Broke my Avid X

[stk44]

I snapped my avid x spinning rod yesterday. This is my first time working with St croix on a replacement. I am shipping back the broken rod using their discounted FedEx shipping, and included my note for Gold Star Service and a $85 check. The issue is that I need this rod by September 6th for a tournament on Lake Erie. What are the odds that I'll have my rod back in time?? If slim to none, could I do the upgrade program and have a better rod shipped out with a shorter lead time?

 

I've already asked this to St Croix, but in case they don't get back to me today or tomorrow, I'm trying to get as many opinions as possible just to be proactive. 

 

Thanks!

 

[J Francho]

My only experience with them was for a reel seat and rear cork replacement work, along with a new guide.  Total bill was $60, and I think it was about 2 week turnaround.

[stk44]

Just now, J Francho said:

My only experience with them was for a reel seat and rear cork replacement work, along with a new guide.  Total bill was $60, and I think it was about 2 week turnaround.

 

Dang. My other predicament is :

 

1.) Should I upgrade to a LTB drop shot rod if there is quicker turn around

2. Should I buy a MXF 6'10 LTB and use it for drop shotting in Erie (I had planned on buying this anyways, but wanted to wait until the current LTB's were discontinued for a better price.

[J Francho]

I would call them, or wait for the reply before pulling the trigger.  Do you have anything else to get by?

[stk44]

56 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I would call them, or wait for the reply before pulling the trigger.  Do you have anything else to get by?

I have a medium fast action spinning rod, but I wanted two spinning rods for Erie. And I really wanted my MLXF avid x for dropshotting Erie. 

 

My last option would be to get a new rod over the TW Labor Day sale and opt for 2-day shipping. 

[RichF]

They're quick, but not that quick.  I'd actually call them and ask if they have the model you're looking for in their factory store.  They have "B" class rods (blemished rods essentially) that they sell at quite a discount from what I hear.  I would imagine they'd start trying to move their old LTB's since the new ones are due out in November.  I'd imagine you'd have to pay expedited shipping so be ready for that.

[PatrickKnight]

Depending on how deep you are fishing on Erie I know a lot of guys that use medium power fast action rods vs the mlxf due to a more powerful butt section but a softer tip to help keep them pinned.

 

My last trip up there I used a Dobyns 703 and got by just fine.

[J Francho]

I don't think speed matters as much as people make it seem, but I will always prefer an x-fast taper for DS at 20+ feet.  I use four rods for this, two copies of each: AVS63MLXF and AVS63MXF.  I use a MLXF for 1/2 oz. weights, and the MXF for weights up to an ounce.  There's no risk of over loading the blank, since you're not casting the rig and fishing vertically, and as far as keeping the fish pinned, that's simple: USE SHARP HOOKS.   I don't honestly think mod-fast, x-fast, fast matter as much as having a certain amount of backbone and using a sharp hook.  Of course, different brands have slightly different takes on tapers.  Also, back in live bait days, we use long, eight foot plus buggy whip rods to deliver softshell crabs (freshly molted crawfish) on a split shot rig, so as not to whip the crab off on the gentle lob.  We had no issues with hookups then, or keeping the pinned.

 

Must I post my Erie fish?  Yes, I must.  Caught on AVC63MLXF, #4 or #6 hook, 1/2 oz. weight, 6# Invisx, part of at least a fifty fish day.  The only fish I lost were on the shorty jigging spoon in the morning.

 

1 hour ago, stk44 said:

I have a medium fast action spinning rod, but I wanted two spinning rods for Erie. And I really wanted my MLXF avid x for dropshotting Erie. 

 

My last option would be to get a new rod over the TW Labor Day sale and opt for 2-day shipping. 

 

I agree, it would be my preference, too- read above, though.

[S Hovanec]

I do a lot of dropshotting on Erie.  I reserve the MXF rods for tube duty.  All of my DS rods are MLXF.

 

@stk44, where are you located?  I have a custom LTB 6'9" MLXF I could lend you.....as long as you promise not to boat flip fish with it.

[stk44]

56 minutes ago, S Hovanec said:

I do a lot of dropshotting on Erie.  I reserve the MXF rods for tube duty.  All of my DS rods are MLXF.

 

@stk44, where are you located?  I have a custom LTB 6'9" MLXF I could lend you.....as long as you promise not to boat flip fish with it.

I'll shoot you a PM. Thank you for the kind gesture!

1 hour ago, PatrickKnight said:

Depending on how deep you are fishing on Erie I know a lot of guys that use medium power fast action rods vs the mlxf due to a more powerful butt section but a softer tip to help keep them pinned.

 

My last trip up there I used a Dobyns 703 and got by just fine.

 

I've never fished lake erie from a boat, so I'm not sure how deep I'll be fishing, or depending on the wind if I'll even be fishing on the main lake. I would guestimate 20-30 feet from what i've heard, and I'm not sure if early September is when the SM start to come back into the bays. 

[fishballer06]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

 

 

 

 

Well would you look at that? And here I thought Iaconelli was always a Toyota guy...

[S Hovanec]

13 minutes ago, stk44 said:

I'll shoot you a PM. Thank you for the kind gesture!

 

No problem.  It's one of my earlier works, so it's not all that pretty and a little heavy due to my component choices.  It has caught a lot of big smallies and even cats up to 15#.

Just remembered, I also have a 7'6" MLXF Avid.  You can use that one too.  You can never have enough DS rods.

[stk44]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

I don't think speed matters as much as people make it seem, but I will always prefer an x-fast taper for DS at 20+ feet.  I use four rods for this, two copies of each: AVS63MLXF and AVS63MXF.  I use a MLXF for 1/2 oz. weights, and the MXF for weights up to an ounce.  There's no risk of over loading the blank, since you're not casting the rig and fishing vertically, and as far as keeping the fish pinned, that's simple: USE SHARP HOOKS.   I don't honestly think mod-fast, x-fast, fast matter as much as having a certain amount of backbone and using a sharp hook.  Of course, different brands have slightly different takes on tapers.  Also, back in live bait days, we use long, eight foot plus buggy whip rods to deliver softshell crabs (freshly molted crawfish) on a split shot rig, so as not to whip the crab off on the gentle lob.  We had no issues with hookups then, or keeping the pinned.

 

Must I post my Erie fish?  Yes, I must.  Caught on AVC63MLXF, #4 or #6 hook, 1/2 oz. weight, 6# Invisx, part of at least a fifty fish day.  The only fish I lost were on the shorty jigging spoon in the morning.

 

 

I agree, it would be my preference, too- read above, though.

 

Wow, how much did that thing weigh? 

 

I'm not an expert at dropshotting by any means. My setup was going to be 10 lb braid with 8lb leader, 2/0 VMC spinshot hooks, and I have hand poured DS weights from 1/16 - 1/2 oz. Any additional recommendations? Am I still doing a reelset to hook the fish at 20+ feet?

7 minutes ago, S Hovanec said:

 

No problem.  It's one of my earlier works, so it's not all that pretty and a little heavy due to my component choices.  It has caught a lot of big smallies and even cats up to 15#.

Just remembered, I also have a 7'6" MLXF Avid.  You can use that one too.  You can never have enough DS rods.

 

DISCLAIMER: I am a co-angler, so I really hope that we go out on the main lake instead of PIB LOL. You never know with the weather though. This will be my first time fishing main lake erie, so I'm pretty pumped. I should've went last year but the trip fell through. 

[PatrickKnight]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

I don't think speed matters as much as people make it seem, but I will always prefer an x-fast taper for DS at 20+ feet.  I use four rods for this, two copies of each: AVS63MLXF and AVS63MXF.  I use a MLXF for 1/2 oz. weights, and the MXF for weights up to an ounce.  There's no risk of over loading the blank, since you're not casting the rig and fishing vertically, and as far as keeping the fish pinned, that's simple: USE SHARP HOOKS.   I don't honestly think mod-fast, x-fast, fast matter as much as having a certain amount of backbone and using a sharp hook.  Of course, different brands have slightly different takes on tapers.  Also, back in live bait days, we use long, eight foot plus buggy whip rods to deliver softshell crabs (freshly molted crawfish) on a split shot rig, so as not to whip the crab off on the gentle lob.  We had no issues with hookups then, or keeping the pinned.

 

Must I post my Erie fish?  Yes, I must.  Caught on AVC63MLXF, #4 or #6 hook, 1/2 oz. weight, 6# Invisx, part of at least a fifty fish day.  The only fish I lost were on the shorty jigging spoon in the morning.

 

 

I agree, it would be my preference, too- read above, though.

 

That is a remarkable fish sir!!

[J Francho]

First, I'm way better looking than Ike.

 

That fish is my personal best 5 lbs. 12 oz.

 

As for recommendations, I say straight fluoro - my preference. Scott who is always posting slob smallies on FB will probably say stick with your braid/leader set up.  So, use what feels right to you.  DS is actually simple.  It's about getting on fish, not any special technique.  For hooksetting, I pop them with a wrist flick set.  Twice, sometimes.  If your drag is set responsibly (meaning somewhat light, remember you're in open water), it will be no problem.  My buddy Noel whales on the the hookset, two or three times.  He caught a six lb. class fish the day I caught my PB.

 

Thanks for the compliments.  It's a spectacularly perfect big fish, though I've had a 6-4 come over the gunwale 20 years ago, caught by my girlfriend at the time.  That's the fish I want to beat.

 

[IndianaFinesse]

6 hours ago, J Francho said:

That fish is my personal best 5 lbs. 12 oz.

 

Thanks for the compliments.  It's a spectacularly perfect big fish, though I've had a 6-4 come over the gunwale 20 years ago, caught by my girlfriend at the time.  That's the fish I want to beat.

 

I bet she never let you forget about that one lol.

[J Francho]

10 hours ago, IndianaFinesse said:

I bet she never let you forget about that one lol.

 

It's been 20 years or so, and she's married now, with children.  We are still friends, and every once in a while the topic is raised...