A Little St Croix Advice Please

[Greenstealth]

Hi all, I'll try to keep this short and sweet, basically I am contemplating getting a new "utility rod". My current setup is an abu revo mgx on a bp 7' mh f carbonlite. It's a good setup but for some reason, I'm looking to get a little better. Basically, I am torn between the extreme and elite and whether to go m or mh. From what I have read, St croix's m=mh for most other manufacturers. I think I like the full cork handle of the elite better than the split grips of the extreme, and I also have no experience with recoil guides (i don't use braid much so I'm not worried about the "humming" some have noted when using braids with recoils) it just sucks that I personally cant handle one of these rods because noone local carries them. Any advice or opinion is greatly appreciated.

[Chris at Tech]

I think the M would suit you better for your intended purpose.

[.ghoti.]

I have two rods with recoils, and don't notice the difference. St Croix's medium power rods do fish like most others MH rods.

I don't feel any difference between rods with split grips and rods with full grips. In my opinion, it's a purely aesthetic difference. I have both, and like them both.

What application did you have in mind?

[Greenstealth]

I think the M would suit you better for your intended purpose.

Thanks, I fish a T Rig almost exclusively, I guess I should have included that sensitivity is pretty important as to how I fish. I am fairly new to bass fishing but I have had very very good success with t rigs in most of my local lakes so they've kind of become my go-to setup. I still want something with a little more flexibility than my CL.

[Greenstealth]

I have two rods with recoils, and don't notice the difference. St Croix's medium power rods do fish like most others MH rods.

I don't feel any difference between rods with split grips and rods with full grips. In my opinion, it's a purely aesthetic difference. I have both, and like them both.

What application did you have in mind?

I fish a t rig A LOT but I want some versatility to throw some spinners and such. Aesthetically, I think I am in love with the elite, my problem is that I have a killer deal in front of me for an xtreme that isn't available for the elite.

[Dwight Hottle]

I have both elites & xtremes. I prefer the full cork on the elite versus the xtreme but I have grown very fond of the xtremes with the split grip & recoils. If you can buy the extreme for less money than the elite go for it. The split grip versus full cork difference will dissipate with use. The recoils guides have a slight advantage with their built in flexibility making them more durable than a standard fixed guide. There is no insert to fall out either. The fuji sic guides on the elites do dissipate heat better if you are using extremely light line. The medium power is a very versatile stick unless you are fishing for trophies in cover.

[Greenstealth]

.Thanks for the advice. I'm looking at a xc70mhf for under $300. I can't get it in medium, only mh. If i want a medium, it has to be a 6'6' elite that I can get for under $250. I guess i might end up paying full price and get exactly what I want. I realize the blanks are the same, I guess I'm just a sucker for the green paint and full cork on the elite.

[.ghoti.]

A St Croix MHF rod is a very powerful stick. Keep that in mind. If you really want to add spinnerbaits to the mix, I'd go with the 6'6" M.

There's also much to said for buying exactly what you want the first time. It's usually cheaper in the long run.

[iabass8]

All my rods are st.croix and the majority of them are legend extremes amd legend tournaments because i prefer the split grip. The recoil guides are nice and havent caused me any issues. There is alot of people saying that a croix is underrated. This is true for some of thir lines but their M is not a true Mh and their mh is not a H. This is the legend through the extreme series. I dont have much experience with the lower end rods except the mojo bass cranking rod Mhm which was certainly not a H rod. My new legend tournament MHM is also not close to a H power. The extreme and elite i am almost certain are built on the same blank with the differences being the components (guides grip etc). There is a 7mhf and 7mf in the extremes and legends elites. You camt go wrong with either. Both are great lines.

[Whets Lines]

I don't have a lot of experience with rods other than St. Croix. I do have a Kistler 7' MHF and a St. Croix LegendXtreme 7' MHF. The kistler MH is way stiffer than the St. Croix. To me, that Kistler I have is junk compared to the Xtreme. (Ok, that's harsh, but I really don't like it.) I do not think a MH Xtreme will be too heavy for you. For my arsenal, which I'm not going to get into, my Xtreme 7'MHF is my go-to rod. It is my favorite. I feel it is extremely versatile for the way I fish. I have a bunch of rods so I don't have to constantly re-tie baits; but at times, I find I do anyway just to use this rod. You will not go wrong with a MH or a M. I just think you can do more with the MH. Be careful though, buying a St. Croix can lead to a serious rod-buying addiction. Good Luck.

Whets

[tomustang]

You can't go wrong with either, choosing M or MH should be determined with what your throwing and what cover you're throwing at. As for the handle, besides preference, how you hold and throw might make a difference.

[Greenstealth]

I'm going to get them both i think.

[Mike__D]

That's what I did! Bought both the M and MH 7 footer in the elite series as I prefer them cosmetically.

Mike D

[S Hovanec]

Croix's MH is a VERY powerful stick. I built one for throwing C-rigs and it was too beefy for my liking.

[ww2farmer]

You can pretty much do all of your bass fishing with those two rods, throw in there 6'8" M/XF spinning rod in any of there lines, and that's a 3 rod arsenal that can do it all. IMHO the only 2 things in bass fishing that "need" dedicated rods are deep cranking, and punching heavy grass mats.