate fast action. The medium/heavy, it's harder to tell. It's not as "whippy" as the medium is, but it's not as stiff feeling as my Shimano Compre MH/F rod is either so I think it's slightly below fast action in my estimate. I'm not sure if it being 7' vs. my Compre being only 6'6" would make any difference in how one feels over the other. I'd love it if this rod would work for jigs, and I've read where some use it for that. I'm looking for a jigging rod to be fairly stiff though, and might end up using this rod for crankbaits instead, being that it feels a little less stiff than I actually wanted for jigs.

I haven't been back to the shop in a few days. I'll ask about a discount once I go again. I sort of wanted to wait until he got the new Shimano stuff in to see what they're like. I can get the newer Clarus in IM8 blank (just like my current Compre rods) for a bit less than this Fenwick, even if he came down $30 on the Fenwick. I honestly really like the Fenwick, but I don't think it's worth anymore than about $80, maybe $90. A few days ago though, I liked it well enough I thought about paying whatever it took to get it. But I let my baitmonkey cool off a little since then and some sense kicked in.

[esoxangler]

I have one of these rods, but in a spinning model. I was looking for a shallow to medium crankbait rod. Back then I was pretty new to baitcasters and could not throw anything light on a BC (still can't), so I opted for a spinning rod. I orignally wanted the MHMF but could not locate one to save my life, just MMF. So I picked one up and am so glad I did. It is a true Moderate Fast action IMO. Works great for anything up to 10-12 ft. I have tried DD14's with it and it handles them well enough, but DD22, was a little too much for this rod (reason I wanted a MH, so I could use one rod for all sizes of cranks that I enjoy to throw.)

I have no doubt the casting rods will perform just as well. With that being said, when these went on sale because they were coming out with the current models, they went for 89.99, casting and spinning. This was at Gander Mountain at the time. I think you would be able to get some sort of discount because it is the previous model...never hurts to ask.

Esox

[Micro]

This is what I think about Fenwick HMGs. About half older models, the other half new models.

[The Rooster]

Nice rods. Would you use the GT70MH for jigs or plastics?? Or the GT70M for crankbaits?? I'm reasonably sure I'd use the medium for cranks but I'm not sure if the medium heavy is the right one for jigs and plastics (for me that is).

[Micro]

The new model GT70MH and GT70M are both MF rated, and they are the same blank as the last generation HMG. Fenwick apparently found it useful to put the action on the new HMGs, where they left them off the older rods.

I use my GT70M for medium sized crank baits. It's a fantastic crankbait rod.

I use my GT70MHs for different things. I use it for big DD22s. I use if for fishing soft body frogs. Single hook hollowbody frogs, like the Basiriskys. Spinnerbaits. Bigger treble hook topwaters and moderate sized hard jointed swimbaits Jackall Mikeys, Deps Buzzjets and Ima Roumbas. It is a very versatile rod.

[The Rooster]

I'm looking for one crankbait rod to do all the cranks I'd use. I saw that the GT70M has a weight rating of 1/4 to 1, and it's a MF tip by the way it feels, and now by you saying so also. So I feel it would load up really well to throw cranks of all sizes in the range of baits I use. It might just be the rod I'm looking for. I'd like to think the MH would do this also, but it's rated at 3/8 to 1 1/4, so I don't know if it would load up that well under a 1/4 oz. crank or not. I'm still debating. It's awful hard to think about paying that much for one when the new Clarus rods coming out look so good, are built on the old Compre blank, and cost a lot less.

[Micro]

The GT70M will be the better rod for cranks up 3/4 to 1 oz, I think. The GT70MH better for heavier applications.

I have a couple of GT66M for light cranks. That is a great rod for working light craks, especially around trees and such.