Squali Posted March 9, 2017 Posted March 9, 2017 I have been getting great feedback on a all purpose Great Lakes smallmouth spinning rod . The opions have been leaning towards a 7' MF St Croix Avid model . I was wondering what the difference between the Avid and Avid X is . I know the X has a fighting butt and small guides . What exactly do the smaller guides do ? Does anyone have a hands on comparison between these two rods ? Quote
EvanT123 Posted March 9, 2017 Posted March 9, 2017 The smaller guides on the avid x will make the rod lighter and more responsive. Some may have had problems running braid with a leader threw them but this has not been my experience with micro guide spinning rods. Quote
Loomis13 Posted March 9, 2017 Posted March 9, 2017 To me the rods don't feel very similar when playing around with them in the store. I think the avid x is a much more refined rod, but others may think differently. I cannot say exactly why I think that, they just seem like completely different rods. Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 9, 2017 Super User Posted March 9, 2017 I've got the Avid X 7' ML spinner heading my way. Should be here in the next few days or so. Plan on it being my designated drop shot rod. I'll let you know how it goes. Of course, I'm still iced in pretty good up here so it'll be a few weeks or so. A-Jay Quote
junyer357 Posted March 9, 2017 Posted March 9, 2017 I prefer the avid. I dont buy the micro eye koolaid. More problems than they are worth to me. Had them on a duckett and liked the rod except for the eyes. Fished at guntersville on a freezing day and was having to dunk rod to thaw eyes every few casts was the last straw. Gave it to my dad when i got home. I found i missed eyes on occasion threading rod and dad has too as well. I was not able to run a leader either, so i ran straight flouro. I have 2 standard avids (7'mh-f for jigs and 6'8m-xf for worms) and could not be happier with them. Both have full cork grips, which i prefer. Lightweight and sensitive, with plenty of backbone. Plus the standard avid is still lifetime warranty, only 15yr for avid x. Quote
PatrickKnight Posted March 9, 2017 Posted March 9, 2017 To me the handle on the original Avid is the most comfortable I have ever used. That is reason enough for me to go that route, oh and I don't care for micro guides at all. Quote
Super User smalljaw67 Posted March 9, 2017 Super User Posted March 9, 2017 I got a 7'ML Avid X and I did so after fishing the regular Avid side by side with the Avid X in the exact same rod. The Avid is a solid rod and I never felt blown away, it was a good rod at the $200 price point, but the Avid X really got me. I could not believe how much more responsive the rod felt with just a different guide train and split grip, the difference was so stark that I had to get in touch with St. Croix to find out if they weren't using a different blank. They told me everything is the same but they did confirm that when they were testing prototypes for the new Avid series that the guide train along with the split grip did have the same consensus among their staff when testing it. I'd say that is micro guides are a deal breaker for guys that like to use braid with a leader, that would be the only con, as I said, I fished both rods in the same length, power, and action using the same line and lure side by side and there was a noticeable difference in the way the rod handled and the feel, they didn't feel like they were even close to being the same blank. 3 Quote
Squali Posted March 9, 2017 Author Posted March 9, 2017 1 hour ago, smalljaw67 said: I got a 7'ML Avid X and I did so after fishing the regular Avid side by side with the Avid X in the exact same rod. The Avid is a solid rod and I never felt blown away, it was a good rod at the $200 price point, but the Avid X really got me. I could not believe how much more responsive the rod felt with just a different guide train and split grip, the difference was so stark that I had to get in touch with St. Croix to find out if they weren't using a different blank. They told me everything is the same but they did confirm that when they were testing prototypes for the new Avid series that the guide train along with the split grip did have the same consensus among their staff when testing it. I'd say that is micro guides are a deal breaker for guys that like to use braid with a leader, that would be the only con, as I said, I fished both rods in the same length, power, and action using the same line and lure side by side and there was a noticeable difference in the way the rod handled and the feel, they didn't feel like they were even close to being the same blank. Wow ! Definitely gives me food for thought . Thanks for the info . Quote
Tim Kelly Posted March 9, 2017 Posted March 9, 2017 Micro guides make every blank feel better. The lack of weight of the traditional guides lets the blank perform better. The Avid X range is the only standard factory build St Croix I like. I have issues with the handles on the spinning rods on all their other lines. Building your own rod on St Croix blanks gives the best results, for me anyway. I might be a bit fussy! 1 Quote
offsidewing Posted March 9, 2017 Posted March 9, 2017 I own three Avid X rods. No issues with double uni knots on leaders passing through the microguides with 50lb braid. I platooned the Avid X rods against the E6X and I liked the Avid X for responsiveness and castability better. I don't get caught up on split grips too much. And to me the microguides on the Avid X seem to have some tangible benefits. The Avid and Avid X offer different features on a solid blank. I love my Avid Xs and don't feel I'm missing anything compared to an Avid. 2 Quote
Squali Posted March 9, 2017 Author Posted March 9, 2017 1 hour ago, junyer357 said: I prefer the avid. I dont buy the micro eye koolaid. More problems than they are worth to me. Had them on a duckett and liked the rod except for the eyes. Fished at guntersville on a freezing day and was having to dunk rod to thaw eyes every few casts was the last straw. Gave it to my dad when i got home. I found i missed eyes on occasion threading rod and dad has too as well. I was not able to run a leader either, so i ran straight flouro. I have 2 standard avids (7'mh-f for jigs and 6'8m-xf for worms) and could not be happier with them. Both have full cork grips, which i prefer. Lightweight and sensitive, with plenty of backbone. Plus the standard avid is still lifetime warranty, only 15yr for avid x. 1 hour ago, junyer357 said: I prefer the avid. I dont buy the micro eye koolaid. More problems than they are worth to me. Had them on a duckett and liked the rod except for the eyes. Fished at guntersville on a freezing day and was having to dunk rod to thaw eyes every few casts was the last straw. Gave it to my dad when i got home. I found i missed eyes on occasion threading rod and dad has too as well. I was not able to run a leader either, so i ran straight flouro. I have 2 standard avids (7'mh-f for jigs and 6'8m-xf for worms) and could not be happier with them. Both have full cork grips, which i prefer. Lightweight and sensitive, with plenty of backbone. Plus the standard avid is still lifetime warranty, only 15yr for avid x. 1 hour ago, junyer357 said: I prefer the avid. I dont buy the micro eye koolaid. More problems than they are worth to me. Had them on a duckett and liked the rod except for the eyes. Fished at guntersville on a freezing day and was having to dunk rod to thaw eyes every few casts was the last straw. Gave it to my dad when i got home. I found i missed eyes on occasion threading rod and dad has too as well. I was not able to run a leader either, so i ran straight flouro. I have 2 standard avids (7'mh-f for jigs and 6'8m-xf for worms) and could not be happier with them. Both have full cork grips, which i prefer. Lightweight and sensitive, with plenty of backbone. Plus the standard avid is still lifetime warranty, only 15yr for avid x. It's ok to drink the kola-aid .... just don't get drunk ... right. ? I can relate to what your saying . I do like the fighting butt though , but that's not a game changer for me . 99.9 % sure that I'm going with the standard Avid . If it aint broke don't fix it ! Still good to listen to opinions. Thanks! Quote
Turkey sandwich Posted March 9, 2017 Posted March 9, 2017 I have an Avid X ML XF drop shot rod and run braid to leader. So long as you tie good, compact knots (I use uni to uni) and replace your leaders every 1-2 trips (which you should be doing anyway) you should have very very few problems with the leader knot. I feel that both the Avid and Avid X are both great rods for around $200, but the Avid X feels like a much more expensive rod. The one valid criticism (I feel) above is about guides icing over. Microguides will freeze up faster than traditional guides and probably aren't the most ideal for super cold days. I also feel most guides on most rods - be it conventional, fly, or trolling - all tend to suck to varying degrees once it gets icy. Unless you fish primarily during those cold conditions, I wouldn't hesitate with the Avid X. Under normal conditions, they feel more like a $300 rod than a $200 rod. 1 Quote
Squali Posted March 16, 2017 Author Posted March 16, 2017 On March 9, 2017 at 0:47 AM, A-Jay said: I've got the Avid X 7' ML spinner heading my way. Should be here in the next few days or so. Plan on it being my designated drop shot rod. I'll let you know how it goes. Of course, I'm still iced in pretty good up here so it'll be a few weeks or so. A-Jay Got your Avid X yet ? Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 16, 2017 Super User Posted March 16, 2017 5 minutes ago, Squali said: Got your Avid X yet ? Yes ~ It's a very nice stick at the price point. Like the reel seat. Paired it with the new a new 3000 CI4+ - sweet. A-Jay Quote
Wild Idaho Posted March 19, 2017 Posted March 19, 2017 Never fished the avid but own an avid x. Absolutely love that rod. The sensitivity blew me away when I first started fishing it. Worth every penny. Quote
Hulkster Posted March 19, 2017 Posted March 19, 2017 one thing that I thought was a little sneaky of St. Croix was that the Avid regular has alconite guide rings and the Avid X only has aluminum oxide guide rings according to the catalog. people bash the loomis E6X for having aluminum oxide guide rings at that price point yet the avid X is the same price point with the same guide ring material. food for thought: The Regular Avid has a better guide ring material which may result in a bit better casting. 1 Quote
Wild Idaho Posted March 19, 2017 Posted March 19, 2017 Never had a problem or issue with casting the avid x compared to my other rod collection but maybe the regular avid does better. Fished the hell out of that x last year and loved it. Maybe I should pickup a regular avid and check it out,if it's better than the x I will for surely swap it. Quote
Steve85 Posted January 4, 2020 Posted January 4, 2020 Bought the avid x 6’4” m XF for jigging speckled trout in south La. Very sensitive and strong rod but one complaint... on my first trip with this rod, Caught one speckled trout and a 29” redfish and had the guide ring fall out of the tip. A new rod is on the way and hopefully this was just a one time occurrence. Quote
Super User dodgeguy Posted January 4, 2020 Super User Posted January 4, 2020 The avid x micro guides are not even alconite. They are substandard garbage at this price. I picked a Bps Johnny Morris Patriot with Fuji sic guides over it for this reason. Quote
Super User Scott F Posted January 4, 2020 Super User Posted January 4, 2020 1 hour ago, dodgeguy said: The avid x micro guides are not even alconite. They are substandard garbage at this price. I picked a Bps Johnny Morris Patriot with Fuji sic guides over it for this reason. Specifically, what makes them “substandard garbage”? Garbage to me means they won’t function at all and must be thrown out. Nothing about them has effected the performance of my Avid X. 1 Quote
Super User dodgeguy Posted January 4, 2020 Super User Posted January 4, 2020 They are aluminum oxide inserts. I'd expect that on a $100 dollar rod.if you fish braid this may very well be an issue.They are also Kigan guides. I prefer Fuji. Would you buy a $500 rod with the same guides? I just don't think a 200 + dollar rod should come with anything less than Fuji alconites.The Fenwick HMG has Fuji alconite for $99. Quote
Capt.Bob Posted January 5, 2020 Posted January 5, 2020 First off were only talking $200.00 rods, not $500! The Fenwick HMG in the same weight and length is not as well balanced with the lighter reels, much heavier, and not as sensitive as the Avid, the Avid-X I have no experience with, I just don't see buying any rod at any price with half a handle! I will say before someone calls me, I do own 2 Legend Extremes but they were less than 1/2 price and came with the same guides I use on my custom rods, Recoil Guides, lightest, most durable, and most sensitive guides available, but the 50 bucks to get the handles fixed made them a steel! My Avids all 7 of them have Fuji guides. I don't own any Avid X and never entertained them just because I want full one piece cork handles, the X version turns me off with the 2 piece handle. Quote
Super User dodgeguy Posted January 5, 2020 Super User Posted January 5, 2020 9 hours ago, Capt.Bob said: First off were only talking $200.00 rods, not $500! The Fenwick HMG in the same weight and length is not as well balanced with the lighter reels, much heavier, and not as sensitive as the Avid, the Avid-X I have no experience with, I just don't see buying any rod at any price with half a handle! I will say before someone calls me, I do own 2 Legend Extremes but they were less than 1/2 price and came with the same guides I use on my custom rods, Recoil Guides, lightest, most durable, and most sensitive guides available, but the 50 bucks to get the handles fixed made them a steel! My Avids all 7 of them have Fuji guides. I don't own any Avid X and never entertained them just because I want full one piece cork handles, the X version turns me off with the 2 piece handle. My point is for 1/2 the price it has Fuji Alconites. At the 200$ price point anything less is unacceptable IMHO. I had a rod with recoil. I really liked it a lot. Never had an issue with them. Some people claim they groove with braid. This did not happen to me.. Quote
Tim Kelly Posted January 5, 2020 Posted January 5, 2020 If you have $200 to build a rod for, would you rather it had more money spent on the blank or the guides? I bet it would be impossible to tell the difference between oxide linings and alconite ones in use and I expect they'd weigh a very similar amount. Quote
garroyo130 Posted January 5, 2020 Posted January 5, 2020 11 hours ago, Capt.Bob said: "First off were only talking $200.00 rods, not $500!" ... not if you look around https://www.sierra.com/st-croix-rods-avid-x-casting-rod-medium-heavy-7-1-piece~p~859ft/?filterString=s~casting-rod%2F Quote
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