Fenwick 2023 Rod Refresh #fenwickrods #fenwickworldclass #fenwickhmg #fenwickeagle

Rod Article

Feeling the Most Significant Fenwick Rod Refresh Ever - 10 Takeaways

Date:	6/23/23
Tackle Type:	Rods
Manufacturer:	Fenwick
Reviewer:	Zander

Introduction: The new Fenwick rods have arrived at TackleTour, and instead of just one rod from each lineup, we were surprised with an extensive selection spanning all four newly refreshed series. After commencing testing these rods for three months, we are ready to share our initial impressions with ten key takeaways before delving into detailed standalone reviews of some of the various key models.

Fenwick sent a good cross section of rods for us to compare the design, action, and performance from on our home water

After fishing many different Fenwick rods in the new lineup on our home water over the last three months, we've distilled our experience into ten key takeaways. These include insights into the rods' designs and notable differences across the various series. While we'll be providing in-depth reviews of specific models shortly, here are our initial impressions of the refresh, along with some early standouts from the lineup.

This season Fenwick refreshed there entire lineup from the ground up

1. Fenwick Needed a Makeover, Desperately: Growing up, my perception of Fenwick was always positive, particularly their renowned HMG rods. Local tackle shops stocked a variety of Fenwick rods for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. However, over the past few decades, the brand seemed to lose its direction amidst fierce competition from brands like G.Loomis, St. Croix, Lamiglas, Abu Garcia, Shimano, and Daiwa. While there were occasional standout series like the World Class, Fenwick's overall lineup became increasingly obscure. It became challenging to distinguish what truly made a Fenwick rod unique compared to its competitors.

Dave Brinkerhoff is a rod guru, and I've fished his G.Loomis rods for years. He brought plenty of knowledge and a unique perspective to the Fenwick complete refresh. The World Class in particular feels very balanced and sensitive

2. Fenwick Needed a Makeover, badly: Growing up I remember always having a positive impression of the Fenwick brand, and especially the HMG rods. All the local tackle shops carried a number of Fenwick rods that spanned both fresh and saltwater applications. But somewhere along the journey over the last few decades the brand lost its way, and faced with strong competition from other brands like G.Loomis, St. Croix, Lamiglas, Abu Garcia, Shimano, and Daiwa the company’s offerings started to become more obscure. This was not to say that there were not some good, and even the occasional great rod series, like the World Class, over the years, but it started to become hard to understand what really made a Fenwick rod unique versus the growing field of brands.

The new lineup also includes full fledged swimbait rods

Fast forward to just a season ago and the Fenwick lineup was in disarray. The rods varied greatly in appearance and feel, lacking strong distinguishing features that defined them as Fenwick products. Many anglers found the different lines confusing and, more critically, the rods lacked the sensitivity and enjoyment factor once synonymous with Fenwick's higher-end offerings. Clearly, a significant overhaul was necessary to re-establish Fenwick's relevance in the industry.

The World Class and Elite rods (left) make use of a combination of various materials for lighter weight while the HMG and Eagle make use of both traditional cork and composite cork in their handles (right)

3. Dave Brinkerhoff and Justin Poe know rods: While once an independent company Formerly an independent company, Fenwick is now under the Pure Fishing brand, which recognized the need to revamp its rod offerings and reaffirm the relevance of Fenwick rods among anglers. Tasked with this challenge were two industry veterans we know well: Dave Brinkerhoff and Justin Poe, both renowned for their extensive tenures at G.Loomis, Shimano, and Accurate.

The team turned to surgical tool design experts to improve the ergonomics on a proprietary reel seat design

I've had numerous discussions with both Brinkerhoff and Poe over the years about various rod designs and launches, and even had the opportunity to visit the various factories during the finalization of new product lines, including G.Loomis GLX and the original NRX.

Some of my all-time favorite jig and finesse rods over the last two decades were designed and launched by this duo. Their reunion to helm a new lineup of rods is a advantage for Pure Fishing. Poe and Brinkerhoff know rod design and manufacturing; it's their specialty.

These two individuals possess deep expertise in rod design and product management. When I heard they were leading the revitalization efforts at Fenwick, I was immediately optimistic about what they might possibly achieve. After a year of work, their project emerged from stealth mode with significant developments: Dave established a comprehensive prototyping lab at Pure Fishing's Spirit Lake headquarters, and together, they made the bold decision to overhaul the entire lineup.

The casting reel seats feel awesome and provide a ton of access to the blank

Every single rod in the Fenwick lineup underwent a complete overhaul, aimed not only at enhancing ergonomics and performance but also at unifying the series to restore the intuitive and cohesive "family" feel that defines Fenwick rods.

I liked the balance and feel of the new rods right away

While paying homage to tradition, Pure Fishing made a substantial investment in this revamp, starting with the creation of 264 new rods from the ground up. This involved significant investments in tooling, proprietary components, blank materials, and advanced resins. Typically, rod companies update their lineup series by series to manage costs and risks. However, Justin and Dave recognized that to achieve uniformity in appearance, feel, and performance across the entire range, they needed a clean slate.

Each rod has a handle, either solid or split grip, that best balances out the blank and matches the intended application

Despite effectively relaunching the entire brand with this refresh, the new rods reflect a deep respect for Fenwick's legacy. They incorporate the latest materials and manufacturing processes while maintaining a distinctively traditional American rod style. Unlike rods with blacked-out designs or vibrant graphics, these Fenwick rods appeal to the more traditional angler demographic, similar to those interested in brands like G.Loomis, St. Croix, Phenix, or Kistler. The predominant use of cork for handles further reinforces this classic positioning. Overall, the rods offer a balanced blend of modern design and traditional aesthetics.

The Abu Garcia Zenon rods pair beautifully with these sticks. Notice the sculpted extended reel seat in the handle

Next Section: Blanks that feel light and sensitive