St. Croix advice

[Bootlegger418]

I am purchasing a rod that will pretty much only be used for light wire football/finesse jigs (3/16-3/8). I have decided on the St. Croix Legend tournament. I prefer a slightly more moderate action for this application. Having no previous experience with St. Croix I am trying to decide if I should get a fast or moderate fast action in this line up. 

[r83srock]

Over the years I’ve had love/not so love relationships with this series. The current series is better in my hands than the previous, IMO. 
 

I was considering branching into other brands (I’m a big st. Croix user).  I’ve decided not. I too am looking for a rod requirement like yours. 
 

I have used the latest version of the legend elite 7’1” mhxf, yup xf. It’s a soooft tip that plays well with small bottom contact lures. I’m sure the legend tournament is similar. 
 

I also believe that a 7’ medium fast in St. Croix can handle that lure range very well. If you want a mod-fast, you choices are medium heavy for power, and a minimum lure weight of 3/8oz. Shouldn’t be an issue, I have casted 1/8oz jigs on my 7’1” mh fast bass x, and mojo, and legend tournament 3rd gen, and the results are the same, it works with a bit of a lob. A 1/4-3/8 jig is absolutely no issue for a 7’ mh fast croix. 40 yard accurate casts are possible with that setup and a 1/4 jig.

 

When you get below the 1/4 mark, things change, and the mh fast Croix just doesn’t deliver well. A medium fast Croix has more power than you think, and is super versatile also. 
 

Go pick up some rods, with your favorite reel. If you can’t, go medium fast, don’t think you will be disappointed.

[Vilas15]

Casting or spinning?

[FishTank]

I guessing you are looking at a casting rod......Out of the LE series I have the 6'8 M Fast and the 7'1 MH X-Fast.  Both work well for jigs but I prefer the MH based on the size of jigs I through and also the X-Fast tip.  The 6'8'' would better for the size jigs you are wanting to use.  I use it as my primary t-rigged senko rod. 

 

On a side note, why a slightly more moderate rod for jigs?  Most, if not all,  jig rods have x-fast or fast tapers.  Also, if you are looking for a spinning rod, the 803S G. Loomis GLX or NRX would get the job done. 

[Boomstick]

From my experience, St Croix rods generally have a fair amount of tip. While this rod is not available in the Legend Tournament line unfortunately, something like the Mojo Bass 7'1" M/F "plastics" rod would serve you well - the tip isn't too overpowering. The Legend X line which is a bit more expensive has a 7' model. The closest thing in the Legend Tournament is the 6'8" M/F "Jerkbait" rod. I would prefer a few extra inches, but I think that is going to be the best bet.

 

If you prefer a slightly more moderate tip, you might want to look towards a Dobyns 3 power, although I have no doubt a St Croix medium rated for 8-17 line would work very well for finesse jigs. I plan to get my youngest son the Plastics Mojo Bass for his birthday in fact, it would be a nice addition to his arsenal.

[Bootlegger418]

On 11/28/2020 at 11:01 AM, Vilas15 said:

Casting or spinning?

Casting 

On 11/28/2020 at 10:02 AM, r83srock said:

Over the years I’ve had love/not so love relationships with this series. The current series is better in my hands than the previous, IMO. 
 

I was considering branching into other brands (I’m a big st. Croix user).  I’ve decided not. I too am looking for a rod requirement like yours. 
 

I have used the latest version of the legend elite 7’1” mhxf, yup xf. It’s a soooft tip that plays well with small bottom contact lures. I’m sure the legend tournament is similar. 
 

I also believe that a 7’ medium fast in St. Croix can handle that lure range very well. If you want a mod-fast, you choices are medium heavy for power, and a minimum lure weight of 3/8oz. Shouldn’t be an issue, I have casted 1/8oz jigs on my 7’1” mh fast bass x, and mojo, and legend tournament 3rd gen, and the results are the same, it works with a bit of a lob. A 1/4-3/8 jig is absolutely no issue for a 7’ mh fast croix. 40 yard accurate casts are possible with that setup and a 1/4 jig.

 

When you get below the 1/4 mark, things change, and the mh fast Croix just doesn’t deliver well. A medium fast Croix has more power than you think, and is super versatile also. 
 

Go pick up some rods, with your favorite reel. If you can’t, go medium fast, don’t think you will be disappointed.

I greatly appreciate that breakdown.

On 11/28/2020 at 11:45 AM, FishTank said:

I guessing you are looking at a casting rod......Out of the LE series I have the 6'8 M Fast and the 7'1 MH X-Fast.  Both work well for jigs but I prefer the MH based on the size of jigs I through and also the X-Fast tip.  The 6'8'' would better for the size jigs you are wanting to use.  I use it as my primary t-rigged senko rod. 

 

On a side note, why a slightly more moderate rod for jigs?  Most, if not all,  jig rods have x-fast or fast tapers.  Also, if you are looking for a spinning rod, the 803S G. Loomis GLX or NRX would get the job done. 

I prefer a more moderate tip with the lighter wire hooks. I feel like I get better penetration and keep them pinned a little better. Thanks for the reply.

[FishTank]

12 minutes ago, Bootlegger418 said:

Casting 

I greatly appreciate that breakdown.

I prefer a more moderate tip with the lighter wire hooks. I feel like I get better penetration and keep them pinned a little better. Thanks for the reply.

 

If that's the case, the 6'8'' M Fast would be fine.  It has a little softer tip and I think as stated above it's made for jerkbaits.  I have used it for lighter jigs and it has been great but prefer it for a senkos.  It is a great rod that I think can be used for just about anything.  

[Matt Eisen]

@Bootlegger418

This is just my personal opinion, but it is a well known thing amongst St Croix advocates that the actions of each rod (not power) are considerably softer than advertised. For instance, a St Croix's extra fast is more like any other brand's regular fast action. Therefore, I think if you were to buy moderate fast your hook up ratio would suffer. But then again, its all personal preference. However, what's not personal preference is the fact that st croix's are historically known to have softer tips than advertised. I wouldn't buy a mod-fast action rod for light wire jigs.

 

I own a mojo 7'1 MH/F and I use it for swim jigs and Texas rigged baits. Admittedly, I live up north which means I don't have to worry about 6lb+ southern monsters bending hooks out. I've caught plenty of 3's, 4's, and a 5 on that rod without bending a 3/0 gamakatsu regular EWG hook (not superline), despite fishing 30 lb braid. I like that pole, however my only qualm with it is that the action isn't fast enough, for my taste at least**. In conclusion, a fast action should give you more than enough "give" to prevent bending out a light wire hook but it will also help you on hooksets and getting past the plastic brush guard

 

P.S. My next pole is going to be one out of the legend tournament series because they're too pretty

[Notorious B.E.N.]

I just had a warranty claim with a Mojo Bass rod of theirs I have.  Based on my experience, I will be buying more of their products.

 

As others have pointed out, St. Croix has a good bit more "tip" than other rods.  The suits my casting style better than some of the broom handle stiff rods out on the market.  I also really like what Dobyns has to offer for this same reason.