Saw FFO has Fenwick HMX casting rods for $45. Anyone have any experience with these rods, good or bad?

for $45, get it

Personally, I like Fenwick rods.  I do not have an HMX, but the lowest tier Fenwick rod I own is a 7'6" MH fast HMG rod that I use for top water and basically anything up to just a bit over an ounce.  I have owned some Fenwick spinning rods from a while ago and those are very amazing.  The newer ones are not quite up to par, but still very good, in my opinion.  The top tier rods are amazing to, but an HMX for 45 dollars is quite the deal.  Just check them over for defects before you purchase one and don't high stick it when you flip a bass in for a catch.

15 hours ago, JLWoodman said:

Personally, I like Fenwick rods.  I do not have an HMX, but the lowest tier Fenwick rod I own is a 7'6" MH fast HMG rod that I use for top water and basically anything up to just a bit over an ounce.  I have owned some Fenwick spinning rods from a while ago and those are very amazing.  The newer ones are not quite up to par, but still very good, in my opinion.  The top tier rods are amazing to, but an HMX for 45 dollars is quite the deal.  Just check them over for defects before you purchase one and don't high stick it when you flip a bass in for a catch.

Won't be able to look it over. It's from FFO, online. And it looks like they sold out of the size I wanted. They have the Aetos too, $88. 

Aetos is a very good model.  88 dollars is a very nice deal. 

Can anyone give some real world insight on the Fenwick Aetos rods?  -  would like to get some better gear but not sure I want to save up for a St. Croix, Dobyns, etc... level rod.  Right now using the BPS carbon lite rod (7' medium, fast action). Thanks. 

8 hours ago, Chowderhead said:

Can anyone give some real world insight on the Fenwick Aetos rods?  -  would like to get some better gear but not sure I want to save up for a St. Croix, Dobyns, etc... level rod.  Right now using the BPS carbon lite rod (7' medium, fast action). Thanks. 

I have three Aetos rods, two casting one spinning. My insight is: you will not find a better rod at $88. And if you do, let me know -- I have been trying to sniff out maximum value around that price for awhile now. 

I picked up a discounted Aetos a few months back and absolutely love it.  It's a very legit $175-200 pricepoint rod offered at a steal for under $100. I have a MH mod Fast that I picked up for spinnerbaits and bladed jigs and it's performed well.  With the action, I would consider it more fast than moderate fast (not a light, slow, whippy tip like some mod fast), and it has a lot of backbone for MH as well.  I find it comparable to St Croix's SCIII blanks in the Avid, Avid X, Rage, and 2016 Mojo lines in terms of power and backbone.  I've never fished the HMX or HMG lines, so I have no personal opinion on them, but I wouldn't pass up a sub $100 Aetos.

My aetos spinning rod from ffo arrived this past Friday and I was able to use it yesterday and caught a couple average size largemouth on it. I'll tell you it was the best 88 dollars I've spent in a very long time. Super light with some really nice sensitivity. 

I also have a HMG I picked up earlier this year. It's an extremely high quality rod as well. You can't go wrong with Fenwick and with a lifetime warranty you should jump on getting one. 

Just a quick update. FFO has all rods at 25% off. So the great deal with the Aetos rod at $88 is even better at $66 now!

dang, George....I'm telling my wife it's your fault

17 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

dang, George....I'm telling my wife it's your fault

As long as you get a good deal, I'll take the heat!

I threw one in the cart for her....maybe that'll deflect enough heat that neither of us will have to worry.....much

20 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I threw one in the cart for her....maybe that'll deflect enough heat that neither of us will have to worry.....much

I am sure that she will be overwhelmed by your kindness toward her   What model did you end up getting?

I got a pair of 6'6" MF spinning rods, along with an Abu UL.  I already have the Aetos spinning in a 7'MF and absolutely love it.  I had a MHF casting rod in my cart, as well, but deferred that....for at least another day anyway

Merry early Christmas!!

8 hours ago, Choporoz said:

I got a pair of 6'6" MF spinning rods, along with an Abu UL.  I already have the Aetos spinning in a 7'MF and absolutely love it.  I had a MHF casting rod in my cart, as well, but deferred that....for at least another day anyway

Looks like you got the last 2 spinning rods in that action. Nice snag. Enjoy them.

Hmx rods are very nice for the money. A little heavy but nice workhorse rods.