Discontinued St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass Rods

[kschultz76]

Hi all,

This is my first post here, but I've been lurking around reading for the past couple of weeks. I'm in the process of adding some new rods/reels to my arsenal to fill it out and replace some older gear I don't love.

I've become really interested in St. Croix rods based on all the good reviews I've found of them on BPS & Cabela's website as well as what I've found here on the forums.

I have 1 GL2 6' M/F spinning rod my Dad got my for my birthday a few years back, and its a nice stick but could be finished nicer for the price. Its the blue version from before the recent redesign. Also have a St. Croix Triumph 6' M/F spinning rod in the barn we got for my wife, and really enjoyed fishing it a few times though it is a bit tip heavy.

I've been bouncing back and fourth between St. Croix Avids, Legend Tournament Bass, Loomis GL2, and GL3 rods. It seems the differences in these rods has been well debated topics here, so I won't ask folks to talk on any more unless they really want to .

I decided to take a shot and ordered a discontinued 2011 St. Croix LTBC68MXF Topwater (6'8" M/XF Casting) from their Bargain Room hoping it will work well for topwater as advertised, and maybe some additional versatility for soft plastics and maybe some jerkbaits. Any other uses I could put this stick to? It arrives later this week.

If I like that rod I'm considering getting the following they are offering on discount there, but not sure they're really well suited for my needs:

LTBS510MXF Skipping - will this be too short or heavy for general duty?

LTBS66MLF Splitshot - would this be too light for general duty?

LTBC66MHF Jig-N-Worm - afraid this will be too heavy for working jigs, spinnerbaits, ligther cranks, jerkbaits, and buzzbaits?

I've read numerous times that SC seems to underrate the power on their rods so I'm looking at the line/lure weights on them.

Can anyone share any feed back on these specific rod size/action combos and what they may be good for technique wise beyond what St. Croix advertises them for? I'd love to take advandtage of the great deals they are, but don't want to sink money into rods because they're a good deal if they won't work well for me. If these aren't good choices I'd rather spend the extra money on the newer 2012 LTB's where they suit me, and Avid's where they don't.

I primarily fish a lot of soft plastics - weightless texas rigged Senkos, Slider worms, other soft plastic worms texas rigged, lizards, wacky rigged senkos, but also fish hard jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, top water, baby 1 minus, rebel crawfish, and various size cranks. Want to try more dropshotting, shakey head, and swimbaits.

I'm leaning towards the St. Croix rods over the new G Loomis GL2 series because I can't find any good/positive review out there on the GL2's period, plus all the great review here and elsewhere on the St. Croix's. And I really like the info available from St. Croix on the construction of their rods, seems like a company that wants to educate their customer, and takes service very seriously. But I'm still open to the idea of GL2 or GL3's if folks think they would be better choices.

Any advice or input folks can share would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Kevin

Edited to add: I'm located in NJ near Philly and fish in many lakes on both sides of the Delaware from a bassboat. So not hooking into 5 + lb fish on a regular basis.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

I have UL,MH Premiers, ML Avid, M Elite Croixs and the ML is my favorite just a sweet power I think. I see they have LTBC69MLXF so that what I say to look at. You have 3 M as is and the MH croix is stout so I dont like fishing it much. I see the fish size you likely to encounter is under 5# if too you are in light to moderate structure ML should work fine. Senko,flukes, finesse worms 6'-7" and I throw 1/8oz jigs.

[00 mod]

I have several rods from st croix, from premier all the way up to legend elite. My opinion on the rods listed are, 5'10'' is just to short for most applications. The 6'6'' ml/f spinning rod would be good for live bait on a river, drop shot, small shakey head or any kind of panfish/sunfish. I think it would still be to light for soft plastics to really penetrate the hook. The 6'6'' mh/f would be fine for plastics and jigs, even spinnerbaits. I think you will want to look at another application for your trebel hook lures(cranks/some topwater, and jerkbaits)

Jeff

[ww2farmer]

Most of my rods are St Croix's. I have 2 Mojo's, 2 Avids, and 3 Legend Tournaments. They are more powerfull then other rods I have owned with the same power. For example my 7' MH/Fast Avid Casting rod is more powerfull than the Kistler 7' H/fast "Jig and Toad" rod I had. And the 7'11" H/Mod. fast Mojo "Flipping" stick I have is WAY more powerfull than my old flipping rod, a 7'6" XH/Fast Fenwick HMX.

I don't own any of those lenghts/powers/actions of the rods you mentioned, only you can decide if they will fit your style. I am just giving you a comparison of St Croix's ratings to other companys ratings.

[0119]

I have the 6'3" version of the 6'8" you just ordered. Its a fine rod except the hand grip portion of the rear grip is to small and bulbous for me. Just never feels like I have a good grip on it. I also have the 5'10" spinning skippin' rod. I love that rod. With 10lb braid it still cast like a 7fter. But I rarely use it for that. It excels at skipping and being an all purpose rod while in close quarters, a canoe, jon boat or from the bank where you have hvy vegetation.

[basscrusher]

I have the Split shot and Jig-n-worm. The Split shot is NOT too light a rod for any plastics. It would be a medium power in any other brand. Since I got that rod, it has become my #1 spinning rod and I have caught hundreds (maybe more) of bass, including ones up to just under 6 lbs. No bass ever overpowered me on that rod. Nor have catfish appraoching the 10 lb mark. I fish mainly shaky heads on it and I do NOT have hook penetration problems (guess I should mention I also use 10-lb braid).

The jig-n-worm is a great all around rod for plastics, jigs, buzzbaits, frogs, etc. For me, its a bit too stiff for cranks, but it will certainly throw them. It would also make a good rod for big spinnerbaits (1/2 oz to 1 oz).

Those rods are a great deal.

[Capt.Bob]

I for one after years of owning primarily Avids and Legends for decades, personally think St. Croix rods are rated properly, and all other rods are over rated for what they actually are!!

I had to say that! I, on a more serious note, think you need at least a 6'2" MXF and the 6'8" MXF would be better. the 7' Avid MF would also do what you want. With only one rod, your going to do one thing great and everything else just doable, not great but it will work. I like the Avid better than the Tournament, maybe because of the grip, but I think sensativity is a tie and durability goes to the Avid.

[kschultz76]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I'm now a lot more interested in the LTBS66MLF Splitshot and the LTBC66MHF then I had been.

@ Capt. Bob - I totally get your point about one rod not doing it all, and don't plan to try to. I'm looking to build a collection for quality reads, 3-4 spinning and 3 casting, to cover the variety of fishing I do. I tend to be partial to spinning rods, but over the past few years I've gotten better and better with my casting on a baitcaster. I think there will be some Avids in my locker as I can't get everything I want in the discontinued LTB's and don't want to spend the $$ on the newest 2012 version if the Avids will serve me well. The LTBC68MXF Topwater (6'8" M/XF Casting) will be my first split grip rod, so we'll see how I like it before I order more. Hoping it will be here in a day or two.

I am somewhat tempted to get the Legend Tournament Xtreme XC66MF/10 6'6" M/F they have in the bargain room, but for the cost difference between that an Avid I can pay for most of a quality reel.

I also recognize that besides mixing LTB's and Avids, I may have to consider some other manufacturers to get a well rounded collection.

Keep it coming folks I appreciate the advice!

[Capt.Bob]

I am sure once you fish that 6'8" MXF you wont settle for less than a St. Croix, they spoiled me! Congrats on a fine rod, You will be HAPPY!

[kschultz76]

Well Capt Bob you were right, I'm now very spoiled. Love the LTB Casting 6'8" M XF. Love it so much I've now received an LTB Casting 6'6" MH F, and LTB Spinning 6'6" ML F from the Bargain Room. They're all light, sensitive, and feel great in my hand. I'm really pleased about the grips, wasn't sure I'd care for the split grips but I really do. Of course the split grip on the discontinued LTB's is more like a full cork grip then the 2012 redesigned LTB's, those grips are very minimalist.

The action on the LTBC66MXF is awesome for top water, really enjoying how it moves a Storm Rattlin Chug Bug and Spooks. Already got a couple fish on it just practicing in the creek behind my house. Can't wait to get them all out on my boat.

I also needed one more spinning rod for some general use, and got the chance to drive out to Bass Pro Shops last weekend. I simply couldn't leave the Avid 6'6" Spinning M F on the rack when I left so it came home with me.

I've got a few more rods on my wish list and they're all gonna be Avids and LTB's.

Thanks for everyone's input!