Backroad Angler Posted September 29, 2018 Posted September 29, 2018 Hey guys, I've been interested in getting another versatile bait casting set up. I have a reel I found and snatched it up, but I'm still having trouble with deciding on a rod. I like split grips and the 3 bait casting set ups I do have, are dobyns rods with miscellaneous reels. I came upon St Croix and saw the Avid X and it caught my eye. So my question for yall is, in particular I am deciding on whether or not I should buy the Avid X 6'8 M/XF rod. I found plenty reviews and posts on bassresource on that specific rod and they are 50/50, so I am at a lost on what I should do lol. The main thing that bothers me is I've never had a M/XF and do not know if it would be versatile enough for me. I've really only have had experience with MH/F, H/F and MH/MF rods. With this set up I plan on using Jigs, sub 3/8 oz, T-rigs, spinnerbaits, and chatterbaits. Also a silly question, but I saw a couple comments that people said M/XF rods are difficult on making accurate casts? Not sure if that is true or not? Any recommendations on other rods are appreciated as well, trying to stay in the 150-200 range. Now looking at the Dobyns CHampion line Thanks for yalls time! Quote
Mr Swim Jig Posted September 29, 2018 Posted September 29, 2018 I personally would steer away from a XF rod, especially for a couple of the techniques you want to use it for(spinner baits and chatter baits)... 2 Quote
Backroad Angler Posted September 29, 2018 Author Posted September 29, 2018 21 minutes ago, Mr Swim Jig said: I personally would steer away from a XF rod, especially for a couple of the techniques you want to use it for(spinner baits and chatter baits)... You know I was thinking the same, as it they would be better on a MH/F but I saw and read various people using not so much chatterbaits, but spinnerbaits on a XF rod. Thanks for the input! Quote
Super User fishwizzard Posted September 29, 2018 Super User Posted September 29, 2018 A M/XF isnt going to load super well with light stuff and in general will not cast anything as well as a slower rod will. If you could find someone local to you who had a XF rod to let you make a few casts that would be best. I am finding that for me, the lighter the rod the faster I want it and the more powerful the slower I want it. "Medium" is sort of where the line blurs for me but I would never pick a M/XF for much other then lighter bottom contact or for jerkbaits/poppers-walkers. Quote
Backroad Angler Posted September 29, 2018 Author Posted September 29, 2018 16 minutes ago, fishwizzard said: A M/XF isnt going to load super well with light stuff and in general will not cast anything as well as a slower rod will. If you could find someone local to you who had a XF rod to let you make a few casts that would be best. I am finding that for me, the lighter the rod the faster I want it and the more powerful the slower I want it. "Medium" is sort of where the line blurs for me but I would never pick a M/XF for much other then lighter bottom contact or for jerkbaits/poppers-walkers. Interesting, and yeah I'll ask around for sure, didn't think about that. I appreciate the advice! Quote
Dens228 Posted September 29, 2018 Posted September 29, 2018 I have two baitcasting rods, Avid X's. Both are MH/Fast and I use them for just about anything except my frogging. 1 Quote
Super User Boomstick Posted September 30, 2018 Super User Posted September 30, 2018 I would lean towards a MH/F or MH/MF rod for spinnerbaits or chatterbaits. You can fish 3/8oz spinnerbaits and chatterbaits on M/F, and M/XF should also work for the smaller spinnerbaits and chatterbaits as well as it's medium, but would not be my top choice. As far as the Avid X goes, I have a 6'9' ML/XF spinning rod I use for finesse, and it's a really nice rod so I don't think you will be disappointed with the Avid X. 1 Quote
LCG Posted September 30, 2018 Posted September 30, 2018 I have a St Croix mojo 6'8 m-xf spinning rod and a Avid x 6'6 Mh-f casting rod. The spinning rod is very versatile and works great for standard spinning rod techniques such as ned, neko, drop shot, wacky, light Texas rigs. The avid x is also very versatile for techniques I use a baitcasting rod for such as pitching heavier Texas rigged plastics, jigs, chatterbaits, and frogs. Both cast great in their lure rating and both are very accurate as well. I don't know if the baitcasting version would be as versatile as casting rods tend to be different, my guess is probably not. I would look at the avid x 6'8" Mh-f casting rod if you want versatility. 1 Quote
Backroad Angler Posted September 30, 2018 Author Posted September 30, 2018 2 hours ago, Boomstick said: I would lean towards a MH/F or MH/MF rod for spinnerbaits or chatterbaits. You can fish 3/8oz spinnerbaits and chatterbaits on M/F, and M/XF should also work for the smaller spinnerbaits and chatterbaits as well as it's medium, but would not be my top choice. As far as the Avid X goes, I have a 6'9' ML/XF spinning rod I use for finesse, and it's a really nice rod so I don't think you will be disappointed with the Avid X. Sounds good! Thank you for the advice! 1 hour ago, LCG said: I have a St Croix mojo 6'8 m-xf spinning rod and a Avid x 6'6 Mh-f casting rod. The spinning rod is very versatile and works great for standard spinning rod techniques such as ned, neko, drop shot, wacky, light Texas rigs. The avid x is also very versatile for techniques I use a baitcasting rod for such as pitching heavier Texas rigged plastics, jigs, chatterbaits, and frogs. Both cast great in their lure rating and both are very accurate as well. I don't know if the baitcasting version would be as versatile as casting rods tend to be different, my guess is probably not. I would look at the avid x 6'8" Mh-f casting rod if you want versatility. I was giving the MH-F a look as well but the lure ratings on it are 3/8-1oz and the only reason I didn't pull the trigger on that is because everythiing I would probably cast on it is gonna be below 3/8oz... Quote
LCG Posted September 30, 2018 Posted September 30, 2018 8 hours ago, JoshFromBolo said: was giving the MH-F a look as well but the lure ratings on it are 3/8-1oz and the only reason I didn't pull the trigger on that is because everythiing I would probably cast on it is gonna be below 3/8oz... Are you including the weight of the plastic on top of the weight of the lure itself? Reason I ask is that a 3/8oz chatterbait with a grub, Fluke, swim bait, etc is getting more into a total weight of 3/4-1oz. Same with Texas rigged creature baits such as havoc pit boss or zoom brush hog with a 1/4oz weight is also a total weight of about 3/4oz. Even a zoom trick worm with a 3/16oz weight puts you at a total weight of 3/8oz. Which I have done with the avid x, works for short pitches and moderate distance casting Quote
Super User Boomstick Posted September 30, 2018 Super User Posted September 30, 2018 9 hours ago, JoshFromBolo said: Sounds good! Thank you for the advice! I was giving the MH-F a look as well but the lure ratings on it are 3/8-1oz and the only reason I didn't pull the trigger on that is because everythiing I would probably cast on it is gonna be below 3/8oz... A 3/8oz chatterbait is always going to weigh quite a bit more once you add the trailer as LCG said. In the case of a 3/8oz spinnerbait, sometimes you can get away without using a trailer, but sometimes you need one. I rarely find myself using a spinnerbait below 3/8oz, and when I do it's because the bass aren't biting but I can get a lot of chain pickerel on a 1/4oz spinnerbait. 1 Quote
Super User fishwizzard Posted September 30, 2018 Super User Posted September 30, 2018 It’s not exact, but taking the listed weight for a jig and doubling it will usualy account for the hook, skirt, trailer, and weed-guard. 1 Quote
Matt_3479 Posted September 30, 2018 Posted September 30, 2018 I know it’s not the exact rods your looking at but I have an avid x medium fast spinning and a loomis glx 852c which is a medium xtrafast casting. I would much rather throw a chatterbait on my avid x over the loomis but I still wouldn’t want too throw a chatterbait on either. A medium xtrafast is awesome for weightless senko’s, flukes, finesse t-rigs, maybe real finesse jigs, dropshot, shakey head. It’s a finesse style rod for sure. I wouldn’t be tossing spinners and chatterbaits on it for sure 1 Quote
Backroad Angler Posted September 30, 2018 Author Posted September 30, 2018 3 hours ago, LCG said: Are you including the weight of the plastic on top of the weight of the lure itself? Reason I ask is that a 3/8oz chatterbait with a grub, Fluke, swim bait, etc is getting more into a total weight of 3/4-1oz. Same with Texas rigged creature baits such as havoc pit boss or zoom brush hog with a 1/4oz weight is also a total weight of about 3/4oz. Even a zoom trick worm with a 3/16oz weight puts you at a total weight of 3/8oz. Which I have done with the avid x, works for short pitches and moderate distance casting Yes I have, not on all but some jigs I would be using would be like either 1/16 or 3/16s with like a 2inch trailer not adding much weight. And I gotcha noted! One of the rods I've had in the back of my head is the Dobyns Champion and for 30 more dollars, I may go with that as I'm use to dobyns with having 3 of their furrys already. Quote
GReb Posted October 1, 2018 Posted October 1, 2018 I have a St. Croix 6’8 m xf and it’s great for shaky heads and jerk baits. It’s not the most versitile setup and I think you’d be better off with a Mh fast rod 1 Quote
Backroad Angler Posted October 1, 2018 Author Posted October 1, 2018 21 minutes ago, GReb said: I have a St. Croix 6’8 m xf and it’s great for shaky heads and jerk baits. It’s not the most versitile setup and I think you’d be better off with a Mh fast rod I appreciate that, thats what I was leaning towards! I've decided I'm going to stick with dobyns and probably get a champion XP. Thanks for all the help guys! Quote
TBAG Posted October 1, 2018 Posted October 1, 2018 Don't own any Avid X's but own several Avid casting rods, I use a 68 M/XF as my dedicated jerk bait rod. You can't go wrong with either brand, Dobyns and St. Croix are both awesome. 1 Quote
Backroad Angler Posted October 1, 2018 Author Posted October 1, 2018 55 minutes ago, TBAG said: Don't own any Avid X's but own several Avid casting rods, I use a 68 M/XF as my dedicated jerk bait rod. You can't go wrong with either brand, Dobyns and St. Croix are both awesome. Yeah I gave the Avid a look, but I'm honestly more of a fan of split grip rods. I decided on the dobyns, because It's more versatile and given this combo I'm purchasing is gonna be my most expensive set up. I'm not sure I want a dedicated set up that pricy just yet. I'm sure I'll revisit the Avid X in a couple of months ? 1 Quote
Super User FryDog62 Posted October 2, 2018 Super User Posted October 2, 2018 Avid X, like most St. Croix Rods is a quality stick, but I wouldn’t go heavier than a Medium. Most/all MH and Heavy St. Croix Rods aren’t well balanced to me, quite heavy rods overall, especially in the tip. A lot of other manufacturers (i.e. Daiwa, Shimano, Phenix, Dobyns) have rods in the same price range as an AvidX but much lighter and better balanced IMO. Quote
Backroad Angler Posted October 2, 2018 Author Posted October 2, 2018 10 hours ago, FryDog62 said: Avid X, like most St. Croix Rods is a quality stick, but I wouldn’t go heavier than a Medium. Most/all MH and Heavy St. Croix Rods aren’t well balanced to me, quite heavy rods overall, especially in the tip. A lot of other manufacturers (i.e. Daiwa, Shimano, Phenix, Dobyns) have rods in the same price range as an AvidX but much lighter and better balanced IMO. I remember reading a comment you made, I believe it may of been like 4-5 years ago! LOL you actually recommended the same Avid X I was inquiring about to another gentlemen I believe. And yeah, I've ordered the Dobyns Champion and will expect it soon, I think that was the better choice over the St Croix, but I'll be sure to try one, one day lol. Thanks for the input! Quote
Super User MIbassyaker Posted October 2, 2018 Super User Posted October 2, 2018 I have an avid x M/XF spinning rod, and it is perfect for wacky rigs and weightless plastics. The casting model M/XF I would use mainly for jerkbaits and topwaters. However, I do have a 6'6" M/F model in the premier line, and that one is really versatile -- it use it for all the things mentioned. Quote
Backroad Angler Posted October 2, 2018 Author Posted October 2, 2018 3 hours ago, MIbassyaker said: I have an avid x M/XF spinning rod, and it is perfect for wacky rigs and weightless plastics. The casting model M/XF I would use mainly for jerkbaits and topwaters. However, I do have a 6'6" M/F model in the premier line, and that one is really versatile -- it use it for all the things mentioned. I gotcha, thanks for your input! Quote
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