Rod dilema... Help..

[21XDC]

I used to be a Hagens rod dealer and still might be LOL... I used to have custom rods made for me and friends. I would take the 702 blanks and have them cut down to 6ft 9inchs. Larger cork handles etc... Loved the loomis blanks they used. Now they are StCroix blanks and I like those as well. I have a bunch of All Stars now and don't like the long handles. I prefer a shorter handle like the Fenwick I linked.

But I like a 6ft 9 in rod and have narrowed my choices to these linked below.... What are your thoughts and experiences with these?

VRC69-6
VRCM69-6
http://www.abugarcia.com/products/rods/veritas


ESMC69M-XF
ESMC69MH-F
http://www.fenwickfishing.com/elite-tech-smallmouth/

[Manxfishing]

Well

I know what you mean
I have (2) 6-9 med Kistler Hel. with short handles. It's the first rod I throw

Looking at both of them
I'd give the nod to the Fenwick, for no other reason then I don't like the white blanks and I like the shorter handle

[Redbone]

I have two or three of the abu's you mentioned. And two or three more of the spinning. I really like the feel, weight and balance. It is one of the better rods out there for under $100. With that being said, I have broke that same rod trying to rip a square bill free from weeds. It broke at the backbone, and that was a first for me. Probably a little light for the application. The other issue that is happening on another rod is the reel seat. It is made of aluminum and can be prone to being bent and not holding the reel as it should. Not that I would step on my rods or anything .

If I was going to buy a rod today and money didn't matter, I would try the fenwick. Just because of the reel seat.

[21XDC]

Reading all of the bad reviews on the Veritas scares me... They feel great in your hand, BUT!!!! I may not be the nicest to my rods either. I swing in 3+lb fish a lot and I hear this kills this rod. My Hagens never failed me, ever... I think I will order 1 of each and see what I like best and then "Bulk buy" 

The ABU rods have a 3 year warranty..... Fenwick is Lifetime... This also needs to be considered.

[mikesmiph]

Fenwick is not lifetime. You need to read that again. Grandt, (a sponsor on this site) on the other hand is.

[21XDC]

Fenwick is not lifetime. You need to read that again. Grandt, (a sponsor on this site) on the other hand is.

I read it just fine... LOL.. The rod I'm looking at does. http://www.fenwickfishing.com/warranty-information/  

Looks like you need to re read it.. LOL


I looked at the Grandt rods and didn't see any 6 ft 9 inch models.... I get a deal on the rods I mentioned...

Does Grandt make a 6 ft 9in? Link please...

[fishhound]

The Veritas seem to be a little off on the actions too. Always stiffer than advertised.

[21XDC]

Stiffer is better than flimsier to me..    Still waiting for the Smiph to link me some 6 ft 9 in rods... I sure cant afford the price that I see on their site. Of coarse there has to be some kind of discount I imagine.. 

[mikesmiph]

6"9 is a little bit of an odd size. Not quite sure why 6'8" or 6'10" won't work, but to each their own. No, Grandt doesn't make a 6'9" rod but I'm sure they would cut one down an inch for you. And yes, you get 10% off as a member of this site, more if you go to the Grand Rapids show and buy one there. Grandt also has an unconditional lifetime warranty. You don't have to register it, you don't have to keep your receipt, it doesn't have to be a manufacture defect. If you replace it at a show, it costs you nothing. If you have to send it in, it cost you shipping. That's it. The All American Series can be had for right around $100 each. If you want a 6'9" rod, let me know and I'll see what can be done.

[21XDC]

Thanks Mike... I looked at those rods and didn't see any 6ft 8 or 6ft 10s... http://www.grandtrods.com/All%20American%20Pro%20Series%20Custom%20Graphite%20Fishing%20Rods

Please give me a model number to search...

6ft 9in is not an odd size as many rod manufactures off these...

[21XDC]

The Grandt rods look similar to the Hagens to me http://www.hagensfish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=26&products=99

[mikesmiph]

I don't even know the more than 30 major rod companies that Grandt makes rods for. They have proprietary names. That could very well be one of them. 

[21XDC]

Hagens make their own rods with St Croix blanks.. They used to use G Loomis blanks. I was a dealer for many years, but I have not ordered from them in 6-7 years.

[mikesmiph]

Ok, not one of them then. Grandt makes all their own blanks. Nothing is imported. Everything is made in the US

[21XDC]

I'm really leaning hard on the Elite Tech smallmouth rods by Fenwick. Because of the length, handle and length and feel... What model Grandt would be a closer comparison? Cost of those?

[21XDC]

Shorter handles like these... A and B are both 6ft 9in rod handles

[21XDC]

I'm an anxious kind of guy..    I ordered 1 of each of the Fenwick's and the micro guide model Veritas linked above.... I will be ordering quite a few more rods before winter is over. I may be interested in the Grandt rods if someone can show me something comparable to what I want, at a price I can justify spending. I may be a little picky, but I have been fishing tournaments for 30+ years and know what I like by now. 

I do prefer to buy USA built anything, as long as it's price competitive and similar quality. I know that's a tough one to find. 

[21XDC]

I'm also not against the 6ft 8in model Fenwick Aetos A681MHFC with a B handle.. http://www.fenwickfishing.com/aetos/ 

Who has one of these? Opinions please ...

[motocross269]

I have two Fenwick Elite tech smallmouth spinning rods.....I got them on sale at Cabelas for 89 bucks so I thought I would give them a shot....I was very impressed and they are fine rods built with good components.....

[21XDC]

  Wow.. That's cheap...