st. croix mojo spinning for finesse

[EWREX]

going to be throwing weightless plastics, tubes, shakey heads, etc. i know lot's of people say st. croix run heavier than adverstised. will be pairing with straight 8lb flouro or 15lb braid with an 8lb. flouro leader. is the 7'1 medium ideal, or should i go with the 6'10" medium light?

[J Francho]

The medium will be fine.

[Fishin' Fool]

You can go medium but I have the 7'1" medium and it feels a bit heavy to me. If you wanted to add drop shot in there to on that rod I'd go with the 6'10" ML.

And you can throw Ned rig in there too.

[Bluebasser86]

The 6' 8" Wacky Style Mojo is one of the most versatile spinning rods I've ever owned. I use it to fish all the baits you listed. The 7' 1" is way too stiff imo. 

[Brad Reid]

4 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

The 6' 8" Wacky Style Mojo is one of the most versatile spinning rods I've ever owned. I use it to fish all the baits you listed. The 7' 1" is way too stiff imo. 

This'd be a great rod. And, a second rod to consider from the St. Croix ML power category would be the third rod listed from the top, referred to as a drop shot/finesse rod. 

 

At some point, it really becomes a matter of personal preference selecting M versus ML. For soft, sweeping hook-sets, thinner wire hooks, lighter lines, finesse applications, I want a spinning rod that loads up well. The thing I want to avoid is a too stiff rod.

 

Let us know what you settle on!

 

Brad

 

 

[Spankey]

I primarily fish my soft plastics on SC’s. I think you would be fine with any of the three mentioned. I love the 6’10” ML. I've caught Some nice smallies and greens with it and I’m convinced that set-up will handle smallies from anywhere in the county just fine. I drop shot and split shot with that. The 6’8” Med. I fish weightless and weighted soft plastics on it. Sticks, flukes, craws. I would like to own the 7’1”, I’m sure I would put it to good use. Just balance the set up with the correct reel size or weight to give it the right feel. Sometime a rod will feel funny if no reel is on it. 

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

Limited experience with St. Croix. I had a Lew’s TP medium light that was great for small crankbaits, but I had trouble with hooksets on weightless worms and flukes. Got a St. Croix Bass Yak 7’ medium action and although I haven’t fished it yet, I have been trying it in the yard. I can say it meets all my needs for casting weightless worms, flukes, and light crankbaits. (Good retrieve through snow, too!!!) Appears to have the backbone I want. Yeah, this isn’t much of a testimonial but I really like the feel and the versatility of this rod.  Just thought I’d mention it. I should mention that I fish from a small kayak and don’t always get the leverage I want when I set the hook and, in general, find a longer (7’ - 7’6”) works for me.  Take this for what it’s worth.

[Subaqua Adinterim]

7 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

The 6' 8" Wacky Style Mojo is one of the most versatile spinning rods I've ever owned. 

X2  - This is my favorite rod for kayak fishing - use it for a variety of things, but mainly ned rigging.

 

Also - looking at the chart provided by Brad above; I'm wondering how the 2 piece can possibly weigh less than the 1 piece 6'8" model?

[Fishingmickey]

1 hour ago, RichPenNY said:

X2  - This is my favorite rod for kayak fishing - use it for a variety of things, but mainly ned rigging.

 

Also - looking at the chart provided by Brad above; I'm wondering how the 2 piece can possibly weigh less than the 1 piece 6'8" model?

I noticed that too. It has gotta be bassackwards.

FM

[EWREX]

15 hours ago, Fishin' Fool said:

You can go medium but I have the 7'1" medium and it feels a bit heavy to me. If you wanted to add drop shot in there to on that rod I'd go with the 6'10" ML.

And you can throw Ned rig in there too.

Thanks for the info! I already have a dedicated dropshot rod with my dobyns fury 7' ML. The reason I'm grabbing another rod dedicated for weightless soft plastics, wacky, shakey head, is to avoid re-tying, especially during tournaments.

 

9 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

The 6' 8" Wacky Style Mojo is one of the most versatile spinning rods I've ever owned. I use it to fish all the baits you listed. The 7' 1" is way too stiff imo. 

I'll look into the 6'8 wacky style rod especially since it has a XF tip. Thanks for the input!

5 hours ago, Brad Reid said:

This'd be a great rod. And, a second rod to consider from the St. Croix ML power category would be the third rod listed from the top, referred to as a drop shot/finesse rod. 

 

At some point, it really becomes a matter of personal preference selecting M versus ML. For soft, sweeping hook-sets, thinner wire hooks, lighter lines, finesse applications, I want a spinning rod that loads up well. The thing I want to avoid is a too stiff rod.

 

Let us know what you settle on!

Every brand differs, which is why I'm looking for some input on the St. Croix regarding how tip heavy/stuff their medium power rods are. I think I am leaning towards the wacky style rod with the x-fast action

[J Francho]

Saint Croix's MXF and MLXF tapers are truly special sticks.  I have several in both spinning and casting.  The medium power spinning will throw unweighted senkos perfectly.  If you're looking to throw super light stuff, below 1/4 oz., then the ML is for you.  A note on drop shot, particularly vertical or near vertical (short pitch casts) fishing, you can go much heavier.  I use the ML for up to 1/2 oz. DS weight, and the MXF for above 1/2 oz.  I wouldn't use those weights with a snap cast.

[EWREX]

4 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Saint Croix's MXF and MLXF tapers are truly special sticks.  I have several in both spinning and casting.  The medium power spinning will throw unweighted senkos perfectly.  If you're looking to throw super light stuff, below 1/4 oz., then the ML is for you.  A note on drop shot, particularly vertical or near vertical (short pitch casts) fishing, you can go much heavier.  I use the ML for up to 1/2 oz. DS weight, and the MXF for above 1/2 oz.  I wouldn't use those weights with a snap cast.

my main purpose for this rod is going to be senko's(weightless and light weighted), wacky rigs, shaky heads, tubes. i have a dedicated dropshot dobyns fury.

[J Francho]

You definitely want the medium.

[GReb]

I have the MLXF and MXF. Senkos definitely need the medium. 

[MIbassyaker]

I have a 6'8" M-XF st. croix spinning in the avid x line....I have a hard time even imagining what a better rod for senkos would be like. The mojo should be pretty similar.

[sdbc]

I just returned that exact rod in a medium that I was going to use for the exact same thing.  I liked the split grip, so I thought I would order one (nobody actually carries them around here).  It was tip heavy with both a Shimano Sahara 1000 and a Shimano Nasci 3000.  The foregrip is short, so one finger always rested on the rod.  It also has micro guides, which seemed to limit casting distance on a Cabella's Fish Eagle I have.  I have a St. Croix Premier in a 7'6" MLF and much prefer the handle and guides on that to the Mojo Bass.  Seemed like a good quality rod, very light and responsive (at least in the living room) so if those things don't bother you, I think you will be happy with it.