Help Selecting 1/4 oz t rig / jig rod

[billonaboat]

Hey guys,

 

I do a lot of finesse fishing. By that I mean 1/16 oz shakey with trick worm, 1/8 t rig with 7" power worm, etc.

 

I use a medium xf legend tournament bass spinning rod rated 3/16 - 5/8 with a ci4 2500 for this. I love it.

 

I'm looking to get a rod that's good for throwing 1/4 - 3/8 jigs with craw trailer and 1/4 texas rigged 8.5" power worms.

 

What would be ideal for this? Options I've considered are:

 

7' mhf avid x spinning rated 3/8 - 3/4

7'1" mhxf legend tournament bass spinning rated 5/16 - 3/4

7' mf avid x casting rated 1/4 - 5/8

7' mhf avid x casting rated 3/8 - 1

7'1" mhxf avid x casting rated 1/4 - 3/4

7'1" mf legend tournament bass casting rated 1/4 - 5/8

7'1" mhf legend tournament bass casting rated 3/8 - 1

7'1" mhxf legend tournament bass casting rated 5/16 - 3/4

 

I honestly prefer spinning for bottom contact so between the mhf avid x spinning and mhxf legend tournament bass spinning which would you recommend? I know that 1/4+ jigs and t rigs would typically be thrown on casting so that is why I'm considering some of those casting models. Let me know what you think.

 

Billy

[Finessegenics]

I have the 7 MH/F Avid X in casting. It’s a great and versatile rod but it struggles loading up lighter weights. I use a DC reel on it so the negative effects are minimized. It’s a very stout rod and compared to other MH’s I’ve fished it feels a lot stiffer and thicker. 
 

I wouldn’t go with spinning though. I have no experience with the MH’s in spinning but I’ve heard lots of great things about the MH/XF casting rod. I’ve never even touched one because I can’t seem to find one In stores. The employees at my local tackle store rave about them but they aren’t even able to order some a lot of the times and when they do, they sell quick. I’d go witt the 7’1 mh/XF avid x or Legend Bass (that rod is also made in the regular avid, legend x and legend xtreme). The tip is super soft which is great for bottom contact baits. It’s been described as a “hinge” where the upper 1/4 of the rod is super super soft but the rest of the rod is stout. So you’ll be able to detect those bites but have all the power in the world to set the hook home. Do some research yourself, get your hands on that model.  But that’s the rod I’d go with it.
 

Just beware that the Avid X has micro guides while those on the LTB are not micro, but still kinda small. The regular avid has normal guides. The micro guides on the avid x do seem to help me but I use straight fluoro or mono on my casting gear. If you’re using braid and will have a connection knot then I don’t suggest the Avid X. Go with the avid or ltb if that is the case. Also great to see another st croix fanboy on here ?

[evo2s197]

A 7ft Medium fast action is what your looking for in the St Croix line.

 

I've had that rod in Premier, Avid, Avid X, Legend X which is what I currently have that model in and I use it exclusively for small texas rigs, weightless 5 inch senkos, and up to 3/8 jigs with double tail Yamamoto grubs which is around 1/2 ounce once you add the 5 inch grub

 

I can throw 1/4 ounce TOTAL "I weight a lot of my lures on a food scale to match the total weight with the correct rod" weight on it if I need to and casts admirably, but I use Daiwa SV reels so casting lighter weights could very depending on brand of reel you prefer.

 

Tackle Trap has 20% off Avid X and Legend X rods right now in their monthly special so act accordingly.

[new2BC4bass]

4 hours ago, evo2s197 said:

Tackle Trap has 20% off Avid X and Legend X rods right now in their monthly special so act accordingly.

 

Bet you and the Bait Monkey are joined at the hip. 

[Chris at Tech]

I'm you're throwing those baits into any type of cover, I'd consider stepping up to the MH.  More specifically, I'd suggest the one of the MH/XF models.

[LCG]

I use two rods. One 6'8" M-XF spinning and one 6'9" MH-XF casting rod. I feel that with these two rods I can cover a lot of techniques. The spinning rods is rated 1/8-1/2oz, the casting rod rates 1/2-1oz.

 

For 1/4 oz Texas rigged soft plastics, which generally weigh 5/8-3/4oz with the bullet weight, hook, and soft plastic, I use the casting rod. 

 

I would recommend checking out a medium heavy, fast or extra fast action casting rod. It will be quite versatile. 

[WRB]

The 1/4 oz isn't a heavy weight that requires a higher power rod. The line you use and the hook wire size used in some 1/4 jigs or worm hook size/type used can require more hook setting power. 

My questions are; is the 1/4 oz the nominal jig or bullet weight without a trailer? What line type and lb test?

Tom

[billonaboat]

On 3/17/2020 at 4:12 PM, WRB said:

The 1/4 oz isn't a heavy weight that requires a higher power rod. The line you use and the hook wire size used in some 1/4 jigs or worm hook size/type used can require more hook setting power. 

My questions are; is the 1/4 oz the nominal jig or bullet weight without a trailer? What line type and lb test?

Tom

hey man,

 

the 1/4 is just the bullet weight on the t rig, and just the jig weight without trailer.

 

yea i know it's not necessarily heavy but it is for me, as a finesse fisherman.

 

billy

 

[WRB]

Spinning reels are limited in line size diameter with approx .010 mono or FC for size 2500 reels. So sake of debate 10 lb test mono or FC line unless using braid with a leader.

1/4 oz finesse jigs usually small dia wire hooks then standard bass jigs and .010 dia line should be a problem greeting a good set. Lots of choices regarding 1/4 oz bullet weight using 3/0 worm hook with light or medium wire like Owner 5100 or Gamakatsu #11.

If the jigs have meduim to heavy wire hooks .043D+ wire then baitcasting reels are a better choice for line over .011D. 

I use .011D to .014+D mono or FC without braid for my 3/16 to 1/2 jigs and bullet weight at-rigs with baitcasting reels n 5/MH fast and 6/H fast jig and worm rods without any casting distance or accuracy issues. You have lots of choices, not being a St Croux fan member I will leave model numbers to those more familiar.

Good luck,

Tom

[Ogandrews]

I’m a life long st croix fan and I think you would be set with the 7’1” mh Xf legend tournament. In my fishing I base the power of the rod im using more on the wire size of hook, line size, and cover I’m fishing in rather than the weight of lure. If you are a fan of lighter rods than another great option would be a dobyns champion 733. For a long time I only use st croix because that’s what I grew up thinking was the best, but over the last few years I have been using a lot of dobyns and the quality is right there with st croix. The 733 is advertised as a MH but in my opinion it’s almost half way between a medium and a MH. Plenty of backbone to set jigs but it’s got a pretty soft tip which can be a great advantage. You can also get it in a shorter model but I prefer a little bit longer rod for jigs/t rigs

[waymont]

On 3/17/2020 at 7:50 AM, billonaboat said:

Hey guys,

 

I do a lot of finesse fishing. By that I mean 1/16 oz shakey with trick worm, 1/8 t rig with 7" power worm, etc.

 

I use a medium xf legend tournament bass spinning rod rated 3/16 - 5/8 with a ci4 2500 for this. I love it.

 

I'm looking to get a rod that's good for throwing 1/4 - 3/8 jigs with craw trailer and 1/4 texas rigged 8.5" power worms.

 

What would be ideal for this? Options I've considered are:

 

7' mhf avid x spinning rated 3/8 - 3/4

7'1" mhxf legend tournament bass spinning rated 5/16 - 3/4

7' mf avid x casting rated 1/4 - 5/8

7' mhf avid x casting rated 3/8 - 1

7'1" mhxf avid x casting rated 1/4 - 3/4

7'1" mf legend tournament bass casting rated 1/4 - 5/8

7'1" mhf legend tournament bass casting rated 3/8 - 1

7'1" mhxf legend tournament bass casting rated 5/16 - 3/4

 

I honestly prefer spinning for bottom contact so between the mhf avid x spinning and mhxf legend tournament bass spinning which would you recommend? I know that 1/4+ jigs and t rigs would typically be thrown on casting so that is why I'm considering some of those casting models. Let me know what you think.

 

Billy

All of the MH Legend Tournament rods I’ve had were very tip heavy.

[FryDog62]

2 hours ago, waymont said:

All of the MH Legend Tournament rods I’ve had were very tip heavy.

This...

 

I would think any St. Croix MH and a light lure are a mis-match.  I've had plenty SC and they are heavy rods with a strong bias towards the tip.  Many lighter and better balanced options IMO.  

[Bluebasser86]

I have the 7' 1" M/F St. Croix LTB and it's a great rod for 1/4oz jigs and lighter T-rigs.

[evo2s197]

On 3/18/2020 at 10:14 AM, FryDog62 said:

This...

 

I would think any St. Croix MH and a light lure are a mis-match.  I've had plenty SC and they are heavy rods with a strong bias towards the tip.  Many lighter and better balanced options IMO.  

I'm obviously a fan of St. Croix but I'm not a fan of misinformation.

 

Yes previous generations of the Legend Tournament series were tip heavy, that has since been corrected with the newest line up, the newer St. Croix rods in general are more balanced than a lot of rods on the market and durable to boot.

 

These are a few examples that seem non tip heavy to me.

 

LTB 7ft10 H with Lexa 300 HD

LTB 7ft4 MH with Coastal SV

6ft 10 ML with Alpha CT SV

Legend Xtreme 7ft4 H with Steez A TW

 

And lastly a rod that's relevant to the OP's needs

 

7ft M Legend X mounted on a fairly light Steez SV TWS

 

[Quarry Man]

On 3/21/2020 at 12:16 PM, evo2s197 said:

I'm obviously a fan of St. Croix but I'm not a fan of misinformation.

 

Yes previous generations of the Legend Tournament series were tip heavy, that has since been corrected with the newest line up, the newer St. Croix rods in general are more balanced than a lot of rods on the market and durable to boot.

 

These are a few examples that seem non tip heavy to me.

 

LTB 7ft10 H with Lexa 300 HD

LTB 7ft4 MH with Coastal SV

6ft 10 ML with Alpha CT SV

Legend Xtreme 7ft4 H with Steez A TW

 

And lastly a rod that's relevant to the OP's needs

 

7ft M Legend X mounted on a fairly light Steez SV TWS

 

those all look tip heavy to me. I prefer a balance spot about an inch or so above the back of the front locking nut.

and I "reelize" those are pretty light reels, but then again those rods are supposedly light so it gets nullified

[evo2s197]

7 hours ago, Quarry Man said:

those all look tip heavy to me. I prefer a balance spot about an inch or so above the back of the front locking nut.

and I "reelize" those are pretty light reels, but then again those rods are supposedly light so it gets nullified

We all have different personal preferences, which is a good thing and is what makes these forums interesting.

 

 Everyone also has different physical and structural characteristics in regards to strength, arm length, hand size, resistance to fatigue and so on that can affect fishing on the water, that's why some feel that lighter more sensitive rods have a tip heavy feel and would rather fish a rod that has additional weight added to the butt section, adding a little polish to the rod if you will, while others dont notice any tip heaviness whatsoever.

 

Different strokes for different folks.