I was checking these out today, they both seem like nice rods. I've read that they fish a little lighter than their rating. Who's used these and what's your opinion on them? 

I've fished a friends Phenix Feather before and just recently built a custom rod on a Phenix blank that I'm loving. I never fished a M1, so I can't make any comparisons, but I would say they run more than a little lighter than their ratings, more so than any other rod I have ever fished. I don't really care for the looks of their production rods, but I'm anxious to build on some M1 and K2 blanks in the future. I love how light they are, and for what's it is worth, my friend loves his Phenix Feather.

I have a Phenix feather 6’ 10" M/H. I use it for a jerkbait and topwater set up
Love it and yes it does fish like a Medium rated  rod

Never fished a M-1.....

Thanks guys. I'm looking for a rod that fishes a little softer than my 853c IMX-Pro. If the MH runs close to a medium one of these might be the ticket. Plus I found a new Fuego CT in the garage that I forgot about. I hate to see it an orphan  

I almost picked up a new M1 during Black Friday.  Decided against it when I saw that the Megabass Levantes were showing up again.  I'm still intrigued by the M1 so I'd be interested to get your thoughts on it, if you decide to grab one.

Just now, RichF said:

I almost picked up a new M1 during Black Friday.  Decided against it when I saw that the Megabass Levantes were showing up again.  I'm still intrigued by the M1 so I'd be interested to get your thoughts on it, if you decide to grab one.

I will update when I decide which one to go with. Decisions decisions. 

6 hours ago, BC VC basser said:

I have a Phenix feather 6’ 10" M/H. I use it for a jerkbait and topwater set up
Love it and yes it does fish like a Medium rated  rod

Never fished a M-1.....

I have handled the 6,10 M/H, I find it runs on the lighter side as well. 

I have the most recent M-1 gen in the med lite and I like it a lot. I don't think the new M-1s fish lighter than they are compared to the old ones. Comfortable rod with the handle although in wet conditions it is very slippery! Very light rod and sensitivity is great for the price. Cork is kinda mediocre, I do recommend using that cork seal stuff as I didn't and it is really beat up atm. Finesse applications seems fine for it but it will struggle with anything that requires power hooksets. Lost a pretty nice bass on a chatter bait due to that. Do plan on picking up more in the future though in heavier actions.

12 hours ago, optimator said:

Thanks guys. I'm looking for a rod that fishes a little softer than my 853c IMX-Pro. If the MH runs close to a medium one of these might be the ticket. Plus I found a new Fuego CT in the garage that I forgot about. I hate to see it an orphan  

You should put the Fuego on the rod and see how you like it, but I wonder if it might be a little heavy of a reel for such a light rod. It all depends on how it feels to you though. I would personally try to get the lightest reel I could for those rods, but that's just me.

5 hours ago, kayaking_kev said:

You should put the Fuego on the rod and see how you like it, but I wonder if it might be a little heavy of a reel for such a light rod. It all depends on how it feels to you though. I would personally try to get the lightest reel I could for those rods, but that's just me.

I planned on taking the reel down to the store and seeing how it felt on both rods. They also have a few different lengths so it'll help with that decision too.

I have a couple Phenix Feathers, both 7'1" baitcasters - one is MHXF and the other MLF. I'd say the MHXF fishes somewhere between Medium and MH, but the ML rod is about spot-on. 

 

I'm a fan of the Feathers - they are really light and sensitive rods. I have an NRX 852 and not quite that light and sensitive of course, but actually really close for the money difference. 

I only have experience with one M1 that I recently built.  Very light for its power, very handsome gloss black.  It is the M1 7 foot 2 inch medium power X-fast action.  I test all my blanks with CCS for objective power and action ratings and its power is just above the St Croix SCV70MF, and it's a little faster in action.

 

One has to keep in mind that ratings and comparisons to them, if one doesn't use CCS, are just opinions.  The opinions of most seem to be that St Croix rods if anything are a little more powerful than their descriptions.  If this is true, then the Phenix MI in this model is not underpowered.  In any event its ERN is 17.2, AA is 78.  I predict it will be a great finesse rod for tubes, wacky, worms, etc.

45 minutes ago, MickD said:

One has to keep in mind that ratings and comparisons to them, if one doesn't use CCS, are just opinions.  

 

That is so true! A lot of people, myself included assume since they are so light that they have to be underpowered. I kind of always had that feeling about Dobyns rods, especially the Xtasy rods that I've owned because the diameter on the butt section are so dang small, but I've always felt like they were plenty powerful enough. But, I have never done a CCS, so thanks for bringing that up.

I finally had time to go back with my reel. I instantly hated the grip on the M1. I love the rod, it felt great, but the grip just didn't fit. My fingers felt jammed between the reel nut & the trigger. I just couldn't get a comfortable grip on it. The Feather on the other hand felt great. Light, balanced and the grip was much better. Now to decide which length to go with. 6'9", 7'1" or 7'7"......

On 2/2/2021 at 7:44 AM, FryDog62 said:

I have a couple Phenix Feathers, both 7'1" baitcasters - one is MHXF and the other MLF. I'd say the MHXF fishes somewhere between Medium and MH, but the ML rod is about spot-on. 

 

I'm a fan of the Feathers - they are really light and sensitive rods. I have an NRX 852 and not quite that light and sensitive of course, but actually really close for the money difference. 

Would you say the MLF Feather is a similar rod to the 852 Loomis? Maybe more similar to a 842 MBR?

6 hours ago, waymont said:

Would you say the MLF Feather is a similar rod to the 852 Loomis? Maybe more similar to a 842 MBR?

In some ways yes - light, sensitive but a Fast action where the 852 is XF...

Well..... Plot twist. I ended up buying a Kistler Helium HE733LMH. Actually I bought a KLX in the same action last night. Then I sent an email asking about the differences between the two. After a couple of emails this morning I decided to upgrade to the Helium. I was told that since it was my first Kistler they'd sell it to me for the same price as the KLX. I think I did OK for $219.