St. Croix Avid Avc70Mf As Crankbait Rod?

[JDJ]

Looking for opinions from Avid users as to how well the AVC70MF works to throw square bills and lipless cranks in the 3/8 to 1/4 oz. range.  I've tried the AVC70MM, but it's a bit "whippy" for my taste.  Thought about the AVC70MHM, but would the MF be a more versatile rod for throwing cranks and other baits?  Appreciate your thoughts!

[aavery2]

If you are looking for a rod that can do a lot of things including crankbaits,  I believe your best buy may be the MH / MF, it will still be slow enough that it will be capable of treble hook baits, but not so slow that it would not be usable for other techniques as well.

[J Francho]

You're underestimating the power of the AVC70MM, but you can use the AVCMF for cranks.  I actually prefer that taper for square bills, and ripping traps through weeds.  You won't be throwing peanut sized cranks on it like you can the AVC70MM, though.

[F14A-B]

MH/ MF is the way I would go, I can throw easier, it has a bit more power on both ends of the rod.. I have also thrown open hook tube rigs on it.

[Dwight Hottle]

I have the avid MM, MHM & the HM. I like the moderate action for cranks & jerkbaits. The MHM is the most versatile as it will handle 3/8 to 1oz baits.

[roadwarrior]

Hmm...

 

I think the AVC70MM is perfect for all medium weight crankbaits and especially square bills.

 

 

 

[supreme]

I used the Avid 7' MF for Lipless and it is incredible with 1/2 oz & 3/4 oz Lipless xcalibur cranks

[smalljaw67]

While I don't use St. Croix anymore, I am familiar with them and the MH is what I would use if you are crashing your square bill through cover. When it comes to lipless cranks I like the yo-yo retrieve and I'll use a glass rod when in open water but late fall, like right now, I love ripping lipless cranks off of weeds and a moderate action rod makes it tough to do so I use a moderate fast. That said, a 7' medium power, fast action would be the most versatile but if you intend to use regular diving cranks like DT-6s or similar then a MHM would work better as you'll have more backbone but if it just for square bills and lipless cranks, the medium power, fast action may be the better choice, it all depends on what other uses you have for it.

[EmersonFish]

I have the AVC70MF rod, and I feel it's one of the versatile rods you can own. The moderate action options might be better specifically for treble hook fishing, but the action of the MF will work fine if you use it properly, particularly for the treble hook uses you mentioned, and I think you have a better stick for a variety of other uses as well.

[WIGuide]

The 7' M/F is going to be a more versatile rod if you're looking to do something other than cranking. Just be sure when you are cranking with the fast action to loosen your drag and you'll lose less fish that way. 

[Roadblock]

I had a St. Croix in MHM and I recently bought the Avid X in MF (AXC70MF) and find I can cast lighter cranks much farther with the MF than the MHM. Seems to be an all around better general purpose rod for me.

 

Absolutely love the AXC70MF!

[rmcguirk]

My Avid 7 ft MF is my most versatile and most used rod. I use it for numerous things. It is outstanding for ripping lipless cranks through weeds, it is great with swim jigs, weightless or light weight soft plastics, etc.

[ww2farmer]

Take this for what it's worth.............people who recommend moderate action cranking rods for ripping traps and square bills out of grass lose all credibility to me on rod selection. It's just not the right tool for the job, just like you wouldn't punch mats with a fly rod. If your fishing grass.........get the M/F, if your fishing wood/rock get the MH/M. I had both those rods (M/F was a LTB, and MH/M was a Mojo), if you want something to do both, the M/F will be the more versatile stick.

[Poolshark]

I own that rod and I absolutely love it for throwing traps and shallow cranks. It is giving enough to fish with with trebles and has plenty of power for moderate cover . The fast action makes very versatile for plastics like senkos and light t riggs as well. It would be a fine choice.

[TrippyJai]

I love the Avid 7' M/F and have it paired with a Curado E6 (swapped the gears). I use it for squarebills and traps in the grass mostly. It's great for jerkbaits/topwater/moving baits like swimjigs/chatterbaits/soft swimbaits and with the sensitivity, weightless/lighter t-rig. It does have a softer tip than most Medium action rods out there. I've fished with the LTB 7' M/F in spinning and it definitely has a faster tip though I'm not sure if the casting model is the same action.

 

For lighter crankbaits I prefer the M/MF.