Abeierma Posted June 10, 2020 Posted June 10, 2020 Hello, I'm torn between 3 different rods and would love an experienced opinion please. St Croix Avid X G Loomis e6x mag bass Dobyns Champion XP All would be 7' casting Med Heavy fast action. Thank you for the help! Quote
Hulkster Posted June 10, 2020 Posted June 10, 2020 i have the MBR903c E6X and love it. its the 7'6 version. 1 Quote
RichF Posted June 10, 2020 Posted June 10, 2020 I'm partial to St. Croix so that's what I would go with. I have one Dobyns XP and really like it, but don't think I would've paid full retail. I've never owned a Loomis (probably never will) but have handled the EX6 rods in the store. In no way did they feel worth the $$. 1 1 Quote
Super User FryDog62 Posted June 10, 2020 Super User Posted June 10, 2020 In that group of choices I’d say anything but the St. Croix. Their Medium models are fine, but MH and H are heavy, tip-weighted rods. I sold all my LTB and AvidX rods and have a number of other rod manufacturers now that are lighter and just as powerful. Dobyns is not light either but much better balance. 1 Quote
Super User dodgeguy Posted June 10, 2020 Super User Posted June 10, 2020 Avid x has substandard guides for a rod of that price. Quote
rangerjockey Posted June 10, 2020 Posted June 10, 2020 The Avid X would be my choice.. I have the 7ft 1 MHXF and it balances right on the reel nut.. The guides are fine, Kigan Z series with Alconite inserts. A $60 Favorite White Bird has SIC's .. It's about the quality of the frame not just insert material. 1 1 Quote
Abeierma Posted June 10, 2020 Author Posted June 10, 2020 I'm just looking for the best I can get at that price point. I'm in a situation where I kind of need a swiss army knife rod, something i'm going to do everything with. After looking over these forums for awhile those three brands in particular seemed to be the most popular. I appreciate everybody's input, thank you. Quote
Super User dodgeguy Posted June 10, 2020 Super User Posted June 10, 2020 23 minutes ago, rangerjockey said: The Avid X would be my choice.. I have the 7ft 1 MHXF and it balances right on the reel nut.. The guides are fine, Kigan Z series with Alconite inserts. Not alconite anymore. They are plain aluminum oxide. First ones were made with alconite. Aluminum oxide is substandard at this price point. Quote
optimator Posted June 10, 2020 Posted June 10, 2020 I like my E6X. Plus it's made in the USA. 1 1 Quote
waymont Posted June 10, 2020 Posted June 10, 2020 E6x MBR is a great rod. You can do so much with it. I am partial to the 843c (7') most presentations, and the 782c (6'6") for lighter stuff 1 Quote
Matt_3479 Posted June 10, 2020 Posted June 10, 2020 I’ve had the dobyns Sierra, avid x and e6x. I actually liked the e6x the best but that’s against the norm for most people. My particular e6x has been fantastic. I’ve fished other models of it and it was mediocre at best for its price point. In general I think the avid x was the best of the 3 from model to model. 1 Quote
CountryboyinDC Posted June 10, 2020 Posted June 10, 2020 Of those I'd pick the St. Croix Avid-X, having no experience with any of these exact models; I do have a 7' MH/F Avid. I'm not crazy about the guides, they're micro guides, and I think the rings are something other tha Alconite. IMHO, the Avid (not -x) is a really good all around rod, and it comes with normal sized guides (Fuji stainless) with Alconite rings. It has the full cork handle. The Loomis Mag Bass tapers are favored by a lot of folks, but I like the Avid's better. I haven't been all that impressed with the E6X rods I've tried. I don't know about the Dobyns XP. I think if I can find a sale, I'm going to get a Avid MH/XF as a worm jig rod soon. I like my Avid for that too, but it's so good for so many things I almost always have something else tied on. 1 Quote
Super User J Francho Posted June 10, 2020 Super User Posted June 10, 2020 I have a couple dozen Avids and do not regret purchasing any of them. Some are 20 years old. 1 Quote
Super User Tywithay Posted June 10, 2020 Super User Posted June 10, 2020 I think all 3 are pretty good rods that perform similarly. If you can get hands on them, I'd mount the reel and pick the one that feels best. That said, I don't personally feel like they're worth retail. They're really good $150-$180 rods, but subpar $220 rods. In that range, it's worth a few more bucks to find a deal on an Expride. Just my opinion. 1 Quote
Super User jimmyjoe Posted June 10, 2020 Super User Posted June 10, 2020 I'm not impressed with Loomis stuff, although some people are. For me, it would be between the Avid-X and the Dobyns rods. The Dobyns has a limited lifetime guarantee, which means that there is a replacement fee. http://dobynsrods.com/warranty/ St. Croix Avid-X has a 15 year warranty. Their replacement fees, however, are less expensive under warranty. https://stcroixrods.com/pages/service-warranty-2020#4859022 Where will YOU be in 15 years? After that, I'd probably buy a new one. That's just me, though. jj 1 Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted June 10, 2020 Super User Posted June 10, 2020 IMO...Dobyns, but.....................................wait................... ............................for it.......................... ...............................some more.................................. I've never handled any of those three. 1 Quote
Super User dodgeguy Posted June 10, 2020 Super User Posted June 10, 2020 i would get a BPS PATRIOT ROD. Wynn grips fuji sic guides 10 year free replacement warranty. light and sensative. 1 Quote
Super User FishTank Posted June 11, 2020 Super User Posted June 11, 2020 St. Avid X would be my pick. I have the regular versions of the rod you are looking at and it still is the best bang for the buck out there. I am also a big fan of Loomis rods but the E6X series has not been my favorite. I personally have no experience with the Champion XP and don't know of anybody that has one. 1 Quote
Scrapiron Posted June 11, 2020 Posted June 11, 2020 I’ve had the Avid X and E6x (previous gen). Tough call- the advice to put a reel on and see how it feel to you may be the deciding factor. I’d probably lean toward the Loomis if you could get the 843 MBR (another suggestion already above). Quote
Finessegenics Posted June 11, 2020 Posted June 11, 2020 All good rods and you wouldn’t go wrong with any but my vote would go to the Avid X. My 7 MH/F is my all purpose rod. I have it paired with a Curado DC and I’ve never felt any tip heaviness, it’s actually a joy to fish with. It’s incredibly sensitive and powerful too. Quote
Super User FryDog62 Posted June 11, 2020 Super User Posted June 11, 2020 If you’re looking for an excellent, versatile and well-balanced rod check out the Dobyns 734c. I have the XP and although it is rated Heavy-Fast, it is more like a MH. Awesome swim jig rod, also works great for Spinnerbaits, Buzz Baits, swimbaits, etc. I sold my AvidX to buy this rod if that tells you anything... ? Quote
Super User fishwizzard Posted June 11, 2020 Super User Posted June 11, 2020 I am a sucker for the Loomis MBR rods one would be my first choice for an all-around rod. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted June 11, 2020 Super User Posted June 11, 2020 2 hours ago, BaitFinesse said: I laughed really hard at this. Thanks. I was just thinking how dated and low end the Avid looks and then you post this comment. Compared with some the NRX I've seen posted, the straight guides, tight wraps, clean epoxy on Avids definitely don't stand the test of time. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted June 11, 2020 Super User Posted June 11, 2020 I have a show demo rod that is pre IPC tapers, no Alconites, and has a hand written date from 2000. Quote
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