LXS68MXF vs LXS70MF (st croix 6'8'' medium

[CatchNoFish]

Hi everyone, been fishing for almost 5 years now, but ive mostly used ugly sticks. Im new to bass (have only caught stripers so far, but ive always wanted to catch largemouth and black bass)

Im picking up my first rod/reel combo, and would like to have some ideas, i will mostly be looking to use senkos/lizards/soft plastics, and possibly crankbaits, if my rod will work for them

Im debating between the st croix LXS68MXF and LXS70MF. Here are the specs from the website:

LXS70MF

7'

M

Fast

1

6 - 12

3/16 - 5/8

4.2

6

LXS68MXF

6'8"

M

X-Fast

1

6 - 12

3/16 - 5/8

3.9

6

I would also like to pair it with a shimano freshwater stella, either 2500 or 3000 size

The actual question:

Im pretty set on this particular setup, just trying to decide on the size, and would like all and any advice on that, for my purposes. Would either of these rods work will with crankbaits and soft plastics? Also if they could handle a striper if i caught one? (there are many where i fish). Which rod/reel would you all recommend for my purposes? 

 

thanks for any and all information!

[curtis9]

A legend elite and a stella is a big step up from an ugly stik.  I own the 68mxf in casting in the ltb and legend elite, and spinning in the ltb, and gave a 7mf avid in casting. 

I prefer the 68mxf for weightless plastics (flukes, senkos, trickworms, etc).  I use the 7mf primarily as my topwater rod.  Both will work for what you want, but the 7mf may be a little more versatile for crankbaits in addition to plastics.  

If it was me with the budget you have, I'd look at the ltb series and the stradic instead of the stella and pick up a few combos.  You'll be very pleased compared to your ugly stiks and have a lot more versatility.  

[fishnkamp]

First you have picked two superb rods, These are basically top of the line rods from St Croix. They will be very sensitive and perform flawlessly.  Your 6'8" with an extra fast tip will handle exactly what you want to do . It will handle the weightless sencos, fluke type baits, drop shotting, Ned Rigs, and things like tubes and light texas rigged worms.  That extra fast tip means that the soft tip will throw light stuff really well but since it is "extra fast" the rod will have all of the backbone to pull big fish out. I am not sure where you live but I fish the same conditions that you do. I live near Baltimore MD, on the Chesapeake Bay. I have to be aware with my equipment always. Not only do we intentionally chase bass , but stripers and big huge catfish. In the last few years our non- native  Blue cat population has exploded.  My largest blue cat was over 18 pounds and it almost spooled me. Down on the Potomac you can add to that list huge snakeheads as well. Both of the rods you are interested in will work. I believe the 6"8" is better for the plastic. The 7 is a more moderate tapered rod. That means the rod will bend a little farther down so it is a bit softer in action, thus the "fast" label. If i had to throw cranks and specifically rattle trap baits I would use it  instead. It still is not my choice for that purpose but it will sorta work.  If it were me I would get the dedicated rod for the purpose you originally wanted so I would get the 6'8". My next rod would be a baitcaster like the LX72MM.  Or there are a bunch of equally great rods that do not require the investment these rods do. Good Luck I hope my explaination makes sense.

[Jon G]

You have a really nice set up going there. I think that the 6'8 MXF is the better choice. I'm not sure if you have seen the new Legend Elites but IMO they are better built than the Extreme's. They have the same blank (so same amazing sensitivity), have a beautiful full cork handle, and have absolutely amazing torzite guides (best guides I have ever seen/used on a bass rod), not to mention that the rod is as light as a feather. If you are curious about a Legend Elite something like an ES68MXF might be good to consider. However, the Legend Extreme is still a great rod and you will not be disappointed.

How big are the stripers in your lake? If they are in the 5-7 pound range I couldn't see a problem. But if they are the big ones in the 15-20lb+ range like the ones out west that gorge themselves on trout you will be underpowered.  

[iabass8]

You're not messing around for  your first set up. Hats off to you. I have the Xtreme 69mlxf and 68Mxf which both complement each other. The 7' MF would be a good compromise between the two if I had to have just one. The 7' MF will be a bit more versatile for you as well. If I were you, I would opt for the 7' MF. Either rod will handle stripers. I've caught 25# cats on the 69mlxf on 6# braid. Just play the fish out and you'll be fine. 

[CatchNoFish]

haha, I really want to go all out with fishing gear, everything short of a boat (no room for that yet)

I started fishing in college and had to save up pennies to buy my first ugly stick. I even counted the pennies to buy bait and lures!

Ive always searched the web for nice rods and reels even though i could never afford them, but now that ive graduated and gotten a job, saved up a few months, I have the funds to finally get what i want, and am not holding back!

If possible id like to stick with spinning.

I am totally Fine with having a dedicated rod, I will get more soon hopefully. The first dedicated rod id like to get would be for soft plastics, mainly senkos, lizards, and crawfish. It seems like everyone would recommend the 6'8' xtra-fast action.

Ive almost completely decided on that one, but am now considering Jon G's recommendation on the ES68MXF. Does anyone else have any advice/input? Ive used corked rods before, and they are just ok. One of the key factors that drew me to the legends extreme was the grips, but ive never used it in action, so im not sure if it is any better. 

What size stella would you guys recommend for this rod (or the ES68MXF that Jon G recommended)? I would like to load 20lb yellow power pro slick unless anyone thinks yellow is too noticeable for bass or too heavy? Ive always used yellow but never gone for bass. 

the stripers at the lakes range anywhere from 1lb up to maybe a 10lb striper (so ive heard) ive never caught anything more than a few lbs but i believe they do exist. 

catfish at least up to 15 lbs if not more (again so ive heard)

 

Would anyone recommend the saltwater version of the legend extreme would it be good for crankbaits? I would like to buy a rod/reel similar to this price range/quality for most/all my crankbaits, mainly for targeting stripers, and possibly the occasional bass lures.

 

I will be making the purchase tomorrow evening. hopefully i can get some good insight/advice into the elite vs the xtreme. 

 

thanks again everyone! 

[fishnkamp]

Now I would stay with the LXS68MXF that you are looking at.  As for a reel   I would be choosing between the 2500 and a 3000 and for my own preference I would go with the 3000.  I also would consider the Sustain in a 3000 model as well.  I have never held a Stella but have a hard time believing it is worth almost double the price. Just me.  

One thing I always do on my reels, especially when I run braid, is to add backing first.  I would pick up some 10 pound quality mono like Suffix Elite. I would wind some of that on first, maybe 1/3 of the reels spool and then use a uni to uni knot and tie on your braid. Be sure to wind both of the lines on tightly. The backing gives the braid a smooth surface and it won't let the braid slip on the spool.  Good luck and let us know how you like it when you get it.

[DaveT63]

For the plastics, I would definitely go with the 68MXF.  I have a Legend Elite 68MXF spinning rod I use for Senkos exclusively.  It is an awesome rod for that.  As for the reel, for your use I would go with the 3000.  If I'm not mistaken, the reel body is the same size, but the spool is deeper and thus holds more line for your striper fishing.  But as someone else mentioned, I would go with the Sustain or even the new Stradic FK and save enough on the reel alone to almost get another full combo.

Dave

[CatchNoFish]

thanks everyone for your help and advice, it really helped me decided what to get.

After looking into it some more ive decided to go with the elite 68mfx, and the stella 3000, with 20lb power pro slick.

One final question though, are bass picky about line color? i prefer to used yellow powerpro slick since i can see it easier, and i dont normally use any topshot. Would you guys recommend a different color? I have power pro slick on ALL my reels, and really like it. ive tried other braids but dont like them. I am willing to topshot though, if necessary. But i like fishing all braid with backing.

 

thanks again

 

[curtis9]

You can color the last few feet of line with a sharpie to hide the yellow.   

[Mike2841]

If you're going to fish just plastics get the mxf, if you want a more versatile rod get the mf. I have a Stella 2500 on my legend elite 6'6 mf, it used to be on my avid 6'8 mxf. 

[CatchNoFish]

Ive just made the purchase! Cant wait for it to get here!

I have even more questions, that dont relate to the original topic exactly, im not sure if i should make a new thread.

What color should i marker the line?

Would i be able to use any hardbaits? (within the lure wt limit) or would it be too much, or just not "efficient"

if i were to get a rod purely for hardbaits, what combo would you guys recommend? same price range would be fine, thank you! 

[Mike2841]

42 minutes ago, CatchNoFish said:

Ive just made the purchase! Cant wait for it to get here!

I have even more questions, that dont relate to the original topic exactly, im not sure if i should make a new thread.

What color should i marker the line?

I've never felt the need to color my braid with a marker

Would i be able to use any hardbaits? (within the lure wt limit) or would it be too much, or just not "efficient"

on the 6'8 mxf I've thrown jerkbaits and topwater baits no problem.  Throw everything you have on that rod and you'll figure out what you do and don't like to use it with

if i were to get a rod purely for hardbaits, what combo would you guys recommend? same price range would be fine, thank you! 

I use a kistler helium 3 light medium heavy that I like for squarebills, rat-l-traps and other hard baits, but there's a lot of rods out there that would fit the bill

 

 

[offsidewing]

I have the 68MXF in LTB and 2016 Elite.  I have the 70MF in a Avid X casting.  The 68MXF in the Elite Spinning is a fantastic plastics rod, if fishes better than the LTB..  I fish 1/4 oz tube jigs, 3,4, and 5 inch senkos, Ned Rig, hula grubs, and drop shot on it.  The Elite 68MXF rod is You will be very pleased with the Elite/Extreme blanks.  I've fished both and preferred the Elites.

As far as reels, I had a Stella 2500HGS which I sold to buy a 2016 Vanquish 2500HGS and 2016 Stradic Ci4+ 3000XGM.  The new JDM Stradic Ci4+ is a great reel after only spending a week with it.  Going to put it through the paces over the next few weeks.

[fishnkamp]

Are  you asking about another spinning rod? Are you comfortable with a baitcaster? If you were thinking about another spinning rod to compliment your St Croix consider an Irod Genesis II IRG713S Fred's Power Finesse Rod Heavy. This is a 7 foot Heavy action rod with a fast action tip.  it specs as 3/16 to 7/16 8-16 pound test.  This is a beautiful rod. My wife matched hers with a Shimano Symetre 3000 and 30 pound Power Pro braid.  This is a jig and frog rod for her.  I swear that combo is amazingly lite and well balanced. She chooses not to use a baitcaster, so I have to do some real homework when setting combos up for her for specific techniques.  I have no doubt that it would throw some small to mid size cranks or jerkbaits, spinner baits and more.

Next I would look at a pair of Dobyns rods.  The rod model is the same, but is available in multiple series. I have held rods in both of these series in my hand as recently as yesterday at my local tackle shop.  Some of them had just arrived.  Look at a Dobyns Sierra SA 705SF and a DC 705SF.  Both are 7 ft 5 power rods. That makes them 3/8 to 1 1/4 oz, 12 to 20 pound heavy fast action rods.  They also list for lures such as Carolina Rigs, Frogs, Jigs, Buzz Baits, walking top waters and larger spinnerbaits.  All of these rods are really nice, will feel good in your hand and balance well with a 3000 size reel or even a 4000 size reel on them.

If you were looking for a baitcaster than I would choose from a Dobyns DC704C, DC705C, SA704C, or SA705C. Any of these would be a great choice.  Since you like Shimano I would pair it with a Shimano Metanium.  That real is said to be extra smooth and only weighs 6 ounces. 

 

[CatchNoFish]

Yes, im looking for another rod specifically for hardbaits, 

A friend of mine lets me use his whenever we go fish, i tried for about 15-20 sessions, and about 3-8 hours each time, i can not get used to it, he has a curado. I understand you have more options with a baitcaster, but i really cant get used to it.