Avid vs AvidX

[Nate Stonefish]

Which St.Criox rod do you prefer?

[Jrob78]

I don't own either but I would take the X over the regular Avid.   The guides make all the difference in the world for me.  I also think St. Croix does split grips the right way.

[Bluebasser86]

I prefer split grips so I'd go with the X. 

[smalljaw67]

I'm lucky enough that I was able to fish both and I got an Avid X. I actually posted on this subject awhile ago, I even contacted St. Croix to find out if they are the same blank and they are. The reason is the rods perform differently, the Avid is a good solid rod but it didn't impress me at that price point but the X, that rod is more responsive with better feel, it is hard to believe the difference a split grip and micro guides made on that blank.

[trupp30]

I have both and I prefer the avid. The x is a nice rod, but I like my avid's more.

[WIGuide]

St. Croix usually has a traditional rod and a modern rod built on the same blank. Fishermen are a weird group and they develop these ideas on what a rod has to have to be a good rod for them and most of the time won't even look at anything else as they seem to think it's inferior. I'm sure I display those tendencies as well at least at times too. but St. Croix has tried to please both sides of the spectrum. Their modern builds they try to squeeze in as much of the new technology into the rod as they can and still meet their profit margin. What you end up with, in my opinion is two rods built on the same blank, but having different levels of performance as these more modern upgrades have helped make a better rod. For that reason, I buy the most modern version they make. Avids are great rods and many people love them and will keep buying them, but in my opinion the Avid X is the way to go if you're comparing the two. 

[Loomis13]

I agree with the others. While the avid was a good rod in the price range, to me the avid x offers so much more value. 

[Big-Bass]

I am up in the air too about and Avid X...the 68MXF or the 69MLXF with a Stradic Ci4+ on it for everything from ned rigs to tubes and grubs with up to 1/4oz. heads.  Any advice?  Smalljaw, you seem to be a pretty good judge regarding the St. Croix rods...any thoughts?  I am not too far from you in PA.

[fishballer06]

I prefer the full grips and reel seat on the Avid, so I would take the regular Avid. 

 

Both of these rods are the same blank, if you are thinking one is better than the other in that aspect.

[junyer357]

I will stick with regular avids. I do not like micro eyes. Cant use a leader and will also freeze up quick in cold weather. 

[fishnkamp]

Nate Stonefish my personal preference is a split grip[ rod and I really like the forward cork in front of the reel seat. For me it is more comfortable to lay my thumb there. It sorta feels like gripping a golf club where your thumb sits on top and directs the swing.  I am not a super big fan of small guides in fact if I could wave a magic wand I would take an Avid X rod and replace the guides with MicroWave guides for truly longer casting. 

Big Bass for your intended purpose lightly weighted  Ned rigs, tubes, grubs and even drop shotting the 69ML would be a better choice. If you go with more than 5/16 ounce weight plus a bait and hook then you probably fall more into the 68MXF. I have a friend that fishes a 68MXF a lot. He has it matched up with a super light Okuma RTX30 high speed reel. That thing feels terrific.  He has landed some huge Snakehead fish on it while fishing texas rigged Sencos down on the Potomac.  Right after the holidays that will be my next combo in my arsenal.

By the way where are you located up in PA. I used to live near Duncannon and fish both the rivers and a bunch of lakes up there.

[Oklahoma Mike]

I prefer the split grips and am a big time fan of microguides, so I am all in on the Avid X. 

[smalljaw67]

On ‎12‎/‎12‎/‎2016 at 10:42 AM, Big-Bass said:

I am up in the air too about and Avid X...the 68MXF or the 69MLXF with a Stradic Ci4+ on it for everything from ned rigs to tubes and grubs with up to 1/4oz. heads.  Any advice?  Smalljaw, you seem to be a pretty good judge regarding the St. Croix rods...any thoughts?  I am not too far from you in PA.

Big-Bass, the 6'9" MLXF is what you want, it is a little softer than the medium power and will give you the extra cushion needed for smaller baits that are often used with light wire hooks. I use the 7' ML-F as a dedicated hair jig rod for cold water fishing but it has also become my NED rig rod and works well with light wacky jigs.

[Big-Bass]

Should I opt for the 7' ML or stay with the 6' 9" MLXF?

[EvanT123]

1 hour ago, Big-Bass said:

Should I opt for the 7' ML or stay with the 6' 9" MLXF?

I have both and prefer the 7'ml. I have two of that model. One I built and an old factory one. The one I built usually has a fluke tied on and the factory one is a bank beating rod i use pointer 78's, gunfish 95, flukes senkos grubs tubes the ned and drop shot the soft plastics usually have a 1/8-1/4 jig with them. I also have a 6'6 mlf sc5 I will build up someday. 

The 69mlxf is a great rod that I use for drop shot poppers small grubs and small jerkbaits. 

Its hard to explain the mlf is listed as fast but definetly has a almost moderate bend. The mlxf is not not a broom stick bit definetly gets into the backbone faster as it  should. 

They are both great rods the best thing to do would be to try and handle both. I know that may not be possible so take my opinion with a grain of salt. We all have our preferences. 

[Spankey]

Don't know if you're buying the rod sight unseen or not but I try to get to a decent shop that has them all even if you have to drive a little out of your way and at least get a idea how the rod feels to you at the shop. Try to bring your reel with you also for balance that you are trying to achieve. At least at the shop you'll have a pretty good idea how the rod will perform. On the water will be some what different but at least you will be able to make a conscious decision. Maybe you are leaning one way now but after you pick a few up it will send you in the direction you really want to go. Just a thought. Some winter shows are coming soon and full line St. Croix dealers and SC mfg's will most likely be there. Have fun.  I have another SC rod in mind also but I want to hold out for show time to feel it and the 10-20% off. 

[Jagg]

Avid for me too. Avid X doesn't offer some of the rod specs I like.

[smalljaw67]

On ‎12‎/‎13‎/‎2016 at 6:33 PM, Big-Bass said:

Should I opt for the 7' ML or stay with the 6' 9" MLXF?

I'd say it depends on hook sizes you will be using. Both will work but if you are using any heavier type hooks of anything over a 2/0 I'd go with the 6'9" ML-XF, it has more backbone while the 7' has a little more flex further down making it great for smaller hooks and exposed hook baits.

[Nate Stonefish]

Thanks for all the input. I should have specified more this was for a spinning rod. I will be going with an Avid because they dont offer the 7'6" ML in Avid X.  Thanks again for the feedback. Tight Lines everyone

On 12/14/2016 at 6:56 AM, Spankey said:

 

 

[TxBuddha]

2 hours ago, Nate Stonefish said:

Thanks for all the input. I should have specified more this was for a spinning rod. I will be going with an Avid because they dont offer the 7'6" ML in Avid X.  Thanks again for the feedback. Tight Lines everyone

 

 Take a look at the Avid Inshore series if you're looking for a 7'6". I've got a couple of them I dearly love. A plus is the 7'6" is a MLXF and is rated for up to 1/2 oz on the top end making it a bit more powerful rod.