Drop Shot Rod? St Croix

[WRangler506]

I want to get a better rod for dropshots for smallmouth. I guess I narrowed it down to a couple St Croix rods I know of

Avid X 69 MLXF

Legend TOurnament 610 MLXF

Avid or Legend 7ft ML F

 

I wanted to ask the question here since this seems to be the right audience for this. I mostly fish Michigan lakes, rarely deeper than 30ft where im fishing, usually much less.

Thanks

 

[PatrickKnight]

That LTB was purpose built for drop shot.

[padon]

I own the Ltb dropshot rod and its excellent.also a great all around rod for lighter open hook baits like tubes grubs wacky rigs etc.

[Airman4754]

To me, their ML's are too soft at the tip to drop shot anything above an 1/8oz weight comfortably. 

[WRangler506]

57 minutes ago, padon said:

I own the Ltb dropshot rod and its excellent.also a great all around rod for lighter open hook baits like tubes grubs wacky rigs etc.

What is the heaviest weight that works well on that ML? Im assuming it only comes in a ML

[padon]

its rated a ml but like most st.croixs it fishes heavier than that.i would call it more of a light medium if that makes any sense. I usually don't fish anything over 1/4 oz on spinning gear but it works fine up to there and probably 3/8

[PatrickKnight]

When I drop shot over an 1/8 oz (very very rare) I go to a medium power 7 foot rod.

[MickD]

Personal preference- I like the most sensitive rod I can afford for drop shot , which leads me to the SCV rods.  I think the medium power is more appropriate based on better hook sets.  Fast or extra fast.  If you're sticking with light or med-light power, and missing fish, check your hooks-must be sticky sharp, especially for lighter powers.

[padon]

yeah depends on application etc. when I drop shot its usually with an open hook and not extremely deep 30 feet at most.if im gonna use a weedless lure I use the 6 10 shakey head ltb which has a stiffer butt.

[3dees]

I use a St. Croix Eyecon which is a walleye jigging rod. great rod and less expensive than the choices posted.

[Airman4754]

2 hours ago, MickD said:

Personal preference- I like the most sensitive rod I can afford for drop shot , which leads me to the SCV rods.  I think the medium power is more appropriate based on better hook sets.  Fast or extra fast.  If you're sticking with light or med-light power, and missing fish, check your hooks-must be sticky sharp, especially for lighter powers.

 

I have the ML/XF SCV and after about three casts I retired it from the drop shot arsenal. Fantastic Ned rig rod though.

 

I would recommend the SCV blank as well for the drop shot, but go with a medium power and you can throw finesse jigs and shaky heads on it too.

[WRangler506]

MAn Im surprised by the MED recommendations. I use fairly light weight rigs and the Croix ML feel more stout than other MLs to me.

Ive read several times now the 69 MLxf is a great rod, also great for dropshots.

The 610 LTB is said to be awesome, but many say its VERY stiff compared to the 69mlxf Avids.

 

I think Im more comfortable starting w a ML and if its too light sometimes Ill buy another.

 

Still considering :

LTB 68 ML F Bass Spinning

LTB 610 ML XF Drop Shot

Avid 69 ML XF

 

I wish I could buy them all....

[WI_Angler1989]

I absolutely love my 610mlxf LTB! It doesn't feel weak as many have stated and I frequently fish towards the top end of its lure ratings. 

Honestly, I don't dropshot much. It's on my list of things to learn next season. I mainly used my LTB for tubes and finesse jigs. It's an awesome finesse rod!

[padon]

Yeah I love that rod too it's my favorite of all my rods.I don't feel it's at all too light for dropshotting.I had the avid that your referring too and I did feel it was a touch too light but that could just be me.I also have the 68 ltb light that your looking at.in my opinion it a little light I love it for Ned rigs light grubs etc though.

[WRangler506]

4 hours ago, WI_Angler1989 said:

I absolutely love my 610mlxf LTB! It doesn't feel weak as many have stated and I frequently fish towards the top end of its lure ratings. 

Honestly, I don't dropshot much. It's on my list of things to learn next season. I mainly used my LTB for tubes and finesse jigs. It's an awesome finesse rod!

What size reel is that? Does it balance well?

Do you have any experience with other St Croix rods compared to this?

THanks

I may need to pick one up.

[WI_Angler1989]

The reel is a 2500 size Shimano Stradic FK. It does balance well. The rod itself is a little tip heavy, but I've never noticed it while fishing. 

I also have 2 Avids, a 6'6" M and a 7'MH. I like all my St Croix rods, but the LTB handle is super comfortable and I prefer it. 

I know you'd be happy with your purchase if you do end up getting a St Croix.

[WRangler506]

2 hours ago, padon said:

Yeah I love that rod too it's my favorite of all my rods.I don't feel it's at all too light for dropshotting.I had the avid that your referring too and I did feel it was a touch too light but that could just be me.I also have the 68 ltb light that your looking at.in my opinion it a little light I love it for Ned rigs light grubs etc though.

The 610 just doesn't get mentioned as much as the 69. Ive handled them but never at the same time, maybe I haven't handled the 610 in person, nobody has one here and its hard to buy without checking it out. Would you recommend the 610 and 69 over the 68 MLF?

The LTB68MLF felt great in the store a couple months back. For reference I know I love how the 66MLF feels but not so much the 7MLF. 68 seemed perfect in between.

Thanks for your thoughts on this, I wish there was a loaner program from St Croix....

2 minutes ago, WI_Angler1989 said:

The reel is a 2500 size Shimano Stradic FK. It does balance well. The rod itself is a little tip heavy, but I've never noticed it while fishing. 

I also have 2 Avids, a 6'6" M and a 7'MH. I like all my St Croix rods, but the LTB handle is super comfortable and I prefer it. 

I know you'd be happy with your purchase if you do end up getting a St Croix.

I already bought and used 2 LT6'3" rods. The MLXF and MXF for walleye jigging. That was only a few hours, and IMO jigging doesn't give you the full feel of the rod the mess around with. I also bought the 68MXF Avid X, but have yet to use it. Im looking for something to fill the ML slot in something longer. I just don't know which one...

When I do, my guess it will be my favorite, as I prefer ML's and the 63 are darn short. I only jig a few times, but I throw drop shots all summer. Not sure what I was thinking.

 

I think the St Croix Mediums are too heavy for my preference, or maybe I just fish heavy lures and heavy cover much.

 

I also like the LT handle feel.

[WI_Angler1989]

9 minutes ago, WRangler506 said:

The 610 just doesn't get mentioned as much as the 69. Ive handled them but never at the same time, maybe I haven't handled the 610 in person, nobody has one here and its hard to buy without checking it out. Would you recommend the 610 and 69 over the 68 MLF?

The LTB68MLF felt great in the store a couple months back. For reference I know I love how the 66MLF feels but not so much the 7MLF. 68 seemed perfect in between.

Thanks for your thoughts on this, I wish there was a loaner program from St Croix....

I already bought and used 2 LT6'3" rods. The MLXF and MXF for walleye jigging. That was only a few hours, and IMO jigging doesn't give you the full feel of the rod the mess around with. I also bought the 68MXF Avid X, but have yet to use it. Im looking for something to fill the ML slot in something longer. I just don't know which one...

When I do, my guess it will be my favorite, as I prefer ML's and the 63 are darn short. I only jig a few times, but I throw drop shots all summer. Not sure what I was thinking.

 

I think the St Croix Mediums are too heavy for my preference, or maybe I just fish heavy lures and heavy cover much.

 

I also like the LT handle feel.

 

I agree that jigging doesn't give a complete feel of the rods capabilities. Especially with such versatile rods like the LTB's. I prefer the 610 length. Anything shorter doesn't feel right to me anymore.

I actually had the 610mxf, the shakey head rod, and traded it in for the ML. I like the feel and handling of the ML a lot. The XF tip makes the ML power much more stout than people think it will.

My rod has tons of power and backbone, but can launch an 1/8 oz tube plenty far.

[sully420]

If you have a gander mountain near you that's closing they are selling all there st.croix rods for 20% off

[padon]

the 68 ml just kind of collapses a little too much for me when you put some pressure on it . all st croixs feel a little stiffer when you pick them up than when you put a reel and lure on them. the 610 mlxf feels a little stout off the rack but when you  rig it up it comes to life. to me its the most versatile of all the ltb spinning rods. unless your fishing heavy cover or texas rigs a lot the shakey head rod is probably a little stiff. I love mine for light texas rigs and its my favorite for weightless flukes and senkos I think you will be happy with the ltb 610 mlxf its a very versatile rod. great all around smallmouth rod.

[kroberts9]

just another option. i use a 7'2 light l, fast action Phenix M1 paired with a ci4+2500 it is perfect and has handled 3lb smallies with ease

[Fishin' Fool]

On 3/29/2017 at 2:10 PM, WRangler506 said:

I want to get a better rod for dropshots for smallmouth. I guess I narrowed it down to a couple St Croix rods I know of

Avid X 69 MLXF

Legend TOurnament 610 MLXF

Avid or Legend 7ft ML F

 

I wanted to ask the question here since this seems to be the right audience for this. I mostly fish Michigan lakes, rarely deeper than 30ft where im fishing, usually much less.

Thanks

 

 

Where are you from in Michigan? I'm a Michigan guy too. Mainly fish St Clair with some local inland lakes too. I like the G Loomis NRX 872s as my drop shot rod. Personally like a longer rod for those smallmouth making runs at the boat.

[WRangler506]

2 hours ago, padon said:

the 68 ml just kind of collapses a little too much for me when you put some pressure on it . all st croixs feel a little stiffer when you pick them up than when you put a reel and lure on them. the 610 mlxf feels a little stout off the rack but when you  rig it up it comes to life. to me its the most versatile of all the ltb spinning rods. unless your fishing heavy cover or texas rigs a lot the shakey head rod is probably a little stiff. I love mine for light texas rigs and its my favorite for weightless flukes and senkos I think you will be happy with the ltb 610 mlxf its a very versatile rod. great all around smallmouth rod.

Thanks for the detailed description. Maybe there is a chance I will like a few of these mediums once I start fishing with them then. Maybe they just feel too stout off the rack as you said.

I think Ill pick up the 610MLXF, and report back once I get to try it out.

57 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said:

 

Where are you from in Michigan? I'm a Michigan guy too. Mainly fish St Clair with some local inland lakes too. I like the G Loomis NRX 872s as my drop shot rod. Personally like a longer rod for those smallmouth making runs at the boat.

Im from Fenton. Never fished St Clair, but fish Trav Bay a bunch, since I take my family there during summer. My dad has a place there so we go a fair amount. Actually would like to dial in Lake Fenton more, as I take my kids there a bunch. Its only 10 mins from home.

I just checked that NRX out. Looks awesome and gets good reviews, no way I could swing that price though. The LTB 610 might be a close as I get to that but sounds promising.

[WRangler506]

I just saw TW has a sale on the 610 IMX drop shot rod. How does this compare to the LTB 610 drop shot rod?

They would be roughly the same price at 225, but Im not familiar w the Loomis power ratings....

[Fishin' Fool]

1 hour ago, WRangler506 said:

Thanks for the detailed description. Maybe there is a chance I will like a few of these mediums once I start fishing with them then. Maybe they just feel too stout off the rack as you said.

I think Ill pick up the 610MLXF, and report back once I get to try it out.

Im from Fenton. Never fished St Clair, but fish Trav Bay a bunch, since I take my family there during summer. My dad has a place there so we go a fair amount. Actually would like to dial in Lake Fenton more, as I take my kids there a bunch. Its only 10 mins from home.

I just checked that NRX out. Looks awesome and gets good reviews, no way I could swing that price though. The LTB 610 might be a close as I get to that but sounds promising.

 

Read the NRX post in rods and reels forum it mentions a place you can get demo rods cheaper. Last year TW had a sale and so did Monster Fishing Tackle and I picked up 2 new rods for $699 which isn't bad since MSRP is $550. We fished Lake Fenton 2 years ago for a tournament. It was a tough day for me though I caught a dozen short fish I didn't get one to measure.