Advice needed: Best St Croix rod (money no object) for lighter moving baits

[clemsondds]

Hey, I broke one of my avid x rods and am going to send it in. It was one of my first rods so I’m thinking of upgrading it. It’s a 7’ medium and I use it for squarebills, underspin, and other light baits like maybe a swim jig. Anyone recommend a the best st croix rod that would fill this niche?  I have heard good things about the glass rods, but I have also heard good things about the various legend lines. I guess I’m just looking for the best st croix multi-use light bait rod. Thoughts? 

[James Sandoval]

Don't hesitate on looking at the legend line. I myself own about 8 st croix rods. I've Got two legend tournaments one fast action one extra fast action, both spinning for my finesse approaches. I absolutely love my fast action Ned rig rod and have only caught 3 or so fish on my other as my season in northern Utah about over. I couldn't recommend the rods enough.

 

I know you'd get a medium for your casting reel, but you'd notice the difference right away between the scIII and the SCIV as well as the FRS when you load it up.When i first picked up a legend rod i felt like i would snap it (i haven't and I've gotten huge carp and cats on it) on the first big fish. 

 

My glass rod took my cranking game to a whole other level this year in terms of hook ups, but it's more suited for treble hooked baits like square bills and such. Not great for your under spins and swim jigs.

 

I can only recommend up to the legend tournament line as i don't own the X, extreme or elite. 

 

Also...i feel the pain of having the avid x break. I broke my MHM this year and they don't make that model anymore. They gave me a victory instead and I'm still not sure how i feel about it. 

 

 

[clemsondds]

Oh cool thanks!  Yeh I would love to hear from the x, extreme and elite guys...anyone have/tried the 6'10-7' M/MH?  What do you use it for and how do you like it? Thanks

[J Francho]

I REALLY like my AVC70MM for smaller cranks.  It's graphite and I appreciate the sensitivity that offers.  It makes it easier to tell when the bait makes contact with cover.

[clemsondds]

4 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I REALLY like my AVC70MM for smaller cranks.  It's graphite and I appreciate the sensitivity that offers.  It makes it easier to tell when the bait makes contact with cover.

Yeh that's what I'm replacing...wanted to hear from the legend x, extreme crowd to see if it's worth upgrading to the better blank...  Compared with my glx, megabass, and exprides...I definitely can tell the avid line isn't on the same level.  So was wondering if the upper tier st croix rods are better. Thanks

[clemsondds]

Thinking I might go with the legend elite 7' MH...anyone have this rod?  Thinking it might be a good for general use but mainly swim jig.  What do  you think?  Or would you go with the 7M or another line of sc (legend x..)?  thanks

[roadwarrior]

On 11/11/2021 at 9:36 AM, clemsondds said:

So was wondering if the upper tier st croix rods are better. Thanks

The Legend Elite is a significant upgrade. However, St. Croix power ratings

tend to be one level  above other brands (M = MH). I would recommend

Mediuim Power/ Fast Action for an all-around rod.

[clemsondds]

38 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

The Legend Elite is a significant upgrade. However, St. Croix power ratings

tend to be one level  above other brands (M = MH). I would recommend

Mediuim Power/ Fast Action for an all-around rod.

Oh ok great thanks! 

[clemsondds]

Anyone else use an elite or knows much about them?  Currently I use my expride 6’6m as a squarebill rod…maybe I should switch that to my swimjig/light moving bait and get the legend glass for squarebill. I have heard good things about the glass at croix rods. Thoughts? 

[jimmyjoe]

   Your best  bet would be to call St. Croix and ask them questions. The Legend series is somewhat more specialized than lower tier rods, and they understand the nature of the Legend rods quite well. Much better than advertising can ever tell you.

 

   One piece of advice: do NOT talk with the first person who answers the phone. St. Croix uses people to filter out simple questions and general-use questions.  Don't be rude, but ask to speak to someone who knows the blanks in-depth.

   Every time I've done that, I've gotten great (and very accurate) information.           

 

45 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

and get the legend glass for squarebill. I have heard good things about the glass at croix rods. Thoughts? 

 

    I have two squarebill rods, for two different size lures. For big honkers (KVD Magnums) I use a H/M glass rod form St. Croix, loaded with 50 lb. braid. It does the trick quite nicely, but only because really big squarebills have a lot of resistance.

   My other squarebill rod is a custom M/MF graphite rod, rated 1/4 to 5/8. I would never use a 'glass rod for low-resistance lures that light, and that's coming form a guy that likes glass. Even with braid, the slow retrieves would lack "feel", although the fast ones might be OK.

   Glass is great, and I love it. But just like diesels, ya gotta use'm where they fit best.

 

  jj

[clemsondds]

39 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

   Your best  bet would be to call St. Croix and ask them questions. The Legend series is somewhat more specialized than lower tier rods, and they understand the nature of the Legend rods quite well. Much better than advertising can ever tell you.

 

   One piece of advice: do NOT talk with the first person who answers the phone. St. Croix uses people to filter out simple questions and general-use questions.  Don't be rude, but ask to speak to someone who knows the blanks in-depth.

   Every time I've done that, I've gotten great (and very accurate) information.           

 

 

    I have two squarebill rods, for two different size lures. For big honkers (KVD Magnums) I use a H/M glass rod form St. Croix, loaded with 50 lb. braid. It does the trick quite nicely, but only because really big squarebills have a lot of resistance.

   My other squarebill rod is a custom M/MF graphite rod, rated 1/4 to 5/8. I would never use a 'glass rod for low-resistance lures that light, and that's coming form a guy that likes glass. Even with braid, the slow retrieves would lack "feel", although the fast ones might be OK.

   Glass is great, and I love it. But just like diesels, ya gotta use'm where they fit best.

 

  jj

So you have the Saint Croix legend glass? Which model?

[Bass Rutten]

22 hours ago, clemsondds said:

Thinking I might go with the legend elite 7' MH...anyone have this rod?  Thinking it might be a good for general use but mainly swim jig.  What do  you think?  Or would you go with the 7M or another line of sc (legend x..)?  thanks

I'd definitely go medium heavy over medium for swimjigs unless you use light wire jigs or use braided line.  The legend elite mh is your prototypical mh/fast taper with slightly heavier action than most manufacturers mh rods, excellent for non-treble hook baits; swim/flip jigs, plastics, spinnerbaits,  and chatterbaits.

[jimmyjoe]

4 hours ago, clemsondds said:

So you have the Saint Croix legend glass? Which model?

 

   No, I have the Mojo Bass Glass, 7'-02", H/M. My retailer had that on sale, whereas the Legend Glass was MSRP, so it was no contest. The Legend was a nicer rod (different guides and handle) but the blank is the same per St. Croix. Since I got this for a do-all Heavy power rod, I could pass on the niceties.

   And I'm glad I did. This rod is a monster for versatility, ...... just not light-lure versatility.  ?      jj

[clemsondds]

2 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   No, I have the Mojo Bass Glass, 7'-02", H/M. My retailer had that on sale, whereas the Legend Glass was MSRP, so it was no contest. The Legend was a nicer rod (different guides and handle) but the blank is the same per St. Croix. Since I got this for a do-all Heavy power rod, I could pass on the niceties.

   And I'm glad I did. This rod is a monster for versatility, ...... just not light-lure versatility.  ?      jj

Yeh from what I hear it's not really that close of a comparison...the legend glass rods have really high sensitivity and great reviews...but who knows.  Thanks though for your thoughts and glad to hear you like yours! 

[clemsondds]

Any other thoughts?  Anyone have a favorite sc legend elite?  

[Dwight Hottle]

I have had several legend elites & legend extremes. I prefer the extremes over the elites because they always offered more blank choices especially for someone wanting a moderate action blank that delivered exceptional sensitivity. My favorite blank is the LXC78MHM & SCV 5C72MHM. My favorite elite blank is the EC70MHF. Like Kent suggested St Croix blanks do run about 1/2 to 1 power heavier than most other rod manufactures. Take a look at the XFC70MF extreme or EC70MF elite. 

[clemsondds]

20 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

I have had several legend elites & legend extremes. I prefer the extremes over the elites because they always offered more blank choices especially for someone wanting a moderate action blank that delivered exceptional sensitivity. My favorite blank is the LXC78MHM & SCV 5C72MHM. My favorite elite blank is the EC70MHF. Like Kent suggested St Croix blanks do run about 1/2 to 1 power heavier than most other rod manufactures. Take a look at the XFC70MF extreme or EC70MF elite. 

Wow thanks for the help! Mind if I ask what models you have tried/have?  And what do you use the ec70MF and the SCV 5C72MHM for? 

[Dwight Hottle]

 

27 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

Wow thanks for the help! Mind if I ask what models you have tried/have?  And what do you use the ec70MF and the SCV 5C72MHM for? 

 

 

The SCV 5C72MHM was built as a custom rod by Matt at Otterrods. I use it as my jerk bait rod. The MHM extreme blanks are great treble hook rods & some single hook applications as well. I use the EC70MF for swim jigs & paddle tail baits. I have tried most of the elite MF & MHF blanks over the years and have used the extreme MHM & HF blanks.  

[clemsondds]

2 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

 

 

 

The SCV 5C72MHM was built as a custom rod by Matt at Otterrods. I use it as my jerk bait rod. The MHM extreme blanks are great treble hook rods & some single hook applications as well. I use the EC70MF for swim jigs & paddle tail baits. I have tried most of the elite MF & MHF blanks over the years and have used the extreme MHM & HF blanks.  

Awesome. I actually meant to say the EC70MHF since you said that was your favorite blank in the elite line.  What do you use that for?  I think I'll be using this rod and a general purpose rod with really good accuracy...Thanks again

[Dwight Hottle]

15 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

Awesome. I actually meant to say the EC70MHF since you said that was your favorite blank in the elite line.  What do you use that for?  I think I'll be using this rod and a general purpose rod with really good accuracy...Thanks again

Jigs & paddle tails

[Bass Rutten]

The 7’ st croix legend elite mh is an excellent pitching and skipping rod (jigs or plastics), I also use it a lot for 4.8 keitechs rigged weedless with a 5/0 flashy swimmer hook, it does a lot of things really well.

[clemsondds]

6 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

Jigs & paddle tails

So is their much difference between the elite 7’MHF and the elite 7’MF?  You use both for jugs and paddle tails? 

[Deephaven]

I have a pair of SC elite sticks, but the MHF are 7'10" and the MF 7'6".  The MH is in between the 843 and 844 in tip but seems to have the power the 44 has.  Absolutely love that rod.  The MF is my TRig rod.  Usually tossing a 3/16" or so and it is amazing for that.  I like them both enough I didn't have anything built on an 843.  The MH is my favorite all around bass blank.

[clemsondds]

10 hours ago, Deephaven said:

I have a pair of SC elite sticks, but the MHF are 7'10" and the MF 7'6".  The MH is in between the 843 and 844 in tip but seems to have the power the 44 has.  Absolutely love that rod.  The MF is my TRig rod.  Usually tossing a 3/16" or so and it is amazing for that.  I like them both enough I didn't have anything built on an 843.  The MH is my favorite all around bass blank.

Cool! What do you use the MH for? 

[Deephaven]

Spinnerbaits, Heavier TRig, Jigs and if I ever fish a CRig it would be good for that too, but it isn't a technique I really like.

 

I'd use it for more, but at 7'10" it takes pitching, skipping, and close combat techniques away.