WI_Angler1989

If you can get either, I'd get the Avid it's the first level of their higher end rods and has always served me well. Like any rod, you get what you pay for, more $=better components, more technologies used, etc. Their site is worth checking out if you're interested. I've heard plenty of good stuff about the Mojo and premier rods but they're gonna use less quality components and the blank materials are not as sensitive. Also I've heard of a number of people having breakage issues, not everyone, but enough to worry me. St Croix has excellent warranty services but it adds up if it happens more than a couple times. I got an Avid after a ton of research..... .........then got another because I liked it so much. I've never had one break or show signs of breaking and they're going into their 5th and 6th seasons. For your 250$ price limit you can't go wrong with it. Keep researching and try to get your hands on one in a store. Whichever you get in sure you won't regret it, St Croix rods are awesome!

They're great reels. Pretty bomb proof in my experience haha. I've got 3. 1 I bought was my first reel, 1 more the next season and I got 1 for free when I returned my combo rod to get repaired it came back with a new reel on it! You could get a St Croix Avid for $190 and a Pfleuger President for $50. I have that setup and love it. The reel is all I have and is amazing value and quality. As for the rod, you can't go wrong with a St Croix. My Avids are super sensitive which is a must for bottom contact lures like tubes.

For me its probably a tie between the kvd 1.0, 1.5 and Spro fat John 50.

I use my 6' 10" mlxf St Croix Legend Tournament Bass spinning rod for fishing tubes. Up until now I've used Pfleuger President spinning reels in the 2500 size and haven't ever had an issue with them. Next season I'll have an upgraded reel, still don't know what onelse to get haha. I like the XF action tip because it helps with a solid hookset when fishing tubes and reacting to the bites. As for line, I use 15# power pro braid and a 10# sunline super sniper fluoro leader. I plan on trying another braid this next year out of curiosity.

Yep, and I meant no offense.

A tube is a tube on a hook and jig. But he's talking about a skirted bass jig.

Strike King Bitsy Bug x 2 They don't last a very long time but they're great for beginning. They work really well and have a good profile plus they're very inexpensive. If you prefer to get higher quality right off the bat, Siebert Outdoors makes a finesse jig called the Sniper jig that is great and we'll reccomended. There's a link to their site at the bottom in the sponsor logos.

Speaking of frogs, don't you just hate when you're going through tackle in the winter and can't find a few things. Namely a Livetarget frog. Dang. Apparently I lost a perfectly good, 2 year old frog. Cue the violins.

Hearing everyone's goals makes me want spring to get here even more! I hope everyone accomplishes what they want, both the real and the silly.

I like their 4A model. It's similar is profile and depth but isn't flat sided. I really like their "real craw" patterns.

My favorite part about the Scum Frogs is that when a pike huts it and shreds it, I only paid 2.50 so it doesn't break the bank.

It's really nice, isn't it? I had a couple guides that were cracked on an Avid, brought it in and they sent it to St Croix and got it fixed. It was nice since it wasn't huge damage, but still a problem.

Sadly I haven't tried a few of the mainstays people have been mentioning. I do use and love the livetarget frog. It's durable, castable, has a good hookup ratio, and they look amazing. The fish don't care probably but I thinks it's cool. Another sleeper pick I have used for years is Scum frog. They're cheap and work really well. They aren't the most durable but their soft body makes for an awesome hookup ratio.

Very nice! What are the rod's specs?

Where I buy my St Croix rods, Scheels, if you damage it at all they send it and cover all costs. A snapped rod is free to replace.

I've heard good things about the bandits, they a classic by the sound of it. I'll be checking them out for sure. Hopefully store here have some so I don't have to go online with shipping cost

Hey all, I need some help. Like the title says, I fish a LOT of rivers and want to find a good, durable and effective shallow running crankbait to try. My rivers can be plenty deep but more often than not, if I'm on the bank, I'm dealing with 6ft deep or so. The waters can be pretty snaggy with lots of rocks and wood from high waters etc. I see tons of cranks that aim for deeper water which just won't work for me. Plus I need something that is as snag resistant as possible. So what's everyone's favorite shallow-running river crankbait?

Well, aside from a factory St Croix rod, a custom rod on a 2016 Legend Elite blank is my choice. I'd like to try their new rod specific guides with a new ceramic insert to go with lighter frames. Also I'd want to have the highest quality reel seat and cork, set up just like the LTB spinning series. They just feel good in hand to me and I LOVE split grip, bare blank rods. Having my hand or a couple fingers right on the blank is awesome. That's my dream rod, and it'll be just that for a looong time, a dream haha.

I love St Croix rods. So I would wanna try a new Legend Elite spinning rod.

Hmmmm, not sure how exactly to spell that..... ****? Or was it ####?

I'm gonna do the same, hellooo 2# crappie line!

Dirty jigs and Santone jigs are usually really well recommended. They both have all the usual styles and tiers of quality and tonnnnns of colors to choose from.

I spose it doesn't really matter tho. I always use a fluoro leader with finesse and when froggin it's pads and weeds anyway. So long as it's just color and not the line itself weakening.

Color fades faster than the regular PP even?

Sounds like an easy choice then. Thanks for you input, it was very helpful!