St. Croix Legend Extreme?

[McAlpine]

Ok, 2012 ICAST rod winner.

Everyone seems to love them.

but...$350ish? On top of that every St. Croix I have ever seen is honestly junk. Ok, so some people will be upset with me on that. The St. Croix rods I have seen in stores are just flimsy whipy, heavy, might as well all be glass rods.

But I am still really intrigued on this Legend Extreme. I am in the market for a really nice spinning rod in a medium weight around 6'-6". I busted the tip off of an old favorite this year and replaced it but it's just not the same plus the reel on it is just about dead. Time for a new rig.

So any input on this baby?

Anyone know of any store that carries these in the midwest/Louisville KY area? They don't have them at our local BPS, and the local Dick's only has the St. Croix's that I have seen that I hate.

Would really like to handle one before laying out that kind of cash.

Or anyone have any suggestions on a great spinning rod? Not a good one, a GREAT one?

Thanks in advance guys.

[S Hovanec]

No stores I know of have any SCIV or SCV's on the rack and if they did, I wouldn't want to buy one. Have you seen the way people fling, flip and whack rods in stores? I don't think the 2013 LX's on the market yet. Go to the St. Croix website store and look in the bargain room. last year's are on close-out for a deep discount.

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

[iabass8]

The xtreme 69mlxf or 68mxf are my favorite in the spinning line up.

Most of the rods you probably held in stores are triumphs/premieres/mojo bass. I wouldnt buy a st. Croix after playing with those either. Some like them but i personally dont. The legend series are top notch.

[McAlpine]

Oooh, I like deep discounts. Thanks a ton for the heads up!

and yes, you are correct on the models of St. Croix I have held. NOT impressive.

[S Hovanec]

Oooh, I like deep discounts.

Maybe not as deep as I thought. The LX's are only 30% off, but the LT's are 50% off.

[skeletor6]

It's not fair to examine a mojo than claim that St. Croix rods are junk.I also have picked up the in store brands of St. Croix and had the same opinions. But once you step up to the higher end St. croix's that surely changes. My Legend Tournament Bass 7' MHXF is a great rod as far as I am concerned. It is not flimsy, heavy, or any of the comments you mentioned. Actually, it has an extremely fast tip and is stouter than its rated. I am sure all the rods made by them at this level or above are top notch. Although my experience is only with this rod and it is a 2011 model, I do not see how any of their newer rods would not be great rods.

The same concept should be held for all companies. One should not take one of the cheapest models and think its a representative of the companies higher end products. There is a reason the legend series retail for far much more, one usually gets what they pay for. Read the reviews others post about specific models and you will see there is only great things said about the St. Croix xtremes. And at the prices the bargain room is offering, it is tough to not give them some serious consideration if they have the model you want available.

[McAlpine]

It's not fair to examine a mojo than claim that St. Croix rods are junk.I also have picked up the in store brands of St. Croix and had the same opinions. But once you step up to the higher end St. croix's that surely changes. My Legend Tournament Bass 7' MHXF is a great rod as far as I am concerned. It is not flimsy, heavy, or any of the comments you mentioned. Actually, it has an extremely fast tip and is stouter than its rated. I am sure all the rods made by them at this level or above are top notch. Although my experience is only with this rod and it is a 2011 model, I do not see how any of their newer rods would not be great rods.

The same concept should be held for all companies. One should not take one of the cheapest models and think its a representative of the companies higher end products. There is a reason the legend series retail for far much more, one usually gets what they pay for. Read the reviews others post about specific models and you will see there is only great things said about the St. Croix xtremes. And at the prices the bargain room is offering, it is tough to not give them some serious consideration if they have the model you want available.

I agree, that's why I was asking about the LXT rather than just dismiss it. Again, I figured someone would get bent with my "junk" comment but that's just honestly what I have experienced with every one of them I had seen so far. I really just dont know what their higher end rods are like.

Additionally; I do not agree that one can say that this should be expected of standard store level merchandise. Look at the Berkley and Diawa rods. These can be had very reasonably at such grand outlets as 'WalMart'. And honestly; they are pretty darn decent rods for the money. I just dont find any excuse for a company to put out an $80-$100 rod that is like what you would get if you dug up a sapling and put line on it.

Regardless; I apprecaite the input. At $250, I may go for one of those discounted LXT's. Thanks guys!

[DaveT63]

Not sure if I'm allowed to link to anotehr forum like this, and if I'm not, I apologoize in advance. But read this review. It should convince you of the quality of the Legend Extreme line. Yeah, they are reviewing a 7'MHF casting rod here, but the review basically applies across the entire line. The rods are top notch, and WELL worth the retail price, if you ask me. The discounted bargain room prices are just a bonus. The only reason I haven't jumped on one of those XS68MXF rods is because I have a Legend Elite 6'8" spinning rod on the same blank and can't justify a second right now.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewstcroixlegendelitextreme2010.html

[MichBassMan]

If $350 is sticker shock buy an Avid and experiance the St.Croix feel before you leap to the legend. You will not be disapointed.

[NorcalBassin]

If Berkley and Daiwa rods at Wal Mart are "pretty darn decent rods" and all St Croixs you've ever seen are "junk", then why bother spending that type of money on a brand you have no faith in???

[skeletor6]

I agree, that's why I was asking about the LXT rather than just dismiss it. Again, I figured someone would get bent with my "junk" comment but that's just honestly what I have experienced with every one of them I had seen so far. I really just dont know what their higher end rods are like.

Additionally; I do not agree that one can say that this should be expected of standard store level merchandise. Look at the Berkley and Diawa rods. These can be had very reasonably at such grand outlets as 'WalMart'. And honestly; they are pretty darn decent rods for the money. I just dont find any excuse for a company to put out an $80-$100 rod that is like what you would get if you dug up a sapling and put line on it.

Regardless; I apprecaite the input. At $250, I may go for one of those discounted LXT's. Thanks guys!

If you search around you will find that rods sub $100 are very preferential to the individual. There are so many choices out there and there is not a solid consensus on which is the best. Many people have the Mojo's and love them. To say they are junk and/or comparable to a "sapling with a line on it" is rather unrepresentative.

[McAlpine]

But I thought "sapling with a line on it" was pretty witty.

;-)

[Goose52]

9.5 pound LMB - caught with a sapling with line on it....

[Goose52]

48.6lb grass carp - caught on a "flimsy" sapling with line on it...

[Capt.Bob]

9.5 pound LMB - caught with a sapling with line on it....

48.6lb grass carp - caught on a "flimsy" sapling with line on it...

Most don't understand St. Croix. When you talk about the finest rod manufacturer on the planet!! Amazing the difference between an AMERICAN CRAFTED ROD compared to a foreign import. you get what pay for no surprise! Seems everyone who compares Triumph, Mojo, Rage,Eyecon,Panfish Series, which are all made with foreign craftsman, think that is the same as all others, and they are!! There is no way they can compete with experienced professional craftsman from Park Falls Wi. Plus the fact they are built with the bottom of the line hardware from major suppliers not they top end components used on the American made rods. I mean believe me, there is a big difference from a low cost entry level Fuji guide to a top of the line performance Guide from the same company, one slows the same blank down and one actually enhances it! If these are the rods you want to compare you will find they are about the same as all other rods from other manufacturers.

Now if you try an Avid, a Legend Tournament, Legend Extreme, Legend Elite, you will find it very difficult to find any rod that will compare to those regardless where they come from! I mean even the Premiers like Goose52 demonstrates are better than most others and give the loomis a run for their money. Top end components and hardware built and assembled with AMERICAN CRAFTSMAN just can't be beat, it's like comparing the Olympic Dream Team, to ? ? ? ? well there just isn't anything to compare them too!!!

Buy the Extreme and be assured you won't find a better rod, you can buy cheaper but not better. They are as good as it gets! PERIOD! You won't have to thank me, but you WILL!!!

[ww2farmer]

Capt. Bob...............you are full of crap. I am a big St Croix fan and I own American made Avids, and Legend Tournaments, as well as imported Mojo's. I have also owned American made Premiers, and imported Triumphs. You must be sooooo much better than me at finding fault on the imported rods, because the ones I have, and fish 125+ days a year with for the last 3+ years have gave me ZERO problems, and I can find nothing wrong with them. It's great you love US made products so much, I do too, but I don't talk out my backside about them, or go out of my way to nonsensicly bash imported rods. BTW?? How do you sleep at night strapping inferior Asian made reels on such fine marvels of American craftsmanship?

[Capt.Bob]

Capt. Bob...............you are full of crap. I am a big St Croix fan and I own American made Avids, and Legend Tournaments, as well as imported Mojo's. I have also owned American made Premiers, and imported Triumphs. You must be sooooo much better than me at finding fault on the imported rods, because the ones I have, and fish 125+ days a year with for the last 3+ years have gave me ZERO problems, and I can find nothing wrong with them. It's great you love US made products so much, I do too, but I don't talk out my backside about them, or go out of my way to nonsensicly bash imported rods. BTW?? How do you sleep at night strapping inferior Asian made reels on such fine marvels of American craftsmanship?

If you like a Mojo or Triumph better than an Avid or Legend, more power to you, you will be happy and save a lot of money, It cost me more to be happy. Trust me there are many out there that cant tell the difference between a Legend Elite or an Ugly stick, thank God I can! If you are as happy with cheap imports, congratulations! you will be as satisfied as I am for a whole lot less$!!

I assure you if I could find rods as good I would save some money, but I can't so to me it's worth the extra price to pay for quality you can feel! Believe meI buy reels made by Asians for the same reason I buy the Rods made by Americans at St. Croix, I am willing to buy from whoever makes the best product!! When it comes to rods it's St. Croix! and they don't import there best! FACT!

[K_Mac]

Capt Bob you do not seem to understand that your opinions are just that, opinions. You are certainly entitled to believe what you want to, and within the bounds of civility express those opinions here. For every "FACT" you throw out, there are likely others who will offer an opposing point of view PERIOD. ww2Farmer has strong opinions based on his experience. He also has a long history of honest and helpful posts on these forums. I value his input and respect his opinions. Your superior and condescending attitude has the jury still out on you IN MY OPINION.

[iabass8]

48.6lb grass carp - caught on a "flimsy" sapling with line on it...

Haha oh boy by the looks of it you snagged it by the tail? I F#&$&@%$# hate running into schools of those things on the river using traps. You can snag them without trying an they put up a good fight for a few min but then its just like dragging in a tire.

[Capt.Bob]

Capt Bob you do not seem to understand that your opinions are just that, opinions. You are certainly entitled to believe what you want to, and within the bounds of civility express those opinions here. For every "FACT" you throw out, there are likely others who will offer an opposing point of view PERIOD. ww2Farmer has strong opinions based on his experience. He also has a long history of honest and helpful posts on these forums. I value his input and respect his opinions. Your superior and condescending attitude has the jury still out on you IN MY OPINION.

I understand and totally agree, why I didn't mention the talking out a backside or being full of #$^& as some. I simply stated how to him it was cheaper and it was better for him, I also am allowed my opinion and for me the more expensive perform better TO ME! MY LOSS!! I also found that it was much cheaper supplying customers for over 20 years with Premier rods over any other I tried, believe me I watched plenty test the durability of abused rods in those 30 years. I currently own over 20 St Croix rods for one reason, and it ain't to try them out, been there done that. Spin Fly Cast UL to H. 4wt. to 9 wt. I hope you understand ST. CROIX DOES NOT IMPORT THEIR BEST PERFORMING RODS, I am sorry but that much I do know?? I am only giving my results, and believe me I didn't test them just in my spare time! Or as a hobby.

[SirSnookalot]

Capt Bob is not the only person that heavily promotes their favorite brands, personally I'm not swayed one way or the other. I'm not exactly sure what it is about a certain sector of anglers, but I've yet to see so much conservation and bickering about what's good and what isn't. As far as I'm concerned the only thing that matters is what the heck are you catching, the gear is really secondary. Take this in the spirit that it's meant, if one is going hawk a product back it up an impressive photo, a picture is worth 10,000 words. If Big O recommended something I'd take notice, he backs it up, but I've never noticed him even getting that specific on his equipment, when it comes to a class act he's the man.

[*Hootie]

Opinions are like..........well you know the rest. I think, one thing I have come to realize in my 67 years, is that people know that they are entitled to their own opinion and they are happy with that. But what really irritates some people, is the fact that they aren't entitled to your opinion also.

Hootie,

Waxing philosophical. lol

[*Hootie]

When someone is really dedicated to a certain product, like Capt. Bob, with his St. Croix rods, or LMG with his Shimano reels, it may be they know what they are talking about. LMG, over and over with those reels, convinced me to take a look. I wound up with 2 Chronarchs. Couldn't be happier with them. Experience has got to count for something.

Hootie

[Goose52]

9.06lb LMB - caught on a rod made in China...

...they put up a good fight for a few min but then its just like dragging in a tire.

http://www.bassresou...-does-it-again/

[MarkH024]

That's a tank goose! Nice catch. As for the rod discussion, it seems this crap will never end or get old so why does anyone even bother anymore posting about it?

Congrats to another soon to be locked out thread about rod discussion.