This Rod Won’t Teach You to Fish, But It’ll Do Everything Else: Fenwick Elite Bass Casting Rod Review

I immediately knew it was a big’ ol bass when I felt a light bump and set the hook. My assumption was confirmed when the largemouth launched out of the water, trying to shake the jig I had just lodged in its mouth with my Fenwick Elite Bass casting rod loose. “Oh gosh, that’s gotta be a 4- or 5-pounder,” I said aloud to no one but myself. 

I cautiously fought it, bringing it closer to the dock with each turn of the reel. Just when I was about to haul it up onto the dock, it darted around one of the dock’s legs and cut my line on a sharp piece of metal. 

I stood there heartbroken, as I’d just let one of the biggest (if not the biggest) bass in the pond swim free without landing it first. I had no one and nothing to blame but myself. 

I’ll be the first person to admit that the gear doesn’t make the angler, but better gear limits my frustrations while on the water. While fishing in college, I learned the benefits of spending more money on higher-quality gear, and since then, I’ve opted for quality over budget. 

In short: The Fenwick Elite Bass casting rod is one of those cases. At around $280, it’s not a budget-friendly fishing pole. I’ve found the 7’5” heavy-power, fast-action rod just as sensitive as the finest finesse rods without sacrificing the boom. It’s a rod that won’t make you a better fisherman, but it certainly won’t be the cause of your loss.

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Fenwick Elite Bass Casting Rod Review

I was sent this rod to test throughout the spring and early summer, and instantly realized why it was set at this price. It’s not just because Fenwick slapped the word “Elite” on the rod. The Fenwick Elite Bass casting rod has become my go-to for jig fishing because it’s sensitive, built with quality materials, and has proven itself on the water. 

Build Quality

Fenwick has been building fishing rods for over 70 years, so we should expect the company to produce quality rods. The Elite series is well-thought-out for specific species and techniques without skimping on the materials used to construct the rods.

The Elite Bass casting rod uses a 36-30-ton graphite blend and reinforcing resin to ensure the blank and guides can withstand the abuse of heavy fishing. The titanium guide frames and super-thin zirconia inserts ensure my line reels past smoothly without a hiccup. I assume the rod will last me several seasons of fishing, as it still looks brand new after several months of use.

The reel seat locks my Revo SX reel into place and feels fantastic in my hand. I love that Fenwick left the blank exposed on the back of the reel seat to add extra sensitivity to the rod without sacrificing power. 

My only complaint about the build quality is that Fenwick chose to use cork on the handle instead of an EVA foam or Winn grips. For $280, I expect more than cork because some of my least expensive rods have cork handles. 

On-the-Water Performance

While I’m typically not a fan of long rods for kayak fishing, this one has opened up my mind to the possibility of using a rod longer than 7 feet while fishing from my kayak. I don’t think another 5 inches will snag more overhanging branches than my 7-foot rod, plus I get a little extra leverage to fight those big bass. 

I love how this rod casts. It can launch a jig across my pond or subtly plop on the edge of the weeds. It also fights big fish very well. I never felt like the fish was in control while reeling one in, and the big one that got away was due to my giving the fish some slack when I should have been hauling it in. 

I have not been disappointed in this rod while fishing with it and look forward to many more trips with it in hand.

What the Fenwick Elite Bass Baitcasting Rod Does Well

The Fenwick Elite Bass casting rod does precisely what it was designed to do. It’s sensitive enough to feel when the bass picks your jig up and powerful enough to set the hook and haul it out of thick cover like lily pads and brush piles. Just don’t let your line come into contact with sharp metal like I did. 

Even though I got the broomstick model for flipping and punching, it’s not heavy. I can cast this rod for hours; my shoulder still feels loose enough to fish the next day. It also feels natural in my hand while dragging a jig along the bottom or reeling in a big fish (that may or may not get away). 

Where I See Room for Improvement

While the rod is a little tip-heavy, it’s not more so than most of my other fishing rods. My biggest complaint is the cork handles (save your cork superiority complex for someone else; this isn’t a fly rod, folks). I don’t like cork handles because they chip out faster than foam, and I don’t find them as comfortable.

Only time will tell how well this cork handle holds up after bouncing around in my truck and rod box on my kayak trailer.

Who Should Buy It?

This is an excellent bass fishing rod, but it’s not for every angler. First off, it’s designed for freshwater bass fishing. Secondly, it’s expensive.

So if you’re primarily targeting species other than bass, especially saltwater species, you should keep looking for another rod. I also wouldn’t recommend this to new anglers or those on a tight budget, as there are more budget-friendly options.

Tournament anglers will find the Fenwick Elite Bass casting rod priced well, considering its features and build quality compared to other high-end fishing rods. 

Final Thoughts on the Fenwick Elite Bass Casting Rod

The Fenwick Elite Bass casting rod has exceeded my expectations because it’s sensitive and does not limit the power needed to catch big bass. However, it’s expensive. I can’t wait to return to the water and land more bass with it.