Super User roadwarrior Posted October 16, 2014 Super User Posted October 16, 2014 Being only 15, and getting all the money myself it takes a LONG time to save up, it's tough spending that much money when I could get almost two rods for the price of one. The biggest problem with getting one is I'll want to replace my whole line up with them! One GREAT rod is better than three "okay" rods. Rome wasn't built in a day, collections take time to accumulate. One of my Avids (AVS66MLF) is 12 years old. My first GLX (MBR844C) is at least 10 years old. I will probably keep these rods in the line-up for the rest of my life. I feel the same way about some brand new Pinnacles that wer just acquired over the past couple of years. Be patient, grasshopper... 2 Quote
Super User tomustang Posted October 16, 2014 Super User Posted October 16, 2014 Being only 15, and getting all the money myself it takes a LONG time to save up, it's tough spending that much money when I could get almost two rods for the price of one. The biggest problem with getting one is I'll want to replace my whole line up with them! An Avid or LT would stay in your rod rotation for a very long time, I have several lesser models/brands that just sit in the corner taking up space whereas the avid/lt are still being used as secondary rigs after I've upgraded 1 Quote
Super User J Francho Posted October 16, 2014 Super User Posted October 16, 2014 My Avid topwater/jerkbait rod, and AC62MXF (notice the lack of a "V" in the model number, which denotes it's a pre IPC blank) is almost 15 years old. One of my favorites. Quote
adam32 Posted October 17, 2014 Posted October 17, 2014 Just because the Rage is rolled with the same graphite does not mean it's the same blank as the Avid. I have compared Rage rods to equivalent SCIII blanks and while they may share the mandrel design, SCIII graphite and the St. Croix name, they are NOT the same blank. Even if they were the same blank, the Avid would be worth the extra $50 to not have to deal with those Minima guides! I agree. The rage rods have terrible build quality imo. Lot's of sloppy epoxy and crooked guides. The avids just feel so much more sensitve and balanced. Plus they have Fuji alconite guides. Quote
Super User aavery2 Posted October 17, 2014 Super User Posted October 17, 2014 I think there is a bigger difference going from a Premier to an Avid than going from an Avid to a LTB. LTB to LE or LX is pretty much unmeasurable. basically, pick what color blank or guides or grip you want and go with that series. there is that little difference between them. Just because the Rage is rolled with the same graphite does not mean it's the same blank as the Avid. I have compared Rage rods to equivalent SCIII blanks and while they may share the mandrel design, SCIII graphite and the St. Croix name, they are NOT the same blank. Even if they were the same blank, the Avid would be worth the extra $50 to not have to deal with those Minima guides! So is it just your opinion that they are not the same blank, or do you actually have something to substantiate your comment? Quote
Super User Jrob78 Posted October 17, 2014 Super User Posted October 17, 2014 From the rod building side of things, there is no distinction between the Rage and Avid blanks. The SCIII comes in Fuchsia and Carbon Pearl. I don't own a SCIII and I don't know if the Rage and Avid have the same color blank but they don't sell anything that would make me think there is any difference. Whereas the SCV's come in Gloss Blue/Green Flip and Gloss Forest Green Pearl. The Legend Elite is Forest and the Extreme is Blue/Green. Even in those blanks, I don't believe that there is any difference besides color. Quote
Super User tomustang Posted October 17, 2014 Super User Posted October 17, 2014 Whereas the SCV's come in Gloss Blue/Green Flip and Gloss Forest Green Pearl. The Legend Elite is Forest and the Extreme is Blue/Green. Even in those blanks, I don't believe that there is any difference besides color. Besides the Xtreme having the TET design Quote
Super User Jrob78 Posted October 17, 2014 Super User Posted October 17, 2014 Besides the Xtreme having the TET design You're right. I never noticed that before. I guess that's partly how they justify the added cost. Quote
Super User tomustang Posted October 17, 2014 Super User Posted October 17, 2014 Week long handle to make too Quote
Super User S Hovanec Posted October 17, 2014 Super User Posted October 17, 2014 So is it just your opinion that they are not the same blank, or do you actually have something to substantiate your comment? All I have to back me up is the experience I got by comparing like models of Rage and SCIII blanks. What i do know is: Avids are rolled in WI, Rages are rolled in Mexico. Just my opinion, but the build quality of the south of the border rods is less than stellar. Quote
ChrisWi Posted October 17, 2014 Author Posted October 17, 2014 One GREAT rod is better than three "okay" rods. Rome wasn't built in a day, collections take time to accumulate. One of my Avids (AVS66MLF) is 12 years old. My first GLX (MBR844C) is at least 10 years old. I will probably keep these rods in the line-up for the rest of my life. I feel the same way about some brand new Pinnacles that wer just acquired over the past couple of years. Be patient, grasshopper... I agree completely, if I get an Avid, would it be better to get an Avid X right away, you guys have me convinced! Quote
Super User J Francho Posted October 17, 2014 Super User Posted October 17, 2014 Do you like split grips or full cork? Quote
Super User aavery2 Posted October 17, 2014 Super User Posted October 17, 2014 All I have to back me up is the experience I got by comparing like models of Rage and SCIII blanks. What i do know is: Avids are rolled in WI, Rages are rolled in Mexico. Just my opinion, but the build quality of the south of the border rods is less than stellar. Thanks, in use I find the Rage just a tad more sensitive, I think it has to do with the lighter guides, they also seem to help with the tip heaviness that some of the Avid rods have. I don't think they are at the same level of build quality, but truthfully I have not had any problems with the couple I own. They seem overpriced at 150 - 175, but when you can get them for around 99 they become a good deal. Quote
ChrisWi Posted October 17, 2014 Author Posted October 17, 2014 Do you like split grips or full cork? I lean towards full cork but, not too big of a fan of the rather large fore grip on the Avid Quote
Super User J Francho Posted October 17, 2014 Super User Posted October 17, 2014 You might want to handle them - it's not really larger than many foregrips. The skinny section behind the reel seat on the rear grip makes it, and the "bump" behind seem bigger, when they're pretty close to other full grip rods. An exception would be Loomis, their foregrips are pretty skinny. You have to have it in your hand, side by side with other brands to get what I'm talking about. It's one of those pick what you like things. Quote
ChrisWi Posted October 17, 2014 Author Posted October 17, 2014 You might want to handle them - it's not really larger than many foregrips. The skinny section behind the reel seat on the rear grip makes it, and the "bump" behind seem bigger, when they're pretty close to other full grip rods. An exception would be Loomis, their foregrips are pretty skinny. You have to have it in your hand, side by side with other brands to get what I'm talking about. It's one of those pick what you like things. I've held the rods before, I prefer no fore grip but like the one on my premier. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted October 17, 2014 Super User Posted October 17, 2014 You might prefer the X then. My hands are never up there, so I don't care how it's made. I suppose the rod would be lighter without. I do prefer a full rear grip for moving baits though, and I don't like tiny knobs on the butt for split grips. You'll figure out what you like. And really, you get used to what you think may not like. Quote
desmobob Posted October 17, 2014 Posted October 17, 2014 There may be one advantage to full-cork grips that I haven't seen mentioned: floatation. I knocked my St.Croix Premier/Lew's Tournament Pro rig into the water one day and it was floating when I grabbed it (within a second or so). I honestly don't know if the full cork grip will really float that rig because I don't want to dunk the reel again to find out, but I believe it was doing the job. Anyone have any experience with this? Tight lines, Bob Quote
Super User Jrob78 Posted October 17, 2014 Super User Posted October 17, 2014 There may be one advantage to full-cork grips that I haven't seen mentioned: floatation. I knocked my St.Croix Premier/Lew's Tournament Pro rig into the water one day and it was floating when I grabbed it (within a second or so). I honestly don't know if the full cork grip will really float that rig because I don't want to dunk the reel again to find out, but I believe it was doing the job. Anyone have any experience with this? Tight lines, Bob I had a kayaking accident last year and lost 4 combos in the lake. The only one that didn't sink to the bottom was the one with a full cork grip and foregrip. Quote
desmobob Posted October 17, 2014 Posted October 17, 2014 There may be one advantage to full-cork grips that I haven't seen mentioned: floatation. I knocked my St.Croix Premier/Lew's Tournament Pro rig into the water one day and it was floating when I grabbed it (within a second or so). I honestly don't know if the full cork grip will really float that rig because I don't want to dunk the reel again to find out, but I believe it was doing the job. Anyone have any experience with this? Tight lines, Bob I had a kayaking accident last year and lost 4 combos in the lake. The only one that didn't sink to the bottom was the one with a full cork grip and foregrip. So it's true... very interesting! My next rod will be a full-cork grip Avid. :-) Tight lines, Bob Quote
Super User Jrob78 Posted October 17, 2014 Super User Posted October 17, 2014 So it's true... very interesting! My next rod will be a full-cork grip Avid. :-) Tight lines, Bob It was definitely true on that day! Quote
curtis9 Posted October 17, 2014 Posted October 17, 2014 I have an avid 7 crankbait rod that slipped out of my hands on a cast. It was floating a few feet from the boat. Quote
Mike2841 Posted October 17, 2014 Posted October 17, 2014 I lean towards full cork but, not too big of a fan of the rather large fore grip on the Avid The foregrip is actually my favorite part of the avid handle, I find myself holding the rod above the reel using the fore grip the majority of the time I ise it, different strokes I guess Quote
Super User J Francho Posted October 19, 2014 Super User Posted October 19, 2014 My avid/sol combos float. Quote
Capt.Bob Posted October 20, 2014 Posted October 20, 2014 The Avid like has been said is where St. Croix rods start, the LTB is very good, but the Legend Elite and Legend Extreme are what made me believe they really are "THE BEST RODS IN THE WORLD"!!! Not many rod's I haven't fished, but St. Croix will be all I invest in anymore, they have proven themselves the last 20 years to me to be the best. If you like that Premier, which I think is the best St. Croix you say you have tried,,,,, you will be much more delighted in an Avid, an you may not be ready for a LEGEND,,,, Quote
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