Fenwick HMG hmg72m-fc Casting Rod Product Review

Rod Review

The Search for One : Fenwick's HMG Series

Date:	5/14/17
Tackle Type:	Rod
Manufacturer:	Fenwick
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 7.92 - BEST VALUE AWARD

Introduction: If you've read our articles on Fenwick's Elite Tech casting and spinning rods, then you're already familiar with the regard to which I hold this brand. I'm sure I'm not alone in this mind set as Fenwick was the very first brand to offer graphite fishing rods and therefore the first brand to offer a fishing rod that could be considered high end. It was back in 1973 when the company debuted their HMG series of rods that forever changed the industry. Today, we take a look at the current interpretation of this lineup with a look at the HMG72M-MFC.

Fenwick debuted their High Modulus Graphite (HMG) rods back in 1973.

Fenwick HMG72M-MFC Specifications
Material	High Modulus Graphite
Length	7'-2"
Line Wt.	3/8-1 oz
Lure Wt.	8-17lb
Pieces	one
Guides	10 + tip
Rear Handle Length	10.75"
Power Rating	medium
Taper	Fast
Rod Weight	4.8oz
Origin	Made in China
MSRP	$99.99

Today the blanks for these rods feature some kind of cross weave construction.

Impressions: Fenwick's HMG72M-MFC is a seven foot, two inch (7'-2") casting rod made from the company's "high modulus graphite" (HMG). Guides on the rod are described by the manufacturer as "deep-pressed, titanium guides". Reading that, I'd almost assume they were bare titanium metal guides but there is some type of ceramic insert. Fenwick simply does not state what the material is. Given the rod's price point, the insert material is likely some kind of aluminum oxide or zirconium.

Grips are synthetic TAC material.

The rod features a full rear grip made of TAC (a linoleum & cork blend) and EVA foam and a foregrip that doubles as the reel seat locking mechanism. Fenwick makes use of Fuji's SKT, split casting reel seat coated with soft touch rubber. Overall, our HMG72M-MFC is a nice, clean build.

The HMG72M-MFC features a full rear grip and foregrip.

Real World Tests: I paired the HMG72M-MFC with a couple different reels. First it was Shimano's Scorpion 71HG spooled with Lucky Craft Iron Athlete topwater line, then I paired it with a Shimano Metanium MGL spooled with twelve pound (12lb) Seaguar Tatsu fluorocarbon. The Scorpion 71HG was a better match for this stick, but I needed to put the Metanium MGL through some paces and there was limited space on the boat.

Checking out that tip action.

Casting: The HMG72-MFC is built with a moderate-fast taper, so it takes a little more time to load and unload than a traditional fast powered rod. We're talking fractions of a second. It only takes a cast or two to dial into the behavior of this rod's blank on a cast and from that point forward performance is very consistent Thanks to the rod's length, the HMG72-MFC is actually a nice stick with which to pitch jigs and soft plastics.

The reel seat is Fuji's SKT, split seat.

Next Section: HMG Sensitivity and Power