Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth Rods. They Are Worth A Look.

[smalljaw67]

I think most angler have had a look at the new series that Fenwick released the end of last year. I got on board right away as I needed a new spinning rod, so I gave the new Fenwick a shot, I purchased the 6'9" medium power, extra fast action spinning model and I can tell you I was very impressed with the feel of the rod. I got the rod to use for shaky heads and light jigs and tubes but I got a bonus as it really was great to use with small soft jerkbaits like the super fluke Jr and baby slug-o. It has more than enough strength and backbone to throw normal 5" and 6" soft jerkbait and senkos but it really threw the small ones which impressed me the most. I could feel the bottom and light bites in 26' of water on a shaky head using 8# mono, it is without a doubt the most sensitive rod in its price range that I ever used and what make it nice is the reel seat is not only comfotable to hold, but simply extending your index finger puts it right on the blank, this is a plus and looks to be very well thought out. Well I liked that so much I ordered, and just recieved, my new Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth casting rod. It is 6'10" medium heavy power, moderate fast action, the line rating is 12# to 20# and the lure rating is 3/8oz to 1oz. The first thing you notice when you pick it up is how light it is and when you feel how much power the rod has the weight is even more incredible, especially in its price range. I can't get out on the water just yet but I was able to mount a reel and tie off the line to a post and apply some pressure to check the action and it was more than I expected. When I first manually pulled the rod tip it felt kind of stiff, more like a fast action rod but once I tied the line to a post and began putting pressure on it you could see the blank begin to distribute the weight all the way through the mid section of the rod instead of just the top half as a fast action rod does. The reel seat is outstanding in terms of comfort and depending how you palm a reel, a simple extension of the index finger may be all that is needed in order to have direct access to the blank. That is my one and only complaint at all with the reel seat, the lack of blank exposure isn't there like you have on a normal fuji exposed blank reel seat but for this rod it really isn't needed as the rods intened purpose is square bills, large shallow cranks, traps, and it may even see jerkbait duty as it has enough tip for me to control the jerkbait yet has enough flex to fight the fish without pulling the trebe hooks free. I never liked traditional style cranking rods with jerkbaits, I just never felt in control of the lure with them but it isn't the case with this new rod. BTW, I got this rod on Amazon for $77.49 with free shipping!!!! So, if you're in the market for a new rod and perhaps on a budget, you may want to give these Fenwicks a try, I liked my spinning rod so much I gave my grandson my old rod, a G.Loomis SJR722 GL3.

[jig]

fenwicks are great rods ! i have a pile of them.Wasnt happy when they stopped making the elite tech

[Mike L]

I have 3 yr old 7' MM Techna AV spinning rod that I originally wanted as a crank rod but it's pretty soft for that.

However, I love the feel of that rod so much I allways have it with me.

Mike

[kLuo]

x2. I wrote a review about these rods a while ago and most of our points are exactly the same. I can't believe they are selling for $78 now. That can only mean that not many people are buying them. I really hope Fenwick does not discontinue this line of rods. That would be a huge loss.

[BradH]

I bought the 6'10" M casting rod from Amazon. It feels great and I'm excited to fish with it. I'll be tossing small to medium jigs with it. In another 4 or 5 weeks I should be able to give it a solid test.

[smalljaw67]

x2. I wrote a review about these rods a while ago and most of our points are exactly the same. I can't believe they are selling for $78 now. That can only mean that not many people are buying them. I really hope Fenwick does not discontinue this line of rods. That would be a huge loss.

I hope they don't discontinue them either but I don't think you'll see that, as they were hard to get when they first came out, in fact I had to get my first one at retail direct from Fenwick as nobody had them in stock. I think they will be ok as Cabelas is now stocking them, I was lucky to find them on Amazon but it seems only a place called "Reds Gear" on Amazon market place is selling them at discounted prices and they seem to be different every few days. I know some people will tell me I'm full of BS or whatever but I firmly believe that if you stuck a G.Loomis or St. Croix tag on them you'd see them at a much steeper price. My neighbor went fishing with me the first time I had my new spinning rod out on the water, he loves his St. Croix Avids and kept telling me I was wasting my time by getting one of these Elite Techs but now he owns 2 spinning rods, the 6'9" ML-F and the 6'3" M-F and the best part is he sold one of his Avids! Like he said, he sold one Avid and had enough that he bought two Fenwicks for less than one Avid. I know I really like them and with the deals going on at Amazon right now it would be worth a look, especially if you need a rod and are on a budget. JMO.

[KCL655321]

I recently took advantage of the great deals on Amazon & got a 6'10" M F casting rod for $76 & I'm really happy with it. I've tossed it around the backyard with my MGX-SHS & Premier & it casts beautifully & feels great palmed. Only gripe I have is the grip is really short & my pinky is on the blank when I'm casting, which is a lot different feel than all my other rods. I can't wait for the ice to go away & actually get it out on the water, for which I have small topwaters(1/4-1/2oz) & jerkbaits planned for it. I might get the 6'10" MH MF casting rod for cranks down the line, but I have a cranking rod that'll work for now & there's other things higher priority in the near future.

[The one that got away]

I have a 6'9" ML spinning rod that I got last fall and that's a great rod. I just ordered a 6'10" M casting rod off the amazon site for $76 and the free shipping. It came in a few days ago but I haven't been able to fish it yet.

I love the handle on the spinning rod, but it feels strange on the casting model. Probably just me. The rod seems to be high quality, and I think I will adapt to the grip pretty quick especially considering what I paid for it. I haven't fished every rod there is, but I can't believe anyone makes a better rod at that price.

Tthanks again to A-Jay for posting that link to amazon a while back. I never would have thought to look there for fishing gear.

[LAO162]

Have you guys had the chance to compare the 6'9" MXF spinning rod to the 6'3" MF version?

I like the idea of a shorter rod for fishing from shore around trees and brush, but I suspect I would get greater casting distance from the longer rod. It looks as though the 6'9" is only 4 inches longer from the reel seat.

I have the MH power covered but, I'd like something that will cast 1/8 oz spinners & weightless finess worms, but still be able to drive a the hook through a T-rigged Senko. It would be a bonus if it worked well it 1/2 oz baits. Thanks!

Leon

[Sam]

Smalljaw, anything Fenwick is worth a look.

Excellent product.

[shootermcbob]

What would make a rod ...specifically for smallmouth??? What is the difference b/t this rod and a veritas, avid, other fenwicks??? are they stiffer, less stiff, etc? Thinking about getting the 7 foot 4 inch spinning, but where I fish, Largemouth are the prime species. Thanks for any input.

[John G]

What would make a rod ...specifically for smallmouth??? What is the difference b/t this rod and a veritas, avid, other fenwicks??? are they stiffer, less stiff, etc? Thinking about getting the 7 foot 4 inch spinning, but where I fish, Largemouth are the prime species. Thanks for any input.

I thought about getting one and using it for Speckled Trout (saltwater) or anything else, fresh or salt, that takes my bait. LOL

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The Smallmouth designation is just marketing the same as any other technique specific label. I think the smallmouth refernence pertains to the lighter powers predominant in the lineup due to the smaller baits and lighter line typically thrown at smallies.

[A-Jay]

I have a 6'9" ML spinning rod that I got last fall and that's a great rod. I just ordered a 6'10" M casting rod off the amazon site for $76 and the free shipping. It came in a few days ago but I haven't been able to fish it yet.

I love the handle on the spinning rod, but it feels strange on the casting model. Probably just me. The rod seems to be high quality, and I think I will adapt to the grip pretty quick especially considering what I paid for it. I haven't fished every rod there is, but I can't believe anyone makes a better rod at that price.

Tthanks again to A-Jay for posting that link to amazon a while back. I never would have thought to look there for fishing gear.

The benefits of BR membership for me have been many.

It 's the Least I could do.

Pay it forward.

A-Jay

[smalljaw67]

The Smallmouth designation is just marketing the same as any other technique specific label. I think the smallmouth refernence pertains to the lighter powers predominant in the lineup due to the smaller baits and lighter line typically thrown at smallies.

Right on the money!!! If you notice there aren't any 7'6" heavy casting rods and the 7'4" spinning rod is a design they call the great lakes rod, it is intended for deep water fishing with light line. The spinning and casting both run the gammet with medium light, medium and medium heavy and by todays standards are realatively short. My new 6'10" MH-MF rod is a good example, I was concerned that it was a little too fast to use for square bills, traps, and shallow cranks and it is strange because it is stiff under normal loads which would be consistant with working a bait but when you put some pressure on it it really gives and this is exactly what you would want as often a big smallie will make a big surge and run close to the boat and that is exactly when the rod gives. But make no mistake about it, it is a big bait rod, 3/8oz to 1oz but incredibly light. If you're an angler like my self who owns only 2 rods that are 7' long, then these would be great at crossing over to largemouth because it is mostly marketing along with the rod lengths and actions that make it a smallmouth series.

[67Ghost]

_{Been planning to purchase one of these rods for river smallmouths, mostly for throwing 1/8oz jig headed grubs. Don't have any retailers in my area, going to have to order. Can anybody tell me how "light" the 6'9" ML is compared to say an Avid ML? Thanks for any help.}

[smalljaw67]

_{Been planning to purchase one of these rods for river smallmouths, mostly for throwing 1/8oz jig headed grubs. Don't have any retailers in my area, going to have to order. Can anybody tell me how "light" the 6'9" ML is compared to say an Avid ML? Thanks for any help.}

I chose a medium and I'm glad I did but the one I got has the extra fast action and it will throw a 1/8oz weight a long way, and that is the beauty of it that fishing small baits is done with ease but still the rod has a lot of backbone and power so if you happen to hook a giant you'll know you have enough rod to fight it. The thing that was amazing to me with both my spinning rod and now my casting rod is how light they were compared to the power. My neighbor has the Avid 6'9" ML-XF and it compares to my Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'9" M-XF, ever the ratings are close, the Fenwick medium light is rated for 4lb to 10lb and lure weights from 1/16 to 5/8oz. As I said earlier, my neighbor was out with me and he love the Avid spinning and his medium light compared well to my medium and both rods were extra fast action. The St. Croix rods seem to be under rated in terms of power like the medium light being more like a medium power. If you are going to order you can go to Amazon where eyou will find a discounted price or Cabelas, you'll pay full retail but have piece of mind on how it is shipped. I got my casting rod from Reds Gear on Amazon and it was well packed in a heavy cardboard tube but I have heard of some getting rods in a long cardboard box and the rod arrived broke. I just think the discounted price is too hard to pass up. BTW, I forgot to mention, these rods are all backed by a lifetime warranty.

[LAO162]

I had a chance to handle the Elite Tech Smallmouths this weekend. I can really see the appeal. They are light & seem very sensitive. With a Stradic 2500 FI, the only weight I felt was the reel. One of the nice things about the unique reel seat was that I could still put my finger on the blank if I wanted to. Both the 6'9" MXF and 6'3" MF spinning rods look as though they would be a lot of fun. Tips soft enough to toss really light baits, but enough backbone to control a big one.