St.croix Ltb Vs. Extreme

[BASSclary]

I've been eyeing a true finesse specific casting rod lately, and after losing an auction for a 681C (discontinued, VERY hard to find) Powell, i've been looking at Croix. I was looking at the Bargain room and saw that they have a 6'9" ML/XF casting rod, in both LTB and Extreme, (Last years models). The LTB is somewhere like 120 and the Extreme 180. I was wondering if the difference between the two is worth the cost? I love the reel seat on the Extreme, but the ECS is still good and I dont mind it, and an ACS isn't worth the difference to me, and the guides are quality on both and dont have a preference for those.

Want I want to know is how these compare, especially in balance and sensitivity. I know they're relatively short, ML rods, so balance shouldn't be an issue, I think. But I've never handled the models and would like to know your thoughts on the rods.

Thanks, BC

[Capt.Bob]

The main thing is the Extreme is a much better blank, it uses better guides that are harder and lighter, gives you better feel and it is lighter to make it even more electrifying in your hand. I own a Legend tournament 6'8"MXF, and it is a very nice rod, I don't like the split cork but that is personal, I own a legend Elite 6'6mf and it is much more sensitive, and really is a great rod!! If I were you and could spend 60 dollars extra, it would be a no brainer, get the Extreme and thank me after you use it!! I know it is easy to spend someone else's money but the Legend Tournament series is much closer to the Avid Series than it is to the Legend Elite or Extreme. and those are ridiculous prices, I can't believe there still left at that price! I'd jump on that Extreme you wont regret it!

[BASSclary]

The main thing is the Extreme is a much better blank, it uses better guides that are harder and lighter, gives you better feel and it is lighter to make it even more electrifying in your hand. I own a Legend tournament 6'8"MXF, and it is a very nice rod, I don't like the split cork but that is personal, I own a legend Elite 6'6mf and it is much more sensitive, and really is a great rod!! If I were you and could spend 60 dollars extra, it would be a no brainer, get the Extreme and thank me after you use it!! I know it is easy to spend someone else's money but the Legend Tournament series is much closer to the Avid Series than it is to the Legend Elite or Extreme. and those are ridiculous prices, I can't believe there still left at that price! I'd jump on that Extreme you wont regret it!

Well, its all my hard earned money, with most of my job going to insurance every month, the little I save for fishing make rods decisions tough. It sounds like the Extreme is a no brainer, but I just wanted some assurance. Did the Extremes from last year have the NSI also?

[iabass8]

The majority of my rods are ltb and xtremes. Both line ups are top notch. I dont own either of the casting 69mlxf but do own the xtreme spinning 69mlxf and the rod is amazing.there is a difference (though not huge enough to lose sleep over) in the "crispness". However thats just a feeling you find when you start using xtremes after ltb. If i weren't able to afford xtremes i wouldn't think twice about being perfectly happy with ltb rods. Both rods are very sensitive. There issue of "fishing at a power above" isnt nearly as drastic as their lower ends depending on the model you get. I.e the 2012 ltb 7' mhm fishes no where near a H. Mattman posted somewhere that one of the most popular finesse blanks people ask him to build on is the 5c(s)69mlxf (xtreme blank)

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Ive read that the Extremes Recoil guides and braid line dont mix well. All I use is braid so passed on it price diff didnt matter. The LTB have aconite guides same on my Avid so know how it will be with braid. From this and having an Elite I picked-up the LTB69MLXF. The ACS-NCS doesnt matter I have rods with each already.

Here is a thread with .RM. mentioning about the recoils this is just one of many reports of noise from braid/recoil use. If you dont use braid then LEX, I picked LTB.

http://www.bassresou...s-braided-line/

[iabass8]

Ive read that the Extremes Recoil guides and braid line dont mix well. All I use is braid so passed on it price diff didnt matter. The LTB have aconite guides same on my Avid so know how it will be with braid. From this and having an Elite I picked-up the LTB69MLXF. The ACS-NCS doesnt matter I have rods with each already.

Here is a thread with .RM. mentioning about the recoils this is just one of many reports of noise from braid/recoil use. If you dont use braid then LEX, I picked LTB.

http://www.bassresou...s-braided-line/

it depends on the braid and/or #test . i've had zero noise issues with 832 or pp super 8 slick. original suffix performance though was like a buzzsaw.

[bassinbrian]

Ive read that the Extremes Recoil guides and braid line dont mix well. All I use is braid so passed on it price diff didnt matter. The LTB have aconite guides same on my Avid so know how it will be with braid. From this and having an Elite I picked-up the LTB69MLXF. The ACS-NCS doesnt matter I have rods with each already.

Here is a thread with .RM. mentioning about the recoils this is just one of many reports of noise from braid/recoil use. If you dont use braid then LEX, I picked LTB.

http://www.bassresou...s-braided-line/

I have also heard people having troubles but after a few years of hard use on mine they show no sign of grooving.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

it depends on the braid and/or #test . i've had zero noise issues with 832 or pp super 8 slick. original suffix performance though was like a buzzsaw.

yes this stuff makes my premier sound like a violin.

[BASSclary]

I'll be using light fluorocarbon, so no issues about braid.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Well splurge for the LEX. To answer about the NSI these are 2010 models WITHOUT the NSI. Oh the LEX is .6oz lighter and comes with a rod sack.

[new2BC4bass]

Save yourself some trouble, buy one of the eFs.....Falcon or Fenwick. :eyebrows: Just throwing a little gas on the fire.

[tomustang]

Save yourself some trouble, buy one of the eFs.....Falcon or Fenwick. :eyebrows: Just throwing a little gas on the fire.

I gotta get you rocking my Croixs'

[Capt.Bob]

What QUAKEnSHAKE said, they are so much more sensative you can even hear more with em!! So with the extreme you'll probably here them comming before you feel em!!

I currently own over 15 Avid's and Elites, never had a problem and some of those have had braid on them for over 15 years. But every Avid I have I will gladly trade for an Elite, and as much as I hate split grips, I'd trade for the Extreme too!! Get the Extreme you deserve it!

Get the extreme, and Fish the best!

you'll think it's a dream, and forget the rest!

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Well my LTB rod just got dropped-off at 6pm I ordered it Thursday 10pm reg shipping that pretty good.

Here a pick of the balance point with 50E on it.

[BASSclary]

yeah, I think i'll just drop the lettuce for the Extreme. I've decided since i'm getting a dedicated finesse rod, i'd get the better one. Plus I really like the ACS, as dumb as it sounds.

Im gonna wait a week though, just to make sure I really want it, and make sure there's no better deals on it

[Capt.Bob]

Im gonna wait a week though, just to make sure I really want it, and make sure there's no better deals on it

Dedicated patience, hope it's still there, and I believe if you don't want it at that price, recouping your money is most definitely assured!!

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

yeah, I think i'll just drop the lettuce for the Extreme. I've decided since i'm getting a dedicated finesse rod, i'd get the better one. Plus I really like the ACS, as dumb as it sounds.

Im gonna wait a week though, just to make sure I really want it, and make sure there's no better deals on it

Thats not dumb my Smoke rod has that and I like it as well fits nicely for palming reel.

[Bill B.]

Several people wrote that the LEX 6-9 MLXF is a good "finesse" rod. What applications would qualify, in addition to dropshotting? How would this rod be for swimming 1/8-ounce jigs, for example? Does the soft tip mean that this is basically a rod for fishing beneath a boat?

[iabass8]

shakey head, drop shot and weightless worms are what i use it for for bass. otherwise i use it for pitching rip rap and wingdams /w 1/16-5/16 oz jigs for walleye in spring/fall. it would work fine /w 1/8 swim jigs.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Bill I got the LTB dropshot but wont use it for that at all and the info Im giving you is on the LTB Im guessing the LEX characteristics will be very similar.

Mine will be with wacky senkos mostly and I will use small jigs as well 1/8 Woody's jig w/ Baby RageTail and 3/16 SK BitsyBug BRT. I have used the mentioned jigs with an even lighter set-up 8'Avid ML Moderate rod the tip is softer than the LTB and has less backbone but use of the jigs worked well. LTB does have a little bit of a soft tip but recovers quick into a firmer backbone. I see no reason the same small jigs wont work better with the MLXF rod. What I dont know yet is the amount of backbone how much will be able to firmly pull with confidence my views are just initial impressions yanking on the rod. So if you're actually swimming the jig and not bottom bouncing dragging through heavy cover the MLXF should work.

I think too I will throw small cranks1.0 KVD squarebill the soft tip should be enough absorber for those. I would say small spinnerbaits but I dont use those much.

Not sure this is enough advise for you to pull the trigger.

[Bill B.]

Interesting. Thanks for the info. I'm still debating it. But I'll be checking the bargain room every day, now that I know about it.

[Silas]

Waiting for my LTB 6'9 to arrive as I sit in a hotel room in Baton Rouge to ride out Hurricane Isaac! Glad it's late.

Decided to apply extra money for Extreme towards a Team Daiwa SOL I just ordered. Said not to ship till Friday. No mail service for next few days. At least I'll have a new finesse rig in case I dont have a house!

Probably can fish out of my backyard!

Thank goodness for IPhone.