St.croix Casting Rod Help Needed.

['Bago-Bassin']

This is my first post here at Bassresource (been reading here about six months). I could use a little help on a dilemma I'm having.

I'm going to get a new casting rod soon. I've decided on the St.Croix Avid series. That's the easy part.
The hard part is deciding to go with a M or MH rod and the length. I'm leaning towards a MH/F but considering a M/F too. I'm thinking 7 foot for either.
I fish sitting down, on the elevated casting deck of my deep-v, and wonder if the length would be a hindrance?

As far as the rod power and action goes: I'm looking to upgrade from an older 6 foot MH Ugly Stick (be gentle).
My thinking is that I can put the Ugly Stick into service as a crankbait rod (albeit not ideal and a bit heavy).

I have some medium and medium-light spinning gear that I use for walleye that I can press into doing double duty for bass.

I however worry that a MH on the St.Croix might be too heavy. The techniques that I use are all over the place but my hope is that the new rod would be the 'go to' the majority of the time and then use the others as a fill in for more specified purposes.

I also shouldn't neglect to mention that the likelihood of catching northern pike, either as a byproduct of bass fishing or specific targeting of pike is a foregone conclusion.

So... Is 7 foot too long? Would a MH/F or a M/F better suit my needs?

Thanks ahead of time for the replies and the help.

[Bluebasser86]

What techniques do you primarily plan on fishing?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Bait weight, technique and cover will be the deciding factors in how powerful of a rod you need. The power of St Croix's M is what some other makers call MH. I'm in Upstate NY and can get by with and Avid M/F as an all purpose casting rod.

[S Hovanec]

Yea. What DVT said. Croix's MH is a stout stick. There is actually room for another power between their M and MH. Same can be said between their ML and M in the XF actions.

[Poolshark]

In the avid series, a seven foot medium fast action is a fantastic multipurpose rod.

[J Francho]

The 7' MHF is not my favorite stick, but it sees a lot of service. Baits just a bit below its range are out of the question. The 7' MF is a much more versatile stick. Baird above its range are handled just fine. I prefer the over feel of this rod as well.

[kschultz76]

Agree with all that has been said. I have a 6'6" LTB MH/F and it is a stout powerful stick. I have learned overtime that anything right at 3/8 total weight is even challenging to cast, anything over 3/8 total weight is its wheelhouse. I have other rods rated 3/8-1 that are much more comfortable at the very lowest end of the range. But the rod is an awesome close quarters pitching stick with 3/8 trigged Beavers on a 4/0 heavy cover hook in heavy cover.

[kschultz76]

Also I know where there is a used SC Legend Xtreme 7'0" M/F (previous version with cork and recoils) for sale @ $250 shipped.

[junyer357]

I have a 6'8" mxf avid and its been a wonderful worm rod for me. Throws my usual 3/16 worms like a champ and is super sensitive.

[kschultz76]

I have a 6'8" mxf avid and its been a wonderful worm rod for me. Throws my usual 3/16 worms like a champ and is super sensitive.

That's a great blank, I have it in the LTB casting version, as well as the Legend Xtreme 6'8" M/XF spinning rod.  Important to note though that while the lure weight ratings are the same that XF blank has a lower range line ratings then the Fast action.  Also in my opinion the OP is better off with the Fast action for a multipurpose rod.

[MickD]

Relative to 6.6 vs 7.0, I don't think 7.0 will be too long.  I generally like the longer rod, but if you do  a lot of tip-down techniques, maybe 6.6 will be better.  I only have a couple 6.6's, probably 20 7.0's or 6.10's.

 

Sounds like you have a lot of knowledgeable votes for the lighter power.

[The Next KVD]

The 7' MH/F is actually my all time favorite stick and to me is my standard choice.  I can do just about everything with it except when light  baits and line come in to play.  I can flip heavy mat, fish a jig or worm, fish a topwater, use it as a spinnerbait/buzzbait rod ect.

[WIGuide]

I'd take a look at what techniques you use the most and the weight of the baits you're going to throw. The medium power is going to be a very versatile rod. I'm thinking that's the one that you'll be best off with.

['Bago-Bassin']

What techniques do you primarily plan on fishing?

 

 

Bait weight, technique and cover will be the deciding factors in how powerful of a rod you need. The power of St Croix's M is what some other makers call MH. I'm in Upstate NY and can get by with and Avid M/F as an all purpose casting rod.

 

 

Bait weights are mostly between 1/4 oz.and 3/4 oz. Techniques are varied but I'd primarily say topwater (spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, frogs, spooks, etc), some plastics like Carolina rigging and maybe some jig work. Cover is anything from wood to weeds and amount is often moderate and very occasionally heavy.

 

I have heard/read before that St.Croix's power runs a bit more than that of other manufacturers rods. Thanks for confirming it.

[olegs]

If you like XF action rod, you can consider 7 MHXF.

I had LTB 7MHXF.It was a great worm/spinnerbait rod for me.

[curtis9]

I think the avid 7 mf will be perfect for you.

[FishTank]

7' M Fast is a great general purpose rod.  It will be great for just about anything except crankbaits but you could probably get away with it. 

[Angry John]

I have the 66mf and the 70mf. I like the 66mf for jerkbaits better than any other rod. I also love it for Sammy's and other small top waters. The 70mf is great for plastics and 1/4 and 3/8 jigs with plastics. They are both very nice and of all my rods the MF might be worth having in two lengths. If you step to the 70 then go MHF. Just my opinion.

[JDJ]

I own the Avid MH/F and M/F casting rods, both 7 ft.  First of all, you're looking at two great rods -- light, well balanced and excellent build quality!  I use my MH/F for jigs, worms, topwaters, and even frogs.  The very versatile M/F gets about everything else -- light jigs and worms, chatterbaits, lipless cranks, square bills, and jerkbaits.  You won't go "wrong" with either choice, but by your description of techniques I'd suggest the M/F, as I think that it's the most versatile of the two choices.

[fishballer06]

I personally own an Avid 7' M/F and it's a great rod. It a well balanced rod and its pretty versatile too. I'm not sure what you're using the rod for, but a MH would probably be a little more versatile for you, especially if you plan on throwing larger cranks or jigs. If you hook into 30"+ pike regularly, the MH might be better for you as well. You really can't go wrong with either rod though. I'm sure once you buy one, you'll want the other. I love all of my St. Croix Avids. 

[SDbassin]

you might want to look into the Avid X too, same blank just different components, I personally really love the guides on the new rods. I love all the avid x's that I have, great rods.

[EmersonFish]

I have both the 7' MF Avid and the 7' MHF Avid. They are both versatile rods, but if I could just take one with me, it would be the MF. It's better for lighter bottom contact baits, yet capable of handling large enough bottom contact baits for many of your needs; and can also be used for squarebills, jerkbaits, shallow to medium cranks, lighter spinnerbaits, etc...

The 7' length should not be an issue either.