request: photo of fenwick elite smallmouth rod with reel

[21farms]

i'm checking out the fenwich elite tech smallmouth spinning rod in the 6'9" medium-light flavor. looking at the pics at TW, the handle looks ideal and like it would be absolutely comfortable in my hands. however, i can't figure out how the reel seat works. does one end twist? with a reel mounted, is there a gap in the cork? can someone post a pic with a reel mounted? thanks.

[Bryanp292]

http://forums.tackletour.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=36707

http://www.wired2fish.com/green-is-gold/

The lower grip screws open to allow you to install the reel.

[21farms]

bryan, thanks! that's exactly what i was looking for and hoping to see. that "hidden handle" design looks really comfortable.

[Teal101]

The 6'-9" ML is on my list for Shakeyhead and lighter grubs.

[walli]

I have the same model you are contemplating and its my most comfortable grip. Well made rod and very good value for the $.

[smalljaw]

I use the 6'9" M-XF for shaky heads and light jigs and I found myself using it for senkos, flukes and tubes, and it is that comfortable and sensitive that I own several of them and even the casting reel seat feels good although some don't care for the short grip behind it. I will tell you though, the spinning reel seat is awesome if you hold a spinning rod in what I call the "traditional" way, if you hold a spinning rod like Aaron Martens, well you won't like it at all, I also like the fact that half of your index finger can rest on the blank if you like to do that, most spinning rods I'm lucky to even get the tip of my finger on the blank. I'm not big on spinning but from the first time I fished with one and ever since, when I pick it up I have a hard time putting it down, add to the comfort that it is also very light.

[21farms]

smalljaw, i recently got the megabass XX dropshot rod...i've only fished it once but, so far, i'm not sure i like it. it was clearly designed to be held with the entire hand in front of the reel stem just the way aaron martens likes it but that just feels strange to me. when i hold it the way i like to with two fingers on either side of the stem, it feels off-balanced.

now, when i look at the fenwick rod, the reel seat/rod grip doesn't look attractive per se but it does look supremely comfortable. unfortunately, i'm out of the market for that rod now...i saw that THUT had the tatulas on sale and picked up the tatula DS rod.