Does anyone know the differance between the Fenwick FS83 that people use for plug rods and the FS85?

The fs85 is a stiffer rod, can't quote the exact action difference, but the 85 is a little heavy for pluggin steelhead sized plugs, probably not bad for targeting nooks with quickies in the Columbia though.

The difference is in the length and the action. The FS83C that make great plug rods are 8' 3" and are nice and soft in the tip. The FS85C if I remember right 8' 6" and is a little stiffer in the action. The only rods that I use for pulling plugs is the FS83C. Been using this rod for about 35 years now.

Yup, the 83 is a sweet rod for tadpollys and steelhead plugs but they get a little torqued if you want to put on a bigger K-fish. You can do it but it'll be flexing down to the butt while in the holders. That 85 would be a nice rod for the big plugs and Kings.

B.

Cool have three of them in the attic that I need to dig out.

Just to give you some more insight. Your lower level Fenwicks (say 80 through 86) were designed as "driftfishing" rods. Any blank that has the brown/gold reelseat (depending on year of blank) were similar to the lami's/loomis you use today for your driftfishing. You move up into your 88/89/90/91/92's and you're talking heavier action mooching rods. (they have silver reel seats) Most good plunking rods are your heavier rods used for mooching. Hence, the ever popular FS89C with an old 7000c.

My first drift rod was an 85c. Still have it in fact. The 83c is an excellent small plug rod. The 85 is one of the best "all around" rods. You can plunk heavy lead, drift fish, and pull all sorts of plugs with it from the smallest hot shot up to the biggest kwikfish. I use a variety of sizes on rods. I have a mixture of 79's up to 89's. My Dad, SHEESH. He has about 35 fenwicks (no lie), if not more. He has everything from a FS53 all the way up to a FS92C. He still has a few catalogs from the 60's and 70's. You can't go wrong with the fenwicks. Especially the old ones. They're great. And if any of you want to rid of yours, let me know. LOL