Took the K2 713, heavily shrink-wrapped and with tags, out on a couple of trips to decide whether I like it. I might write up a full impression post after I’ve had more experience, but as a quick update:
First trip was a wash, winds were at 20+mph and finesse was out of question. But that trip, throwing spinnerbaits into the heavy wind instead on a much heavier rod, made me think that this Phenix rod is the daintiest stick I’ve held. The tiny butt cap, the reel seat, the micro guides and overall action/rod diameter just make it feel like a very expensive toy. My leader knot kept getting hung up on the micro tip tip guide on the couple of retrieves that I made. Not a plus, was kinda pessimistic on my chances of keeping the rod and was thinking I should go 852 instead.
2nd trip today was *much* more successful. Good conditions, went to a steep rocky area. Tried some shakyheads and large Ned worms first. No bites, but casting up to ~1/2oz felt fine. Really started to warm up to the rod when I realized that I might be on a jerk bait bite and quickly caught 4 LMBs on the rod. It’s fully maxed out with regular 115-size Pointer - not the casting, the ripping! - but can do it if necessary, and it’s great with a Vision 110 Jr or Flash Pointer 100. (Tried a Staysee 90 for a couple times, and... yeah, definitely not!
) The Fast taper on this rod is a big plus here, I can’t see myself throwing jerkbaits on an XFast 852 NRX (just a suspicion, of course, since I haven’t fished one). I then tied on a dropshot with 3/16oz tungsten weight and quickly caught a bass waaayyy out deep. That was awesome, and fully sold me on the sensitivity of the blank; it was the kinda bite I expect to detect on my 822 DSR, but that I’m sure I would have missed on any $300 rod. World-class sensitivity, just like Cal mentioned in his review. Hook set on the fast tip wasn’t an issue, and the fish was easy to keep pinned. So at that point I took the shrink wrap and tags off the rod and decided to keep it
Leader knots are the only issue, I would love a more forgiving tip top guide. I didn’t have any problem with line getting stuck today because I used an FG knot plus reverse uni (“Rizutto Finish”), but that knot takes time and commitment, especially with light line. But hey, this rod is a diva: a bit finicky, not a work horse, but really talented. I can deal with her demands as long as they’re predictable
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(Could get it to 8.5oz spooled with the MGXtreme2, but that's full-spool). Either way, it balances fine. 
