St Croix Ltb/pflueger Patriarch Spinning Review

[jerzeeD]

So I have had my dream combo for about 5 weeks now which seems to be an adequate amount of time for me to post this review. The rod is the new 2011 St croix LTB 6'8" M/XF with a 35 size Pflueger Patriarch. This combo is primarily for weightless to light weighted plastics. It is equipped with 10 lb. P-line cx premium for anyone curious as to the line I am using. For the past 3 seasons my setup for my plastics has been a 6'8" M/XF Mojo Bass with a 35 size Pflueger President XT. The difference between the rods is astounding. The only thing the 2 have in common are the length and manufacturer. The first and most noticeable differences between the 2 rods is weight and balance. The LTB is certainly a featherweight and is a well balanced rod. It does not exhibit tip heaviness like the Mojo Bass has. When using the rod for the first time, the most surprising thing was how well this rod loads up and casts weightless plastics. I started out using weightless 8" zoom lizzards. The Mojo bass used to require more effort and "snap casting" to get any kind of distance out of weightless plastics. The LTB can give me the same distances without the need for violent snap casts. I don't know if it is the 10 new fuji tangle free guides with alconite inserts as oppossed to the 8 guides with aluminum oxide inserts on the Mojo, but casting has become a joy. Sensitivity is top notch. The Mojo was good, but I still found myself to be constantly watching the line in fear of missing the light bite. Those days are over. The higher modulus graphite in the LTB makes it a very sensitive rod. I actually found myself doing early overjealous hook sets the first few outings until I got used to the difference in sensitivity. The exposed reel seat on the LTB really helps in this department. You will feel everything with this rod. As for the reel, I don't think I could have found a reel that works better with this rod. Everything down to the color of the reel matching the rod. The Pflueger Patriarch is one of the lightest reels in its class. It also happens to be the smoothest reel I have ever used. The price tag might seem a bit high at 200 dollars, but believe me when I tell you it is still a great deal when you see what you get and compare it to other manufacturers high end spinning reel prices. The magnesium body alone make it worth the cost. If anyone is looking for a high end spinning reel, I would highly suggest this one. If anyone has any questions regarding this sst up, feel free to ask. But needless to say I am extremely happy with my new combo!

[Long Mike]

Nice review jerzeeD. It just so happens that my favorite combo, spinning or baitcasting, is a St. Croix Premier 6'6" M/FA paired with a Pfleuger President. It's like we were made for each other. I have several Patriarchs, but they are all baitcasters and I love them also. Budget permiting, I am slowly replacing all of my BC reels with Patriarchs. You have now lit a fire in me. Mayhaps I shall have to replace my beloved President spinning reel with a Patriarch. Is it that much better?

[new2BC4bass]

Congrats on the new (relatively) outfit. Sounds like a winner.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Nice review.

The rod really makes a difference doesnt it more so than the reel?

St Croix still has some LTB rods Ive been eyeing dont need one just really want one.

Long Mike keep the president and get a LTB rod that will make the greatest difference.

[jerzeeD]

I agree the Rod is more important than the reel. That said, the Patriarch is about 5 ounces lighter than the President and has less flex in the stem due the fact that the Pres has a graphite body opposed to the magnesium construction of the Patriarch. I no longer have any graphite bodied reels, and the president xt I used on the mojo has an aluminum body. The heavier reels like my president xt are actually a better fit on Mojos and premiers. Those rods are generally a bit tip heavy, so the heavier reels do a better job of balancing out the combo. I would definatly upgrade my rod first if I had a President as my reel.