Site Navigation

jamesborghesani · #1 02-17-2000, 01:23 PM

I'm in the market for a conventional rod and I saw at a local tackle store a Fenwick graphite 9' rod, I think an HMG series, that looked pretty nice and was priced right. Anyone have any experience with these rods?

ssully · #2 02-18-2000, 12:37 AM

Jim,

I had a nice 7'6" schoolie one I busted last year, on a boneheaded manuever. I'll be replacing it with the exact same one this year if I can find one. Just my .02

What shop were you in that carried them? Thanks in advance.

JHorton · #3 02-20-2000, 05:29 AM

I own the 9' conventional Fenwick, and absolutely LOVE it. The finish work is not as nice as my Ben Doerr, but I like the narrow handle a lot better.
Combined with a Newell 229-5, it is a rocket launcher that is barely heavier than a fly rod. Excellent for plugs/jigs to about 4 oz., excellent for cut bait up to the size of a big pogie head, and I think the action is perfect for eels. Now if I could just get a little better at casting it in the dark.....
I caught a bunch of keepers on it this year, and can attest to it's fighting power. It has a light tip, but enough power to haul a good-sized fish against a five-knot current. It's also got good hook-setting power. I only broke one fish off this year, and that was due to leader abrasion.
It is not the setup for heavy jigs, or fishing with heavy weights/bait.
That whole rod line is only one season old, so no one will be able to give you a longer-term review of it.
All in all, comparing price/performance, I would choose it over my 8'6" Ben Doerr. I think the 9' length is perfect for surf fishing. I don't know why St. Croix doen't give you that choice.
You can buy them at M&D's in Wareham, or Monahan's in Weymouth. I know Monahan's has a good selection of the smaller rods also.

J.Horton
<A href="http://people.ne.mediaone.net/aromafusion/masssalt.htm">Mass Salt</A>

BillySalmonhole · #4 02-20-2000, 12:30 PM

my first flyrod was a fenwick hmg 9'6" 9wt. i used it for stripers, other inshore species, and for salmon/steelhead fishing. it was a fine rod to start with for the money, medium action and forgiving when learning to cast and land fish. however, within a short period of time i grew out of this rod, my casting style changed as i got better and i found the rod to be on the heavy side. in addition, i don't believe fenwick offers a guarantee on this rod. i would recommend that you look at st. croix's line, diamondback backwater series, and the l.l. bean rods. they all have lifetime guarantees and are in the same price range. it just depends on what type of action you want in the rod as well as what size. lastly, the l.l. bean factory outlet stores in nashua,nh, concord,nh, and freeport,me offer some excellent deals on their rods that have been returned. some are beat up, but others are in mint condition. by the way, these rods also have the guarantee. e-mail me if you would like to discuss further.
i hope this helped.
later,
billy