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

Rod Article

Feeling the Most Significant Fenwick Rod Refresh Ever - 10 Takeaways (continued)

4. The blanks feel light and sensitive: Before the refresh, my experience with Fenwick rods left me underwhelmed—they often felt heavy and unbalanced. However, after testing the new lineup, even the entry-level Eagle rods are noticeably improved. They boast a cleaner appearance, are lighter, and offer better balance compared to some previous mid-range Fenwick models. The new blanks feel significantly lighter and crisper, particularly in the Elite and World Class series, which surprisingly rival rods priced much higher.

The new Fenwick rods feature Family Flex design to deliver consistent action across the different series

While differences in reel seats and handles exist across the lines, the primary factor influencing performance and rod weight is the type of graphite used in each series. As expected, higher-end models feature higher modulus graphite. Specifically, Eagle rods incorporate a blend of 24- and 30-ton intermediate and high modulus graphite, HMG rods use a blend of 30-ton and 24-ton high modulus graphite, Elite rods are crafted from a blend of 36 and 30-ton graphite, and the top-tier World Class rods utilize a blend of 40- and 36-ton graphite. All these rods benefit from a proprietary reinforcing resin different from previous Fenwick models, enhancing sensitivity and power.

Even the HMG rods feel significantly more balanced and sensitive than the previous generation

While a lightweight rod doesn’t always guarantee sensitivity, Dave understands that a balanced design contributes to a rod's perceived sensitivity. The combination of high-quality graphite and proper balancing in the streamlined designs of these Fenwick rods, particularly in the Elite and World Class series, enhances their sensitivity and reduces weight compared to earlier generations.

The Elite Series is probably the most visually striking with the grey painted blanks. All of the rods feature sanded blanks with thin paint to reduce weight and not add unintended stiffness to the rod's actions

Although I haven't confirmed with the team, I suspect this resin is a variant of the system used in high-end Abu Garcia rods like the Fantasista and Zenon, given the similar sensitivity and load characteristics observed, which I believe is a very good thing considering how good the resin is in those Pure products.

A look at the spinning reel seats

5. Proprietary reel seats: Fenwick could have taken the easy route with proven Fuji reel seats, but they chose to innovate by developing proprietary reel seats that set their rods apart. This decision not only enhanced ergonomics but also improved the overall balance of each rod.

According to Dave, the design process involved discarding numerous prototypes and collaborating with an external firm specializing in surgical hand tools. This partnership drew insights from how surgeons use tools, focusing on maintaining dexterity and sensitivity. As a result, the new reel seats are strategically positioned for optimal finger placement and comfort.

Casting reel seats from World Class to Eagle (bottom)

I'm particularly impressed with the casting rod reel seat design. While all models share similar features, the World Class and Elite series stand out with longer rear seats sculpted into the cork handle. This design allows for deeper palm placement, reducing wear on high-contact areas of the handle. The oversized opening enables full contact of two fingers with the blank, while the trigger is perfectly balanced in the palm center, ensuring excellent ergonomics across all casting rods.

Comparing the more aggressive reel seat of the World Class (and Elite) to the more compact seat found on HMG and Eagle rods

The spinning rods also feature two different handle designs with the more aggressive design on the World Class and Elite rods which feature a higher bridge that fits in the center of your palm and allows your fingers to come around and make contact on the blank on both sides in the center. The HMG and Eagle rods feature a more traditional seat where the blank through is near the bottom of the seat and directly above the reel spinning reel stem.

A look at the new proprietary reel seat with a spinning reel

Both designs feel pretty intuitive but maybe because of the geometry of my hand and fingers but the lower-end seat feels more intuitive and comfortable to me. Overall, I love the casting reel seat designs and like the spinning reel designs, and appreciate the thoughtfulness Fenwick put into designing these proprietary reel seats. They not only elevate the ergonomics of their rods but also provide customers with unique features that enhance fishing comfort and performance.

I could easily fit two or three fingers in the blank out area when palming most reels

6. A universal guidetrain: All of the rods make use of super thin zirconia inserts which the team found delivered the optimum blend of performance and light weight. I am a huge fan of SiC guides, and feel that Torzite guides are typically overkill, but have found Zirconia to be among the lighter inserts. Like the reel seats, the guides on these rods are proprietary in design, and are ultra-thin and securely locked into specially designed guide frames.

Titanium guide frames and zirconia inserts can be found on all the rods except the Eagle rods which use the same inserts with stainless steel guides

The Eagle rods, positioned at a competitive price point, utilize stainless steel guide frames, whereas the higher-tier HMG, Elite, and World Class series employ lighter titanium frames. This choice, alongside the use of advanced blanks, significantly contributes to the lighter feel of the upper-end rods compared to the Eagles.

The rods feel great but I wondered what the World Class rods would feel like with an even lighter recoil or hybrid guidetrain

Implementing a universal guide system not only standardizes the rods' performance but also enhances supply chain management and manufacturing efficiency. This streamlined approach helps in reducing costs, making these rods competitively priced compared to other high-performance options in the market.

Family Flex can even be felt in the big bait rods

Next Section: Feeling the Family Flex