St. Croix LTB Still The Premiere Shaky Head Rod ?

[ChrisD46]

When it comes to the best shaky head rod , many who have the St. Croix Legend Tournament Spinning Rod 6'10" Medium XF indicate:  "it doesn't get any better" as far as a shaky head rod spinning rod is concerned . *With that said , do you still believe this to be the case - or have you found another shaky head spinning rod you believe is better in the same price range (or less) ? ... Thanks in advance for replies .

[Logan S]

Great rod, definitely up there.  IMO the Megabass XX Shakeyhead is a better rod...I sold my LTB's and replaced them with XX's.  I'd fish with an LTB any day though, one of the best...I just prefer MB after having used both.  

 

 

[Janderson45]

If the 6'10 MXF LTB is that good wouldn't the 6'10 MXF legend elite or legend X be even better?  When it comes to St Croix I fish either an avid (think it's the best bang for the buck in their line) or the Legend elite's (think it's the best rod in their line).  The only LTB rods I use are the bigger cranking sticks.  I do enjoy them for medium to deep cranking.

 

The other brand of rods that that I use is Dobyns, either the champion HP (extreme) or regular champion (xp) series.  The champion HP comes in a hair cheaper than st Croix legend elites, but is in the same class when it comes to sensitivity and build quality.  

 

I personally throw shaky shaky heads on a few different rods, one is the same 6'10 MXF rod that you mention, but a casting model in the legend elite series.  It's fantastic, probably top 3 favorite setups that I own. 

 

Im sure the LTB is fantastic as well, and I can highly recommend Dobyns Champion HP.  Can't go wrong with any of the above! 

[GReb]

I throw shaky heads on a 6’8 M LTB casting rod. No complaints here. It’s pretty close to perfect to me. 

[Bluebasser86]

I like mine but I've had it for years now and haven't tried anything else to compare it to. Shakyheads are almost not an option for us because of the zebra mussels anymore. 

[ChrisD46]

3 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I like mine but I've had it for years now and haven't tried anything else to compare it to. Shakyheads are almost not an option for us because of the zebra mussels anymore. 

*Sorry to hear the zebra muscle situation where you are - a shaky head would cause a lot of break offs for you then .

I appreciate the replies - I believe a veteran poster here once stated : "For a shaky head application - try to buy the best rod try you can afford (i.e. feel / finesse application) . The St. Croix , Megabass and Dobyns would all reflect best in class for a shaky head application , so I will look into these suppliers rod offerings for shaky head  in more detail (i.e. TW) .

[ChrisD46]

Upon further review - The Megabass action is rated as "moderate fast" - a little surprised as I believe a good shaky head rod should be XF ? ... I noticed the same with Dobyns and St. Croix as once you leave that approx. 6'8" spinning rod length they are rated as F and not XF ... Comments on the actions I have noted for these rods ?

[Matt_3479]

Another great one would be G. Loomis glx or nrx. Heck I’m sure the imx pro would probably be great too! And there in the 6’10 range and extra fast