St. Croix Ltbc70Mhxf/10

[skeletor6]

Hey Guys,

So I have this rod and I am lost as to what it is capable of and what it's "niche" is. I was wondering if some members could help me out on its capabilities and how heavy of baits it can handle and what is its realistic weight ranges that it can handle. It is labeled "finesse jig" on the rod, but I have found it to not work well for what I would consider a finesse jig. Nonetheless, I would just like to hear what all of your thoughts are on this rod.

I've been using this rod and it is fairly tip heavy and the action on it is extremely fast. I have other XF action rods and they are no where near as fast as this rod. This has offered some good with the bad. I feel it may have limited its versatility. When throwing lighter jigs and baits it does not load and cast them so well. Also, I have heard that St. Croix plays a power heavier than its rating.

So I was wondering if any members here have used this rod and found out some really good applications for it? Will it be able to handle 3/4 ounce Northstar flip n swims with 5'' keitech swing impact fat swimbait trailer? Also, will it work well for 3/4 ounce spinnerbaits?

Any information, experience, and details about this rod would be extremely helpful. Thank you!

[Bluebasser86]

I use mine for finesse jigs like 5/16oz Eakin's jigs and lighter T-rigs. It's a good rod for weightless Senkos or flukes too. I wouldn't try to fish a 3/4oz jig on it, just a little too heavy for that rod imo. Never tried to fish a spinnerbait with so can't say on that.

[Goose52]

I bought the same rod during the recent close-out at the St. Croix factory store. It does feel tip-heavy to me as well. All I've used that rod for so far is 3/8oz jigs and 10" plastic worms with 3/16 to 1/4oz weights.

[Crappiebasser]

I bought the same rod during the recent close-out at the St, Croix factory store. It does feel tip-heavy to me as well. All I've used that rod for so far is 3/8oz jigs and 10" plastic worms with 3/16 to 1/4oz weights.

x2 It does make a great rod for scroungers and fish head spins. I wouldn't go above 1/2 oz jigs or SB's.

[JCiurej34]

I love mine for light texas rigs (3/16-5/16 oz), finesse jigs (1/4-3/8 oz), and its good for lighter swim jigs up to 3/8 oz. It is one of my favorite rods, despite it being tip heavy. I generally use no more than 3/8 oz with this rod. I would not use a 3/4 oz jig on this rod, and I have not used spinnerbaits with it because I prefer a fast action rather than an extra fast with spinnerbaits.

[wnybassman]

I just picked up this rod during the St. Croix sale as well. This fall it made a great blade bait rod for me, although during the summer months it will likely become my heavy cover dropshot rod.

[bigfishbk86]

To me, this is the PERFECT "rage rig" rod. I have 2 of these and use 1 exclusively for rage rigs, and the other for 3/8 oz spinnerbaits.

[.ghoti.]

I'd be interested in knowing what you would consider a finesse jig. I rarely throw a jig heavier than 1/4oz, and this rod is good for that; pitchin or casting.I also use mine for rage rigs(3/16oz), jika rigs(1/8oz) shakey heads(1/8oz) and light t-rigs. The heaviest thing I've thrown was probably about 1/2oz. I would not recommend this rod for much more then that. The first bait you mentioned; swimjig/impact is going to close to an ounce. That's way too big for this rod, in my opinion, but give it a shot. Just don't try to cast it into the next county.

Never thrown a spinnerbait with this rod. I don't like an XF tip for spinnerbaits myself, but I know some who do. Try that too, but again, I wouldn't go over 1/2oz.

I have 8 St Croix rods; an even split between Avids and LTBs, and every one of them is a step more powerful than it's rating. Except this particular model. To me, it is a true MH rod.

I debated a while about puchasing this rod. I expected it to fish like a heavy power rod. I have two heavy power rods; one of which sees very little use, so I don't need another. But in the end I decided if I had a "better" heavy rod, I'd use it more often. ( a fine example of the type of rationalization one employs when the bait monkey is perched on one's shoulder )

Over the course of this season, this has become one of my fav rods. When I go out in my yak I take two rods. This is one of them on most outings.

[Quitlimpin]

But in the end I decided if I had a "better" heavy rod, I'd use it more often. ( a fine example of the type of rationalization one employs when the bait monkey is perched on one's shoulder )

Line of the day!

[ClackerBuzz]

i'd use it for anything 1/4-1/2oz with a stout hook. that XF tip will drive a thick hook home. and i wouldn't be shy using it around cover with the MH rating. you should have no problem turning a pig's head with that power so feel free to pitch weeds/wood/pads etc. jigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits would be fine. the fast tip will cast a heavy weightless soft plastic with no problem (6" weightless senko is fine). or any t-rig bullet weight plastic. i'd use 12lb flouro on it and use it for my semi-open water rod. i'd use 15lb flouro or 65lb braid on a heavy action rod for any serious frog/muck/punching fighting/wench action.

any rod can be versatile in the right guys hands ie in a pinch you could throw a lipless trap on it just be VERY careful (play the fish/don't set the hook too fast or you will rip the treble hooks right out of their mouth.

i have the exact same rod by powell and its an all around utility rod. i prefer to toss 6" senkos and jigs on it b/c i can cast them a mile and the rod has the power to muscle fish out of cover. i have a heavy action rod for pitching jigs to specific thick cover targets.

Edited December 7, 2012 by ClackerBuzz

[skeletor6]

To me, this is the PERFECT "rage rig" rod. I have 2 of these and use 1 exclusively for rage rigs, and the other for 3/8 oz spinnerbaits.

I could see it being a good rod for this purpose.

I'd be interested in knowing what you would consider a finesse jig. I rarely throw a jig heavier than 1/4oz, and this rod is good for that; pitchin or casting.I also use mine for rage rigs(3/16oz), jika rigs(1/8oz) shakey heads(1/8oz) and light t-rigs. The heaviest thing I've thrown was probably about 1/2oz. I would not recommend this rod for much more then that. The first bait you mentioned; swimjig/impact is going to close to an ounce. That's way too big for this rod, in my opinion, but give it a shot. Just don't try to cast it into the next county.

Never thrown a spinnerbait with this rod. I don't like an XF tip for spinnerbaits myself, but I know some who do. Try that too, but again, I wouldn't go over 1/2oz.

I have 8 St Croix rods; an even split between Avids and LTBs, and every one of them is a step more powerful than it's rating. Except this particular model. To me, it is a true MH rod.

I debated a while about puchasing this rod. I expected it to fish like a heavy power rod. I have two heavy power rods; one of which sees very little use, so I don't need another. But in the end I decided if I had a "better" heavy rod, I'd use it more often. ( a fine example of the type of rationalization one employs when the bait monkey is perched on one's shoulder )

Over the course of this season, this has become one of my fav rods. When I go out in my yak I take two rods. This is one of them on most outings.

Great post Ghoti!.....Many people have their own definitions of what "finesse" is and what it means. That is why in my opening post I said "what I would consider finesse jig". I would answer your question by saying that basically anything 1/4oz and below. I consider a 3/8oz jig to be what my mean is and what the middle ground is for the jigs. On the rod it is labelled "finesse jig", but yet has a suggested range of 5/16-3/4oz. So what St. Croix views as "finesse" is diffferent from mine. The term itself is ambiguous. I am sure "Big O" would think 3/8oz is finesse. Who knows its different to everybody.

It seems from your posts and the others in the forums that many people use it for the purposes of throwing baits around 1/4oz. You even mention throwing stuff lighter than that. To me, it just seems to not do well for those situations. I can absolutely launch a jig that probably totals a little over a 1/2oz with this rod. St. Croix's XF tips are very unique in how they perform. I believe my farthest cast has been made with this rod. With that said, I just do not feel it loads and releases those lighter baits (1/4oz and below very well at all). That is why I was wondering about its upper end of performance. It sounds like you have loads of experience with St. Croix's rods and that you are used to the action and the power that they deliver. You are much more adapt to casting with it than I.

The main reason I was wondering about its heavier capabilities, mentioning a jig and trailer that I agree is about 1oz, has to due with it fitting in, or its "niche" with the other rods I have. I am loaded with rods that perform exceptional in the 1/4oz-1/2oz range and I was hoping that this MH St. Croix rod (which normally would act as if a Heavy powered rod), would fit the requirements of a heavy powered rod. Ghoti you mentioned that it fishes more like a true MH, I appreciate you sharing that information with me. Unfortunately, I would like it to fish a little heavier.

The craftsmanship, looks, and overall XF action on the rod are great. Actually the action is so fast and unique it is rather fun to play around with. It sets the hook so quick when jigging it is really something special. It sets the hook quite nicely and causes some interesting feel while retrieving.

You are right about that 3/4oz with the keitech swing impact fat being about an ounce. I used that in particular to see its upper end. If it fished like a true heavy, that would be the upper end of a heavy powered rod most likely sense I would be swimming it.

Thank you!

i'd use it for anything 1/4-1/2oz with a stout hook. that XF tip will drive a thick hook home. and i wouldn't be shy using it around cover with the MH rating. you should have no problem turning a pig's head with that power so feel free to pitch weeds/wood/pads etc. jigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits would be fine. the fast tip will cast a heavy weightless soft plastic with no problem (6" weightless senko is fine). or any t-rig bullet weight plastic. i'd use 12lb flouro on it and use it for my semi-open water rod. i'd use 15lb flouro or 65lb braid on a heavy action rod for any serious frog/muck/punching fighting/wench action.

any rod can be versatile in the right guys hands ie in a pinch you could throw a lipless trap on it just be VERY careful (play the fish/don't set the hook too fast or you will rip the treble hooks right out of their mouth.

i have the exact same rod by powell and its an all around utility rod. i prefer to toss 6" senkos and jigs on it b/c i can cast them a mile and the rod has the power to muscle fish out of cover. i have a heavy action rod for pitching jigs to specific thick cover targets.

You are right about the casting distance. It casts ridiculously far if you need it to!

[roadwarrior]

I don't have this exact model, but a similar rod, I think: LEC 70MHF.

I have it mounted with a Calais which balances perfectly. For the most,

part this is my spinnerbait rig.

[skeletor6]

I don't have this exact model, but a similar rod, I think: LEC 70MHF.

I have it mounted with a Calais which balances perfectly. For the most,

part this is my spinnerbait rig.

Thanks RW, I think from what I have read, there seems to be variances in the balances of St. Croix's rods between models and year by year. A fast action would be far suitable for spinnerbaits. I have an IMX MBR844 which I am guessing would be similar in power to your LEC 70MHF, but not sensitivity. I am using this as my 1/2oz-3/4oz spinnerbait rod. It is perfect for 1/2 oz and works fine for 3/4oz. I was hoping this LTB had more power to it, going off of what most folks had to say about St. Croix and their power ratings. From what Ghoti an owner of Many St. Croix said this rod plays truer to power ratings. Unfortunately I have too many rods for this job.

What sets it apart is the action on it. Sincerely unique and fun to mess around with. Unlike any rod I've fished, with the right weighted bait on there it just flings them a mile. I bet with the cover I fish it would serve okay as a frog rod, since it is mainly just lillipads. The only problem is that when you have 2 NRX's and a Cumulus that handle the same weighted baits basically, its tough to find its "niche". Hence my opening statement.

I am curious to try the Xtreme and/or Elite series. I really need a rod for the 1/2-1oz, but right now I am looking at an all around spinning outfit. for the really light stuff and drop shots. I've read some good reviews on the MLXF rods and after experience with the build and overall quality of the Legend Tournament series I may try another XF action on a spinning outfit, I just need one that fits well with what I have.