St. Croix rod help

[Wmyers74]

Good evening, I recently got back into fishing last year. I have a few questions regarding the correct rods to use for bass.
Why are most recommended bass rod 6’8” to 7”4”?

The lakes I fish in NY and going to be in PA have bass usually in the 2-5 lb range. I purchased a 7’1 St. Croix Bass Mojo med-heavy fast action, based off a recommendation from the guy at the tackle shop. Wouldn’t  this rod be too heavy for that size bass? I am used to fishing an 6’6 ugly stick. Thanks

[Scott F]

  The rating on the rod has little to do with the weight of the fish, but more to do with the weight of the lure. 

[MN Fisher]

It's not the fish you worry about with the rod power - it's where you're fishing and the lure you're using

 

Our state record LMB is under 9#, but I use a MH/F rod when fishing spinner/chatter/buzzbaits as well as jigs and T-Rigs that I'm tossing into weeds. The power allows me to haul the fish out of the weeds without worrying too much about breaking the rod.

 

If I'm pitching/flipping into heavy cover, I use a Heavy/Fast rod. Again, the weed growth dictates the rod power.

[Wmyers74]

Scott, I understand, if I Am throwing a 3-1/2” jitterbug at night or a 1/4 oz rooster tail in the day time. Isn’t this too much rod for those lures. 

Mn Fisher. Thanks for the input. I have never used a Mojo before, but can’t wait to break it in. 

[MIbassyaker]

Spinning or casting?  Your Mojo will have a lure weight range printed on it somewhere, probably above the handle. I'll bet the low end of the range says 3/8oz.  If so, then  a 1/4oz roostertail is probably too light to to cast effectively.  But the jitterbug is probably heavy enough.

[Wmyers74]

Spinning, yes it does 3/8-3/4 oz. 

[MIbassyaker]

On 1/27/2020 at 9:22 PM, Wmyers74 said:

Why are most recommended bass rod 6’8” to 7”4”?

 

 

Because that's the direction the industry has gone. I have rods from 5'6" to 7'5", and most are under 7'.  I cast farther with the longer rods, and more accurately with the shorter ones. Accuracy over distance is usually more my style.

[Vilas15]

Return the MH and get the 6'10" ML/XF or 6'8" M/XF or 7'1"M/F Mojo. A M or ML would work much better depending on what other baits you use and how much they weigh. If you want a bit more flexibility in length look at the Premier or Avid spinning rods which offer 6', 6'3", 6'6", etc. 

[Wmyers74]

Vilas15,

Thanks for the advice. I have been doing more research and I think I am going to get a 6’6 MF in the premier series. I am going to keep the MHF7’1’ as well. We can never have enough rods lol. 

[Boomstick]

On 1/27/2020 at 9:22 PM, Wmyers74 said:

Good evening, I recently got back into fishing last year. I have a few questions regarding the correct rods to use for bass.
Why are most recommended bass rod 6’8” to 7”4”?

The lakes I fish in NY and going to be in PA have bass usually in the 2-5 lb range. I purchased a 7’1 St. Croix Bass Mojo med-heavy fast action, based off a recommendation from the guy at the tackle shop. Wouldn’t  this rod be too heavy for that size bass? I am used to fishing an 6’6 ugly stick. Thanks

The rod is really for the lure you are throwing as well as the amount of weeds that you may bring up. That particular rod is used for a wide variety of lures like weighted soft plastics, lighter jigs, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, paddle trail swim baits and other single hooked lures where you need a big hookset and is one you will use a lot, so you didn't waste your money by any means. Also, while it's not for the real thick weeds, a MH rod still has enough power to pull the fish up along with a smaller amount of weeds when the need arises.

[Wmyers74]

Thank you for your input, I am thinking I am going to keep this and get a St. Croix Premier rod to accommodate the lighter lures I throw. 

[Spankey]

12 hours ago, Wmyers74 said:

Vilas15,

Thanks for the advice. I have been doing more research and I think I am going to get a 6’6 MF in the premier series. I am going to keep the MHF7’1’ as well. We can never have enough rods lol. 

 

I think you will be surprised and satisfied with the Premiere Series of St. Croix Rods. I see you mentioned fishing an Ugly Stik. There is nothing wrong with an Ugly Stik. You will see night and day difference between the two. I can see your point on keeping the Mojo. But one who fishes both I prefer the Premiere Series Casting Rods.  

[Wmyers74]

37 minutes ago, Spankey said:

 

I think you will be surprised and satisfied with the Premiere Series of St. Croix Rods. I see you mentioned fishing an Ugly Stik. There is nothing wrong with an Ugly Stik. You will see night and day difference between the two. I can see your point on keeping the Mojo. But one who fishes both I prefer the Premiere Series Casting Rods.  

 Thank you for your input, I am thinking I am going to keep this and get a St. Croix Premier rod to accommodate the lighter lures I throw. 

Spankey, I do have a question is it just preference of a person between Premier or Bass Mojo?

Spankey, I do have a question is it just preference of a person between Premier or Bass Mojo?

 

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[MIbassyaker]

The mojo bass line is newer with a more sensitive, lighter graphite than the Premier (whether you would notice the difference, though, is another question). The mojo bass rods are also each designed specifically for particular bass applications, whereas the Premiers tend to be more general purpose.  I have one model each from the two lines, they are both excellent.

[Loomis13]

2 hours ago, MIbassyaker said:

The mojo bass line is newer with a more sensitive, lighter graphite than the Premier (whether you would notice the difference, though, is another question). The mojo bass rods are also each designed specifically for particular bass applications, whereas the Premiers tend to be more general purpose.  I have one model each from the two lines, they are both excellent.

This guy is correct. The mojo bass will be a lot more sensitive than the Premier. It has a higher grade of graphite in it. IMO the graphite in the premier, bass x and triumph is pretty bad when you can grab a mojo for $130 and call it a day. They should make a 6'8" medium in the spinning rod. This would be a very good do it all rod under 7'.

[islandbass]

19 hours ago, Wmyers74 said:

Vilas15,

Thanks for the advice. I have been doing more research and I think I am going to get a 6’6 MF in the premier series. I am going to keep the MHF7’1’ as well. We can never have enough rods lol. 

Spoken like one who has a strong baitmonkey! ?

[Wmyers74]

Thanks for the reply, I guess I need to get a few different rods and see what works for me, as I said I was used to using the Ugly Stick that had a very flexible tip. When I got the Bass Mojo, (I realize their is no comparison to the SC rods). I think how light and firm it felt kinda scared me that I wouldn’t feel the fish bite. From all the replies it sounds like it is perfect for some of the heavier lures i throw. I will pick up a lighter rod to accommodate my small lures. Since I live in Philly, I am climbing the walls for spring to get here. 

[Spankey]

13 hours ago, Wmyers74 said:

 Thank you for your input, I am thinking I am going to keep this and get a St. Croix Premier rod to accommodate the lighter lures I throw. 

Spankey, I do have a question is it just preference of a person between Premier or Bass Mojo?

Spankey, I do have a question is it just preference of a person between Premier or Bass Mojo?

 

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Most guys will say the Mojo blank is better. Might be SC III now. But back some years ago I got a taste of fishing with Premiere Series Rods with some boys that were trues Susky guys.

 

I was hooked and have been since that time. I fish a few Avid Spinning Rods also. I just picked up the ML XF 6’3”. 
 

A rod is of personal feel, personal preference, the reel you are going to match it with is important. What feels great to me may not to you. I have a Mojo dropshot setup, oh I like but I FEEL the Premiere and Avids feel better in MY hands. 
 

I can only suggest you go and feel as many as you can during the winter and get a feel. I by no means am looking to sell you on anything. I have no stocks in St. Croix. 
 

I could be wrong on this also but don’t think so. I was at the shop last week to pick up my new rod. While there I handled a couple of Bass X’s and their lighter ML and Med. spinning rods did feel decent to me. Not as nice as an Avid, but very nice. It looks to me that they build them with one guide less. Not sure why they do that. 
 

Seem like I’m attracted to rods that are not painted or with finished blanks. Maybe that why the feel lighter. 

[JW1977]

On 1/27/2020 at 8:32 PM, Wmyers74 said:

Scott, I understand, if I Am throwing a 3-1/2” jitterbug at night or a 1/4 oz rooster tail in the day time. Isn’t this too much rod for those lures. 

Mn Fisher. Thanks for the input. I have never used a Mojo before, but can’t wait to break it in. 

Love mine. Never failed me yet