Opinions-Did I Buy The Right Rod For These Purposes

[jerzeeD]

Although I am pretty confident in my choice, I still like to hear insight from others with experience.

Today I picked up a 6'3" M/XF St. Croix Avid. I matched it up to a 30 size Pflueger Medalist reel. 80% of the time I will be using it for 3/8-1/2 oz "safety pin" spinnerbaits and weedless swimbaits. However, I also needed a rod that can accomodate 1/4 oz inline spinners like rooster tails when I am out for brown/rainbow trout as well as the occasional need for a walleye jigging rod. What do you think? Should this rod handle these tasks well?

[tracker01]

Nice outfit, should work. Take it out and fish it. If it is comfortable, and it does what you want it to do, then you got a winner.

[Marty]

I think yes. A rod like that does well on many different techniques, i.e., medium power, fast action.

[iabass8]

That rod will do those techniques fine.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Also a good top water and vertical finesse/drop shot rod. I like the shorter rod for in close casting to cover with those spinners.

[islandbass]

I might have gone with a slightly longer rod but on the other hand there isn't much there that feels as awesome as wielding a rod as if it were a light saber. Other than that and that detail is minor and not a show stopper, I think you made a solid choice.

[Canga]

i have that same rod (with a pflueger arbor 7430 on it) and its a great rod, while i only use it for vertical jigging for walleyes, and occasionally pitching jigs as well (have a 6'9" mlxf ltb for pitching, mostly, and that works as a good vertical rod too) its very sensitive, light, and casts pretty well for its length. it has a short handle so the portion of the rod from reel to tip is decently long for its length.

i like a rod with a little more give for spinnerbaits and swimbaits (i dont rig weedless usually, its on a jighead.) so have been using my fenwick hmg 7' med/modfast, but u ised a 6'6" mlf hmf (and fenwicks fast in this rod is closer to xf than f) this spring for spinnerbaits and swimbaits and it works great, so i dont think you will have a problem with the croix.

on a side note, i know a lot of people on here will likely laugh at throwing 1/2oz spinnerbaits on a medium light spinning rod, but it worked very well, to the point i dont recall losing any fish on it.

[tracker01]

I might have gone with a slightly longer rod but on the other hand there isn't much there that feels as awesome as wielding a rod as if it were a light saber. Other than that and that detail is minor and not a show stopper, I think you made a solid choice.

Would a Avid 6'6" med. fast, have been a better choice for the OP's requirements? I was looking at the same 6'3" rod but now I am thinking 6'6". One is "fast" and the other is "x-fast".

[islandbass]

I don't know if better is the right word. For the OP, if he's fishing close quarters more than not, the rod would be a sound choice. Like I said it would be like wielding a light saber, lol. 6'6" to just over 7' seems to be the general consensus for the length of a "bass" rod, but that is not set in stone. As for fast vs x-fast, I've never used an x-fast rod so I don't know how the two differ and even here, I have never seen any posts that could clearly describe to me in a way I can understand how the two differ enough to make a serious difference in either setting the hook or rod castibility.

[jerzeeD]

I don't know if better is the right word. For the OP, if he's fishing close quarters more than not, the rod would be a sound choice. Like I said it would be like wielding a light saber, lol. 6'6" to just over 7' seems to be the general consensus for the length of a "bass" rod, but that is not set in stone. As for fast vs x-fast, I've never used an x-fast rod so I don't know how the two differ and even here, I have never seen any posts that could clearly describe to me in a way I can understand how the two differ enough to make a serious difference in either setting the hook or rod castibility.

It seems from my experience that xf tips will give you a little more casting distance with light lures, and definatly improve hook set power. I was originally looking to get a 6'6" M/F avid ( rated at 1/4-5/8 oz lures) but when I saw the weight rating for this rod (1/8-1/2 oz lures) it seemed it might be a better choice for my 1/4 oz inline spinner baits. I am hoping the xf tip on a 6'3" rod keeps casting distances comperable to the fast tip with 3 extra inches. Looks like I will see tomorrow morning. ;-)

[J Francho]

I have that rod. The 6-6 is only about an inch and a half longer from the reel seat. It'll work fine for what you want, though 1/2 oz. is pushing the upper limits.

[Capt.Bob]

My favorite jig, live bait weight forward spinner, and live crawler harness outfit on Lake Erie is that same setup, almost, I use LES63MXF and a 2500 stradic, that rig is also killer for workin tubes for Smallies ! The 6'8" mxf is excellent also but I love that smaller combat tactic feel the 6'3" gives you, I have landed 6 lbs Smallies and over 8lbs Walleye on mine and love the battle, I have never had a problem throwing as heavy as 3/4 oz lures with mine, as the XF action handle a little heavier lure well also, d**n I love that outfit! I think it is the most versatile for the fineness fisherman, which I enjoy more than horsing them!

That setup is a stellar choice in my book!! I wish you many years of memorable battles, enjoy!!