Returning to Tradition : Fenwick's Elite Tech Spinning (continued)

Features: Fenwick does not publish specifics on the grade of graphite used on their rods partially because they use different blends in different sections depending on performance needs. In all honesty these specifications are a bit superfluous anyway because we as consumers have no way of verifying the information provided to us is true or not.

This stick features an open ended hook keeper...

What we can ascertain is the blank in this particular ETech rod from Fenwick is good quality. Crisp where it needs to be and nice and stiff where needs to be without feeling dead in your hands like some lower end rods can feel. The rod's grip is a mix of rubberized cork and EVA foam and the reel seat is Fenwick's design in an effort to more or less conceal the presence of a reel seat.

... and titanium framed guides with zirconium inserts.

The guides are titanium framed with either zirconium inserts and there is a hook keeper right above the reel seat on the underside of the blank. The rod does not come with a sleeve for storage.

The rod's blank is a traditional Fenwick brown, but the grip design is a bit more contemporary.

Design/Ergonomics: The ETB69M-MFS is only six feet, nine inches (6'-9") in length so it's a very easy stick to wield. At four point four ounces (4.4oz), it is a tad heavier than I'd expect for a rod of this length and power, but it balances very nicely in hand without a reel, so it makes up for it there. The grip is comfortable to grasp although I find the "hidden" reel seat a bit wide somehow. Nevertheless, I tend to hold my spinning rods high on the grip, so not a lot of what goes on below the reel's foot tends to affect me ergonomically.

Split rear grips are the new tradition.

The ETB69M-MFS is a good choice for an all purpose spinning rod.

Application: Given its power rating and taper, the ETB69M-MFS is a very versatile stick. For those who prefer spinning gear to casting - and yes, we know you're out there - this is a very good Search For One candidate. It's short enough to fish in tight around cover pitching shakey heads next to pilings or skipping baits under low hanging docks, yet thanks to the fact it's a spinning rod, you can really launch baits far if you need to as well. The slower taper makes it suitable for moving baits, but because it's a spinning rod, you can fish light baits straight up and down over submerged rock piles and stumps too.

Ratings:

Pluses and Minuses: