Avid X broke a guide, what to do?

[freelancer27]

Hi all,

I had put my Avid X onto craigslist, since I wanted to sell it in order to update my all around rod. Yesterday I wanted to fish it one last time. What can I say, it was one of those days... Lost 3 brand new lures (total loss 30 USD) and 2 other lures (another 15 USD). The icing on the cake was that I fully broke off two guides on my Rod, when I tried to un snag a lure (that I of course also lost..).

So, I am wondering what to do. 

This was my all - around stick for going out when I just wanted to bring one combo (i have it paired with a Antares DC). I wanted to upgrade because I did not like the tip (it was rated as fast, but it felt more like a medium fast to me) and the sensitivity was not to the level where I would like it to be. 
I used the rod for anything from Spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits to jigs. 

So therefor I started looking into other rods such as:
I am looking for a rod that is Medium heavy (can throw idally lures from 1/8 - 1 os), has a extra fast taper, no micro guides, longer handle, super sensitive, robust and has good warranty

* Megabass Destroyer USA Casting Rod 7'2" Daemos
* Kistler Z-Bone LEXF Casting Rod 7'3" Med Hvy

* St. Croix Legend Xtreme Casting Rod 7'1" Med Hvy X Fa ( which I would probably get through the upgrade program)
* G. Loomis GLX 843C MBR Mag Bass Casting Rod or G. Loomis GLX 844C MBR Mag Bass Casting Rod

* Orochi XX Casting Rod 7'2" Diablo Spec R
* Daiwa Steez SVF AGS Casting Rod 7'1" Heavy

* St. Croix Legend Elite Casting Rod 7'1" Med Hvy
* something else?

Would love to get your thoughts on the rod that I should get. Also what do you think should I do with the Avid X? What do you think the I would get for the Avid X (besides the guide it is in good condition)?


Thank you very much for your help again guys!

[A-Jay]

I recommend the St Croix Gold Star + Upgrade Plan.

I've used it and have been a satisfied customer.

http://stcroixrods.com/service-warranty/service-warranty-policies/

 

As for rod a recommendation - your interest in finding a stick that will fish both 1/8 & 1 oz well may be a little optimistic. 

 

Either way here's a couple of killer sticks that feature Fuji^® K-Series Concept Tangle Free guides with Alconite^® rings and polished frames. Ideal for super braid, mono and fluorocarbon lines, the sloped frame and ring “shed” tangles before they become a problem.

 

TBC71MHF / JIGS/BAITS: 
A super rod for searching open water with big spinnerbaits. It’s also ideal for jigs, worms and working heavy cover.

This Rod is rate as Fast.

TBC71MHXF / SWIM JIG FINESSE:
Excels with swim jigs and smaller jigs worked in heavy cover. Its unique design combines a very powerful butt section with a light and sensitive tip. This rod is rated X Fast.

 

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

[freelancer27]

Ok, I think I want to take advantage of the deal at another site . 

So, I want to choose between the following three rods:

* GLX 843C MBR 

* St. Croix Legend Xtreme Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy

* St. Croix Legend Xtreme Casting Rod 7'1" Med Hvy X Fa

I am not sure if the lure rating of 1/4-3/4oz or 3/8-1oz is favorable. 

Thoughts?

[Big Bait Fishing]

if you plan on spending that much on a rod , why don't you have a custom made ??

[freelancer27]

29 minutes ago, Big Bait Fishing said:

if you plan on spending that much on a rod , why don't you have a custom made ??

because i can get almost 40% off on it.

Just not sure on which one to get. Those first world choices keep one really up at night.. 

[sarcazmo]

You could just replace the guides.  Not hard to do.  Plenty of vids on youtube cover it.

[freelancer27]

1 hour ago, sarcazmo said:

You could just replace the guides.  Not hard to do.  Plenty of vids on youtube cover it.

Thanks. I was planning to sell the Avid X to upgrade anyways. Now, plans have changed a bit but the mission is still the same!

 

[smalljaw67]

What line and what techniques you plan on using the rod for? I ask because the description of the Avid X makes it sound as if your rod was a medium power. You said the tip section was more of a medium fast than a fast, and I'll bet the house you are confusing action with power, that happens to a lot of us. I ask about your line because if you get a medium heavy power rod with an extra fast action, it is going to really stiff just so you know, unless you get a rod that is technique specific which may have a softer tip section. So if you are using braid you may end up losing more fish than normal just because the stiffness of the rod with the no stretch line may have you pulling the bait out from the fish more often. I do not know about the megabass rods but here is what I do know, if you thought the tip section on your Avid was more of a medium fast action, you just eliminated the G.Loomis rods you picked out because the Loomis mag bass taper has more tip to it than a conventional fast action rod, they are loved because they are sensitive enough for jigs and worms but they have a little softer in the tip allowing you to use them for spinnerbaits and even some cranks, it really is a versatile taper but because of your Avid X you probably wouldn't want that. What that means is that it bends in the same place as a fast action rod but it is a little softer than what is normally found on a fast action rod. You hear a lot of anglers ask the question about how stiff a rod is, a drop shot specific rod rated extra fast will have a really soft tip while a jig and worm rod rated extra fast will have a stiff tip section. So if you want an all purpose rod that you throw moving baits as well as bottom contact baits, well the MBR is what I'd go with but you don't like that softer tip, so go with something more conventional and with more time on the water you'll learn where the forgiveness helps and where it doesn't and that will help make it easier for you to choose a rod further down the road.

[J Francho]

20 hours ago, freelancer27 said:

Also what do you think should I do with the Avid X? What do you think the I would get for the Avid X (besides the guide it is in good condition)?

 

I would take advantage of the Gold Star replacement or upgrade service  You will get nothing for the broken rod, otherwise.

[Senko lover]

I broke two guides on my favorite rod and a local tackle shop made it look good as new for $35.00.

[WIGuide]

You could get your Avid X's guides replaced and then sell, or use the upgrade program through St. Croix. Also, while you're looking at spending money, you should look into lure retrievers as well, as they're just about the only piece of fishing equipment that pays for itself. 

[freelancer27]

2 hours ago, smalljaw67 said:

What line and what techniques you plan on using the rod for? I ask because the description of the Avid X makes it sound as if your rod was a medium power. You said the tip section was more of a medium fast than a fast, and I'll bet the house you are confusing action with power, that happens to a lot of us. I ask about your line because if you get a medium heavy power rod with an extra fast action, it is going to really stiff just so you know, unless you get a rod that is technique specific which may have a softer tip section. So if you are using braid you may end up losing more fish than normal just because the stiffness of the rod with the no stretch line may have you pulling the bait out from the fish more often. I do not know about the megabass rods but here is what I do know, if you thought the tip section on your Avid was more of a medium fast action, you just eliminated the G.Loomis rods you picked out because the Loomis mag bass taper has more tip to it than a conventional fast action rod, they are loved because they are sensitive enough for jigs and worms but they have a little softer in the tip allowing you to use them for spinnerbaits and even some cranks, it really is a versatile taper but because of your Avid X you probably wouldn't want that. What that means is that it bends in the same place as a fast action rod but it is a little softer than what is normally found on a fast action rod. You hear a lot of anglers ask the question about how stiff a rod is, a drop shot specific rod rated extra fast will have a really soft tip while a jig and worm rod rated extra fast will have a stiff tip section. So if you want an all purpose rod that you throw moving baits as well as bottom contact baits, well the MBR is what I'd go with but you don't like that softer tip, so go with something more conventional and with more time on the water you'll learn where the forgiveness helps and where it doesn't and that will help make it easier for you to choose a rod further down the road.

Thanks for taking the time to write this!

 

 

To answer the questions you asked:

 

I want to use the rod together with a Antares reel. I would spool 12 pound fluor on it. Since it is my all around combo when I can just bring one combo with me (I am a bank fisherman for 99.99%) I am looking for a versatile rod. The main applications would be (in order):

 

1. Spinner baits

2. Lippe crank baits

3. small Keith swim baits 4.3 Oz with up to 3/4 quarter swim bait hook)

4. Jigs

 

In terms of the action: let's see if I get this right..

 

I would like the tip to be softer so that I have a bit more control at the cast and also feel a bit more for bottom contact lures paired with a good backbone to set a jig hook. The avid x in this regard was just OK since it's blank was loading more like a crank rod. 

 

Hope I explained myself correctly. 

.thanks again for all your time!

 

 

 

[badgerboyng]

5 hours ago, smalljaw67 said:

What line and what techniques you plan on using the rod for? I ask because the description of the Avid X makes it sound as if your rod was a medium power. You said the tip section was more of a medium fast than a fast, and I'll bet the house you are confusing action with power, that happens to a lot of us. I ask about your line because if you get a medium heavy power rod with an extra fast action, it is going to really stiff just so you know, unless you get a rod that is technique specific which may have a softer tip section. 

Does anyone here have experience with the 7'1 MH X-Fast St Croix rod (swim jig finesse) that has been mentioned in this thread? I have never felt one, but it seems like it would be really stiff, since it's a St Croix MH with an x-fast tip... However, as @A-Jay mentioned, St Croix describes it as having a very "light and sensitive tip"... Does this mean it has a relatively soft tip that allows it to cast lighter baits far and has more flex on the retrieve? Keep in mind he'll be using fluorocarbon, which has some stretch to it. 

 

I ask because this is one of the OP's top choices, and it seems like the decision is going to come down to the tip. I've always been confused about what the tip is like on this particular rod, since I haven't ever seen one in person. 

[TX-Deluxe]

17 hours ago, freelancer27 said:

because i can get almost 40% off on it.

Just not sure on which one to get. Those first world choices keep one really up at night.. 

Mind telling us where this 40% off is or how you get it?

[freelancer27]

42 minutes ago, TX-Deluxe said:

Mind telling us where this 40% off is or how you get it?

WEll, turns out that it does not work... I thought I could combine a code on a gift card to use again for the main order...