Doesn't St Croix already have a Legend Xtreme?

[CountryboyinDC]

Got a link to this in my email https://stcroixrods.com/pages/legend-xtreme-opt-in-page?mc_cid=736194e05e&mc_eid=3ead0dc0d4.  I thought the line with the weird handles were Legend Xtremes.  Honestly, I'd be more interested in a few more casting Avid models.

[Midwest Fisherman]

You are correct, maybe they are making a change. ??‍♂️

[iabass8]

I've seen bits and pieces of info about this. It's just an update on the dated Legend Xtreme. Same type of skin handle I'm told but a "lighter more sensitive blank". I think it's still got the POS Sk2 reel seat though so I won't even look at it .  

[RichF]

I got the teaser email too. Dang, I was really hoping they'd get rid of that stupid reel seat! It's the worst.

[TBAG]

I'm a St. Croix fan and still own several Avids, Avid X's and some LTB rods. Unfortunately after kind of denying it for years that they were tip heavy I bought some IMX Pros and realized I really had been in denial. I've since sold those and moved up to NRX's and have seen the light. 

 

With that said, I've always liked the feel of the Legend Xtreme handle even though it was quite different than what I was used to. I'm excited to see the changes St. Croix makes. Might have to try one again. 

[FrogMann]

Legend Xtremes are extremely nice. From my understanding it's the same blank with an upgraded guide train. We shall see though. Cant wait. Never had an issue with the SK2 reel seat either...

 

Will be a great rod

[FishTank]

I'm kind of excited but not.  I really like St. Croix rods and would love to own one of these but since no store with in 100 miles of me will ever have one in stock to look at, I am kind of like>what's the point. 

 

I do like like the the two Legend Elites, the one Legend Glass, the one Mojo Musky and the 4 Avids I have though.  

 

The Avids I have though, two spinning and two casting, have been work horses. I bought the casting rods 2 years ago when Gander Mountain went out and to me they are different than the ones from say 10 years ago.  They are not as tip heavy and the hump by the reel seat is not as pronounced, the two things that caused me to sell the ones I bought years ago. 

 

 

 

[Randy Price]

I was at the factory last fall and one of the guys in the store told me they were going to redesign the grip to be more of a "teardrop" shape.  I have a couple of the Legend Xtreme rods and really like them.  The only thing I don't like is the machined aluminum cap on the bottom of the grip.  It slips too easily if on a hard surface.

[newyorktoiowa57]

I’ve held the grip before and it feels cool but kind of bulbous. 

[Dwight Hottle]

I have had several extremes & the hard black handle has been comfortable to me & not slippery when wet. The extreme blanks have been very versatile in their offerings including several moderate action rods which the elites never offered. 

[CountryboyinDC]

I guess opinions on the Xtremes vary quite a bit.  I don't have any St. Croixs above a LTB, but I've handled a few Xtremes and the other variations with the same blank.  I wonder why they didn't start with a model with the full cork model or the split grip.  I see quite a few people fishing the full cork handled one, and you see split grips (other models and makes) everywhere.

[Dwight Hottle]

16 minutes ago, CountryboyinDC said:

I guess opinions on the Xtremes vary quite a bit.  I don't have any St. Croixs above a LTB, but I've handled a few Xtremes and the other variations with the same blank.  I wonder why they didn't start with a model with the full cork model or the split grip.  I see quite a few people fishing the full cork handled one, and you see split grips (other models and makes) everywhere.

Early on legend extreme did have full cork handles. The black composite handle is the most recent upgrade. 

[Randy Price]

I like the grip on the Legend Xtreme.  It's tacky when wet or hot and cleans up very easily with a baby butt wipe.  My only complaint has been the machined aluminum butt cap.  It looks very nice but slides on hard surfaces when stood on end.  I wish they would have but a piece of rubber or something there to prevent this.

 

[newyorktoiowa57]

The 76mhmf looks like a cool jig and maybe frog rod to me. I’ve handled the 7M casting and the balance is really good 

[CountryboyinDC]

48 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

Early on legend extreme did have full cork handles. The black composite handle is the most recent upgrade. 

I didn't know that.  I've only seen the green ones with the hard black handle.  I still think if they're going to introduce a new model the current lines with the cork grips have a hook keeper and Torzite rings with titanium guides.  If I was going to shell out my dollars for one, that would be my preferred configuration.

[Hulkster]

i agree about the comment about the normal avid casting rods. I would love to see some 7'6 regular Avid casting models. 

good point as well about the hook keeper. the older legend extremes with the neoprene weird handle did not have a hook keeper, which to me, is like a car without cruise control - i wouldnt buy it. the after market add ons are just not the same (so they say)

[fishwizzard]

On 2/5/2020 at 7:25 PM, Hulkster said:

i wouldnt buy it. the after market add ons are just not the same (so they say)

I honestly prefer rods without hook keepers as I think the Fuji aftermarket ones are superior to any “wrapped to the blank” type that I’ve ever tried.  They work with any kind of lure, especially t-tigs with the hook point buried, and they can be placed where ever you want on the rod rather than being stuck with whatever the factory thought was best, which is great for us left-handed people. 
 

The main reason I prefer them though is that they offer protection to the rod tip. While the Fuji keepers hold most lures up to 2-3pz very securely, they will definitely pop open and release the lure well before any reasonable rod tip is going to get damaged.  While I use covers during actual transport, I hike into a lot of my fishing spots and like the increased bit of safety when moving my rigged rod through “heavy cover”.  

[DomQ]

I remember when I first started getting into bass fishing hard and looking for rods and coming across this rod, I thought it was the holy grail of rods because it had a handle like no other rod, I've never seen anyone fish with one though, they feel pretty cool I will admit. Would love to give one a shot one day.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I've got several of the Xtremes.  So far they are the best ones I've used.

[CountryboyinDC]

I guess you shouldn't knock it until you try it.  @Randy Price, @Dwight Hottle, and @Siebert Outdoors all like theirs, and nobody's weighed in that owns one to say that St. Croix shouldn't update the line, but should kill it off.

[RichF]

I have 2 Legend Xtremes. They're really nice but not without a few quirks. The reel seat is the worst. Not a fan at all. The 7'11 H is super heavy and really needs an extra stripper guide toward the handle. There's like 3 ft of blank without a guide and it drives me nuts. I'm glad they're revamping the line. Hopefully the keep the sweet teal blank!

[Randy Price]

On 2/5/2020 at 6:25 PM, Hulkster said:

i agree about the comment about the normal avid casting rods. I would love to see some 7'6 regular Avid casting models. 

good point as well about the hook keeper. the older legend extremes with the neoprene weird handle did not have a hook keeper, which to me, is like a car without cruise control - i wouldnt buy it. the after market add ons are just not the same (so they say)

@Hulkster, I think only the 1st year of production did not come with a hook keeper (2013).  My 2013 didn't come with a hook keeper but I sent it to the factory and for a very small amount (I think less than $ 20.00) they put one on and now you couldn't tell it wasn't original.  My 2017 came from the factory with one installed.  I asked the guys at SC why they didn't include a hook keeper on the first run and he said many people do not like hook keepers????

[Dwight Hottle]

1 hour ago, Randy Price said:

@Hulkster, I think only the 1st year of production did not come with a hook keeper (2013).  My 2013 didn't come with a hook keeper but I sent it to the factory and for a very small amount (I think less than $ 20.00) they put one on and now you couldn't tell it wasn't original.  My 2017 came from the factory with one installed.  I asked the guys at SC why they didn't include a hook keeper on the first run and he said many people do not like hook keepers????

That's the same answer I got from them a few years back.

[CountryboyinDC]

More details about this rod https://stcroixrods.com/pages/legend-xtreme?mc_cid=4a07eb8200&mc_eid=3ead0dc0d4

It's supposed to be available 6-Mar, has the Daiwa AGS (carbon fiber) guides, and new blanks.  They don't seem to be light - I think the Avid line has lighter rods than these in similar lenghts/powers/tapers, but I'm sure they'll lighten your wallet.

[CountryboyinDC]

Got an email today that erased any interest I had in these before - starting price $630.