St. Croix Avid X

[Random Tackle]

Evening all, first post on this board but have lurked here for awhile.

 

I'm looking to buy my first casting rod and have a question about the Avid X mhf.  I fish exclusively from a pack canoe and only take 2 rods with me.  I want a casting rod that i can fish bottom baits with.  Now what I fish are creeks and small to medium rivers for various black bass species.  Looking at the lure ratings for all Croix mhf casting rods, the bottom end is 3/8oz.  While there are times I would throw 3/8, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and such, I'm looking to throw 1/8 oz texas rig (would be closer to 1/4 with plastic on)  

 

Can I get away with that on the mhf Avid X?  I notice some other brands mhf casting rods go as low as 1/8 on the low end but I've been happy with my two Croix spinning rods and want to stick with them.

 

Thanks

[kschultz76]

In general a MH in a St Croix tends to fish and feel a bit heavier then other manufacturers MH. Unfortunately there are no real standards in the industry to make for easy comparisons. Based on my experience that rod wouldn't be my first choice for anything under that 3/8 total weight mark.

[Random Tackle]

Yeah I realize it's a pretty subjective issue.  Just noticed that they actually describe the original Avid mxf to be a worm rod.  That would explain the power difference in St. Croix versus other brands I suppose.  However I've fished a Croix Premier Medium power casting rod and I would not consider that a bottom bait rod at all.  It felt whippy to me and wouldn't mind it for treble baits.  I assume that the Avid Medium is much stouter than the Premier Medium. Sound right?

[kschultz76]

The M/XF is a rod they suggest for weightless soft plastics, topwater, wacky rigs. I have it in LTB casting and it's a great rod. I've used it for weightless plastics, shakeyheads, lighter trigs no problem. I wouldn't expect the Avid to be noticeably stouter then the Premier. You might want to look the MH/XF in the Avid for the bottom contact lighter trigs but I'm not sure how well it will work throwing chatter baits. Tackle tour did a review of that taper in the Legend Xtreme shortly after it was redesigned. Also depends on what kind of cover you're fishing. I'm sure you could manage with the MH/F but I'm not sure it will load that well. If you can get over the handles the Rages are on clearence in the st Croix bargain room for 89 with free shipping, same blank material as the Avids. Cheap way to find out what works for you.

[Jrob78]

I have a MHF in the LE line and it's definitely a step up from other MH's, power wise, which I really like.  I love the MH for a general purpose t-rig and light jig rod.  The Rage rods on St. Croix's website are a very good deal, if you can get past the handle, reel seat and guides that is.  I had one delivered yesterday.

[illinifan4152]

My suggestions would be the 7' mf avid, very versatile Rod. Highly reccomended.

[Turkey sandwich]

Yeah I realize it's a pretty subjective issue.  Just noticed that they actually describe the original Avid mxf to be a worm rod.  That would explain the power difference in St. Croix versus other brands I suppose.  However I've fished a Croix Premier Medium power casting rod and I would not consider that a bottom bait rod at all.  It felt whippy to me and wouldn't mind it for treble baits.  I assume that the Avid Medium is much stouter than the Premier Medium. Sound right?

You're confusing power and weight. Medium, Med/Heavy, Heavy, etc are all weights. The action of a Rod is how he Rod loads weight. "Whippy" rods that load the weight further down the blank have a slower action, compared to those that bend higher up on the blank that have a "faster" action.

[Jrob78]

You're confusing power and weight. Medium, Med/Heavy, Heavy, etc are all weights. The action of a Rod is how he Rod loads weight. "Whippy" rods that load the weight further down the blank have a slower action, compared to those that bend higher up on the blank that have a "faster" action.

Medium, MH, H etc. are powers not "weights."  

[Turkey sandwich]

I have a MH XF Rage that I use for jigs, T-rigs, C-Rigs, etc typically around 1/4oz or heavier. It's a great rod, but I would go medium weight if you're planning on fishing most shallow rivers. The MF or MXF 7'-7'2 would be an ideal stick for throwing light t-rigs, tube jigs, flukes w/weighted hook, finesse jigs, etc.

[Turkey sandwich]

Medium, MH, H etc. are powers not "weights."

Apologies, meant weights vs actions.

[Jrob78]

Apologies, meant weights vs actions.

Gotcha, it makes sense now. 

[Random Tackle]

My suggestions would be the 7' mf avid, very versatile Rod. Highly reccomended.

 

Would you feel comfortable throwing say a weightless fluke, light T-rigs and/or jigs (1/4oz)?

[Turkey sandwich]

Would you feel comfortable throwing say a weightless fluke, light T-rigs and/or jigs (1/4oz)?

I have a MF premier series spinning that throws all of the above really well. I can't imagine the same weights would be a problem with a good baitcasting reel. Extra emphasis on "good". A Chronarch 50 would pair up with it well.

[JDJ]

My suggestions would be the 7' mf avid, very versatile Rod. Highly reccomended.

Ditto!

[illinifan4152]

Would you feel comfortable throwing say a weightless fluke, light T-rigs and/or jigs (1/4oz)?

Yes that is exactly what I use mine for. If I step up to a 3/8 oz jig, I grab the mh, but for the range u suggested I stick with the medium. It always has something tied on because it is so versatile.

[WIGuide]

If you're looking to throw the lighter stuff on it, I'd go with a M/F or M/XF. I've got a couple M/F Legend Xtreme in the M/F and they're very versatile. I use them for lighter weight plastics similar to what you're looking for as well as jerkbaits, boot tails and a few other techniques. I would not step up to a MH to throw the lighter stuff. 

[FryDog62]

I bought an Avid X this year 6'-8" Medium XF casting rod.  Bought it primarily for jerk baits and it works great.  It is rated to 5/8 so I have tossed a few plastics with it too.  3/16 jigs with Hula Grub.  I would say that it doesn't cast that weight particularly well but its do-able.  When I tie on a slightly heavier spinnerbait it does much better.  

 

So, in the original post if you're looking to throw 1/8 oz jigs/lures I'm not sure its the best rod for that IMO.  Of the Avid X casting rods, none are rated below a 5/8 oz lure so you might consider other options.  I actually prefer spinning rods for lures that light and St. Croix has some great options there ~

[Random Tackle]

Thanks for the feedback!

 

Headed to Cabelas later today.  They have both Avid and Avid X in stock, gonna take a hard look at the Mxf in both series.  

[SDbassin]

I love all of my avid x's, fantastic rods, especially the m/f and mh/f

[offsidewing]

I have the Avid X in both 7' MF and 7' MHF in casting rods. The 7' MF gets most of the work: Wacky rigging senkos 5" and up, 4" tube jigs, Fat Ikas, jerkbaits, just about any lure combo from 3/8 to 1/2 oz. The MHF rod only gets used when I feel compelled to use 1/2 ounce football jigs and trailers in 20+ feet of water. Any lute/bait under 3/8 oz is on spinning gear for me.

Last week I wrestled in a 4 lb smallie with the 7' MF using 12# Fluro in a brisk wind. At no point did the rod feel under powered from hook set to capture.