St. Croix Rod Bargain -- Steel Steel Steel!!

[iabass8]

Whats the best rod left in the bargain room for weightless plastics and light jigs? The Xtreme 7' MHF?

it really depends on what you mean by weightless plastics. Weightless power wrm type baits id go spinning tackle or at the very most the 69mlxf casting rod. Senko type weightless baits work fine on the 7'mf. If by "light jigs you mean 3/16-5/16 jigs with a trailer then the 7'mf would be a great choice. The rod shines in the 1/4 oz to 5/16 oz weight jigs. Anything more id opt for MH. If the smallest uou ever plan on throwing is /14 jig with a trailer up to 1/2oz or so then a MH xtreme would be better. When my jig rod was an xtreme i used 1/4-1/2 the majority of the time and the rod performed fantastic.

[skeletor6]

it really depends on what you mean by weightless plastics. Weightless power wrm type baits id go spinning tackle or at the very most the 69mlxf casting rod. Senko type weightless baits work fine on the 7'mf. If by "light jigs you mean 3/16-5/16 jigs with a trailer then the 7'mf would be a great choice. The rod shines in the 1/4 oz to 5/16 oz weight jigs. Anything more id opt for MH. If the smallest uou ever plan on throwing is /14 jig with a trailer up to 1/2oz or so then a MH xtreme would be better. When my jig rod was an xtreme i used 1/4-1/2 the majority of the time and the rod performed fantastic.

I have a MHXF 7' LTB for my heavier jigs I was wondering if the Xtreme 7' MF would work well for jigs around 1/4 oz and 3/8 oz with rage craw trailer either bitten down to a chunk style bait or a baby craw.....and by weightless I mean wacky 5" Senko or weightless t-rigged rage craws or other creature baits.

[iabass8]

I used 1/4-3/8oz jigs /w rage craw trailers on an xtreme MH rod. going 3/8 (even though it's in its weight range) on the M xtreme rod can kill the tip action as it's really the top end of the weight for it. 1/4 to 5/16 would be more practical 3/8 is better suited for a MH xtreme.i use an Xtreme 7mf for the smaller jigs under 1/4 ( which is rare) and senkos/weightless plastics. for weightless plastics you mentioned i'd prefer the 68mxf but the 7' MF will work just as well.

[Capt.Bob]

Whats the best rod left in the bargain room for weightless plastics and light jigs? The Xtreme 7' MHF?

http://www.stcroixrods.com/shop/catalog/Freshwater-23-1.html#Legend_Xtreme_Casting_Rod_XC68MXF_12-408-23.html

This is one of my favorite rods, super light and sensitive, with plenty of backbone for bass and walleye plus Fast enough tip for good hook sets even in deep water. I only use a MH when I'm fishing cover like weeds and wood. If I am fishing a finesse rig I am never using line for leaders over 8 lbs. test. which is perfect on these rods.y

The new rods in this Extreme lineup are heavier than the ones being discontinued, evidently the cork is much lighter than the new ???? handles! I always liked the Elite better, old fashioned full cork grip. But at these ridiculous prices, if you got the money and can afford it load up, there unbelievable deals!

[skeletor6]

I used 1/4-3/8oz jigs /w rage craw trailers on an xtreme MH rod. going 3/8 (even though it's in its weight range) on the M xtreme rod can kill the tip action as it's really the top end of the weight for it. 1/4 to 5/16 would be more practical 3/8 is better suited for a MH xtreme.i use an Xtreme 7mf for the smaller jigs under 1/4 ( which is rare) and senkos/weightless plastics. for weightless plastics you mentioned i'd prefer the 68mxf but the 7' MF will work just as well.

I have the LTBC70MHXF/11 for my heavier jigs and such, there are no more medium heavy rods left in the bargain room for casting except the 6'6 LTB MHF rod.

Will the 68mxf be good for jigs as well as weightless senkos? Or would I be better going off with the XC70MF? What differences are there between the 610MXF and the 68MXF?

http://www.stcroixro..._12-408-23.html

This is one of my favorite rods, super light and sensitive, with plenty of backbone for bass and walleye plus Fast enough tip for good hook sets even in deep water. I only use a MH when I'm fishing cover like weeds and wood. If I am fishing a finesse rig I am never using line for leaders over 8 lbs. test. which is perfect on these rods.y

The new rods in this Extreme lineup are heavier than the ones being discontinued, evidently the cork is much lighter than the new ???? handles! I always liked the Elite better, old fashioned full cork grip. But at these ridiculous prices, if you got the money and can afford it load up, there unbelievable deals!

So Cpt Bob, between the xtreme series left in the bargain room. You believe that the 68MXF is the best one left to purchase?

Could someone please list the pros and cons to each of the following rods left that I am looking to purchase. I am just being cautious because this is a very expensive rod purchase for me.

1.) XC610MXF/12

2.) XC68MXF/12

3.)XC70MF/12

4.)XC66MHF/12

I threw in #4 to see what the differences would be against my medium heavy LTB 7'

Help would be much appreciated as I am trying to get a great rod that I can use to compliment my LTBC70MHXF and my Powell 683c.

Thank you so much!

Skel

[iabass8]

you're 7mhxf would be the rod i would choose out of any other rods you listed to throw the jigs you listed earlier although i would prefer 7mhf, i would still choose the mhxf over any thing else you listed. for weightless senkos the 68mxf or 7mf would be a good choice.the 68mxf can also double as a topwater rod. the 7mf would be a more well rounded rod than the 68mxf. i've used both and would prefer the 7'mf if you had to throw jigs/senkos on the same rod if the jig was no more than 5/16. i don't like throwing 3/8 or 1/2 jigs on M rods. those would be better suited for your 7' ltb rod.

rods 1/2 would make great topwater/senko rods but thats about all i would use them for in the casting version. difference between the two is 2 inches more of backbone behind the XF tip. very minimal differences. just comes down to length preference. i don't like throwing jigs with either of these rods in the casting version.

the spinning versions 68mxf/ 69mlxf are the greatest rods for pitching leadhead jigs /w plastics/lighter bucktails/blade baits made.

rod 3- very versatile rod. i would use this rod for jigs up to 5/16 oz/senkos over any of the others

rod 4- never used it. i don't like 6'6 casting rods.

[skeletor6]

Great Reply thank you!

So the 7' MF is the most versatile of the ones left. I have many 1/4 oz jigs that I will use baby rage craws with. Would this rod be ideal for those lighter jigs, or would I be settling?

My powell Max 683c Is a mhxf rated rod but is not as fast or stout as my 70mhxf LTB. I have been using that for my lighter jigs. Would the Xtreme 7'mf be better for the 1/4 oz jigs I mentioned?

And would I be seeing a very noticeable difference in rod performance, more importantly sensitivity by using the Xtreme 7'mf for weightless plastics and light jigs over the powell Max. Or would I be better off saving money and investing on a different rod.

[iabass8]

Yes, you would see an increase in sensitivity for sure. Remember, even though the jig is 1/4 oz, that only takes into account the weight of the head. there are other factors that increase weight like the style hook ( light/med/heavy wire, yours is probably med), the jig skirt (not a lot) and the plastic. rage craws aren't terribly heavy but do increase the weight. St. Croix XF rods are definitely some of the fastest tips on the market so lotss of other rods with XF tips won't compare but are still good rods, like the powell max. the 7'MF would definitely fit the bill for your needs as well as other light-medium duty needs. I just don't like the XF tip (on St. Croixs) fishing BASS jig/plastics. walleye i wouldn't trade a croix for anything. If I wanted to use one rod for light jigs/senkos it would definitely be the 7'MF over the others as long as there isn't any sort of thick cover. I see you are in Michigan so you shouldn't have any issues at all with the 7'MF.

There's a guy on a different forum that is a very highly respected bass/walleye guide in Michigan's upper peninsula that can probably articulate differences in specifics for line size/rod type for your specific area much better than I can as the furthest north I fish is Red Wing, MN.If you want I can give you the site address and his name and you can just shoot him a PM. He's a really nice guy and very friendly as well as knows St. Croix Legend tourneys/Xtremes very very well.