I have a few year old Fenwick HMX in a 4'9" length, that they don't seem to make anymore. It is mated to a 500 series Shimano Sahara, and I love it.

I run 4# mono, and flip spinners at the stocker ponds when I am with my wife and kid, but its primary duty is perch and crappie anchored over my favorite honey holes. It can outcast my wife's nicer (like a nicer quantum, not a junk combo) Quantum 5'3" UL, because it is not quite as wispy.

I have not handled the new HMX in 5'3" but I have handled a 5' panfish St Croix, which seemed slightly less fast than my 4'9" HMX. With 4 other HMX and HMG rods in the collection, and only 2 St. Croix, I may be biased. Cant go wrong with either!

PS, I flip my bails manually, 95% of the time.

Last edited by ExcessFC; 01/19/15.