St Croix Legend Extreme

[lmbfisherman]

So I was perusing and was about to pull a trigger on a Cumara M/F rod, but noticed a previous gen Legend Extreme on clearance (189.99) M/XF 6'10.  I was wondering is it true like other St Croix rods, does it fish above it's rated power?  It didn't seem that bad compared to the Avid M/F I saw there too...So I was curious if this would be worth nabbing?  I was a little disappointed in my Avids about how the power was stiffer than I liked.  Sold off my MH/F ones and kept my M/F for jerkbait and topwater, don't get me wrong they were sensitive and well built, but my preference is like a Fenwick/Shimano/Loomis rod and think their power ratings to be more true.  Anyway, if someone could give me feedback it would be appreciated. 

 

 

[aavery2]

Two things I have found to be consistent throughout the St. Croix lineup is that they are heavier than that rated power on the rod and they are slightly tip heavy.  Make adjustment for these two things and they are a very nice rod.

[JeziHogg]

I own a lot of Xtremes, and they are the cats ass. Mind telling me where ur seeing them on clearance? BTW with the older style ones the recoil guides are kind of noisey with braided line, but that's about the only negative about them.

[Capt.Bob]

I own a lot of Xtremes, and they are the cats ass. Mind telling me where ur seeing them on clearance? BTW with the older style ones the recoil guides are kind of noisey with braided line, but that's about the only negative about them.

Most love the rod just the way it is, as you can see, you hardly ever see one come up for sale used,,,,,when you don't see a used item for sale on forums and auction sights it usually means most that try em love em and won't part with them!!! I have the exact rod your looking at after being recommended by another member who also endorsed it and love it, I found it as Dwight said, "it is one of the most versatile rods I own"!! Plus what can we say,,,,,it's a St. Croix Legend Extreme, so you have to decide one thing, @ 1/2 price is worth it to own one of the finest hand built factory rod on the planet???

 

They are a much lighter rod than the new ones with the synthetic handles covered in neoprene and the recoil guides are much more durable and transmit vibrations better than other guides and are as light as it gets, some don't like the sound of braid running thru them or the look's, it does not bother me, I find it an easy trade off for all the benefits and think they perform better than 2 piece guides. The biggest plus for me over the new models is the one piece reel seat, I can't stand the feel of the rod under the reel with it's front and rear mount only for palming, if you prefer the rigid one piece reel seat, it's your last chance to have it on an Extreme. If you like the rod's with part of the handle missing your already in, if you are not happy with the balance, don't cobble up an exceptional rod hanging shims and weights and adapters on it, for $7.00 you can have it internally balanced perfectly buy a custom rod builder, any place you want it, and never worry about it being seen or coming loose. If you want a full handle you can do as I did and pay to have the full cork installed, and the rod perfectly balanced for your setup for $50.00, now I have a one of a kind full handle on the best Blank I could find. Either way you have one of the best built rods made for less than 1/2 price. I can't find a better rod for the one I have!! If you aren't happy, sell it and make a buck, either way I can't see how you could loose!!!

[Goose52]

I bought that exact rod when St. Croix was clearing them out in their Bargain Room. The rod is an attractive, finely crafted, very sensitive, top-quality.....................pool cue with recoil guides (and is a bit tip-heavy as well).  It is by FAR the stiffest "M" rated rod that I own.  That  "XF" action to me seems like an "XXF".  I have a problem with tennis elbow in my casting arm and this rod aggravates the heck out of it.  This is not a rod for distance casting baits....I tried up to 5/8oz and couldn't really get the rod to load.  This rod seems to be made for shorter range, side-arm casts with single-hook baits like spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, maybe shakeheads, light jigs, etc.  It would probably be good as a shorter range pitching rod as well.

 

I tried to figure out how to fit this rod into my arsenal and still haven't found a "niche" for it. Right now, I have a Scum Frog tied on it - it might make a nifty short range frog rod....

 

FWIW

[lmbfisherman]

I own a lot of Xtremes, and they are the cats ass. Mind telling me where ur seeing them on clearance? BTW with the older style ones the recoil guides are kind of noisey with braided line, but that's about the only negative about them.

Hey Jezihogg they are on clearance in a local tackle shop up here in Ontario, Canada.  Only 1 left...I decided to pass as the lure ratings was not in the range I was looking for, instead got the Cumara.  Should've looked at that before posting. 

[lmbfisherman]

I bought that exact rod when St. Croix was clearing them out in their Bargain Room. The rod is an attractive, finely crafted, very sensitive, top-quality.....................pool cue with recoil guides (and is a bit tip-heavy as well).  It is by FAR the stiffest "M" rated rod that I own.  That  "XF" action to me seems like an "XXF".  I have a problem with tennis elbow in my casting arm and this rod aggravates the heck out of it.  This is not a rod for distance casting baits....I tried up to 5/8oz and couldn't really get the rod to load.  This rod seems to be made for shorter range, side-arm casts with single-hook baits like spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, maybe shakeheads, light jigs, etc.  It would probably be good as a shorter range pitching rod as well.

 

I tried to figure out how to fit this rod into my arsenal and still haven't found a "niche" for it. Right now, I have a Scum Frog tied on it - it might make a nifty short range frog rod....

 

FWIW

Yeah that is what I was afraid of, I just don't like the stiffness of the ratings by St. Croix.  Not saying they are horrible, just stating not my preference.  Some people like that and I don't have an issue with that.  Went with the Cumara anyway.  Thanks for the feedback though!

[Capt.Bob]

 single-hook baits like spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, maybe shakeheads, light jigs, etc.  It would probably be good as a shorter range pitching rod as well.

 

I tried to figure out how to fit this rod into my arsenal and still haven't found a "niche" for it. Right now, I have a Scum Frog tied on it - it might make a nifty short range frog rod....

 

FWIW

I personally would think it is a very poor choice for a frog rod, unless you swim them in the open water. I mostly fish heavy vegetation with a frog, and  prefer a much heavier action to get them out of the slop, which is the only place I fish the frog.  The same rod in the 7'2" MHM works ok for this but I like the MHF better.

 

But as far as single hook, spinner bait, shaky head, and open water jig, plus deep water finesse rig's, it excels for Bass Large Mouth, and small Mouth, as well as Walleye, you hit the nail on the head that is exactly what it was made for, and I love it for weightless plastics as well, and cast quite well with the Lew's Team Gold I have on it!!

 

Since you can't find a use for it, would you be interested in selling it,,,,I would be interested in adding another to my outfits. PM me.

[skeletor6]

Yeah that is what I was afraid of, I just don't like the stiffness of the ratings by St. Croix.  Not saying they are horrible, just stating not my preference.  Some people like that and I don't have an issue with that.  Went with the Cumara anyway.  Thanks for the feedback though!

 

Great Choice

[thehooligan]

Cant go wrong with the cumara, i have the new 6'8 m/h model and can throw just about anything with this rod.