New Senko specific spinning rod, St. Croix Avid X vs. Legend Tournament?

[TBAG]

I'm upgrading one of my spinning setups and this will be used only for weightless Senkos, both T-rigged and wacky. I've narrowed it down to a 68MXF St. Croix but having a tough time deciding between the Avid X and the Legend Tournament. For those that have handled and fished both which do you prefer? The LT is only $60 more and when it comes down to a rod I'll more than likely keep forever that's not a lot. 

 

I'm actually leaning towards the Avid X for a few reasons, one I own several Avid casting rods and they're great. Two, the color of the rod, I just can't warm up to the purple/blue hue on the LT. Third, I primarily fish from a yak and I like the 12" handle on the Avid X vs. the LT 13" handle.

 

Also, what reel balances well with these rods? I've got an extra Stradic Ci4+ I was planning on using but also looking at a Daiwa Tatula LT in a 2000 size. 

 

 

[kschultz76]

Jump from the SC3 to the SC4 blanks is not gigantic and the Avids are excellent. The Tackle Trap has a rep/demo sample Legend Elite 6’8” MXF on their website for $290. If you can swing it that’s a great option. 

[TBAG]

5 hours ago, kschultz76 said:

Jump from the SC3 to the SC4 blanks is not gigantic and the Avids are excellent. The Tackle Trap has a rep/demo sample Legend Elite 6’8” MXF on their website for $290. If you can swing it that’s a great option. 

Thanks for the advice and info on that Legend Elite, that's a great deal. I've recently grown more fond of a split grip over a full cork handle but that sure is tempting.....

 

How would you compare the LE vs. the Avid or LT?

[WRB]

Not a St Croix rod, I use MajorCraft NAS-WH 701MH for Senko's, finesse jigs,nail weight worms etc. with a Stratic 2000 spinning reel and the balance is good.

Handle length to center of reel seat is 10.25", overall handle to front of fore grip is 14.38" Split grip handle, 7' rod length. 

Tom

[kschultz76]

3 hours ago, TBAG said:

Thanks for the advice and info on that Legend Elite, that's a great deal. I've recently grown more fond of a split grip over a full cork handle but that sure is tempting.....

 

How would you compare the LE vs. the Avid or LT?

Legend Elite/X/Xtreme in my experience will all be crisper feel and more sensitive then Avid or LTB. Sensitivity is always subjective. I’ve owned them all and the Elite/Xtremes have had the best feel and action to me. 

 

Another option I’d recommend that’s light, crisp, sensitive, split grip and in your price range is the Kistler Helium 3. 

[MickD]

 IMHO balance is highly over-rated.  Especially on techniques where the rod is mostly held vertical or close.  I would go for the most sensitive blank, which is the Legend.

[Westcoast]

I use a nrx803s for senkos. One thing though if I could go back in time, I’d buy something with a minimum 7’ length or longer, just able to move a little more line on the set and a little more distance on the cast. 

[Scott F]

I have the Avid X and like everything about it except for the micro guides. If you are a braid w/leader fisherman, the leader knots, even well tied ones, will hang up. Or, if you fish in areas that have cottonwood trees, the small eyes have problems when that cotton builds up on your line. 

[Fishing_FF]

Two of the main rods I used today when I was out fishing were a pair of Avid Xs with Stradic Ci4+s on them. The 7'0" MF had about a 3' co-poly leader with braid main line for 5" wacky rigged Senkos, and the 7'0" MHF was straight braid for texas rigged 6" Senkos. All the fish except one I caught today came on these 2 rods. 

[Angry John]

When fishing stick worms I use copolly or flourocarbon and a 2000 series daiwa.  6 lb test seems to get the job done and I line watch as much as feel the fish even with the best rods.  The fall is critical imo and any line tension really hurts the action

[TBAG]

On 4/6/2019 at 8:36 PM, Fishing_FF said:

Two of the main rods I used today when I was out fishing were a pair of Avid Xs with Stradic Ci4+s on them. The 7'0" MF had about a 3' co-poly leader with braid main line for 5" wacky rigged Senkos, and the 7'0" MHF was straight braid for texas rigged 6" Senkos. All the fish except one I caught today came on these 2 rods. 

What size Stradics?

[JackKlassen]

I have the 68MXF LTB and I would definitely say go for it. Awesome senko rod, also great for skipping docks and even light jerkbaits. A buddy of mine has the Avid X version and IMO the Legend is worth the extra money.

[TBAG]

On 4/6/2019 at 9:59 PM, Angry John said:

When fishing stick worms I use copolly or flourocarbon and a 2000 series daiwa.  6 lb test seems to get the job done and I line watch as much as feel the fish even with the best rods.  The fall is critical imo and any line tension really hurts the action

Yeah, on my old setup I was throwing them with 6lb Yo-zuri Hybrid. I'll probably do the same on this new setup, just have to decide which size reel to use.

2 hours ago, JackKlassen said:

I have the 68MXF LTB and I would definitely say go for it. Awesome senko rod, also great for skipping docks and even light jerkbaits. A buddy of mine has the Avid X version and IMO the Legend is worth the extra money.

Thanks, I'll have to take this into consideration. Any specific reason you prefer the LTB over the Avid X?

[JackKlassen]

2 hours ago, TBAG said:

Yeah, on my old setup I was throwing them with 6lb Yo-zuri Hybrid. I'll probably do the same on this new setup, just have to decide which size reel to use.

Thanks, I'll have to take this into consideration. Any specific reason you prefer the LTB over the Avid X?

Like kschultz mentioned, the LTB just feels way crisper. Also, I tend to use a bit heavier line for my senkos when I'm skipping docks (15lb braid, 12 lb. fluoro) and the guides on the Avid X are really small which makes those knots tougher to get through. If you are going 10lb braid to 8 or 10lb fluoro then you're good for it on the Avid

[Fishing_FF]

11 hours ago, TBAG said:

What size Stradics?

Both are 2500 series.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Don’t be afraid to ditch the leaders either. As for st croix blanks, the step from sciii to scvi is noticeable sciv to scv less so. 

[TBAG]

9 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Don’t be afraid to ditch the leaders either. As for st croix blanks, the step from sciii to scvi is noticeable sciv to scv less so. 

Thanks, yeah I'm not a huge fan of leaders anyway. I'll more than likely be using braid or Yo-zuri Hybrid on this setup.

 

[Dwight Hottle]

On 4/5/2019 at 5:59 PM, kschultz76 said:

Legend Elite/X/Xtreme in my experience will all be crisper feel and more sensitive then Avid or LTB. Sensitivity is always subjective. I’ve owned them all and the Elite/Xtremes have had the best feel and action to me. 

 

Another option I’d recommend that’s light, crisp, sensitive, split grip and in your price range is the Kistler Helium 3. 

X2 Good advice. 

[offsidewing]

Own Avid X, LTB, and LE all in spinning.  I love the the 68MXF LTB for 4 and 5 inch Senkos, 1/4oz Tube Jigs, and beavers.  I'm in the minority of liking the reel seat of the current and previous model of LTB.

 

I've fished it side by side with the 68MXF Avid X and prefer the LTB.  All my casting rods are Avid X, really great value there.  

 

Now, the LE is in another world.  The 610MLXF is my favorite spinning rod ever and is perfect for Ned Rigs.  

[TBAG]

Well, I came across a deal on the Avid X I couldn't pass up so it's on its way. Thanks for all the suggestions and help fellas. Now I just need to decide on a reel....

[TBAG]

So I just wanted to update this thread, finally got to get out Sunday and got to use the new Avid X 68MXF for the first time. All the recommendations were spot-on. What a great Senko rod, lightweight but still stout enough to get them back to the yak and out of the weeds. I had it paired with a Stradic 2500 Ci4+ and it got the job done. Here are some pics, they were annihilating both a wacky and weightless texas rig Senko, which is all I'll be using this combo for.

 

Untitled by Caleb Bender, on Flickr

Untitled by Caleb Bender, on Flickr

 

 

[Further North]

On 4/11/2019 at 6:37 AM, TBAG said:

Well, I came across a deal on the Avid X I couldn't pass up so it's on its way. Thanks for all the suggestions and help fellas. Now I just need to decide on a reel....

You won't be disappointed.

 

Through a series of unfortunate misadventures, I wound up bumping up to a LXS610MLXF - the 6' 10" Legend Extreme ML.  As much as I like my Avid X M baitcaster...the Legend Extreme is a better rod, for me.