Best rod in St Croix's LTB series

[badgerboyng]

In every rod series, there are some models that are amazing, and there are others that fall flat. I've never fished a LTB, but I'm interested in buying one. Instead of asking which rod you guys recommend for a certain technique, I want to hear, in general, which rods in the LTB line are known to stand out in terms of functionality. What's your favorite rod in the series? If you could only have one, which one would you choose? Also, are there any rods in the series that are terrible? Anything to avoid? For example, I've heard that the 7'4 Slop-N-Frog is a broomstick that has a terribly stiff tip. I'm interested to hear from you guys. 

[5fishlimit]

3 minutes ago, badgerboyng said:

For example, I've heard that the 7'4 Slop-N-Frog is a broomstick that has a terribly stiff tip

IMHO this has been of my favorite in the LTB lineup. Your question is too subjective to have a clear answer. All you will get is a list of everyone's personal favorite. 

[badgerboyng]

3 minutes ago, 5fishlimit said:

IMHO this has been of my favorite in the LTB lineup. Your question is too subjective to have a clear answer. All you will get is a list of everyone's personal favorite. 

Good point. Maybe the question should be: What's your favorite rod in the LTB lineup and why? Are there any that you don't like? I'm interested in hearing what people like about them, not necessarily which one I should buy. 

[fishindad]

You live in Madison, WI? There must be a ton of St Croix rod dealers there. Just visit one and feel 'em for yourself. Or take a drive up to Park Falls and speak with the good folks at SC in person. It's gonna be a while before there's open water anyway...

[Angry John]

I like my older 7mhf with a full handle.  The current lineup does nothing for me due to handles and reel seats.  There are several blanKS that I am interested in but not the factory rod.  The 72mm cranking rod is one.

[SWVABass]

I own an ltb spinning rod, the plastic one. Don’t remember the specifics  on it right now, but I’ve thrown tubes, 4” trigged senkos, menace grubs, and a heavy dropshot when fishing near timber. I love it. Awesome sensitivity, plenty of backbone to deal with 4+ lb smallies. It is tip heavy though, and the uplocking reel seat wants to loosen when casting. All in all I wouldn’t get rid of it expecially since I got it for dirt cheap. Also this is not the newest version they just released last summer. Hope this helps.

[MIbassyaker]

I saw some version of this question posed a couple times around here last November, when St. Croix put the last-gen LTBs on sale in the website.. One that seemed to be mentioned a lot was a model I had also been looking at: the 6'10" ML-XF "drop shot/finesse" spinning rod. So I got one.

 

Wish I could tell you how well it fishes....but of course, that was only in november, and I live at about the same latitude as you...

[LxVE Bassin]

I only have one and that is the TBC71MHXF and I love. It’s recommend use is swim jigs but I use it for something totally different.

[bigfruits]

im a fan of the 6'8"mxf but ive only fished the avid and LE versions.

[tkunk]

I own the LTB slop-n-frog, and I think it's great for 0.75-1.25 oz spinnerbaits, swim jigs, and big (smallie) swimbaits. Casting distance is great, sensitivity is good, and hooksets are never a problem.

 

I normally fish the Great Lakes, so I have no notion of slop and/or frogs, though.

[Loomis13]

I like the 6'10" MLXF spinning or the 6'9" MHMF the best. They seem like they would fit the most situations for me.

[badgerboyng]

2 hours ago, LxVE Bassin said:

I only have one and that is the TBC71MHXF and I love. It’s recommend use is swim jigs but I use it for something totally different.

I've heard great things about that rod. I've been eyeing it up for a while. What do you use yours for?

[Bluebasser86]

I have several of them. My favorites are the 7' 1" MH/XF in the casting. It's a tie for spinning between the 6' 10" ML/XF, and the 6' 10" M/XF. I don't have any of the newest version though. 

[LxVE Bassin]

11 hours ago, badgerboyng said:

I've heard great things about that rod. I've been eyeing it up for a while. What do you use yours for?

U might laugh but i use it for senkos. 

[badgerboyng]

1 minute ago, LxVE Bassin said:

U might laugh but i use it for senkos. 

I've actually thought of how that would be a great rod for senkos before. I always thought the light tip would cast senkos really well, and the backbone would get a worm hook through without a problem! 

[Turkey sandwich]

The LTB series is a very popular series of rods, and if given long enough, you'll likely hear a ton of personal reasons why half this forum either loves them or dislikes them.  Again, many of those are going to be 100% personal taste.  

 

If I could make a suggestion, I'd reconsider your approach.  I think that instead of asking the question, "which is the best rod in the line up?", you're much, much better off asking, "What types of lures am I planning on presenting, and which rod(s) would serve that purpose best?" It's not uncommon to be overwhelmed or to not know where to start, but you're going to be much better off by changing your approach a bit and asking the right questions.

[LxVE Bassin]

7 hours ago, badgerboyng said:

I've actually thought of how that would be a great rod for senkos before. I always thought the light tip would cast senkos really well, and the backbone would get a worm hook through without a problem! 

It works great. The extra fast tip is second to none. I personally like medium heavy rods for senkos.