Recoil Guides And Braid

[upnorthbassin]

I've read a ton of people that say that braid going through recoil guides sounds like a chainsaw (that kind of noise makes me crazy). I just got a St Croix Legend Xtreme that comes with the recoil guides on it. It seems like a good multi-purpose rod so I want to give it a try with some weightless plastics, small 1/4oz jigs, and try it out with some topwater. It will give me a good overall idea of what I want to mostly use it for.

 

I will probably put my Lews TP on it and I would normally probably spool it up with braid because I can modify it for all those uses. Put a fc leader on it when fishing the plastics and jigs maybe...and then no leader for the topwater. All of the talk about recoil guides and braid make me want to try something different instead though.

 

If I use straight fc, it's going to rule out the topwater part of it. If I use mono it's going to get rid of some of the sensitivity part of the other techniques.

 

What would you use?

[upnorthbassin]

I should add that I'm leaning towards either trying supercast (it seems pretty slick) or just using yz hybrid.

[rockchalk06]

Slick braid and a fluoro or mono leader.

[Hooligan]

Modern braids are far more manageable in terms of noise and feel through the guides. I've long been known as a braid hater, however have recently changed my tune with some of the advances made.

[iabass8]

some braids sound like a buzzsaw coming through recoils. suffix perfomance braid was probably the worst sounding on my xtremes. suffix 832 and pp super 8 had some noise but very minimal. on one of my xtreme spinner rods 10/3 832 and 6/2 832 don't make any noise. 30lb test on another a casting rod of mine does make a little but not very noticeable in 832. all recoils/braid combos will make some noise but some braids are better than others. stick with braid/fluoro leader for your multi purpose rod or straight braid and you will be fine.

[Teal]

Spiderwire Ultra cast / Sunline Sniper FC. 30lb braid is a good all around size for BC gear and you can go 8-12lb FC.

All braid makes a little noise, but other than that it is a must for me.

[Jay Ell Gee]

Don't mean to get off track but may I ask what rod you got? I assume it was from the bargain cave? I only ask because I'm looking at getting the 6'10 M/XF myself. Do you like it? Sensitivity as unreal as they say?

[iabass8]

the sensitivity on the xtreme/elite SCV blanks (the one you have) is top notch. you won't be disappointed. The price of that rod right now is an out right steal of a price. jump on it before it's gone.

[upnorthbassin]

Don't mean to get off track but may I ask what rod you got? I assume it was from the bargain cave? I only ask because I'm looking at getting the 6'10 M/XF myself. Do you like it? Sensitivity as unreal as they say?

 

I got the same model as you. I just recently ordered it so I haven't had a chance to try it yet. I did handle that same model and the 6'8" version in the store a while back....they had them on sale for $279. I almost bought it then but when I saw them in the bargain room I had to get it.

 

I like St. Croix rods and especially the medium power ones. They are a nice compromise between what a lot of companies would call a medium and a medium heavy. This rod seems like it will fill the gap between other rods I own....and I like that, especially when I might only have one or 2 rods with me instead of 4.

[roadwarrior]

You must try the Tuf-Line Supercast braid. Noise is completely eliminated!

 

 

 

[.ghoti.]

I just received the same model rod. Haven't fished it yet, just some flex testing and backyard casting. My original thought was this would be a typical St Croix M-XF, in other words, a MH rod with a softer tip. It doesn't seem to be that. Feels like a medium power stick, with a very fast, soft tip.

I'm going to try for lighter baits than I originally intended, with a lighter reel and lighter line. This rod will not be used with braid. First impression is, this is a rod built for a light line, clear water, finesse approach. A bit of time on the water will tell me where it will fit in my lineup.

I too have been a long time hater of braid. Long Mike is sending me a spool of the new Tuf Line. I'm going to give it a shot on my frog/buzz bait rod. Don't know what to expect. I've despised braid for so long it's going to be difficult to suspend my bias, and give the new line a fair trial. But, I'm gonna give it a shot, and, to answer the original question, it will not be on my new Legend Extreme rod.

[J Francho]

Tuf-Line Supercast, Sufix 832, and Power Pro Super 8 Slick are all relatively quiet braids.

[upnorthbassin]

I just received the same model rod. Haven't fished it yet, just some flex testing and backyard casting. My original thought was this would be a typical St Croix M-XF, in other words, a MH rod with a softer tip. It doesn't seem to be that. Feels like a medium power stick, with a very fast, soft tip.

I'm going to try for lighter baits than I originally intended, with a lighter reel and lighter line. This rod will not be used with braid. First impression is, this is a rod built for a light line, clear water, finesse approach. A bit of time on the water will tell me where it will fit in my lineup.

I too have been a long time hater of braid. Long Mike is sending me a spool of the new Tuf Line. I'm going to give it a shot on my frog/buzz bait rod. Don't know what to expect. I've despised braid for so long it's going to be difficult to suspend my bias, and give the new line a fair trial. But, I'm gonna give it a shot, and, to answer the original question, it will not be on my new Legend Extreme rod.

 

Interesting. It's been a while since I had handled one and I kind of pegged it as I would other St. Croix rods that are similar on paper. Maybe I'll change up what I'm planning just a little bit. I'm thinking this might be a good river smallie rod for me. Smaller size baits, clearer and more open water, etc. I have some smaller craw/creatures and maybe some tubes that it might do ok with. How do you think it would fare with a weightless 4"/5" senko or a 3/16 or smaller jig though? (that's what I was originally thinking of using it for).

[dodgeguy]

recoil guides are no louder with braid then other guides.you either have loud braid or you don't.used suffix 832 last year and frireline braid the 2 previous.i am trying power pro super slick this year.if your braid makes noise you  need a different brand.

[dodgeguy]

You must try the Tuf-Line Supercast braid. Noise is completely eliminated!

 

 

 

is that an 8 *strand?it would be nice to see tuff line make a new modern line.

[roadwarrior]

I have never fished a line that is comparable. Granted, I have only fished it one day,

but on that day it was THE BOMB! I now have three rigs set up for testing and will post

my results later. However, for $4.99 I think everyone should give the Tuf-Line Supercast

a shot right now!

 

 

 

[.ghoti.]

Interesting. It's been a while since I had handled one and I kind of pegged it as I would other St. Croix rods that are similar on paper. Maybe I'll change up what I'm planning just a little bit. I'm thinking this might be a good river smallie rod for me. Smaller size baits, clearer and more open water, etc. I have some smaller craw/creatures and maybe some tubes that it might do ok with. How do you think it would fare with a weightless 4"/5" senko or a 3/16 or smaller jig though? (that's what I was originally thinking of using it for).

You're thinking in the same range I am, except for the 5" Senko, which is heavy enough to load most MH rods. I had mine out in the backyard again today with a different reel. Tried an Alphas spooled with 8lb mono. That felt better than a Fuego, and a lot better than a Zillion, which is what I originally tried on the rod. I don't know at this point what the practical lower limit will be. I set out today to test just that, but the weather put a halt to the process. I do know that 1/4oz was no problem at all, and a 3/16oz jig should be good as well.

[upnorthbassin]

Yeah, the 5" with hook would max the rated specs by a bit. I figure the 4" should be around the sweet spot. A 3/16 or 1/4 jig alone or maybe with a small grub should probably do it. I don't have a finesse reel for this yet so some things on the smaller side may be a little limited depending on how the reel handles them.

[J Francho]

is that an 8 *strand?it would be nice to see tuff line make a new modern line.

Yes, it is and it's the roundest line I've tried. You should try this. They are offering a spool of it for $5. I've got some in 30#, and based on back yard fishing, it's pretty nice. On a side note, Power Pro Super 8 Slick is pretty nice too. Both are at least as good as 832 - very quiet. The TUF-Line has a bit lower stated strength than other braids due to the mono core, so go by diameter. 30# Supercast is like 14-15# mono.

[upnorthbassin]

I'm debating putting the 20lb supercast sample I got on it. That's around the same diameter as a lot of 10lb mono. Could run an 8lb fluoro leader off of it for the plastics. Hmmmm.

[Capt.Bob]

I took the 2 new extremes out the other day and with Fireline Braid and Power Pro was surprised at how smooth and qiet it was in the recoil guides.

 

I said I would have never own rod with half a handle on it, before the ridiculous price Croix dropped these rods to a couple weeks ago, and the fact I bought a St. Croix 6'8"MXF LT last year for $75.00 used. Now a year or so ago I said "I would never own a rod with Recoil Guides" hmmm, I geuss we all can be bought for the right price!!

 

If they don't grow on me, I can have my rod tech replace them with sic guides and still have a rod that was a steel! Time will tell.

[Flukeman]

I have never fished a line that is comparable. Granted, I have only fished it one day,

but on that day it was THE BOMB! I now have three rigs set up for testing and will post

my results later. However, for $4.99 I think everyone should give the Tuf-Line Supercast

a shot right now!

RW,

Do you know if we can pay the $4.99 an aditional time to try the size recommended for the spinning reel? If not, do you know where to find the pricing info? They had a great variety of lines, bit I did not see pricing on their web site.

Thanks,

[upnorthbassin]

RW,

Do you know if we can pay the $4.99 an aditional time to try the size recommended for the spinning reel? If not, do you know where to find the pricing info? They had a great variety of lines, bit I did not see pricing on their web site.

Thanks,

 

You can purchase it from TW. It's $26 for 300yds. Cabelas sells it through their website but I haven't seen it in their stores.

[roadwarrior]

RW,

Do you know if we can pay the $4.99 an aditional time to try the size recommended for the spinning reel? If not, do you know where to find the pricing info? They had a great variety of lines, bit I did not see pricing on their web site.

Thanks,

I don't know, so place your order and see what happens. 

 

-Kent

[SirSnookalot]

I made a mistake and ordered twice, got 2 shipments. Paid for both.