Best Ned Rig St. Croix Spinning Rod?

[Cody28]

I am looking to upgrade an old rod that was my workhorse spinning combo. I usually carry 2 and already have a 7’0” MLF set up I use for drop shots. This rod will mostly be used for ned rigs but double for some other techniques like wacky rig. I really like the St. Croix Victory rods in casting but haven’t held any in spinning. I heard the ML rods are super soft and not very versatile so I’m leaning towards the 7’3” MXF. Can anyone confirm this to be true? If you have the MXF, does it have issues casting light baits like neds? Any other St. Croix rod you recommend for a ned combo??

[HaydenS]

I’ve been using the new St. Croix Bass X, and it will launch light baits.  It is a medium rod, and has plenty of backbone to set the hook.  I just got the rod, and haven’t caught any fish on the ned with it yet, but it is a great rod and really sensitive.  Caught a bunch of fish on it today throwing a small jerkbait.

I’ve got the 7’1 medium fast.  

[padon]

id go with the medium. i had a medium lite avid and i would lose alot of fish on neds.i started using a legend tournament medium light drop shot rod which is a good bit stouter for the same rating. my landing percentage went way up. so much so that i have 2 identical one rigged with a drop shot and one with a ned at all times.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

The 6'10 ML Vic is not a soft rod as far as MLs go.  It feels a little more powerful then the Avid and Mojo ML F/XF not only because its a shorter rod, but the action is noticeably faster.  Honestly I prefer a softer tip for ned rigs, especially when I'm using really light wire hooks.  Unless the drag is set perfect every time that fish surges it causes that hook hold to tear because the rod recovers so fast.  I'm sure the longer ML XFs that are coming out soon would have a longer tip section.  

What it comes down to is the weight of the baits your throwing.  I would imagine if you got away with a 7' ML F the Vic would so fine, is just a shorter faster rod.  If you want to increase the power considerably from the ML F then a M is probably the way to go.

[Cody28]

31 minutes ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

The 6'10 ML Vic is not a soft rod as far as MLs go.  It feels a little more powerful then the Avid and Mojo ML F/XF not only because its a shorter rod, but the action is noticeably faster.  Honestly I prefer a softer tip for ned rigs, especially when I'm using really light wire hooks.  Unless the drag is set perfect every time that fish surges it causes that hook hold to tear because the rod recovers so fast.  I'm sure the longer ML XFs that are coming out soon would have a longer tip section.  

What it comes down to is the weight of the baits your throwing.  I would imagine if you got away with a 7' ML F the Vic would so fine, is just a shorter faster rod.  If you want to increase the power considerably from the ML F then a M is probably the way to go.

Hmmm I wonder why I’ve heard the rods are so soft. Thanks for the input. 

[Finessegenics]

What I heard about the victory rods is that the M’s in that lineup are not as stiff and powerful as other St Croix M’s. St Croix has a reputation for having stiffer rods. People say the M’s feel like MH and MH feels like a MH+. True or not? No clue but I own 6 Croixs and they all feel appropriately powered to me but it is what I am used to. I can’t speak for the victory because I don’t own one but the 6’10 ML/XF mojo is my choice for Ned rigs. I throw a 1/16 head with a trd, so total weight is probably 1/8 oz. it loads up awesome and I can get the distance I need. No way I can do that on my M croix rods but like I said, I don’t own any of the victorys. 

[WRB]

11 hours ago, Cody28 said:

Hmmm I wonder why I’ve heard the rods are so soft. Thanks for the input. 

The Victory SV610MLXF spinning rod does have a whimpy  soft tip. Very difficult to get a decent hook set using light wire  Mosquito hooks let alone a Ned jig. If you like a extra soft tip the rod is built well and good balance.

I exchanged the Victory ML for M and happy it. I use a Vanford 2500 with 5 lb Maximum UG Copolymer line for general finesse bass presentations.

Tom

[GetFishorDieTryin]

47 minutes ago, WRB said:

The Victory SV610MLXF spinning rod does have a whimpy  soft tip. Very difficult to get a decent hook set using light wire  Mosquito hooks let alone a Ned jig. If you like a extra soft tip the rod is built well and good balance.

I exchanged the Victory ML for M and happy it. I use a Vanford 2500 with 5 lb Maximum UG Copolymer line for general finesse bass presentations.

Tom

You have to keep in context with ML rods.  I have 9 ML spinning rods from 6'8-7'6, by SC Daiwa, Loomis, Shimano, 13 and SC. All with similar weight ratings and the Victory has the fastes action out of all of them.  It makes a 7'1 ML F Tatula feel like a noodle.     

[WRB]

To put in context I purchased the SC MLXF spinning to replace my late sons 90 era Phoenix Tennessee handle Split Shot rod. The blank today would be a MLF, he caught so many big bass on this rod the cork handle is flexing and time to retire it. 

I was on a Flick Shake 4.8 w/Jackall 3/32 wacky jig bite and every bass hooked jump off using the SC MLXF rod at 2 different lakes. I rarely loose any bass on finesse spinning tackle. Put away the Victory MLXF and using the old rod caught every bass that was hooked. The tip is too soft for light wire jigs imo. The Victory MF is a little over powered for the Flick Shake jig but works good enough.

The SC Victory are light weight, well made and like the spinning rod handle. A 6’10” MLF with less tip flex would be ideal.

Tom

PS, SC customer service was good about exchanging the rod.

[jcjunior]

I used to throw ned rigs on a 6’6” medium st croix triumph and a 7’ medium premier. They did the job but made a switch to a Dobyns fury 702 ML for ned fishing and haven’t looked back. The Dobyns is also a good rod for small swimbaits like the 4” keitech easy shiner with an 1/8oz jighead 

[Cody28]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

To put in context I purchased the SC MLXF spinning to replace my late sons 90 era Phoenix Tennessee handle Split Shot rod. The blank today would be a MLF, he caught so many big bass on this rod the cork handle is flexing and time to retire it. 

I was on a Flick Shake 4.8 w/Jackall 3/32 wacky jig bite and every bass hooked jump off using the SC MLXF rod at 2 different lakes. I rarely loose any bass on finesse spinning tackle. Put away the Victory MLXF and using the old rod caught every bass that was hooked. The tip is too soft for light wire jigs imo. The Victory MF is a little over powered for the Flick Shake jig but works good enough.

The SC Victory are light weight, well made and like the spinning rod handle. A 6’10” MLF with less tip flex would be ideal.

Tom

PS, SC customer service was good about exchanging the rod.

Are you saying the extra fast action is the issue? In theory extra fast would mean it hits back bone sooner, making the hook set harder not softer. Which medium rod did you end up going with? Looking between the 7’1 fast and the 7’3 extra fast if I don’t go medium light. 

3 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

You have to keep in context with ML rods.  I have 9 ML spinning rods from 6'8-7'6, by SC Daiwa, Loomis, Shimano, 13 and SC. All with similar weight ratings and the Victory has the fastes action out of all of them.  It makes a 7'1 ML F Tatula feel like a noodle.     

So do you like your ML Victory for this type of use or no? 

[WRB]

VTS71MF, 3/16-5/8 oz lures, 6/20 lb line. 

This rod is very different in action and at least 1 1/2 power vs the MLXF.

I didn’t want a rod over 7’, prefer 6’10” the reason for the initial purchase. 

Call ST and ask them if the MXF softer tip vs the MF, it’s a 7’3” long rod.

We have different feel but to me the MLXF makes a good trout rod, bass have tougher mouths.

I have developed a reel and lift hook set that is automatic and the MLXF simply doesn’t fit my technique.

Tom

 

[Mastercaster]

I bought a Victory 6'-10" MLXF to upgrade my Mojo 6'-10" MLXF that I mainly used for wacky rigs. The Victory was underpowered compared to the Mojo and was just too wimpy . I have since purchased a SC Legend Tournament 6'-10" MLXF and it is a much better suited for wacky rigs and would probably be great for ned rigs (I need to learn to fish these more). Still have the Victory, guess it will become my crappie rod. 

[padon]

3 hours ago, Mastercaster said:

I bought a Victory 6'-10" MLXF to upgrade my Mojo 6'-10" MLXF that I mainly used for wacky rigs. The Victory was underpowered compared to the Mojo and was just too wimpy . I have since purchased a SC Legend Tournament 6'-10" MLXF and it is a much better suited for wacky rigs and would probably be great for ned rigs (I need to learn to fish these more). Still have the Victory, guess it will become my crappie rod. 

yes i use mine for neds all the time. 15lb braid 6 or 8 flouro leader. 1/16 or 1/10 heads and a trd.just lean into them and reel. rarely lose fish.

[WRB]

Looks like we have a member that may sell his MLXF. Just lean into a big bass going the opposite direction.

Tom

[Cody28]

Thank you to all for your input. I definitely am going to go with one of the medium power options now. If anyone has experience with the 7’1 MF and/or 7’3 MXF rods I would love you hear your input between the two. 

[Bluebasser86]

I use the St. Croix LTB 6' 10" ML/XF for Neds, best rod I've found for them. I would not want to use a medium rod for Ned rigs. 

[Mastercaster]

Cody28 - If you are set on the Victory line then I would agree MXF is the way to go, but all other St. Croix lines I would get the MLXF. I have only purchased a spinning rod in the Victory line but have 2 Mojo BCs, 2 Mojo spinning, 1 Eyecon spinning, 1 Avidx BC, 1 LTW spinning and 1 LTB spinning. The Victory specs seem to be 1 less in power verses the traditional St Croix ratings.

[MickD]

I'm not familiar with the specific rods being discussed, but if two rods have the same power and one is a fast action and the other is an Extra Fast, the extra fast will have the softer, less powerful tip.  It has to be that way in order for them to have the same power.

[Mastercaster]

I think we are talking about the same action "XF" it's the power of the new Victory line that seems to have changed, maybe a combo of both but the MLXF in the Victory line is very different then the Mojo and LTB line of rods (spinning).

 

 

[WRB]

Having used a lot of SC spinning my partners have the Victory MLXF defies traditional SC rod power/action rating.

The blank fully loaded lifting 1 pound weight is close to it’s power rating. It’s the action of the top 12” -14” that is XF but extremely weak. I really hope SC comes out with a Victory in 6’10” MLF to overcome this issue.

If you goal is 1 pound small bass it will work, larger bass will require hard hook set to load the the entire road that could result in breaking off a good size bass.

Good luck,

Tom

[Allen Der]

On 11/14/2021 at 9:32 PM, Cody28 said:

Thank you to all for your input. I definitely am going to go with one of the medium power options now. If anyone has experience with the 7’1 MF and/or 7’3 MXF rods I would love you hear your input between the two. 

 

The Victory rods are different from the other model lines.  I used the Victory 7'3MXF all year and it worked great for 1/16oz neds and 5" wacky senkos.  It handled large smallmouth extremely well.  I think there is also a Victory 6'10MXF if you wanted a shorter rod.  

 

In the other rod series you'd probably want a medium lite for neds and a medium for wacky.  For neds I also use the eyecon 7'0MLF and rage 6'10MLXF.  The 6'10MLXF would be my choice for creeks and smaller fish.  Wacky I use a medium fast premier or rage.  Rage are similar to the current Mojo Bass.

[LonnieP]

I have an Avid Mxf And it is a little too heavy for the Ned rig. Like the other posters have stated, all the SC rods run heavy except for the Victory rod.