Appreciate your opinion on the sensitivity. Hard to believe they could improve on the sensitivity that much. The handle / grips on the old look “warmer” for cold / wet days with how the cork extends over the top of the reel seat and is also in front of the seat. It’s a pretty big change for where your hand and fingers are for what could be hours at a time. I posted a pic of the change. Is it your opinion that you lost anything in the handle in exchange for the increased blank sensitivity?
It appears to me the difference is handle design and the durability of the blank. Personally I like the tech handle.
Thanks. I’m going to keep the Elite Tech I ordered but I need to do what you did and go actually pick up the Elite Walleye to see how it feels.
Believe it or not, Cork deadens sensitivity. The new rod grip looks to be a carbon poly where you grip the handle above the reel. That could make a huge difference in sensitivity. Probably why Sparky can tell the difference in feel. I love the full cork myself and prefer it but on my synthetic handled rods, sensitivity is better as well.
I have one Elite Tech Smallmouth rod. Unfortunately the first time out, I broke off the tip in one of my boat seats. Tip got caught between the back and bottom and when the seat back got lifted, it snapped about 5" off the tip. Had to remove the next guide and put a new tip on it. It's basically a jig only rod now. Real fast and heavy now. Labeled medium. Very bummed. That rod isn't super sensitive but some of my synthetic handled where the blank is exposed thru the grip are very sensitive. Probably what they did with the new Elite rods.
Did you check with Fenwick to see what they'd do for you?
Never did. Maybe I should have but since it was an dumb mistake on my part, never considered it. Its my new tube jigging rod.
Pretty darn good warranty. Almost like some rifle scope warranties. I'll consider it but no receipt and it is a good fit for me using it for tube jigs on smallmouth Bass. Originally it was a 6'6" jigging rod but now around 6' and very fast and more heavy. Appreciate the info and will definitely remember it. I use Fenwick rods quite a bit. I'm sure I'll have another mishap
Didn't need a receipt for my St Croix. Just the number on the rod which indicated when the rod was made. It's the oldest the rod could be and going to shorten any warranty period since purchase, but heck they're still making you a good deal.
Well, I just pulled the rod from my rod rack. It started out as a 7'2" rod. Its now 6'6" and very stiff and works great for vertical jigging and tube jigging. EliteTech Walleye Rigging rod. I sent them pics but they require a receipt. Sent pics and story. See what they tell me. Either way, I'm good. Kinda like the rod as is for a different technique than originally purchased for. I bought it for a slip bobber walleye rod. Never even got used for that purpose before the accident. Curious what kind of deal they offer for a dumb mistake like this.
