St croix victory rod power

[weemofisher]

I purchased a mojo bass rod for swimming small plastics last year. 7 1 medium xfast. This rod feels heavy for my application. It works fine obviously but just feels bulky. Ill be throwing 1/8 and 1/10 jigs with 4 inch grubs and dinner swimbaits like jackal rhythm 3.8 inch. I was going to get a avid or avid x in ml xf but saw the newer victory rods. I saw in another thread the victory fishes lighter than other Croix rods so I'm undecided on the m vs ml in this series. Or I might simply go order  a avid or x in ml. Help would be appreciated

[WRB]

I purchase the Victory Spinning rod 610MLXF and return it because it’s a poor hook set ratio with X soft tip.

The Victory 71MF is about 2 powers stronger, a too stiff tip for what you are looking for. 73MXF may be what need, I didn’t want a 7’3” spinning rod.

Tom

[FishTank]

I don't know much about the Victory rods but I have several Avids.  It sounds like you are looking for a fast tip instead of an xfast if the Mojo M xfast is too stout. I would pick the 7' M Fast Avid. I have used it for Trick Worms with an 1/8oz bullet weight and for weightless Senkos with no issues but the reel can also make a difference.  

 

I also have a St. Croix Mojo Yak 7' M  Fast.  It has a soft tip and a stout middle.  It's great for just about anything.  

[MontclairDave]

30 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I don't know much about the Victory rods but I have several Avids.  It sounds like you are looking for a fast tip instead of an xfast if the Mojo M xfast is too stout. I would pick the 7' M Fast Avid. I have used it for Trick Worms with an 1/8oz bullet weight and for weightless Senkos with no issues but the reel can also make a difference.  

 

I also have a St. Croix Mojo Yak 7' M  Fast.  It has a soft tip and a stout middle.  It's great for just about anything.  

What lure range do you throw on the yak rod? What type of lures do you like throwing it on? Always looking for rods that have soft tips for good castability but also have enough backbone not to get overpowered by a bigger fish and/or a bit of cover. 

[FishTank]

16 minutes ago, MontclairDave said:

What lure range do you throw on the yak rod? What type of lures do you like throwing it on? Always looking for rods that have soft tips for good castability but also have enough backbone not to get overpowered by a bigger fish and/or a bit of cover. 

 

I have used 1/2oz lipless cranks to 1/4 Texas rigged soft plastic and of course weightless Senkos.  As far as a range goes, 1/4oz to 3/4oz lures.

 

The rod handle is shorter and it has a Wynn Grip.  Both help on a kayak.  The Mojo is not as sensitive as the Avid in general but for the money this Mojo does fine for kayak fishing. 

[WRB]

Shimano Zodias 710MLF fits the OP’ needs. I didn’t  buy it because the Made in China  printed on the rod in bold white letters. You can always paint over  it.

Tom

[weemofisher]

21 minutes ago, WRB said:

Shimano Zodias 710MLF fits the OP’ needs. I didn’t  buy it because the Made in China  printed on the rod in bold white letters. You can always paint over  it.

Tom

Thanks. A zodias has been on my radar. How would you rate one vs a croix avid? As far as quality but also I believe I heard they run a tad over their ratings also. Pretty similar to a Croix? I would bite the bullet and get a legend extreme but I just don't use a spinning rod that much. 

[WRB]

what feels right to me may not to you.

I like the Victory spinning rod handle and light weight 3.3 oz, the Zodias handle is not as comfortable, don’t recall the weight but it’s light. Both are well made.

Not familiar with Avids.

Tom

[padon]

i had a 7ft medium avid and to me i feel it would be a little heavy for what you want. it would work but its more than you need.unfortunatley the victory in the mlxf feels like a buggy whip to me.ive been tempted to order a zodias medium light but i hate to without getting my hands on it. i own 2 other zodias casting rods and i like them.they are light and sensitive for their price.

[weemofisher]

22 minutes ago, padon said:

i had a 7ft medium avid and to me i feel it would be a little heavy for what you want. it would work but its more than you need.unfortunatley the victory in the mlxf feels like a buggy whip to me.ive been tempted to order a zodias medium light but i hate to without getting my hands on it. i own 2 other zodias casting rods and i like them.they are light and sensitive for their price.

Thanks. I actually just found a small local place that has the zodias ml , victory ml, and victory M in stock so I will be able to actually get my hands on them. I'll post my thoughts after I do. I'm ? sure a medium avid would be more than I'm looking for 

[padon]

10 hours ago, weemofisher said:

Thanks. I actually just found a small local place that has the zodias ml , victory ml, and victory M in stock so I will be able to actually get my hands on them. I'll post my thoughts after I do. I'm ? sure a medium avid would be more than I'm looking for 

please let me know what you think about the zodias.thanks

[Cody28]

22 hours ago, WRB said:

I purchase the Victory Spinning rod 610MLXF and return it because it’s a poor hook set ratio with X soft tip.

The Victory 71MF is about 2 powers stronger, a too stiff tip for what you are looking for. 73MXF may be what need, I didn’t want a 7’3” spinning rod.

Tom

I own the 7'3" MXF and that thing has a wicked tip on it. Very very soft tip that tosses light lures well, but then transitions into a solid backbone. Since the handle is moved up on this rod it fishes very similar to my 7'0" rods. 

16 hours ago, weemofisher said:

Thanks. I actually just found a small local place that has the zodias ml , victory ml, and victory M in stock so I will be able to actually get my hands on them. I'll post my thoughts after I do. I'm ? sure a medium avid would be more than I'm looking for 

Please let us know! I love my 7'3" MXF so much Im looking to pick up another in the line up. I was thinking the 6'10" MLXF but keep hearing its too soft as well. I don't know how anything can be too soft for 1/10 oz. ned heads with that super thin exposed hook. A lot of guys throw those on light power rods since the fish nearly hook themselves.

[WRB]

I could get a good set using my standard fast I lift and reel using size 4 or size 1 Mosquito hook nose hook 4” & 4.8” wacky hooked on 1/8 drop shot. If I hard set the rod ended up over my head and bass still jumped off. I don’t lose bass using any other finesse spinning rod.

My suggestion is put it the VS610MLXF In  your hands, you may like it. Return cost$35

Tom

[Boomstick]

On 1/13/2022 at 2:40 PM, weemofisher said:

I saw in another thread the victory fishes lighter than other Croix rods so I'm undecided on the m vs ml in this series.

I believe it really depends on the rod. The original model Victory casting rods do run a little lighter than their other St Croix counterparts at least but I've heard the ML spinning rod was basically a full blown medium. They're definitely great rods for the money, sensitive and very light.

 

I am not aware of a 7'1" M/XF Mojo Bass. They do make a 7'1" M/F though which is generally designed for soft plastics, specifically T-Rigs. It might be heavy for lighter plastics.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

The 7'3 M XF would be the Victory to get IMO.  I got to play with one last week and I really liked it.  It has a tip like a ML so it would throw lighter weights like 1/10 or 1/8 even with smaller plastics.  Although the tip has some give it gets to the backbone fast.

 

[weemofisher]

3 hours ago, Boomstick said:

I believe it really depends on the rod. The original model Victory casting rods do run a little lighter than their other St Croix counterparts at least but I've heard the ML spinning rod was basically a full blown medium. They're definitely great rods for the money, sensitive and very light.

 

I am not aware of a 7'1" M/XF Mojo Bass. They do make a 7'1" M/F though which is generally designed for soft plastics, specifically T-Rigs. It might be heavy for lighter plastics.

Sorry, you are correct. The mojo if m fast not xf

[weemofisher]

I should be able to put my hands on several of these today. I'll definitely check out the 7 ft 3 medium xf victory also. That rod seems to have almost unanimously good feedback. For those of you who have it how would it handle 1/10 or 1/8 jig w 4 inch grub or 3.8 rhythm wave? I mean I know you could throw those but would they "feel" light on this rod?

[weemofisher]

Ok actual in hand initial thoughts. I'm leaning to the zodias 7 ml f. It felt like what I'm looking for. Obviously doesn't mean it will fish that way but the feel is right. I found the victory ML to be a tad light for me but really didn't feel as underpowered as others have. I was really torn on the victory 7 3 ml xf. I see what people mean by plenty of backbone but still a soft tip. Two things put me off on it though. #1 other than my big yearly Canada trip my fishing is done out of small 14 ft tracker on 5-10 acres ponds. I worry the 7 ft 3 is a touch long for that. I've also decided visually that the thickness of the croix blank doesn't speak to me. Obviously it's about weight, feel, balance for actual performance and the victory is super light but that thicker blank just doesn't suit my eye. Strong lean to zodias

[GeorgeH]

On 1/20/2022 at 8:17 AM, weemofisher said:

Ok actual in hand initial thoughts. I'm leaning to the zodias 7 ml f. It felt like what I'm looking for. Obviously doesn't mean it will fish that way but the feel is right. I found the victory ML to be a tad light for me but really didn't feel as underpowered as others have. I was really torn on the victory 7 3 ml xf. I see what people mean by plenty of backbone but still a soft tip. Two things put me off on it though. #1 other than my big yearly Canada trip my fishing is done out of small 14 ft tracker on 5-10 acres ponds. I worry the 7 ft 3 is a touch long for that. I've also decided visually that the thickness of the croix blank doesn't speak to me. Obviously it's about weight, feel, balance for actual performance and the victory is super light but that thicker blank just doesn't suit my eye. Strong lean to zodias

Did you go with the Zodias?  Interested to hear your thoughts on the Zodias, as I am looking for a similar rod.

[padon]

On 1/20/2022 at 11:17 AM, weemofisher said:

Ok actual in hand initial thoughts. I'm leaning to the zodias 7 ml f. It felt like what I'm looking for. Obviously doesn't mean it will fish that way but the feel is right. I found the victory ML to be a tad light for me but really didn't feel as underpowered as others have. I was really torn on the victory 7 3 ml xf. I see what people mean by plenty of backbone but still a soft tip. Two things put me off on it though. #1 other than my big yearly Canada trip my fishing is done out of small 14 ft tracker on 5-10 acres ponds. I worry the 7 ft 3 is a touch long for that. I've also decided visually that the thickness of the croix blank doesn't speak to me. Obviously it's about weight, feel, balance for actual performance and the victory is super light but that thicker blank just doesn't suit my eye. Strong lean to zodias

how did the zodias feel action wise. compared to the 610 mlfx? hoperfully a quicker stouter tip as id like to pick one up as an extra dropshot rod

[weemofisher]

I bought the zodias. I won't be able to fish it for a couple months. In hand, the power felt like it was between the victory ml and m. I'd say both tips transition about the same but the croix tip feel way lighter. I think this is why some think it's too light. 

[thunderblack]

Anyone have the 7' M F spinner? I wanted to see if it has the power to fish jerkbaits. Thanks

[bigspirit]

5 hours ago, thunderblack said:

Anyone have the 7' M F spinner? I wanted to see if it has the power to fish jerkbaits. Thanks

I’ve got the 6’10” M Zodias that I bought for topwaters and jerkbaits. I like it a lot, love the short handle for working baits. Rated up to 1/2oz but I’ve thrown a megabass diamante that’s 3/4oz and does not feel overloaded. Shoots it like a bullet. I’ve tried throwing a 110jr but it’s pretty easy to over work the bait. I use a 110+1 normally when im throwing a jerkbait and it works great. The tip is fast enough that it’s a pretty effortless jerk but haven’t seen any issues keeping fish pinned.