Uses for new St.Croix AvidX 7’-4” MH?

[FryDog62]

St. Croix came out with a new 7’-4” AvidX for 2018 in a Medium Heavy.  What do you think best uses would be for that rod?  

 

[Poolshark]

Judging from my other avids, I'd say frogs, buzztoads  smaller swimbaits like big EZs, larger worms, jigs, bigger spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. It would make a good pitching rod as well. 

[FryDog62]

24 minutes ago, Poolshark said:

Judging from my other avids, I'd say frogs, buzztoads  smaller swimbaits like big EZs, larger worms, jigs, bigger spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. It would make a good pitching rod as well. 

Pretty versatile in other words... how about a 3/4 oz Jointed Structure Head with Rage Bug dragged along the bottom/rocks for Smallmouth?

[Poolshark]

Can't vouch for that use. I Don't fish for smallmouth here in Florida. But, I will say my 7 footer handles 3/4 ounce Carolina rigs well and sets hook nicely in deeper water apps. 

 

[tonka_blue]

You could do a lot with that rod. Swim jig, chatterbait, Texas rig, Carolina rig, swim bait, buzz bait and big shakey heads. 

[FryDog62]

Keith Combs was dragging 1oz jigs on the bottom of Mille Lacs with I believe a Medium-Heavy Loomis only rated up to 3/4 oz lure weight... so I’m thinking this AvidX rated to 1-1/4 oz should work for that too.. ??  But then again each rod manufacturer varies in their ratings..

[RichF]

It would work for that since Croixs are a tad bit on the stiffer side.  I actually use the Avidx 7'4 H for the same baits up in NY for smallmouth.  I like the extra power since I'm usually fishing that technique in deeper water (like 15 to 25 ft).  I tried a few different medium heavy rods and just couldn't get solid enough hooksets.  I primarily use Dirty Jigs Pivot heads which have a gamy superline hook, that's probably why. 

[FryDog62]

17 minutes ago, RichF said:

It would work for that since Croixs are a tad bit on the stiffer side.  I actually use the Avidx 7'4 H for the same baits up in NY for smallmouth.  I like the extra power since I'm usually fishing that technique in deeper water (like 15 to 25 ft).  I tried a few different medium heavy rods and just couldn't get solid enough hooksets.  I primarily use Dirty Jigs Pivot heads which have a gamy superline hook, that's probably why. 

I thought about the 7-4 Heavy too... I think it would work well with 3/4 oz jigs in 20-24 fow at times.  The question is will the Heavy model also work well on the lighter end with 1/2 oz jigs in 8-12 fow too?

 

That’s what makes me wonder if the 7-4 MH might be able to do both.  Hard to tell from just reading specs!!

[Dtrombly]

14 hours ago, Poolshark said:

Judging from my other avids, I'd say frogs, buzztoads  smaller swimbaits like big EZs, larger worms, jigs, bigger spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. It would make a good pitching rod as well. 

That ^

[RichF]

3 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

I thought about the 7-4 Heavy too... I think it would work well with 3/4 oz jigs in 20-24 fow at times.  The question is will the Heavy model also work well on the lighter end with 1/2 oz jigs in 8-12 fow too?

 

That’s what makes me wonder if the 7-4 MH might be able to do both.  Hard to tell from just reading specs!!

Personally, I would use 1/2oz jigs in 8 - 12 fow with the heavy.  I prefer heavy rods while jig fishing though and rarely use any under 1/2 oz. I have no doubt the medium heavy would be just fine.

[FryDog62]

9 minutes ago, RichF said:

Personally, I would use 1/2oz jigs in 8 - 12 fow with the heavy.  I prefer heavy rods while jig fishing though and rarely use any under 1/2 oz. I have no doubt the medium heavy would be just fine.

What’s interesting is the lure weight rating for those 2 rods... seems backwards.  Minimum lure weight for the MH is 5/8 oz and for the Heavy it starts at 1/2 oz.  ??

[RichF]

Is one Ex-fast vs. Fast?  That could be why I guess.  I honestly pay zero attention to lure rating haha.  

[FryDog62]

59 minutes ago, RichF said:

Is one Ex-fast vs. Fast?  That could be why I guess.  I honestly pay zero attention to lure rating haha.  

I thought that too, but actually both are “Fast”

[Angry John]

Do you have that rod because i think they made a mistake and that rod does not exist.  I see it on TW but there is no blank for it to be built on.  I have the ac74h and its a beef stick but very nice.  If you can find the blank somewhere then that's how i was going to try and verify the rating.  There is no way that it starts at 5/8 as that is the top end on most of there mediums.  I have seen bad data from them before and i personally called and pushed for a correction on the le610mxf because it was totally wrong.  Call the factory and talk to an engineer for real facts, the sales guys are nice but only quote what is already a public fact sheet.

[Angry John]

Called TW and they verified that they do have them in stock and that the lure rating matched the site specks...  Next call the factory

Called and tried to talk to engineering and left a message.  Hope to be able to report back the "truth" soon.

[FryDog62]

1 hour ago, Angry John said:

Called TW and they verified that they do have them in stock and that the lure rating matched the site specks...  Next call the factory

Called and tried to talk to engineering and left a message.  Hope to be able to report back the "truth" soon.

Hey for such an “angry” guy that’s awfully nice for you to check around

 

You’re right, TW does show 5/8 as the minimum lure rating for the MH but 1/2 for the Heavy.  St. Croix’s web site is still the 2017 product lineup.  So a few weeks back, I Googled 2018 St. Croix Rods.  I have no idea if ISSUU is credible, but they do show the 70 Year Anniversary St. Croix catalogue (2018) and list the MH as a new model this year and the same specs TW has anyway:

https://issuu.com/st.croixrod/docs/scr_cat2018_issuu

[Angry John]

The reason I went to this length is they published bad specs before.  Makes no sense to make a rod less versatile than the heavy.  I love there product and its a good product, i just feel that giving the customer bad info does nothing to help spread good feelings for there stuff.  

[LxVE Bassin]

I saw the 7’4” medium heavy Avid X on tackle warehouse. However the 7’4” heavy casting rod which I happen to own is used for frogs and Carolina rigs. I would say it would work for the same things and I would throw jigs and horny roads in there. But the heavy has a lure rating of 3/8 to 1 1/2 and the medium heavy has a lure rating between 5/8 and 1 1/4. I would go with the heavy just for the wider lure rating.

[FryDog62]

10 minutes ago, LxVE Bassin said:

I saw the 7’4” medium heavy Avid X on tackle warehouse. IHowever there is a 7’4” heavy casting which I happen to own and I use it for frogs and Carolina rigs. I would say it would work for the same things and I would throw jigs and horny roads in there. But the heavy has a lure rating of 3/8 to 1 1/2 and the medium heavy has a lure rating between 5/8 and 1 1/4. I would go with the heavy just for the wider lure rating.

Yes, the life rating seems backwards which suggest to with the heavier rod.  Will be interesting if AngryJohn learns anything further from SC Engineering...