What power/action(s) for St.Croix Avid-X spinning setups

[Nattyboh74]

Looking at getting (2)  7' Avid-X spinning rods but unsure on which powers /actions to get? Plan on fishing on shores for bass, maybe a boat here and there. Running 15# braid on President 6930 reels. I know SC rods are stiffer than their competition, thus leading me to go a bit lighter as ML and M rods versus my original M and MH suggestion(s) in fast.

 

Any experience with this? I'll be using it for worms, jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, shallow divers,top water, senkos etc. Basically whatever falls within the weight limit of the rod, but mostly will be using senko and worms T-rigged/grubs.

 

 

[A-Jay]

I have the 7' ML - it's a very light action stick that I use for drop shot with 4 & 6 pound test.  I like it a lot. 

If I were going to use one of these rods for worms, jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, shallow divers,top water,  texas rigged / wacky rigged senkos, I'd get a M or a MH depending on the cover and / line I needed to use.

A-Jay 

[Nattyboh74]

So you think a M or MH could handle all those baits? Seems like a stretch from what I've gathered reading on here.

 

Appreciate the post

[lmbfisherman]

Are you going to fish heavy cover?  Also like stated in the other thread, just go by the lure range.  Just remember though the sweet spot normally for all manufacturers is usually middle, when you go lighter limits it will be in general hard to cast.  If it were me, I'd go with ML and the Medium, but if you're going to fish heavy cover, I'd get the MH instead of the Medium.  

[Nattyboh74]

What's the heavy cover? Like casting into weeds and such? I guess it will depend. I'd venture to say most likely not.

 

What would I fish with the M rod? The cranks and on the ML the worms?

[Bluebasser86]

I'd get one M/L and one M. That will cover everything I'd want to do with a spinning rod. 

[lmbfisherman]

9 hours ago, Nattyboh74 said:

What's the heavy cover? Like casting into weeds and such? I guess it will depend. I'd venture to say most likely not.

 

What would I fish with the M rod? The cranks and on the ML the worms?

You're over thinking it, I think this is part of your difficulty in making your final choice...along side that you want to make the "right" choice.  Lets keep this simple, the ML and Medium can do the same exact techniques with the exception that the Medium can handle bigger lures than the ML.  They both can crank, drop shot, jigs and worms, wacky rig...etc as long as you stay within the "lure range".  I think you should just approach it this way and figure out what you like best about both rods and fish how YOU want to fish them.  Especially since you are just getting back in the game, just get them and fish them.  Knowing how the Avids' fished you will not be disappointed in their performance.

[Nattyboh74]

It's that simple? Yeah you're right, I don't know what was confusing me. That was it though... Just for conversation sake, if I wanted to fish a 1/4" spinner on the ML, it would be fine? I thought it would be too soft...? Anyway, gotcha now. 

 

By getting a ML and M I'm just limited to bait/lure size , technique will still be the same just smaller lures

[lmbfisherman]

According to St. Croix the range is 1/8 - 3/8, so yes it will be fine.  You might see an issue when you reach the ceiling of the lure range.  If I was getting close to 3/8 oz I'd probably use the M powered rod. 

[Nattyboh74]

Thanks lmbfisherman.

[WIGuide]

For what you're looking for, I'd say probably go with a M/F and MH/F.

[SFL BassHunter]

I bought one of them during the ebay 20% sale. I got a MH Fast and I do all those things you mentioned.

I have tried a spinnerbait on it, and several worms. So far the MH is doing everything I need and want it to do. It casts very well and actually is not as stiff as my Fenwick Methods MH rod.

It's also very sensitive.

 

Because the Methods is stiffer though, I find the spinnerbait is a little less tiring on the Methods than on the Avid X. But that is just personal preference as well.

I still thing it is an acceptable rod for the spinnerbait.

 

BTW I throw 1/2oz spinnerbaits.

[MIbassyaker]

I recommend the 6'8" M-XF in the Avid X spinning line for senkos, flukes, and other weightless or lightly-weighted plastics. It is just perfect. It will also handle shakyheads, tubes, grubs, jerkbaits, poppers...even a 1/4oz buzzbait in a pinch.  This particular model of this particular line has a notoriously good reputation.

[Nattyboh74]

XF will aid in hookset? Is that that the action does, aid in tip bend thus better hookset? Or no?

[The Fisher]

2 hours ago, MIbassyaker said:

I recommend the 6'8" M-XF in the Avid X spinning line for senkos, flukes, and other weightless or lightly-weighted plastics. It is just perfect. It will also handle shakyheads, tubes, grubs, jerkbaits, poppers...even a 1/4oz buzzbait in a pinch.  This particular model of this particular line has a notoriously good reputation.

THIS ^^^

[MIbassyaker]

1 hour ago, Nattyboh74 said:

XF will aid in hookset? Is that that the action does, aid in tip bend thus better hookset? Or no?

 

XF bends closer to the tip than a fast action, so the backbone kicks in more quickly on the hookset. Good for texas rigs, shakyheads, jigs and such. Also, it means the rod recovers faster after loading when you move the bait, so some people like XF for jerk/twitch/pop presentations as well. Not ideal for trebled baits, though, but can be fine as long as the rod's not too powerful. 

 

 

[badgerboyng]

The 6' 8" M XF Avid X is definitely an amazing finesse rod, as others have mentioned. Great for wacky rigged senkos, perfect for poppers, works for small jerkbaits, skipping, etc. I would start with that one, which is a good middle ground. Use that for a while and then you will know if you want another rod that is lighter or heavier. Then either buy a ML fast or X-fast for things like drop shots, light tubes, etc - or get a MH fast for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, etc. 

[lmbfisherman]

I wouldn't get the Medium XF, if you are planning to use it as an all around.  Only get it if you are planning to specifically use it for those stated techniques.  Again I reiterate keep it simple.  XF rod is tailored for specific techniques.  

[Angry John]

I am guessing that your a spinning only guy and that you want to be able to do it all with two rods.  This sounds a lot like a lot of the kayak guys like me that dont want to haul the entire garage with us.  Some people do and were all different.  If it were me i would pick up the MLXF for dropshot, wacky shakey heads and a lot of the lighter stuff.  This will not make a great cranking rod but does do will with small spinners in my experience.  I also like it for small jerkbaits at or less than 1/4.  I used mine a lot for trout before i moved out of the north and it did great double duty for trout and bass.  I would choose the MHF as the second rod because you can run the larger worms and jigs you mentioned.  It will also work good for spinner baits and t-rigs.  The part where i am stuck is top water for two reasons.  I like a short rod for topwater and thats not what i like for jigs or worms.  The smallest version of the spro popping frog would work good if you ran braid in the 30 pound range.  The second reason is i fish all my topwater on a medium power fast rod.  There will be compromises no matter the choice but having the largest weight range in lure coverage on 7 ish foot rods i feel will do the most.

[offsidewing]

The 68MXF St Croix is one of the most versitile plastics rods out there.  Can't recommend it enough.

[Nattyboh74]

Appreciate it

 

 

This isn't the first time I've seen people say you have to run thick braid. Why wouldn't 15# braid work? Seems everyone says at least 30# with frogs... Wouldn't 15# work?

[Angry John]

Braid is strong but does not do well with impact.  The first time you swing for the moon with a decent fish on a frog it will be gone.  JMO

[RoLo]

 

 

37 minutes ago, Nattyboh74 said:

This isn't the first time I've seen people say you have to run thick braid. Why wouldn't 15# braid work? Seems everyone says at least 30# with frogs... Wouldn't 15# work?

 

Frogging and punching with spinning tackle is perfectly feasible, I've done it for years.

But when frogging or punching I use 50-lb braid whether I'm using spinning gear or casting gear,

it doesn't matter. Braid is extremely thin line, so 50-lb braid is certainly not 'thick',

but 15-lb braid is much too 'thin'.

 

Roger

[Nattyboh74]

But why, I'm having a hard time understanding. It's a 30# mono as we know. I was told to not go over 20# as cast ability will suffer. 

 

I mean there aren't any 30# bass around here lol

[RoLo]

4 minutes ago, Nattyboh74 said:

But why, I'm having a hard time understanding. It's a 30# mono as we know. I was told to not go over 20# as cast ability will suffer. I mean there aren't any 30# bass around here lol

 

 

Not sure what you mean by "30# mono".

 

In any case, frogging with 50-lb braid in heavy cover

will give you more casting distance than you'd ever need.

 

Roger