I know these topics come up a lot, but im getting a new senko and small plastics rod. Looking at a 7' M/F or MH/F. Which rod do you guys is feel better and why? Other suggestions are welcome.

If it was avid, 7'MF

If it was avid, 7'MF

X2

avid

I'm going opposite and say Aetos just because it is far above an Avid it terms of light weight and sensitivity, at least to me. I owned an Avid, very good rod but the Aetos is different, if I had to compare it to a St. Croix I'd say it is comparable to the LTB but even light than those plus I like the Fuji SK2 reel seat on the Aetos, the Avid istill uses the ECS which a lot of people like but to me the trigger is too wide and it causes my hand to be sore by the end of the day. As for what power, it all depends on what small plastics and senkos means. If you are talking 5" Senkos around cover then medium heavy is what you want, if you are looking at 4" senkos, and some weightless or maybe no more than 3/16oz sinker with 6" to 7" worms then a medium will work fine but add cover to that mix and you will want the medium heavy which I think is more versatile anyway.

I don't think that those two series compare directly to each other.  They are at different price points.  BPS 2014 Master Catalog lists Avids between $139 to $249…  Same catalog doesn't list Fenwick AETOS rods at all.  Rogers Lures in Liberty, MO carries quite a few of the Fenwick AETOS rods currently, where they sell for roughly $180 minus whatever discount is happening that week.

 

I only own 1 Avid rod.  It is several years old, 6'10" Heavy action and I don't use it very much, mostly because I don't do a lot of punching and I've got other rods I like better for the bubba drop shot.

 

I've got a couple of AETOS rods , one a 7'9" Heavy action rod that I got for A-rigs and I don't throw A rigs all that much.  The other, a 7'2" MH  pitching stick I like a lot.                                                                                                                   

I've heard problems with the Aetos guides. So I would go with the Avid. You know you're getting a solid rod from St. Croix. 

I've heard problems with the Aetos guides. So I would go with the Avid. You know you're getting a solid rod from St. Croix. 

 

I think the guides on the Aetos are pretty decent, titanium oxide inserts that are deep pressed meaning there is almost zero chance of the insert popping out of the guide frame. As for hearing problems with them, I only read one bad review on Cabelas sight that had any mention of a bad guide but we all have our favorites. I owned an Avid and I'm very familiar with St. Croix rods, and having fish both the LTB for a good bit and now owning 3 Aetos rods, I can tell you the legend Tournament Bass is more comparable to an Aetos than the Avid, the Aetos is more responsive and lighter than the Avid and it is a very noticeable difference.

I'd go with the Avid.

I think the guides on the Aetos are pretty decent, titanium oxide inserts that are deep pressed meaning there is almost zero chance of the insert popping out of the guide frame. As for hearing problems with them, I only read one bad review on Cabelas sight that had any mention of a bad guide but we all have our favorites. I owned an Avid and I'm very familiar with St. Croix rods, and having fish both the LTB for a good bit and now owning 3 Aetos rods, I can tell you the legend Tournament Bass is more comparable to an Aetos than the Avid, the Aetos is more responsive and lighter than the Avid and it is a very noticeable difference.

 

I would take this advice if I were you, as it's the only poster that had extensive fishing experience with both of the rods. I am looking to puchase one my self and haven't heard anything bad about Aetos, plus its effective range of weight it is rated to handle is a lot wider than Avid. I would also look at the elite tech smallmouth that fenwick makes, if you want a ceramic inserts instead of titanium oxide ones. Plus you can pick it up for only 115 dollars if you have a Sportsman's Warehouse near you(shipping charges would bring it up to roughly 150 if you don't).

I'm going opposite and say Aetos just because it is far above an Avid it terms of light weight and sensitivity, at least to me. I owned an Avid, very good rod but the Aetos is different, if I had to compare it to a St. Croix I'd say it is comparable to the LTB but even light than those plus I like the Fuji SK2 reel seat on the Aetos, the Avid istill uses the ECS which a lot of people like but to me the trigger is too wide and it causes my hand to be sore by the end of the day. As for what power, it all depends on what small plastics and senkos means. If you are talking 5" Senkos around cover then medium heavy is what you want, if you are looking at 4" senkos, and some weightless or maybe no more than 3/16oz sinker with 6" to 7" worms then a medium will work fine but add cover to that mix and you will want the medium heavy which I think is more versatile anyway.

I third this, I own Avids and fished them side by side with the Fenwick Aetos.  Long story short, I got rid of 4 of my Avids and still own my 3 Aetos.  I did still keep one Avid though, the M/F 6'6" is the best jerk bait rod I've ever used and bladed baits.

If it is for a baitcaster the St.Croix Avid 7 MF.  If it is for a spinning rod, the St.Croix Avid 6'8'' MXF.

I should probably just keep my mouth shut because I have no experience with the Aetos. I do own the 7' MF Avid casting, and can tell you that it will do what you are looking for, and is capable of a whole lot more. It's a very versatile rod. Maybe the Aetos is even better (I don't know), but the Avid is a workhorse that is more sensitive and feels better in your hands than its somewhat old-school, utilitarian looks would indicate.