Phenix Rods Maxim MAX-73MH Casting Rod Product Review #phenixmaxim #phenixmaximreview

Rod Review

The Search For One : Phenix's Re-Imagined MAX-73MH (continued)

Design & Ergonomics: Phenix's latest Maxim series feature very minimal builds yet are not without style. From the camo printed EVA foam grip material to the emerald green wrap around the handle section up through the logo to the highlight threads in each of the guide wraps, there are plenty of details to catch your interest if you care to look closely. For some reason, most rods built in this minimalist style are stark and uninteresting, but not the MAX-73MH.

Grip material is EVA foam with a camo pattern

Lab Results for Phenix Rods Maxim MAX-73MH
Model	Avg RoD	Taper	Measured Weight (oz)	Balance Point (inches)	Balancing Torque (ftlbs)
Phenix Rods Maxim MAX-73MH	2.02	Fast	4.6	8.5	0.24
TSFO >100 Rod Avg	1.76	--	4.6	8.0	0.19
Medium Pwr Avg	2.19	--	4.2	7.9	0.18

Phenix continues to offer the option of a hook keeper in the trigger of their casting rods. It is nice to have options but we are not big fans of this location

Luckily the MAX-73MH also comes with a more standard hook keeper just above the reel seat on the underside of the rod

Even if you don't care to inspect the stick's detailing, thanks to this minimum build, what you get with the MAX-73MH is a rod that almost feels as if you're fishing with a bare blank. This belies the fact that the stick is actually not super light or very well balanced. Admittedly, it is difficult to create a stick of this length on a minimum build with any semblance of balance.

The end detail of the rear grip. Clean and simple.

Price & Applications: At $118.99, it's hard to really complain about weight and balance anyway especially given performance. The MAX-73MH is an excellent choice in a multi-purpose stick for anyone who doesn't want to spend a fortune but is looking for something fun and stylish to fish while being responsible with their budget.

The Maxim MAX-73MH retails for just $119.00

Ratings:

Phenix Rods Maxim MAX-73MH Ratings (?/10)
Construction/Quality	A nicely crafted stick	8
Performance	A nice all around performer with good sensitivity	8
Price	Tough to beat especially give the guide material!	9
Features	30Ton graphite doesn't give you a super high performing blank, but the guide train and minimal build maximize this blank's potential	7.5
Design (Ergonomics)	Just a bit tip heavy and not super light despite the minimal build	7
Application	A good choice for an all purpose type stick on a budget	8
Total Score		7.92
Ratings Key: 1 = terrible : 2 = poor : 3 = lacking : 4 = sub par : 5 = mediocre : 6 = fair : 7 = good : 8 = great : 9 = excellent : 10 = unbelievable! For More Details of the updated rating system visit our explanation here

Pluses and Minuses:

Plus	Minus
+ Fun styling on a minimal build	- A bit tip heavy
+ High end components on a budget price
+ Solid performance

Conclusion: Like the quest for the Holy Grail, the one question we continue to entertain is from anglers searching for one fishing rod they can rely upon to handle a host of different techniques. The answer to that question is different depending upon which techniques are your favorites, but in bass fishing the parameters usually lead to something labeled as medium or medium heavy in power - usually.

Phenix's re-imagined Maxim series MAX-73MH fits nicely in this classification of all purpose sticks

Phenix's re-imagined Maxim series MAX-73MH fits nicely in this classification of all purpose sticks. Thanks to that dual taper behavior, this stick can handle moving bait presentations along with bottom contact baits competently and it's available at a price point that won't deplete your tackle budget. Phenix has really established itself as a brand that delivers quality rods, and blanks, across the price spectrum. While there are a number of Phenix rods in the lineup that deliver more sensitivity or refinement none have the performance to price ratio of the Maxim.

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