I Have Rod Fever!!!

[BASSclary]

I went ahead and purchased the St. Croix LTBC70MHXF so that will give me 3 MH setups two 7 footers and one 6'8''

I agree with your philosophy, after using the powell max I did not feel like using my berkley lightning and especially not my shakespeare. Since the MH can be used for multiple purposes I went ahead with your recommendation. Which rod should I use for dropshotting and weightless t-rigs and wacky rigs, either the Powell Max 6'8' MHXF' or the LTB 7' MHXF?

I figure I can use the berkley lightning shock for my spinnerbait/cranking/buzzbait/topwater and allow my powell max and St. Croix LTB handle all of my jigging, t-rigging, wacky rigging, and other techniques that really require that added sensitivity and tricky hooksets. Does that sound like a good strategy? I am just throwing out ideas here, because this is coming from someone who is very unexperienced when it comes to this sort of subject.

Thanks a bunch!

The Powell will better handle those techniques, IMO. The St.Croix is just going to be too stiff.

What I would do is use the Powell for lighter texas rigs, small jigs, etc, and then use the St.Croix for the bigger, heavier version.

[skeletor6]

The Powell will better handle those techniques, IMO. The St.Croix is just going to be too stiff.

What I would do is use the Powell for lighter texas rigs, small jigs, etc, and then use the St.Croix for the bigger, heavier version.

Okay, so even though they have the same power rating, St. Croix play a little more towards the heavy side than the medium? And that will work well, because I felt the Powell Max 683c did a fine job when I was using lighter rigs with it last time I was out, but it was my first time using a nice rod too so I had nothing to compare it against. But the moment I got my hands on the Powell, I could tell right away it was in another class, just by how it felt, responded, and its design.

What are the likely differences between a MH Powell Max and MH St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass?

[BASSclary]

Okay, so even though they have the same power rating, St. Croix play a little more towards the heavy side than the medium? And that will work well, because I felt the Powell Max 683c did a fine job when I was using lighter rigs with it last time I was out, but it was my first time using a nice rod too so I had nothing to compare it against. But the moment I got my hands on the Powell, I could tell right away it was in another class, just by how it felt, responded, and its design.

What are the likely differences between a MH Powell Max and MH St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass?

Powell has more of a true MH feel, IMO while St.Croixs rods tend to go towards the heavier side. That said, St.Croix has SUUPER fast tips, and gets into the backbone very fast, and hard. So that's why I would lean toward the Croix for your heavier jigs, football heads, punching rigs, flipping stuff, it would even make a decent frog rod. The Powell is just going to have a slightly softer tip than the croix, but thats okay because you probably wont be using extremely heavy gauge hooks with it, so you dont need such a stout, extra fast rod. IMO, the 683c powell is the ideal texas rig rod, for normal sized texas rigs. It has the perfect taper to get some nice bend in the rod, but once you get into the backbone you can get them out of the cover fairly quick.

[skeletor6]

Powell has more of a true MH feel, IMO while St.Croixs rods tend to go towards the heavier side. That said, St.Croix has SUUPER fast tips, and gets into the backbone very fast, and hard. So that's why I would lean toward the Croix for your heavier jigs, football heads, punching rigs, flipping stuff, it would even make a decent frog rod. The Powell is just going to have a slightly softer tip than the croix, but thats okay because you probably wont be using extremely heavy gauge hooks with it, so you dont need such a stout, extra fast rod. IMO, the 683c powell is the ideal texas rig rod, for normal sized texas rigs. It has the perfect taper to get some nice bend in the rod, but once you get into the backbone you can get them out of the cover fairly quick.

Excellent explanation, that answered all of my questions. Thank you BASSclary, it sounds like even though they have the same rating the variation between the too will work well for being able to fish different techniques with each.

I do notice the exact same qualities in the 683c that I have as well and enjoyed reading your review of the rod. It does have excellent feel and control when I was fishing t-rigs with it my first outing. I felt connected with my bait for the first time fishing which was a great feeling. It will be interesting to see how the St. Croix works for the heavier styles of baits that you mentioned, since I've never worked with a rod of its caliber either.

[The Rooster]

I'd use the St. Croix for heavy jigs primarily, and heavier spinnerbaits when those are needed. 3/8 rated and above for sure. I'd say that's where that rod will shine. Even for frog fishing too. Heck, even for heavy Texas rigs with large sinkers and big plastics of larger than average size. It's good and stiff, stout enough to haul a fish out of heavy cover as long as your line is up for it. The Powell will be good for lighter versions of all this same stuff.

[skeletor6]

Thank you rooster and BASSclary I will use them for those purposes.

Is there any need for me to get the St. Croix LTB ML version that's on sale?

[The Rooster]

That's up to you. For light baits below 1/4 oz. I prefer spinning gear and to me that's the size baits I'd use on a ML rod. People say St. Croix rods are on the stiffer side of their power ratings so a ML might be a little tougher than I think it is in a casting rod. If I got it I'd probably use it for 1/4 oz. sized crank baits and other treble baits on casting gear. That's the only real use I'd have for it though.

[BASSclary]

Thank you rooster and BASSclary I will use them for those purposes.

Is there any need for me to get the St. Croix LTB ML version that's on sale?

Only you can make that decision. From everything I hear, that is one of most built on blanks for finesse fishing.

If you throw alot of weightless stuff, or want to for that matter, I would jump on it. However keep in mind, if you want to fish really light lures with casting gear, your reel is just as if not more important. You want the lightest spool possible, with quality bearing. The reel that jumps to mind as one of the best out there is the Daiwa SOL, and a Curado 50E will get the job done as well. Also, you have to be pretty good with light (6# fluoro light) as well.

[skeletor6]

That's up to you. For light baits below 1/4 oz. I prefer spinning gear and to me that's the size baits I'd use on a ML rod. People say St. Croix rods are on the stiffer side of their power ratings so a ML might be a little tougher than I think it is in a casting rod. If I got it I'd probably use it for 1/4 oz. sized crank baits and other treble baits on casting gear. That's the only real use I'd have for it though.

According to what was posted earlier about the actual weight of baits, I most likely am throwing not throwing baits below a 1/4 oz. Even if I got a light weight jig I would have a trailer on it which would probably make it above a 1/4 oz. Also, my cranks are heavier then that as well.

Is there any chance that since St. Croix is on the stiffer side that this would play out more as a medium powered rod?

Only you can make that decision. From everything I hear, that is one of most built on blanks for finesse fishing.

If you throw alot of weightless stuff, or want to for that matter, I would jump on it. However keep in mind, if you want to fish really light lures with casting gear, your reel is just as if not more important. You want the lightest spool possible, with quality bearing. The reel that jumps to mind as one of the best out there is the Daiwa SOL, and a Curado 50E will get the job done as well. Also, you have to be pretty good with light (6# fluoro light) as well.

What I am trying to accomplish if have a solid three rod combo. It seemed from what you guys have told me earlier that I have two solid rods, one that is good for my heavy jigs and heavier rigs and such. And my powell for my lighter jigs and texas rigs. I figured as a third it might be better to get something lighter than the three and that seemed like the best deal right now and was recommended previously by Captain Bob. I do not believe that I will be able to also buy a Daiwa SOL or Curado 50e at the moment I was just trying to take the best advantage of the sale and to have three solid rods.

Also, I am not well practiced at using really light fluoro and the only weightless rig I have used is a weightless worm. What do you think?

[BASSclary]

Well, I think the Croix would just be too light for a solid third rod, especially if you dont do a lot of finesse, and cant quite afford a proper reel.

I would look for a good M/F or M/XF in your brand of choice, (Of course, mine being Powell for the money). It will be an excellent addition in helping to throw the smaller stuff, and will do a worthy job at weightless plastics. I use my 682C (discontinued) for alot of lightly weighted stuff, including weightless trick worms, and it does fine.

It sounds like you've got your single hook lures covers, so the M will make a nice moving bait rod. Small spinnerbaits, small squarebills, topwater, and many more things come to mind for that rod. A M/F or XF will have that nice fast tip, but the medium power will absorb what is needed for cranks, but still have enough backbone for plastics and finesse jigs.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Is there any chance that since St. Croix is on the stiffer side that this would play out more as a medium powered rod?

FYI the LTBMLXF is rated to 1/2oz

That is the same rating as a lot of MXF rods of other brands. IE Shimano Cumara MXF 1/2oz, Crucial MXF 3/8oz, and Loomis GLX MXF are rated to just 3/8oz for comparision

I mentioned in my prior post of throwing .429oz nearly 1/2oz baits with the rod with ease.

Line rating is 10# others 8-14 it looks like so it has in the middle line rating more lure rating

[The Rooster]

I think for a solid third rod, I'd want a spinning combo. You have the heavy weighted single hook baits well covered with the first two rods. Just about every size you'd ever want to use. A good spinning rod in a medium power/fast tip would provide the ability to toss weightless plastics, top waters, inline spinners, jerkbaits, handle some drop shot rigs, shakeyhead rigs, and even work with 1/4 oz. crank baits to some degree. For this, I like a nice, crisp feeling rod with decent flexibility. Not too stiff but not too whippy either. IM7 or IM8 graphite is an example of the type rod I mean.

Spinning reels are generally cheaper than a comparable casting reel so cost could be kept down too.

Ideally for me, crank baits belong on casting rods, but also ideally, the rod is a specificly dedicated cranking rod. That might be spending too much right now for a single purpose rod. So you could get by with them on the spinning rod in order to gain all those other functions. You might even try them on the Shock rod also. I've heard those rods have a fairly flexible tip that might function similarly to a more flexible cranking rod.

Otherwise, if you aren't into the spinning rod idea, you may want to go with the same type rod, a medium with fast tip for a general purpose rod in a casting model. This rod can do cranks also, but easier (to me) since its casting gear, and can function for jerk baits well, and may do some of the other stuff that the spinning rod would do, but in my opinion it won't be as versatile. I see it as a "do all" rod, but only average in some areas, poorly in others, and maybe having two or three things it excels in, like jerk baits and light Texas rigs, and heavier inline spinners (a heavy inline spinner would be no more than 3/8 oz. on average). It's more like the first two rods you already have but weaker, in my opinion. I use no less than 12 pound line on casting gear, and go to spinning for less. It might be more versatile with the right reel and lighter line but if that reel is the Curado 50E then it might cost too much at the moment, like you said.

The line size of 12 or more on casting gear that I use keeps me from seeing this rod in the same light as a spinning rod of the same ratings. Also, I find that to fish drop shots or shakeyhead rigs, I do much better with spinning gear. Lighter line plus the way I hold the rod work better for me too. Also the spinning rods rated as M/F seem slightly softer than casting rods rated the same. I feel this helps with things like treble hook jerk baits and inline spinners. Inline spinners also are normally small in size, 1/8,1/6, and 1/4 on average, and do better on light line spinning rods over heavier casting rods and line.