St. Croix LTB tip heavy?

[Riverside.bassin]

Last summer I purchased a ST. Croix Legend Tournament Bass 7'4" MH fast casting rod to pair with my Shimano Chronarch MGL with intentions to make it my heavy/big  jig, t-rig, and c-rig rod. 

Due to some odd circumstances, I wasn't able to get on the water and use it until recently. This combo is sweet (casts FAR, sensitive, smooth, relatively light), BUT it is pretty tip heavy and unbalanced, which is a huge bummer since this is my first expensive (to me) combo. 

Before I bought the LTB, I read some reviews that pointed towards it being tip heavy, but not enough to deter me from buying one.

 

What are your thoughts on this?

Has any one heard of this problem regarding the LTB rod? 

[Vilas15]

42 minutes ago, Riverside.bassin said:

Has any one heard of this problem regarding the LTB rod? 

Yes. Dont own one so I cant say Ive experienced it myself. Apparently is more of an issue with MH or H powers and longer rods, less so with the spinning rods.

[waymont]

I had a 68MHF 6'8" medium heavy fast. It was very well made, and looked great.

It was so tip heavy that I couldn't fish it for more than 1hr. I tried it with a Curado K and Tatula 150, both medium to heavier reels. Sold it after 3 outings. The LTB rod have a little history of being tip heavy. I learned that after I bought mine.

[rangerjockey]

I don't own the 7 ft 4, my 7Ft 1 MH with a Curado E is right on the reel nut, the 7ft1 MH Xfast is a little further forward with a Curado 70, The topwater rod is also on the reel nut with a Curado 70.

I think the updated version started in 2018.

I imagine there my be some that are but so is my NRX 894.  I think it's largely internet BS.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

It’s not a problem unless it is to you personal preference wise. They just use a little shorter handle than some others. Plus a 7’4” is going to be a little heavier. Unless it’s ridiculously poorly designed “balance” as it’s often used is a non concern for me. 

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, Riverside.bassin said:

Last summer I purchased a ST. Croix Legend Tournament Bass 7'4" MH fast casting rod to pair with my Shimano Chronarch MGL with intentions to make it my heavy/big  jig, t-rig, and c-rig rod. 

Due to some odd circumstances, I wasn't able to get on the water and use it until recently. This combo is sweet (casts FAR, sensitive, smooth, relatively light), BUT it is pretty tip heavy and unbalanced, which is a huge bummer since this is my first expensive (to me) combo. 

Before I bought the LTB, I read some reviews that pointed towards it being tip heavy, but not enough to deter me from buying one.

 

What are your thoughts on this?

Has any one heard of this problem regarding the LTB rod? 

I have that rod, as well as a few others in the LTB line up; the older models and this newest version.

Been a fan of both for a while.

 Seems we have a different perception as to how these blanks 'balance' & fish.

 I can certainly respect that.

One would always be better served to fish gear that is 'comfortable' in hand. 

 

The manufacture's advertised specs for the rod & reel include weights of 5.4 and 6.5 ounces, respectively.

While I do not fish that exact reel, my rigs end up very close to the same. 

Once spooled up with the line, the total tonnage could be something just over 12 ounces; sounds about right to me. 

I can do that.

A-Jay

 

 

 

[jimmyjoe]

 

   "PRIVATE!"

   "Sir! Yessir!"

   "Two demerits for you. Here .... give me fifty."

   "Sir?"

   "Do you have a PROBLEM with that, Private?"

   "Sir, No, sir! But this is a fishing rod, sir!"

    "Very good, Private! This is, in fact, a Saint Croix LTB casting rod. It is one of the most viciously weight-forward weapons in the Saint Croix arsenal. Now you give me 50 casts, Private, and RIGHT NOW!"

   "Sir! I cannot do that, Sir!"

   "WHAT? What did you say, Private? Did I hear you say "cannot", Private?"

   "Sir! Yessir!  My family only casts balanced rods, Sir! This punishment is cruel and unusual, Sir."

   [short pause]

   "Private, report to Headquarters Company IMMEDIATELY!"

   "Sir! Yessir!"

 

   jj

 

[fvogel67]

I've always read online about the LTB's being tip heavy but I bought one anyway.

My time with a 5'10' LTB has proved this false.

I've had an older Shimano Symetre 2000 hung on it and it's well balanced.

 

 

[Tywithay]

Very short split handle with a heavy blank...not many, if any, rods can overcome that. A heavier reel might help a 1/2" at the very most. If you want tip up balance, you'd have to add weight to the very end of the butt.

[Nelson Delaney]

If a LTB rod is out of balance try Putting a few rubber bands on the blank between the cork to even things out 

[Bluebasser86]

I hear it all the time, but I guess I'm not sensitive enough to notice it. I still manage to catch a fish every now and then with my tip heavy sticks.

[r83srock]

I have owned a decent amount of St. Croix rods, and have enjoyed most of them. My preference in rods always leans back towards shorter rods with shorter handles, as I like pitching, skipping, and roll casting often, and that type of rod works best for me.  
 

there have been about 4 revisions of the LTB rods over the years, the first and latest being my favorite. After owning a 2nd gen LTB 7’1”mhf casting rod, I can tell you it felt more tip heavy than my 7’4” mojo bass Heavy fast. I don’t think St. Croix rods get a whole lot lighter as you go “up” in the line up, but the actions do get a bit more crisp. with usually better eyelets. I feel like the cork, build quality, flex coat, reel seat ect are as good on the low-mid priced rods as they are in the upper end rods. Balance and feel and “sensitivity” are highly subjective. My 6’8” Mh fast casting gen 4 LTB is my favorite overall rod, love it for jigs, and in my hands with a Curado K it balances just fine. Only think I wish it had different was the older design Fuji Ecs reel seat as that seat is narrower, and I prefer that. For the record I prefer rods 6’6”-6’10” in length for most things.

[Riverside.bassin]

Thanks for all the replies! I actually took that rod out on the water with me today, and to be 100% honest, I didn't really notice that much of a difference between it and my other rods. Sure, it's tip heavy, but I'm not really that picky, so I think I'll hold on to it for now.

 

17 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

Try a heavier reel.    

^ I think this is something I might try out. When I have the means, I may purchase a Shimano Curado 200 k (I heard they are excellent for the price, and they are heavier than the Chronarch), and put my Chronarch on a 6'10 - 7' H/f rod (not sure what one yet).

[NOC 1]

I have a M-F 7'1"  That is a little tip heavy with a Steez, TD-Z or other light reel, but is not too bad with a Tatula CT-R reel on it but still a little tip heavy. I also have a 7' MH-MF. It isn't quite as bad and balances maybe 1-2" in front of the spool with a Tat SV TW.

 

So I would say that a 7'4" LTB is going to be very tip heavy. Too much for me. Most all of my other rigs balance right on the reel seat locking ring or slightly behind it.

 

I don't like the way the LTB's balance, their heavy weight, or the way they won't work with light reels but I do like the way they feel fishing, for what it is worth.

 

With that 7'4" your going to have to put a weight in the butt and use a heavy reel. (or get used to fishing a severly tip heavy combo I guess).