I dont use a spining rod for much but I use one for senkos sometimes, shakey heads, and flukes. Last year i bought a 7ft md hvy Veritas and found that it worked okay for senkos but was too much rod for shakey heads and flukes. Ive been looking around at different rods and i think a 6ft 8-10inch med or md lite is what i want. I held a few at the store today and the top two were a Fenwick Elite tech smallmouth 6' 9" md for 130$ and a old Fenwick Elite Tech Drop Shot 6' 10" md lt for 40% off 230$ which ends up around 138$. I Cant really decide which one i like better the smallmouth rod has a rubber infused grip and has a really comfortable reel seat. The Drop shot has Recoil guides and its original price tag makes me think its a better quality rod overall. Its hard for me to tell which one is the best considering there so similar and not being able to go out and fish both of them. Does anyone have any experience with either of these or another rod similar to these that they like. I actually fished with a loomis shakey head rod a glx i think with a guide in Fl and would love one of those but i just cant afford that being a senior in H.S. so if anyone has any info on any used ones for sale id appreaciate that and any help you can offer.

Drop shot (the 1st one on the 2nd page) :

http://rod.kvazarvps.com/katalog/rods/Fenwick/Elte%20Tech%20Casting.pdf

Smallmouth (i think it was the 6' 9" md that i picked up in the store) :

http://fenwickfishing.com/prod.php?k=472010&sk=472009&p=PURESMS63M-F%20(1238595)

Thanks Guys,

Dylan

For sure get an EliteTech Smallmouth rod. I bought the exact rod you are looking at (6'9" MXF) to use for drop shot and it was the best spinning rod I have ever fished with. Super light, balanced, and the most comfortable grip I have ever felt. Plus, a lifetime warranty. It was a no-brainer for me, maybe that's why I bought 2 more immediately after

I've been meaning to do a full review of them but haven't had the time. Expect one soon though!

I am a "smallie" guy so I will be looking for the review. Interesting rod. Thanks.

i would have to go with the smallmouth rod, i have heard many good things about it and none bad so far... that and i do not like the recoil guides at all, even with 832, which is a pretty quiet braid, they sound like a band saw, and i am pretty sure they would still bend if stepped on or whatever. when i was looking for a spinning rod for cranks i was about to buy the "jerkin stick" in the original elite tech bass series, it was very nice (though it has alconites, not recoils!)

that being said, i have not even held an elite tech smallmouth, but i briefly owned an elite tech walleye (sold it because i had to, not because i disliked the rod) and other than color they should be the same blank (walleye series has fuji alconites and a full "TaC" grip, smallie has titanium framed zirconium guides and a split cork grip) and it was just as sensitive and light as my st croix avid.

i think either would be a terrefic rod, just depends which feels better, and balances better witht the reel you plan on using with it. good luck to you sir!