Phenix Rods Virtus Red Diamond 77HMF Glide Product Review #phenixvirtusrod

Rod Review

Solid and Reliable, Phenix's Virtus Red Diamond

Date:	3/17/26
Tackle Type:	Rod
Manufacturer:	Phenix Rods
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 7.75 - GOOD

Introduction: After my successful experience with Phenix's new Virtus Blue Diamond PHX-VBD76HMF, I decided to see what it's more expensive sibling was about. Phenix's new Virtus Red Diamond series is similar to their Blue Diamond, but made with a higher grade of graphite and slightly different specifications. Today, we take a look at the seven foot, seven inch (7'-7") glide bait stick.

Phenix Rods Virtus Red Diamond 77HMFG Glide Specifications
Material	40T Toray Graphite
Length	7'-7"
Line Wt.	12-25lb
Lure Wt.	1 - 4 oz
Pieces	One
Guides	9+Tip Fuji SS Alconite (all dbl ft)
Rear Handle Length	13.5"
Power Rating	Heavy
Taper	ModFast (rated)
Rod Weight	6oz
Origin	Made in USA
MSRP	$299

Time to look at the PHX-VBD76HMG's cousin, the Virtus Red Diamond PHX-VRD77HMFG.

Impressions: In the midst of my writeup of the VBD76HMG, Phenix was still in the process of organizing the Virtus series. Specifically, the model numbers were not yet derived. At the time of this writing, I've learned that oversight has now been corrected and all the sticks in both the Blue and Red Diamond Series are in the midst of receiving their not so secret codes. For the Red Diamond 7'-7" heavy, moderate fast, glide bait stick this means something like PHX-VRD77HMFG.

A look at the PHX-VRD77HMFG's 13.5" rear handle

So, as we see, this stick is a little different than the previous Blue Diamond Glide casting stick we wrote up. This one is one inch longer. The PHX-VRD77HMFG also has a more powerful with a lure rating maxing out at four ounces instead of three, and it comes with a mod-fast rated taper instead of moderate. Lastly, while the components remain the same between the Blue Diamond and Red Diamond Series, the grade of graphite in the Red Diamond is 40T Toray instead of 30T.

Matched up with a Revo5 STX and ready for some action

Real World Tests: I paired the PHX-VRD77HMFG with my Abu Garcia Revo5 STX spooled with some Varivas Avani SMP x8 braid in gau #4. The Revo5 STX has a line capacity similar to a 150 sized Shimano reel, just about perfect for the way I fish big baits these days where I rely on a braid plus leader line strategy. Speaking of leader, I mostly used Sunline's Saltimate Nylon Leader in 30lb test while fishing this combo. I chose a nylon leader for this combo because I had in mind wake baits and other at or near surface baits, so I wanted the more neutral buoyancy of nylon versus the negative buoyancy of fluorocarbon.

Looks like an old school Fuji ECS reel seat

Casting: I'm happy to report the PHX-VRD77HMFG handles baits up to four ounces in weight pretty well. I'd say the sweet spot for this stick is right around two to three ounces - typical of what I'd expect given its ratings, so no surprises which is good. At one point late in the stick's review cycle, I even tied on a Keitech Model II jig in three eighths of an ounce (3/8oz), just for fun. For a trailer I was using a Glide Cameron, also by Keitech. Total lure weight about twenty four grams or point eight five ounces (24g, ~0.85oz). To my surprise, I was able to pitch and cast that jig. Only issue I had was with the length of the rear handle during a pitch. At thirteen and a half inches (13.5"), while just long enough for casts with big baits, it's too long (obviously) for extended periods of pitching.

The PHX-VRD77HMFG's 40T blank is sanded and is finished with a slight sheen

The bait I ended up using the most on this stick, RAID Japan's G-Dash

Sensitivity: The bait I kind of zeroed in on fishing on this stick turned out to be RAID Japan's G-Dash Swimbait. This is a one and three eighths ounce (1-3/8oz) hard bodied surface bait. I point this out because all hits on this bait were pretty visual. Just the same, when you crank on this bait it swims just below the surface with enough wobble to feel it through the end of your line. At least, that's the experience I had with this bait fishing it on the PHX-VRD77HFMG. This is what you want from a big bait stick, to be able and feel your lure moving because strikes are not subtle. So while I'm not really using a stick like this to dissect bottom composition and contours, it performed perfectly fine letting me know how my bait is doing especially when I couldn't see it.

Next Section: Virtus Power, Design and Ergonomics