Super User fishballer06 Posted January 29, 2015 Super User Posted January 29, 2015 I've been debating picking up a new jerkbait rod for this season. I already own 4 Avid casting rods, and I'm pretty fond of them. I was debating stepping up and getting the 6'8" LTB rod for my jerkbait needs. Having already known how great the Avids are, I figure the LTB has to be even nicer, since it is the next step up in the St. Croix lineup. So last night I went to my local shop and compared the 6'8" LTB and a 6'6" Avid, both in a medium power, fast action. To my surprise, the Avid felt better balanced (with no reel mounted) than the LTB did. Is the blank heavier on the LTB, or could this be because the LTB uses split grips rather than the full cork that the Avid uses? I also felt like the reel seat was much more comfortable as well on the Avid, but maybe this is just because I'm already used to the Avids reel seat? The locking nut on the LTB is definitely different than the Avid. Anyways, I was looking to see if anyone has any experience with either or both of these rods and could give their opinion. The LTB is $50-60 more, which I have no problem spending if its worth it, but from what I could feel in the store, the Avid felt better. Because of the nature of how you work a jerkbait, having a slightly tip heavy rod isn't so bad. I guess I'm just torn between which of the two I should get 1 Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted January 29, 2015 Super User Posted January 29, 2015 I bought a LTB in a spinning rod for plastics & reached the same conclusion you just did. The avid feels like the better rod for less money. It's better balanced. If I were you I would either step up to a legend elite/legendextreme or stick with the avid. Quote
Super User aavery2 Posted January 29, 2015 Super User Posted January 29, 2015 Two very different rods in terms of they way they are constructed and the materials used. In the end all that is important is that you get the one that feels the best in your hands. Quote
Super User lmbfisherman Posted January 29, 2015 Super User Posted January 29, 2015 I've been debating picking up a new jerkbait rod for this season. I already own 4 Avid casting rods, and I'm pretty fond of them. I was debating stepping up and getting the 6'8" LTB rod for my jerkbait needs. Having already known how great the Avids are, I figure the LTB has to be even nicer, since it is the next step up in the St. Croix lineup. So last night I went to my local shop and compared the 6'8" LTB and a 6'6" Avid, both in a medium power, fast action. To my surprise, the Avid felt better balanced (with no reel mounted) than the LTB did. Is the blank heavier on the LTB, or could this be because the LTB uses split grips rather than the full cork that the Avid uses? I also felt like the reel seat was much more comfortable as well on the Avid, but maybe this is just because I'm already used to the Avids reel seat? The locking nut on the LTB is definitely different than the Avid. Anyways, I was looking to see if anyone has any experience with either or both of these rods and could give their opinion. The LTB is $50-60 more, which I have no problem spending if its worth it, but from what I could feel in the store, the Avid felt better. Because of the nature of how you work a jerkbait, having a slightly tip heavy rod isn't so bad. I guess I'm just torn between which of the two I should get I owned a few St. Croix rods before I moved over to Fenwick and Shimano/G Loomis. The only one left is that exact Avid rod. I can't answer your question why such a big difference between the two, BUT! That Avid is the best jerkbait rod I've ever owned period. Get it! Quote
Super User lmbfisherman Posted January 29, 2015 Super User Posted January 29, 2015 I even think Roadwarrior uses that same rod for jerkbaits, his favorite too. Quote
Super User aavery2 Posted January 29, 2015 Super User Posted January 29, 2015 I bought a LTB in a spinning rod for plastics & reached the same conclusion you just did. The avid feels like the better rod for less money. It's better balanced. If I were you I would either step up to a legend elite/legendextreme or stick with the avid. What it the difference in balance points on the rods when there is a reel installed? Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted January 29, 2015 Super User Posted January 29, 2015 What it the difference in balance points on the rods when there is a reel installed? I can't answer your question because the rods are in PA & I'm in FL at the moment. The rod I'm referencing is the TBS71MF. I'm a staunch supporter of St Croix rods & own well over a dozen of them but found the LTB not one of my favorites. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted January 29, 2015 Super User Posted January 29, 2015 I even think Roadwarrior uses that same rod for jerkbaits, his favorite too. Correct. The AVC66MF Quote
Super User aavery2 Posted January 29, 2015 Super User Posted January 29, 2015 I can't answer your question because the rods are in PA & I'm in FL at the moment. The rod I'm referencing is the TBS71MF. I'm a staunch supporter of St Croix rods & own well over a dozen of them but found the LTB not one of my favorites. I use the LTB for my light plastics , I enjoy them and find the sensitivity of them superior to the Avid of which I own also. I two LTB spinning rods I use the most are the 6'10" MLXF and the 6'10 MXF, I use a Pflueger Supreme MGX in the 25 size and both rods balance just in front of the reel. The way I grip the rod makes it very nice for balance. I say use what works best for you. 1 Quote
Super User tomustang Posted January 29, 2015 Super User Posted January 29, 2015 The avid will feel better balanced since it's full cork, it's like that way vs all the other LT models too. As you pointed out the imbalance won't really affect outcome since the tip will be down most of the time. I've been using the LT Jerkbait rod for two years and the majority of it has been with jerkbaits, it does it's job great. Although I don't have it anymore since I gave it to my wife for a pitching rod I slid over to a 6'8 medium extra fast, the tip action on croix's XF are special that it seems like it has a knack for jerkbaits I think the key components when choosing the Avid vs LT is: Avid - balances better, full cork, $50~less LT - Split cork, tiny grip, tip heavier, better guide system and a bit more sensitive to the point where some people might not feel the difference over the avid It really comes down to wanting to spend the $50~ on the different features. Quote
Super User tomustang Posted January 29, 2015 Super User Posted January 29, 2015 I use the LTB for my light plastics , I enjoy them and find the sensitivity of them superior to the Avid of which I own also. I two LTB spinning rods I use the most are the 6'10" MLXF and the 6'10 MXF, I use a Pflueger Supreme MGX in the 25 size and both rods balance just in front of the reel. The way I grip the rod makes it very nice for balance. I say use what works best for you. Grip is a huge factor, with the way I grip I leave just the pinky below the support arm and it balances out better. Quote
Super User aavery2 Posted January 29, 2015 Super User Posted January 29, 2015 I use the LTB for my light plastics , I enjoy them and find the sensitivity of them superior to the Avid of which I own also. I two LTB spinning rods I use the most are the 6'10" MLXF and the 6'10 MXF, I use a Pflueger Supreme MGX in the 25 size and both rods balance just in front of the reel. The way I grip the rod makes it very nice for balance. I say use what works best for you. I gave some bad information here and want to correct it so no one is mislead. I needed to tie new leader material to several of my spinning setups so I done just that after I finished this post. I found that the 25 series Pflueger reels actually balance well on the Rage rods, and I also have one on a G-Loomis rod that works well . I checked the LTB rods that I mentioned above and I have 30 series Pflueger reels on those rods and they still balance about an inch to inch and a half in front of the reel. They both feel more tip heavy than the two previously mentioned rods due to the balance point difference. Quote
SDbassin Posted January 29, 2015 Posted January 29, 2015 Im also debating on getting a 7'3 mh LTB as I have a couple of Avid X's now, and I absolutely love them. On my Avid X 7'4 H and 7'0 MH, the balance point is about an inch to an inch and a half in front of the reel ( tourney pro on all of them), and the same even goes for my 7'3mh micro magic, but my rods do not feel tip heavy to me. Would it be some-what similar with the LTB? Im thinking of pickup up the 7'3 ltb for deep stuff like a Carolina rig, and football jig, but I also want to use it for some pitching. The only problem is no one in my area has any LTB's for me to even look at lol, closest bass pro is 4 hours away. Quote
fishindad Posted January 29, 2015 Posted January 29, 2015 Two very different rods in terms of they way they are constructed and the materials used. In the end all that is important is that you get the one that feels the best in your hands. ^^ This. You answered your own question, get the Avid. Quote
Super User Chris at Tech Posted January 30, 2015 Super User Posted January 30, 2015 Correct. The AVC66MF X2 Quote
Super User Angry John Posted January 30, 2015 Super User Posted January 30, 2015 I own and use my 66mf for jerks and square bills. It is one of my favorite rods, and i run alphas on them. I will never get rid of mine and i could easily buy something else. Quote
Super User Solution fishballer06 Posted January 30, 2015 Author Super User Solution Posted January 30, 2015 Thanks for the insight everyone. Looks like I'll likely go the Avid route, unless someone can come in here and convince me otherwise on the LTB. 2 Quote
Super User lmbfisherman Posted January 30, 2015 Super User Posted January 30, 2015 Thanks for the insight everyone. Looks like I'll likely go the Avid route, unless someone can come in here and convince me otherwise on the LTB. You won't regret it! Quote
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