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/
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
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.
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" ;D
The ABU rods have a 3 year warranty..... Fenwick is Lifetime... This also needs to be considered.
Fenwick is not lifetime. You need to read that again. Grandt, (a sponsor on this site) on the other hand is.
Quote from: mikesmiph on December 11, 2013, 08:08:16 AM
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
;D
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...
The Veritas seem to be a little off on the actions too. Always stiffer than advertised.
Stiffer is better than flimsier to me.. :P 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.. :o
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.
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...
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
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.
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.
Ok, not one of them then. Grandt makes all their own blanks. Nothing is imported. Everything is made in the US
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?
Shorter handles like these... A and B are both 6ft 9in rod handles
(http://65.61.165.54/fenwick/wp-content/uploads/handles-smallmouth-web.png)
I'm an anxious kind of guy.. :P 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. :P
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. :'(
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 ...
(http://www.fenwickfishing.com/fenwick/wp-content/uploads/fenwick-aetos.png)
(http://65.61.165.54/fenwick/wp-content/uploads/handles-aetos-web.png)
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.....
:o Wow.. That's cheap...
Most of Grandt's rods are in 6" increments. The best pricing by far is available to GreatLakesBass.com members who buy them at an outdoor show like the Grand Rapids Ultimate Sport Show in March 2014. In the past, you get to keep that pricing after you buy at the show but I haven't confirmed that with Jim recently.
Last time I asked, I believe they were making rods for about 70 other companies but I do not know many of the names. I should search the forum to see if I stated it earlier in the year rather than go by my memory but I thought he had told me 71? They are private label and sometimes there is no mention at all of the relationship. I do know that some members on here have said they like other rod brands that are actually made by Grandt. The member just doesn't know that.
It's pretty normal for us bass anglers to be particular. Common trait among many we have. I do try to share the connections and any important details I'm aware of that I think might help people make good, educated choices when I can. The industry seems to keep tightening up where fewer manufacturers make many of the products we use from 'different' companies.
Batteries are a good example. It was also weird for me seeing 4 major bass boat brands going down the same lines a few winters ago. Luckily, there are no shortages of things to 'debate.' Particularly for those of us locked in ice each winter (well, most winters, just not lately... this winter looks to be a long lockout though ;D)
My wrists are fatigued from 30 years in the construction industry. I don't palm my reels, but hold the rod like a pistol. I love the 7 ft rods but found that after a day of casting, hook sets, and reeling fish in, My wrist hurts pretty bad. I feel the 6 ft 6 in rods are too short for my liking, but they don't bother my wrist at all. You wouldn't think there would be much difference. It must be the extra leverage and weight all day snowballing. ::) So when I went to the 6 ft 9 in rod to split the difference, I have been real happy. As long as the rod is fairly light weight. When I was younger I never understood the "Need" for expensive light weight rods. The fish don't care LOL...
My age and job are taking a toll... :'(
I can understand and sympathize. I get wrist pain thanks to years of typing and using computer mousies. I still like longer rods though 7 to 7 1/2 foot most often (I'm 5' 10" - height makes a difference with some people). Lighter rods are real nice when I can get them.
I got stuck on the longer rods from a combination crankbait love and years of fishing the Great Lakes just winging casts a long ways. I do keep a few pistol-grip rods and shorter rods around though because I like to fish rivers, and shorter rods / pistol grips can be good for lots of shorts casts to the bank. Grandt makes a few pistol grips but I haven't bought one of those yet.
I started a wish list:
http://www.fenwickfishing.com/aetos/
6 of these A681MHFC Most of my baits
1 of these A761HXFC Frog rod
1 of these A721MXFS Drop shot and tube rod for St Clair
Make sure you put it where people who have extra spending money can see it! ;D
Actually quite the opposite.. Hiding the list from the wife. LOL ;D
I left who should see the list completely up to you. I don't mention spouses on here usually. You'd be surprised how many of them actually read stuff on here!! Be careful... and make sure I don't get caught in the middle!!!!!! ;D
LoL.. Actually I never lie or hide any $$$ or purchases from my wife... This has worked for me for 22 "glorious" years.... Well, not all 22 of them "glorious" LOL... All is well there. ;D Debbie used to fish some tournaments with me before we had kids, and we did very well winning/placing many... Hopefully someday she will again. I taught her on a baitcaster and many guys were impressed that she casted better than they did. LOL... So maybe I could suggest that some of these rods are her "future rods" LOL...
That's what I would do...
Debbie laughed.. :o
For those that have not seen the Fenwick Aetos... Here are a few short videos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8I-lcAAgUk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdaO61HDxFw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVANGS3Sgt8
Well... On top of the two 6-9 fenwick elite tech smallmouth rods and two 6-9 Veritas micro guide casting.... I just ordered today...
8... Fenwick Aetos A681MHFC
2... Fenwick Aetos A761HXFC
1... Fenwick Aetos A701MHFS
:o
Next month some new Revo stx's
You know it's funny
I can tell you throw allot more jigs then me
I only have 4 MH casting rods out of the 30 or so rods
;D No harm meant.... No girlie rods for me. LOL Light line is 10lb... :P I have been schooled with light line and sissy rods, But I don't like it anyway.. :) I have to like what I'm doing... ::)