Pitching, Froggin, and all around use

[Bassman473]

I’m looking for a St Croix rod I can pitch jigs and soft plastics with (maybe rigged up with 1/4-1/2oz weight), frog with, and get some all around use.

I've narrowed it down to either a Legend Elite 7'6" MH MF (designed specifically for pitching) or a 7' Legend Elite M.

I realize the 76 would be better suited for pitching because of the length, and possibly the power, but 7 seems better suited for working a frog and casting accuracy in general.
Although Medium power is generally not suited for heavy cover, the heaviest I'll be dealing with is overlapping lily pads.

If it was another manufacturer, this would be a no brainer, but given St Croix are generally more powerful than the rating indicates, I assume the medium will be closer to a medium heavy.
Can anyone confirm that? Is the 7' Elite medium(heavy-ish?) 
Is it capable of light pitching?
If so, I would get more versatility out of that rod.

Im also concerned the 76 MH would feel closer to a heavy, and I really dont want a heavy power rod, if MH will get the job done. 
Then again, the 76 is a moderate fast action, so it might not feel heavier, unlike other St Croix fast/extra fast. Does anyone have the 76 elite pitching rod? What power does it feel like? Is it versatile (maybe for cranks cuz of the action)?

Any guidance is much appreciated, thanks.

[Finessegenics]

Never used the legend elites, but I love st Croixs and currently own/have owned mojos, eyecons, and both avid series. So nothing super high end. The MH/F from st Croix do feel more powerful than the other mh/f I have owned (Fenwick elite tech, Shimano compre). Still, I don’t think they are anywhere near a H, they’re almost like a “MH+”.

 

 I definitely wouldn’t want to frog fish or pitch those weights with a M rod. Even in sparse weeds or cover.  If you’re using a 1/4oz weight, add the plastic and the hook to the total weight and you’re approaching 3/8 oz for that presentation. That’s also not taking into consideration the gauge of the hook you’ll be using or the line. I’m just making assumptions here but I’m guessing you’ll use braid in the 40-65lb range since that’s what most popular for frogging and pitching. Heavy braid and a superline hook on a M rod does not seem like a good idea. 
 

I can’t comment on the 7’6 mh/mf since I’ve never owned that model. I just really wouldn’t consider a 7 m/f to be the alternative to that rod. Maybe the 7’1 mh/XF can be an option. It is an XF, but the rod tip is like a noodle, and the remaining 3/4 of the rod are like a pool cue so it can be pretty versatile. 
 

If I were you I’d definitely be leaning towards the 7’6 model. Best of luck and with st Croix you’ll always end up with a good stick so there’s no worries there! 

[FishTank]

I have the 6'8'' M Fast Legend Elite and I would say it is more like a regular Medium rod rather than a Med Heavy.   I can not say the same about the St. Croix Avid line up though.  I also have the Legend Elite 7'1'' MH X-fast and it may just a fuzz heavier than a MH, in say, the G. Loomis GLX line up but not by much.  

 

Based on what you are wanting to do, I would go with either the 7' M Fast or the 7' MH Fast in the Legend Elite line up.  Both would do the job but for pitching I like a heavier rod than the Medium.  For all the purposes you are asking, I think the 7'6'' is more specifically designed just for flipping and pitching.  I looked at this rod last year and this year but ended up with a 854 NRX instead. 

 

Another one to consider that I use for all of what you listed, is the G. Loomis 844C GLX.  It is a 7' Heavy and can handle topwater and pitching well.  As far as soft plastic goes, I use it for t-rigged soft plastic with a 3/16oz or heavier bullet weight.  If you search this site, you will find numerous old posts from Road Warrior on this rod. 

[Bassman473]

That’s good info finesse, thanks for sharing your knowledge! 

 

I actually just found a detailed review on tackletkour.com though, it seems to indicate the medium legend elite would work.

 

It says “Casting: The Legend Elite EC70MF is equally adept at casting and pitching duties and loads very well with baits within its rated range of three eighths of an ounce to five eighths of an ounce (3/8oz - 5/8oz). If anything it can go a little higher and a little lower to match the ratings of a traditional medium heavy (1/4 oz - 3/4 oz).”

 

I previously read that the higher end graphite blanks (Legend Elites) actually run stiffer / more powerful than the medium range Avids.

 

That review sounds consistent with what I read about higher end blanks. If the medium power can function as a medium heavy, it should work for my desired use. 

 

Edit: just saw your post fishtank.

 

Thank you! That is in line with my thoughts. Sounds like the 7 M is the way to go. If it will work, I will get much more use out of it.

 

The 76 would’ve been a mistake , thanks for helping me avoid it! 

Edited May 24, 2020 by Bassman473

[Angry John]

The 610mxf does not fish a 4/0 ewg in a super fluke well at all.  I lost a few fish testing this out.  The 70mhf is a much better jig and fluke rod.  My 74hf is a much better frog rod.  The only moderate fast I have fished is my white python and that's not a st croix and way more powerful.  The sc4 74mhf would be the blank I would want in your situation but I like full handles.  If split grips float your boat it would be perfect 

[Smalls]

You're gonna have a difficult time setting the hooks on a frog with a medium. 

[Manifestgtr]

12 hours ago, Angry John said:

The 610mxf does not fish a 4/0 ewg in a super fluke well at all.  I lost a few fish testing this out.  The 70mhf is a much better jig and fluke rod.  My 74hf is a much better frog rod.  The only moderate fast I have fished is my white python and that's not a st croix and way more powerful.  The sc4 74mhf would be the blank I would want in your situation but I like full handles.  If split grips float your boat it would be perfect 

Whaaaaat? That’s my favorite fluke rod (legend x). It actually unseated the nrx 803c I used to work flukes with.

[Angry John]

38 minutes ago, Manifestgtr said:

Whaaaaat? That’s my favorite fluke rod (legend x). It actually unseated the nrx 803c I used to work flukes with.

That's the funny thing when people want recommendations.  One mans trash is another man treasure.  It may be that I just want a more powerful rod.  I fish almost exclusively st croix except for a few special rods and they are all powerful.  My Phoenix x13 cranking rod is no slouch nor my white python.  Other than spinning the st croix avid 66mf is my weakest rod.  Asking if a rod is good is a lot different than recommending one.  We can agree the 610mxf is a great rod.  What we like it for is not the same apparently.  It could be as simple as the reel speed.  Fishing is like women we all like them different.