Got this on for less than $40. Pics were bad so it was a gamble. One guide seems crushed but I'm replacing all of them anyway. Other than that it's great condition
I'm confused as to whether this was an UL spinning rod or a fly rod. The grip could go either way but the guides seem more spin-ish to me.
Fenwick model SP621. Is anyone familiar with it? Id love to know an age range, and what the intended lure and line size was.
Found references on another forum to the rod in a 1976 catalog as 2-6# 1/16-1/4 lure. And now I'm even happier. This will become an awesome finesse rod. Probably add a proper reel seat.
Need A 500 series reel on it
Yeah, that was considered a UL in the time period. The slip rings are appropriate for a UL reel attachment at that time, as they still are today. A lot of the high quality rod makers still offer the Tennessee slip ring handle option today. Those type handles are high sensitivity.
I am thinking vintage 308,Cardinal 3,or DQ 265.As for modern option I like the Shinano Sienna 500.I have a 1000 version,great reels for $30.
I used that exact model blank to build a few UL spinning rods, with the Aetna "foul proof" guides, back in the 70's. And then I branched out to the FL models for light weight fly rods. One could build quality light rods for under $20 each and sell hand tied flies for $5/dozen.
I used to buy Fenwick fiberglass blank from a man in Minnesota and built some rod with better guides ,not sure that he still have them
I can see why people like this kind of grip. It might be the first time I build a rod without a Fuji seat. I kinda like it. The 3 guides it has came off easy as pie and I have a very similar thread. I might keep this a spinner.
The cork should clean up nicely with a little sand paper and elbow grease. It makes a nice spinner or maybe a BFS rod?
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on January 11, 2025, 01:35:17 AMI can see why people like this kind of grip. It might be the first time I build a rod without a Fuji seat. I kinda like it. The 3 guides it has came off easy as pie and I have a very similar thread. I might keep this a spinner.
Good for you, Jason! You'll probably learn to like that handle design quite a bit. They're especially nice on UL & light spinning setups. You can get some of the grime off by lightly wiping it lacquer thinner, then lightly sanding it with 3--400 grit, next maybe a little higher grit for smoother surface, and then you can seal it with a couple of coats of Penetrol if you have some. The nice thing about Penetrol is that it soaks into the cork surface rather than just laying on the surface like a lot of other cork sealers.
I have used green 3m pads on cork then penetrol or spar urethane.I like the penetrol feel better though.Spar urethane looks better but could be slippery when wet.
The grips cleaned up really nicely with just some acetone on a paper towel and not much rubbing.
But as much as I like the grip style, and it can hold a baitcaster, but it's too small for my big goofy paws. I'm likely gonna add a reel seat. The top of the current grip is the right size to mate up with the bottom of a trigger seat. I'll consider going that route. Even though I'm awake now I'm still technically sleeping on it.
Shame to transform a tough to find cute little ultra light spinning rod into a casting outfit, but to each his own priorities. :)
Tommy is right. It won't really be a "vintage fenwick" rod when you get through with it. Maybe "repurposed Fenwick blank". Can't say that I haven't done worse things myself though.
Jury is still out. I know you can't go backwards. Maybe I'll just extend the cork.
It won't be a true vintage Fenwick when I put modern guides on it either. But that's a definite.
Definitely a spinner with Aetna Foulproof guides. The blank looks like it's in good condition from the pictures provided. Not sure if that was factory wrapped or not. Not familiar with the thread Fenwick used for that era.
Finally finished it. It ended up a finesse-oriented baitcaster. I went Fuji trigger seat with the hidden thread hood, and kept the original cork grip. I went light on the guides starting with a CCLNAG8 with CCLAG5 runners. I went with pro wrap BW tiger thread with a bit of color preserver. I like the look.
Learning from a prior failure, I kept the positive energy up the whole time.
Great ,no fancy wrap here all function with original look
Looks really good Jason. What reel are you planning to hang on it?
Thats a good lookin rod I tell you what!
Quote from: MACflyer on April 01, 2025, 08:15:37 PMLooks really good Jason. What reel are you planning to hang on it?
One of these days I'll stumble upon a right-priced ambassadeur 2500C to go down the BFS rabbit hole with. Until then my budget BFS blackmax just has 2 homes.
Jason the rod came out nice, really like the vintage thread. Maybe fish it with an older Lews bait caster with 6lb Berkeley fire line and top shot of 4lb with a short 2ft leader of some fluoro for pompano, croakers or flounder?
That Bantam you got from Bryan's Collection may also be a good fit until the 2500C comes along?
that rod looks pretty good Jason, looking forward to see some action pics
The Bantam 100 was the original BFS reel.
that rod was originally built from a blank, so you didn't ruin anything by rebuilding it - in fact I rate it an improvement ;-)
recommend getting an Abu 3500 instead of spending $200 on a 2500.. it's essentially the same reel, there is a lot of interchangeability with 2500c parts. But the 3500s are available at $80 and under..
Avail Microcast lightweight spool AMB3540R was about $70 from Japan, not sure what the new prices might be.
Use a single white Abu brake block with this spool, works well on mine.
It makes a great BFS reel..