Which st Croix??

[Janderson45]

I'm looking to upgrade my MHF/MHXF setup for next season, with current Black Friday deals im interested in the st croix avid, LTB and Legend elite.  Looking at 7' or 7'1 models.. I could be talked into other blanks if they fit the bill better, but I fish all St Croix currently.

What I don't know is what price points make sense making the extra leap for.. I fish a few avids and love them, I also fish a legend extreme for squarebills and love it... But sensitivity on a MHM cranking rod has got to be a lot different than a MHXF jig rod..  I also fish Mojos with no complaint, but can notice the uptick in sensitivity on my avids vs my Mojos.  

Heres my current lineup of St Croix's :

6'6 MHF mojo bass casting 

6'8 MXF avid spinning

6'10 MLXF mojo bass spinning

7' MF avid x casting

7' MF tidemaster spinning

7'2 MHM legend xtreme casting

7'4 HF mojo bass casting

I'm looking to replace the 6'6 MHF mojo and relegate it close combat spinnerbait duties or something similar..

As you can see from this line-up I'm missing one of "the most versatile and important bass rods" that being a 7' MH Fast or Extra Fast action rod... I want to use this rod primarily for jigs of all kinds, pitching soft plastic baits, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits.. Pretty much everything you'd use a MH stick for...

My thoughts and concerns:

Id be willing to spend more on a top end rod if it would be worth it in this particular model.. Lots of things that I've read said this rod in particular is one that you should not skimp on.. That said, I love my Avids, and if I'm upgrading hundreds of dollars to a legend elite series I want to notice the difference.  I've read that the torzite guides on the new Elites are almost "micro" guides, which concerns me.   I like my Avid X, but due to the small guides I prefer not to run braid to a fluorocarbon leader as it tends to catch in the micro guides.  This concerns me about a new MH stick, as often times I have my reels spooled with braid but like to fish with a leader to reduce visibility.  

The regular Avid series with non micro guides eliminates this issue, but I'm not sure if the upgrade in sensitivity and quality make the legend elite worth it.

to throw a wrench into the whole equation- I've never fished a LTB rod, and would consider these as well if they're an upgrade over similar blanks/tapers in the avid series and eliminate the issue of micro guides and leaders... 

Thanks for the help!

 

[Angry John]

The legend elite is brand new for this year.  I love the full handle am it now has a new guide train.  I own the previous model Le and it's my jig rod.  the TT review said the new rod was even better.  I vote for the le70mhf.

[Janderson45]

8 minutes ago, Angry John said:

The legend elite is brand new for this year.  I love the full handle am it now has a new guide train.  I own the previous model Le and it's my jig rod.  the TT review said the new rod was even better.  I vote for the le70mhf.

Definitely number 1 on my list.. What worries me most is guide size,  as I referenced in my earlier post.. I'd probably fish the rig with mostly 40-50lb braid, but if i want fluoro for an application I prefer to rig up a leader instead of swap out reels, I don't have enough reels/setups to simply swap out a reel with braid for one with proper gear ratios and mono/fluoro main line.  Maybe I'm over-stressing this concern though?? 

[Bluebasser86]

I own a 7' MH/F LTB (among several others), it's one of my favorite rods. I don't use it as a multipurpose rod though, it's almost strictly finesse jigs and T rigs, but I'm sure it would do most of what you listed if I asked it to. I really don't think you'll be disappointed if you go with an Avid instead though. 

[Fishin' Fool]

10 hours ago, Janderson45 said:

I'm looking to upgrade my MHF/MHXF setup for next season, with current Black Friday deals im interested in the st croix avid, LTB and Legend elite.  Looking at 7' or 7'1 models.. I could be talked into other blanks if they fit the bill better, but I fish all St Croix currently.

What I don't know is what price points make sense making the extra leap for.. I fish a few avids and love them, I also fish a legend extreme for squarebills and love it... But sensitivity on a MHM cranking rod has got to be a lot different than a MHXF jig rod..  I also fish Mojos with no complaint, but can notice the uptick in sensitivity on my avids vs my Mojos.  

Heres my current lineup of St Croix's :

6'6 MHF mojo bass casting 

6'8 MXF avid spinning

6'10 MLXF mojo bass spinning

7' MF avid x casting

7' MF tidemaster spinning

7'2 MHM legend xtreme casting

7'4 HF mojo bass casting

I'm looking to replace the 6'6 MHF mojo and relegate it close combat spinnerbait duties or something similar..

As you can see from this line-up I'm missing one of "the most versatile and important bass rods" that being a 7' MH Fast or Extra Fast action rod... I want to use this rod primarily for jigs of all kinds, pitching soft plastic baits, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits.. Pretty much everything you'd use a MH stick for...

My thoughts and concerns:

Id be willing to spend more on a top end rod if it would be worth it in this particular model.. Lots of things that I've read said this rod in particular is one that you should not skimp on.. That said, I love my Avids, and if I'm upgrading hundreds of dollars to a legend elite series I want to notice the difference.  I've read that the torzite guides on the new Elites are almost "micro" guides, which concerns me.   I like my Avid X, but due to the small guides I prefer not to run braid to a fluorocarbon leader as it tends to catch in the micro guides.  This concerns me about a new MH stick, as often times I have my reels spooled with braid but like to fish with a leader to reduce visibility.  

The regular Avid series with non micro guides eliminates this issue, but I'm not sure if the upgrade in sensitivity and quality make the legend elite worth it.

to throw a wrench into the whole equation- I've never fished a LTB rod, and would consider these as well if they're an upgrade over similar blanks/tapers in the avid series and eliminate the issue of micro guides and leaders... 

Thanks for the help!

 

Just curious what store did you find St Croix on a Black Friday discount?

[Big-Bass]

I found Legend Elites the other day on sale for $50 off so I grabbed an LEC70MF.  Dick's had them on that offer but it is gone now. I got a 16 with the Torzites.  I hope it's a nice rod and it should be here soon.  I also am interested in just a standard Avid in the 7' Medium model since I think with the slight hump in the handle it would match my Curado 70I wonderfully making it palm great and match the color scheme too.  

[Jon G]

I have the 2016 7' MH Legend Elite (it's the rod in my profile pic) There is nothing to worry about braid and a connection knot passing through the guides are bigger than you think. The new Legend Elite is my favorite rod I have ever owned in all the years I have been fishing (which includes more than just bass fishing) I've been wanting to make a review with the rod after I've used it for a full year (I bought it December so it's almost a year) I use it for everything it is honestly one the most versatile rods I've ever owned. I primarily use it for texas rigs and jigs but have used it for spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, keitechs, and a lot more. I think you will be beyond happy with that rod. If you have any questions I will be happy to help.

 

1 hour ago, Fishin' Fool said:

Just curious what store did you find St Croix on a Black Friday discount?

try adding a St Croix to your cart on TW right now. A lot of the stuff that they say is excluded from the discount isn't once you add it to your cart

[Dwight Hottle]

I just ordered the Legend Elite EC70MHF yesterday to use with mono/fluoro for jerkbaits. I have been eyeballing it for about 6 months now. 20% off at the big tackle warehouse store. 

[Fishin' Fool]

6 minutes ago, Jon G said:

I have the 2016 7' MH Legend Elite (it's the rod in my profile pic) There is nothing to worry about braid and a connection knot passing through the guides are bigger than you think. The new Legend Elite is my favorite rod I have ever owned in all the years I have been fishing (which includes more than just bass fishing) I've been wanting to make a review with the rod after I've used it for a full year (I bought it December so it's almost a year) I use it for everything it is honestly one the most versatile rods I've ever owned. I primarily use it for texas rigs and jigs but have used it for spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, keitechs, and a lot more. I think you will be beyond happy with that rod. If you have any questions I will be happy to help.

 

try adding a St Croix to your cart on TW right now. A lot of the stuff that they say is excluded from the discount isn't once you add it to your cart

Thanks for that. The ad said the were excluded but you're correct adding it to cart showed the discount. I don't understand!

[Dwight Hottle]

16 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said:

Thanks for that. The ad said the were excluded but you're correct adding it to cart showed the discount. I don't understand!

They can't advertise certain brands at a discount per the manufacturer's rules but they can sell them at the discount. 

[Fishin' Fool]

No G Loomis or Shimano discount though

[Jon G]

28 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said:

No G Loomis or Shimano discount though

I was pretty disappointed by that as well. When I saw the St. Croix rods were on sale and I immediately tried to see if a one of the new GLX rods would be 20% only to be let down lol. I think I'm going to add another Legend Elite to the arsenal by the time this sale is over though.

[Fishin' Fool]

5 minutes ago, Jon G said:

I was pretty disappointed by that as well. When I saw the St. Croix rods were on sale and I immediately tried to see if a one of the new GLX rods would be 20% only to be let down lol. I think I'm going to add another Legend Elite to the arsenal by the time this sale is over though.

Yah that's a great deal though. They are both excellent rods. I give a slight edge to G Loomis because they carry in between sizes. I've become a fan of the 7'3" to 7'5" size rods.

[Jon G]

3 hours ago, Fishin' Fool said:

Yah that's a great deal though. They are both excellent rods. I give a slight edge to G Loomis because they carry in between sizes. I've become a fan of the 7'3" to 7'5" size rods.

Yeah I was going to get an 893 for that reason. If they made the Legend Elite in a 7'3-7'4 MH I'd buy two on the spot

[ww2farmer]

When I used St Croix's I had Mojo's, Triumph's, Premiers, Avid's, Rage's, and Legend Tournament's

In hindsight. The SCIII rods were the best bang for the $$$. If I were to go back to St Croix's I would just buy SCIII blanked rods and not lose any sleep over it.

Now that the Mojo's are made with SCIII they look like a very attractive option to me again instead of going with what I am currently using, which are custom made rods on MHX blanks.

[bigfruits]

If you can afford it, get this:

http://tackletour.com/reviewstcroixlegendeliteec70mf.html

while i have never fished it i do have the spinning version (same blank?) and it is is a nicer build than my nrx, glx and older LE rods. 

very versatile. id use it for any moving bait in its weight range except deep diving cranks. then get the old mbr 783 for target casting spinnerbaits

[A-Jay]

17 hours ago, Janderson45 said:

Definitely number 1 on my list.. What worries me most is guide size,  as I referenced in my earlier post.. I'd probably fish the rig with mostly 40-50lb braid, but if i want fluoro for an application I prefer to rig up a leader instead of swap out reels, I don't have enough reels/setups to simply swap out a reel with braid for one with proper gear ratios and mono/fluoro main line.  Maybe I'm over-stressing this concern though?? 

Pick up a couple of extra spools ~ turns one rig onto many for a fraction of the cost.

A-Jay

[Janderson45]

On November 26, 2016 at 9:53 AM, Dwight Hottle said:

I just ordered the Legend Elite EC70MHF yesterday to use with mono/fluoro for jerkbaits. I have been eyeballing it for about 6 months now. 20% off at the big tackle warehouse store. 

You throw jerkbaits on a MH?? Is it just for larger jerks, or is this the rod you'll use for the majority of your jerkbaits fishing?  I never really thought about throwing jerks on a MH rod, but I figure if you're doing it, there must be a good reason!

[Dwight Hottle]

7 minutes ago, Janderson45 said:

You throw jerkbaits on a MH?? Is it just for larger jerks, or is this the rod you'll use for the majority of your jerkbaits fishing?  I never really thought about throwing jerks on a MH rod, but I figure if you're doing it, there must be a good reason!

My regular jerkbait rod is a St Croix legend extreme blank custom. Its a MHM rated up to 1 oz baits. I use it with 10lb braid & mono leader. The new legend elite is also rated up to 1 oz baits. I like to use mostly 5/8 to 1 oz jerk baits so I really need a MH rod. I do use a lot of 3/4 oz & 1 oz baits because they work well for me.