Legend Extreme For All Around: Medium Or Medium Light

[eagon06]

Hey guys,

Purchasing a new st croix legend extreme and this will be my all purpose spinning rod for a while. I have always fished medium light and heard that st croix run a bit heavy.

Will I be okay ordering a ML rather than a stiffer M? Going with 7' fast action.

Fish the upper Mississippi for largemouth, smallmouth, and walleye. All diff types of fishing...wacky, Texas, lindy, crankbaits, topwater, spinners, jigs, etc...

Just weary of getting a M cuz I hear that its more of a MH with st croix and I enjoy the fight.

What do you guys think? Anyone own something close to this model with the new '13 rods?

Thanks

[kschultz76]

What weight lures and line do you want to throw? I have 3 St Croix spinning rods, an Extreme Med Xfast, an LTB MedLight Fast, and an Avid Med Fast. For general purpose as you've described I'd go with the Med power Fast action in a Croix. Their medium fishes lures 3/16-5/8 so it will cover a variety of techniques including lighter presentations, and you'll still feel the fight it by no means is a broomstick. The ML in a Croix I find to be very willowy but not under powered, but it only handles 1/8-3/8 oz lures so it isn't as versatile to me. I'm sure either will be fantastic based on my experience. I think it just comes down to your lure selection.

[kschultz76]

Oh you might consider the Legend Elite 6'3" M Xfast. I've heard good feedback about it and it covers 1/8-1/2 oz lures. Just not sure now well the Xfast tip will handle all your presentations. I'm not sure if they make that blank in the Xrtreme.

[ww2farmer]

I have had ML Croixs in several series..........I wouldn't want them for GP work, the rod length/power/action I find to be best suited for that is their 6'8" M/XF. They make that in the Extreme.

[kschultz76]

I agree the 6'8" M XF is a great rod, that's the Xrtreme I have and love it. But I fish primarily soft plastics with it, especially weightless Senkos.

[eagon06]

Yeah I noticed the wider lure range with the XF but I troll a lot of cranks for walleye which is what's holding me back on that.

What does gp stand for?

[eagon06]

Looking at their site, the 6'10 ml xf throws 1/8 to 1/2

While the 6'10 m xf throws 1/8 to 5/16, why would that be?

[iabass8]

the 610mxf would be perfect.

[tomustang]

Don't worry about the MH feel on a 7'M, the tip is very forgiving and more medium powered. Now if you went down to 6'6 you'll feel it stiffen up more

[eagon06]

Well now I'm checking out the XF a bit, but will that hurt me trollin cranks? I use braided line too...

[kschultz76]

If you look at the legend tour bass rods on st Croix's site they have a desc of each rod. The 6'10" M Xf is specifically tapered as a shakey head rod that says something about top water as well. The 6'8" M XF is wacky style technique specific. I've got no experience with the 6'-0" m XF but the specs look like it would handle the lures you're looking to throw.

Whatever you land on please post and let us know how you like it. I'm really curious how the new xtremes handle compared to the older versions. They're heavier but wondering if they balance better.

[Dwight Hottle]

Well now I'm checking out the XF a bit, but will that hurt me trollin cranks? I use braided line too...

 

 

Yes. You really need a moderate action not XF for crankbaits with braid. The only way you could pull off using that rod for cranks /braid is by using a really loose drag.

[eagon06]

Yes. You really need a moderate action not XF for crankbaits with braid. The only way you could pull off using that rod for cranks /braid is by using a really loose drag.

Okay, so its looking like the 7'mf then, that should still be quite versatile right?

[Dwight Hottle]

Okay, so its looking like the 7'mf then, that should still be quite versatile right?

 

Yes the LXS70MF would be very versatile for what you want. The other choice if you are using light baits would be the LXS76MLXF. Don't hesitate to call St Croix & get some advice from the experts. Ask for Dan Cerwinski in customer service. I spelled his last name the way it sounds, spelling could be wrong.  

[eagon06]

Yes the LXS70MF would be very versatile for what you want. The other choice if you are using light baits would be the LXS76MLXF. Don't hesitate to call St Croix & get some advice from the experts. Ask for Dan Cerwinski in customer service. I spelled his last name the way it sounds, spelling could be wrong.

Thanks a lot Dwight, I was planning on giving them a call this afternoon. I think a 7'6 might be a little too much for me. I like to cast from shore when I take the dog hiking, I suppose I could bring an old stick with for that. Leaning towards the 7'm, will call Dan and see what he says.

[eagon06]

Yes. You really need a moderate action not XF for crankbaits with braid. The only way you could pull off using that rod for cranks /braid is by using a really loose drag.

What do you think if I switched from powerpro to something with a little more stretch?

[kschultz76]

If you'll be throwing a lot of cranks or trebles I'd stick the the 7' M F as well. I use my M XF specifically for soft plastic single hook applications. That's why I also have the 6'6" M F Avid to cover a better variety of lures. But if I was only going to have one rod it would be the M F, I fished all my soft plastics on the Avid until I got the Xtreme it was a great taper for everything I did with it.

[Dwight Hottle]

What do you think if I switched from powerpro to something with a little more stretch?

 

Mono or copoly would help that situation. A drag that slips on a hard hook set would help too with the braid. Or braid with a six foot mono leader. You just have to try it to see what works best for you.

[eagon06]

well I just spoke with Dan and he said to go with the 7 foot medium fast. He said that the extra fast just won't work with crankbaits

[Dwight Hottle]

well I just spoke with Dan and he said to go with the 7 foot medium fast. He said that the extra fast just won't work with crankbaits

 

 

 

Dan's the man.

[tomustang]

I use a 6'8 MF for jerks and cranks, 8-10lb line. Using those without a properly set drag isn't good. Even still takes some finessing but can be learn with time.

[eagon06]

Is that an older model? I didn't think they offered anything fast action shorter than 7'.

I ordered the 7'mf, should be here this weekend. Week after that I will be in the boundary waters hopefully catching everything from walleye to lake trout. Will review It then.

[kschultz76]

I predict once you use it you'll buy at least two more St Croix sticks!

[new2BC4bass]

I see all your questions got answered but one.  GP = general purpose

 

Congrats on the new rod.  I don't have a St. Croix, but my buddy tomustang fishes only St. Croix so I know they are excellent rods.  Enjoy it. 

[tomustang]

Is that an older model? I didn't think they offered anything fast action shorter than 7'.

I ordered the 7'mf, should be here this weekend. Week after that I will be in the boundary waters hopefully catching everything from walleye to lake trout. Will review It then.

Sorry I meant MXF