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

Rod Article

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

7. Feeling the Family Flex: Family Flex is an interesting concept that bears some resemblance to the G.Loomis Mag Bass series, but it extends across various product lines. The goal was to ensure every rod in the series had a consistent action. For example, a matching Eagle rod would have the same action and power as a matching World Class rod, though it would be heavier and less sensitive. This approach allows anglers to find a rod they like and then add more rods with matching actions to their collection. They can also upgrade within the series, knowing what to expect in terms of action and feel. Anglers can invest in high-end rods for their preferred applications, such as using a World Class rod for contact baits, while opting for a lower-end swimbait rod for less frequently used baits.

When you pick up a HMG rod it feels very similar in action when casting and retrieving than the same rod in Elite and World class, just heavier and less sensitive

After fishing with these matching rods for three months, I can confidently say the team nailed the Family Flex concept. The actions are very similar across the series, and each rod responds to angler input in the same manner. Even when battling a fish, the rods feel similar under load.

Comparing the feel across various models. The Family Flex was only achievable this quickly because Fenwick refreshed every single rod in their portfolio

Achieving this consistency in feel across all four series while differentiating with weight and sensitivity likely took years of effort. The challenge of material and process changes was mitigated by designing and refreshing these rods from the ground up simultaneously.

I paired a lot of different reels and lure types on these rods and soon some of them started to stand out as feeling very balanced and even special

8. The Walleye rods are good for more than just Walleye: Fenwick has always been more than just a bass rod company, and their new rod lineup spans many different species and applications, including trout, steelhead, salmon, pike, and a line specifically for the fast-growing Walleye market. When I inquired about the Walleye rods, Justin sent us a rod to compare, and I immediately liked the design and action. Unlike many bass rods, the Walleye spinning rods feature full grips, which perfectly balance the rod for drifting a jig. These are some of the most advanced and high-quality Walleye rods on the market, but that doesn’t mean they won't make excellent bass rods as well.

Fenwick ambitiously launched rods not just for bass but many other species, including Walleye and Predator Series

In fact, that same 7’2” Walleye rod exhibits the ideal fast action for working bass jigs for contact fishing in deep structure. The versatility of these new rods is excellent and provides anglers who enjoy targeting multiple species with plenty of options. Don’t be afraid to explore the different lines and find the rod that has the exact length, action, and ergonomics to suit your needs. Just because it is labeled a World Class Walleye rod doesn’t mean it isn’t a killer bass rod.

The Walleye rods are great for bass too

9. World Class is finally worthy of the name again: When the World Class rods originally debuted years ago, they represented a high-water mark for the Fenwick brand. These rods felt lighter, crisper, and more sensitive than other Fenwick models, offering real competition to high-end rods from G.Loomis and St.Croix.

A classic World Class rod

The new World Class rods continue this tradition, feeling significantly lighter and more refined than other models in the lineup. This is achieved through a higher-end blank, a molded reel seat (also found on the Elite series), and a multi-material grip that reduces weight and improves balance. So far, I find the World Class rods very similar to the Elite series in feel but slightly lighter and more sensitive. Both the World Class and Elite series rods feel very crisp, which I attribute to the combination of high-end graphite and Dave’s Direct Control Technology (DCT) taper design. DCT allows for a taper at a specific point in the blank, enhancing the crispness and giving the rods a unique feel. While all the rods use this technology, it is more pronounced in the lighter and more sensitive high-end models.

The World Class blanks are pretty stealthy in appearance

Although I appreciate the lightweight titanium guide frames used on all the new Fenwick rods, I wish the World Class rods featured a slightly higher-end guide insert, or at least a different insert, than the other Fenwick rods. They use super thin zirconia inserts, which are lighter than SiC but not quite as hard. I understand the choice from a weight and sourcing perspective, but I wonder how incredible these rods might feel with a recoil or hybrid guide train.

A Fenwick logo is a clean way to finish these rods. They may feature a lot of advanced materials and proprietary components but they still lean towards traditional styling

Overall, the new World Class rods truly live up to their name. They look and feel like premium rods, offering world-class performance and ergonomics at $419-$479, which is considerably lower than many competing high-end rods. However, it's worth noting that these flagship rods are made overseas, while some competing rods, which retail for nearly double the price, are still made in the U.S. This is something that enthusiast anglers might consider when making their high-end rod choices.

Comparing the swimbait rods to the other conventional sticks in the new World Class lineup

10. The Swimbait rods are legit: Previously, it was challenging to find a strong true swimbait specific rod in the Fenwick lineup, as the heavier rods were geared more towards toothy predators. Recognizing that swimbait anglers are a significant part of the bass market, Dave spent considerable time developing a series of true swimbait rods across the line. These rods are not only capable of casting baits like UFO gills, DRT Klash 9’s, and a wide assortment of wooden rats, but are also very enjoyable to fish with.

I cannot remember the last time Fenwick rods have been in my big bait standard rotation

The 8’0” Heavy-Fast 3-8oz. swimbait rods across the line are excellent. They feel light and balanced with an extra-long rear handle that feels natural to tuck, and the blank has the power to sling massive baits with confidence. The World Class (WLD88H-FC) weighs only 6.2 ounces, and the Elite version (EL880H-FC) weighs only slightly more at 6.5 ounces. These swimbait rods are legit, and likely the best big bait rods that have ever been introduced bearing the Fenwick brand, ever.

The new Fenwick World Class 8'0" 3-8oz. and 4-10oz. swimbait rods light, balanced, and surprisingly powerful. They showcase what the new blanks and resins are capable of at the top end

There are some other early standouts: While we can’t review every rod in the Fenwick lineup, there are already a few we've been fishing that are starting to feel really special. One standout is the 7’5” Medium Heavy Moderate Fast rod, which is a great "Search for One" do-it-all rod. Comparing these rods across the lineup demonstrates the Family Flex consistency and how they feel similar with a bait on the line despite differences in weight and sensitivity. The World Class version weighs 4.4 ounces, the Elite is 4.6 ounces, the HMG is 5.2 ounces, and the most affordable Eagle is still very respectable at 5.3 ounces. These rods retail for $449, $249, $149, and $99 respectively.

If I could only have one rod in the entire lineup that exemplifies the balance and feel of the new Fenwick lineup, it would probably be the versatile 7’1” Medium Heavy-Extra Fast rod, rated for 12-17lbs with a lure range of 3/16-5/8 ounces. The World Class weighs in at a very light 4.3 ounces, and even the affordable Eagle version is no slouch at 5.3 ounces. These are some of the most well-balanced rods in the entire lineup and are a blast to fish with, whether using contact baits or plastics.

There are a few rods in the lineup that are highly versatile for bass applications

Then there's the Walleye rod I mentioned earlier, which continues to surprise me with its balance and versatility. It's also worth mentioning that all the rods in the Fenwick lineup, regardless of series or price, come backed with a Limited Lifetime Warranty, which is becoming rarer these days, especially in rods at the $99 price point.

It is hard to beat the value of the $99 dollar Eagle Series

Conclusion: These ten takeaways from fishing the Fenwick lineup so far are just scratching the surface of the new rods. I asked Dave about the cosmetic choices between the lines, and unlike many competing rods, these rods are very similar and somewhat understated in appearance. There are no brightly colored thread wraps, no fancy metal winding checks, and even the blank finishes are matte. Dave explained that these choices were conscious decisions to prioritize performance and feel. For example, the paints used on all the rods are very thin to minimize weight and avoid altering stiffness negatively. Even the blanks are meticulously sanded down to maximize balance and sensitivity.

That Fenwick Walleye rod is a pretty awesome bass rod too. The bottom line is the new blank and resin as well as well thought out design makes these new Fenwick rods finally worthy of the legacy from which they come from

What I find most impressive about the Fenwick refresh is just how committed Justin, Dave, and the entire team at Pure Fishing are to getting it right. And I don’t just mean “right” in terms of performance. Getting it right for this team includes refreshing everything about the product, from the design and build process to materials, look and feel, performance, ergonomics, matching feel, and staying true to the legacy of innovation and tradition once associated with the Fenwick brand. This takes commitment not only from a design and work perspective but from an investment perspective as well. It was no small endeavor to wipe the slate clean and build two hundred and sixty-four rods from scratch, yet that is exactly what this team has successfully done.

Finally an awesome swimbait rod from Fenwick! The new World Class and Elite 8'0" rods are both light and powerful and very well balanced

As we delve deeper into these rods in standalone reviews, I can already say I'm impressed by many of the new rods, especially some of the World Class rods regarding performance, the swimbait rods' ergonomics, and some of the Eagle rods when value is a priority. These are rods that you have to feel to appreciate just how much they have improved. Pick one up, and you will quickly understand just how good they are, especially for the money. Simply put, Fenwick is back, and the brand is relevant once again. Not only will Fenwick die-hards absolutely love how these new rods “feel,” but a whole new generation of anglers will get a proper introduction to the storied brand through these quality rods.

Looking for the New Fenwick Rods? Try Tackle Warehouse