New St. Croix Legend Tournament Rods

[JackKlassen]

St. Croix previewed their new and redone Legend Tournament Series rods at iCAST this year and since then they seem to be sold out for the most part at TW. I loved the old LTBs and am planning on picking up one of these new ones but haven't been able to find any info about them other than what's on TW. Has anyone felt these rods yet? Read any reviews? 

[A-Jay]

I have not, but there's a a new Tournament Series TBC71MHXF heading my way direct from St Croix - 

ST Croix indicated to me that I can expect it here in Jan - 

I'll let you know. . . 

A-Jay

 

[JackKlassen]

23 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I have not, but there's a a new Tournament Series TBC71MHXF heading my way direct from St Croix - 

ST Croix indicated to me that I can expect it here in Jan - 

I'll let you know. . . 

A-Jay

 

Good stuff. Looking forward to hearing from you!

[cadman]

You can still get the old LTB's until they run out. They are 30% off. I have been getting e-mails from them daily that they still have some rods left. I ordered 4 of them, I got them and they are flawless like I expected. I don't know if they have the model you want, but call them up and you can get it for a good price from the factory. 

[FryDog62]

Anyone know the primary difference between the 2017 and 2018 LTB models?  

[A-Jay]

Just now, FryDog62 said:

Anyone know the primary difference between the 2017 and 2018 LTB models?  

I haven't held one (yet) but seems one change is the reel seat has gone form a Fuji SK2 split reel seat to a Fuji PTS blank-touch reel seats.  I like the old one and I'm hoping I like the new one too.

Old

 

New

A-Jay

[WIGuide]

If I remember correctly from talking to one of the workers at the customer appreciation day this past summer, they're reworking guide spacing on them as well as possibly a different style of guide. Regardless of what they do to it, being that it's a St. Croix, you know it's going to be a great stick.

[Klebs01]

I picked up a tbs610mlxf on Black Friday. Love the new reel seat. Not sure about the balance with the split grip vs the full grip on the avid it will replace. Too bad the boat is in storage. Can’t wait for the spring to use the rod. 

[punch]

I picked up 3 of the current (not new) Legend Tournament casting rods during a crazy sale at a local tackle shop. I've been using mojo's and avid X's for years and i'm excited to give the SC4 blanks a whirl. My only complaint after playing around with the new ones I got is.. BOY are they tip heavy. The balance on them seems pretty bad when compared to some other rods I have with the same length/action. 

 

I'm excited to use them, but my 7'3 MH zillion rod is way better balanced than this new 7'3 MH (swimjig version) legend tournament. 

 

Other than the heavy tips, these rods seem sweet. Too bad all the lakes around here are icing over now. Have to wait until spring. 

 

[FryDog62]

39 minutes ago, punch said:

I picked up 3 of the current (not new) Legend Tournament casting rods during a crazy sale at a local tackle shop. I've been using mojo's and avid X's for years and i'm excited to give the SC4 blanks a whirl. My only complaint after playing around with the new ones I got is.. BOY are they tip heavy. The balance on them seems pretty bad when compared to some other rods I have with the same length/action. 

 

I'm excited to use them, but my 7'3 MH zillion rod is way better balanced than this new 7'3 MH (swimjig version) legend tournament. 

 

Other than the heavy tips, these rods seem sweet. Too bad all the lakes around here are icing over now. Have to wait until spring. 

 

Punch, I think you’re right about the balance of the LTB’s.  I honestly think the AvidX is a much better balanced and sensitive rod (I’ve had a

couple models of each).  But the AvidX is drab and plain and I think the LTB is known for that classic “St. Croix Blue.”

 

Also agree with you on the Daiwa’s... those and Dobyns are hard to beat too IMO...  I buy a little bit of everything - enjoy comparing.  

[Stephen B]

I just posted a few new and improved St Croix Legend Tournaments in the flea market of Bass Resource that were just released. They are excellent rods and definitely an improvement. Check it out. Thanks guys!

[LxVE Bassin]

On 12/3/2017 at 11:07 PM, A-Jay said:

I have not, but there's a a new Tournament Series TBC71MHXF heading my way direct from St Croix - 

ST Croix indicated to me that I can expect it here in Jan - 

I'll let you know. . . 

A-Jay

 

I have had that model since October. I have fished it about 7 times so far. I like the rod a lot and can’t wait to use it again once it warms up.

[A-Jay]

3 hours ago, LxVE Bassin said:

I have had that model since October. I have fished it about 7 times so far. I like the rod a lot and can’t wait to use it again once it warms up.

Great to Hear.

Thanks

A-Jay

[billjaco]

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.

 

Are there any other uses for this rod besides those described on the St Croix web site?

 

Would the Avid MHXF have the same action and similar uses, if anyone has used that rod?

[billjaco]

The new rod has the Fuji CC (carbon control) guide platform which appear to be micro guides.

 

I like new the cork composite butt cap, as the finish on the butt caps of the two previous models did not slide freely over a shirt or jacket, acting somewhat like a brake. Butt caps on Avids use the composite material and tend to flow more freely over clothing.

[kschultz76]

 

On 12/14/2017 at 8:28 PM, billjaco said:

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.

 

Are there any other uses for this rod besides those described on the St Croix web site?

 

Would the Avid MHXF have the same action and similar uses, if anyone has used that rod?

Across different St Croix lines rods of the same spec should have very very similar tapers. However differences in the graphite materials used, grip placement, guide train/spacing can impact how a particular rod handles. So they’ll be pretty close but maybe not identical. 

 

There are likely many many other uses for that rod but I’ve  not handled it so can’t say myself. If you check the TackkeTour rod review archives from a couple years back they did a review of the Legend Xtreme version of that rod. 

[billjaco]

On 12/16/2017 at 11:12 AM, kschultz76 said:

 

Across different St Croix lines rods of the same spec should have very very similar tapers. However differences in the graphite materials used, grip placement, guide train/spacing can impact how a particular rod handles. So they’ll be pretty close but maybe not identical. 

 

There are likely many many other uses for that rod but I’ve  not handled it so can’t say myself. If you check the TackkeTour rod review archives from a couple years back they did a review of the Legend Xtreme version of that rod. 

Thanks for the information. The review of the Legend Extreme was very helpful, plus they also had one about the Avid MHXF.

[JackKlassen]

On 12/3/2017 at 8:07 PM, A-Jay said:

I have not, but there's a a new Tournament Series TBC71MHXF heading my way direct from St Croix - 

ST Croix indicated to me that I can expect it here in Jan - 

I'll let you know. . . 

A-Jay

 

did you ever end up getting it? would love to hear feedback

[A-Jay]

3 minutes ago, JackKlassen said:

did you ever end up getting it? would love to hear feedback

Yes - I'm iced in for a few more months so I have't fished it yet.

But I'll offer my 'in hand' impressions.

  While not exactly the same blank, when I compare the older TBC71MHF to this newer LBC71MHXF and then look at the advertised specs - the new stick is clearly XF.  Also the base of the bank (right at the handle) on the LBC has a slightly larger diameter than the TBC stick.  Not in a bad way - just when I compared the two.  The 'tip' appears 'lighter & softer' on the LCB but definitely XF in performance. (it's suppose to).

In hand the new stick feels 'right' for what I'd expect.  It casts & loads like I'd hoped and feels light & fairly balanced with the reel on it.  (Quantum EXO PT 100HPT)   The older version of this rod was deemed a 'Swimjig 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.'  

 Without having fished it yet that seems about right - especially when you consider how I just described it. 

That said, I like it and expect that after I get it bent over a few times - I'll like it even more.

Hope that helps.

A-Jay

[Patrickcatalano]

What would be the difference between this series and legend tournament bass?

[DaveT63]

15 hours ago, Patrickcatalano said:

What would be the difference between this series and legend tournament bass?

This series IS the Legend Tournament Bass.  It's just the latest redesign, or new version, of the series.

[Patrickcatalano]

Oh, don’t they have different action and power sets? 

[JackKlassen]

11 minutes ago, Patrickcatalano said:

Oh, don’t they have different action and power sets? 

They added a number of >8' rods for flipping and cranking and an >8' spinning but other than that I believe all the models in the last generation carried over.

[Further North]

On 12/4/2017 at 10:55 PM, FryDog62 said:

But the AvidX is drab and plain and I think the LTB is known for that classic “St. Croix Blue.”

Is that really a consideration when buying a fishing rod?

 

...particularly a high end, high performance rod?

[FryDog62]

8 minutes ago, Further North said:

Is that really a consideration when buying a fishing rod?

 

...particularly a high end, high performance rod?

Not to me, but I think some prefer the LTB because of looks even thought the AvidX might have passed it up in some respects (i.e. balance)