St. Croix Victory Spinning Rod help

[Micheal Rene Spiering]

Hello everyone! I am thinking about picking up a St. Croix Victory spinning rod and I am looking for any suggestions/advice on which model would be the best to go with. Most of my fishing right now is wading rivers and creeks for Smallmouth, Walleye and the occasional Pike. I like to carry two rods generally and would like to see what everyone would think the best option in the Victory line to fit into my current rod arsenal. Below is my current rod rotation.

 

Daiwa Tatula 7'MF(2 Piece)- Tatula LT 2500(my main do most things rod, rated from 1/8-3/4 but doesn't really feel suited at that lower end, happy with it otherwise)

St Croix Mojo Bass 7'1"MHF(2 Piece)- Carbon X 3000(Use this rod for heavier baits or in weedy ponds, like to throw a 110 Whopper Plopper and this does that well enough, will get a baitcaster some day but not yet)

Daiwa Presso 7'UL(2 Piece)- Exceler LT 2500(this is new and a has been a blast to use, caught my PB Walleye on it while trying it out for the first time)

 

I've been leaning toward the 7'3" MXF or MLXF in the Victory lineup but am looking for any feedback anyone may have.

 

I probably don't need a new rod but they look nice and the 15 year warranty is a big appeal to me(bait monkey has sharp claws too).

 

 

[WRB]

6 minutes ago, Micheal Rene Spiering said:

Hello everyone! I am thinking about picking up a St. Croix Victory spinning rod and I am looking for any suggestions/advice on which model would be the best to go with. Most of my fishing right now is wading rivers and creeks for Smallmouth, Walleye and the occasional Pike. I like to carry two rods generally and would like to see what everyone would think the best option in the Victory line to fit into my current rod arsenal. Below is my current rod rotation.

 

Daiwa Tatula 7'MF(2 Piece)- Tatula LT 2500(my main do most things rod, rated from 1/8-3/4 but doesn't really feel suited at that lower end, happy with it otherwise)

St Croix Mojo Bass 7'1"MHF(2 Piece)- Carbon X 3000(Use this rod for heavier baits or in weedy ponds, like to throw a 110 Whopper Plopper and this does that well enough, will get a baitcaster some day but not yet)

Daiwa Presso 7'UL(2 Piece)- Exceler LT 2500(this is new and a has been a blast to use, caught my PB Walleye on it while trying it out for the first time)

 

I've been leaning toward the 7'3" MXF or MLXF in the Victory lineup but am looking for any feedback anyone may have.

 

I probably don't need a new rod but they look nice and the 15 year warranty is a big appeal to me(bait monkey has sharp claws too).

 

 

Stay away from the MLXF, noodle tip.

Tom

[Micheal Rene Spiering]

Just now, WRB said:

Stay away from the MLXF, noodle tip.

Tom

What length was that?

[roadwarrior]

VTS MF 7’1” Medium/ Fast - $190.00

Mastches up well with the Shimano Stradic FL 1000

https://fish.shimano.com/content/fish/northamerica/us/en/homepage/Shimano_Product_Page.P-STRADIC_FL.html

[Finessegenics]

You’re definitely right in your judgment, one of the MLs would be right for you. Either the 6’10 MLXF or 7’3 MLXF. I heard the 6’10 felt more noodly compared to the 7’3 but I have not fished either so I can’t comment on that. 
 

I have a 6’10 Mojo and I’ve fished the Avid 6’10 MLXF and neither felt noodly to me. 

[Micheal Rene Spiering]

Just now, roadwarrior said:

VTS MF 7’1”, Medium, Fast - $190.00

This overlaps quite a bit with my Tatula no?

[roadwarrior]

Maybe, but I think you will REALLY like a one piece.

[Micheal Rene Spiering]

2 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

Maybe, but I think you will REALLY like a one piece.

I was wondering about that too, I can't say I've been unhappy with the tatula so far though

[Mastercaster]

I have the 6'-10" MLXF and definitely too wimpy for small mouth, maybe the the longer one is better but I would go with the Med power if you stay with the Victory line. 

[Micheal Rene Spiering]

51 minutes ago, Mastercaster said:

I have the 6'-10" MLXF and definitely too wimpy for small mouth, maybe the the longer one is better but I would go with the Med power if you stay with the Victory line. 

This was how I was leaning

[PaulVE64]

For wading river and creek smallies i like a short ML/F.

St C premier or avid.

[Mastercaster]

Yeap, ML is my preferred as well. Just not the Victory line. I have the Mojo and LTB in 6'10" MLXF and they are great, they just changed the formula on the Victory line so I would go up to Med.

[Micheal Rene Spiering]

I think I will end up going with the 7'3" MXF then

[Micheal Rene Spiering]

On 3/12/2022 at 7:21 PM, Micheal Rene Spiering said:

I think I will end up going with the 7'3" MXF then

I did. Feels very nice. Has a super soft-tip but definitely not a noodle. Should fit nicely into my lineup. Can't wait to get it out.

[Micheal Rene Spiering]

On 3/12/2022 at 5:05 PM, Mastercaster said:

Yeap, ML is my preferred as well. Just not the Victory line. I have the Mojo and LTB in 6'10" MLXF and they are great, they just changed the formula on the Victory line so I would go up to Med.

It does almost feel like a ML to me, at least compared to my other medium rods

[E-H]

I tried the victory line but returned it.  The xf was a bit too soft and lost some fish.  I went with the avid-x 6' 6" MLF and it's perfect for me.

 

Of course they stopped making them!  C'mon...

[Micheal Rene Spiering]

3 minutes ago, E-H said:

I tried the victory line but returned it.  The xf was a bit too soft and lost some fish.  I went with the avid-x 6' 6" MLF and it's perfect for me.

 

Of course they stopped making them!  C'mon...

Which rod did you have?

[E-H]

16 minutes ago, Micheal Rene Spiering said:

Which rod did you have?

The 6"10" MLXF.  Maybe the medium would have been better, but the xfast may have been the culprit.

[WRB]

I exchanged the Victory 610MLXF for the 71MF, they are night and day different rods, at 2 power different. The 73MXF was probably a good choice.

Tom

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I've had the 6'10 ml for a year and obtained a 7'3 m XF just recently.  There pretty much the same rods action wise, especially in the tip.  That makes the 7'3 extremely versatile.  

Theres definitely a different action in the Victory XF actions as far as the tips go when compared with other SC rods.  I think what they did in the case of the 6'10 ML is they made the tip slightly more limber, but strengthened the mid section and lower end of the rod to even it out.  I haven't had much time on the 7'3 but so far it fishes very similar to the ML.

My biggest issue with the Victory is most apparent when I fish a DS.  I dont get the feedback from my tungsten DS weight dragging the bottom with my Victory that I do with with my other rods and even rods that are close to half the price of the Victory which is disappointing.  My bite detection has been great, but when it comes to subtle feedback I find the Vics lacking, in the case of the 6'10 ML at least.  Time will tell for the 7'3.

I'm not trying to say the Victories are bad rods, because they arent, some just have quirks IMO.  Theres a channel on YT called punchfishing.  The guy is a rod snob.  Hes a big MB Destroyer and Loomis NRX fanboy, so his standards are high.  He absolutely raves about the 7'3 M XF Victory. 

[Micheal Rene Spiering]

8 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

I've had the 6'10 ml for a year and obtained a 7'3 m XF just recently.  There pretty much the same rods action wise, especially in the tip.  That makes the 7'3 extremely versatile.  

Theres definitely a different action in the Victory XF actions as far as the tips go when compared with other SC rods.  I think what they did in the case of the 6'10 ML is they made the tip slightly more limber, but strengthened the mid section and lower end of the rod to even it out.  I haven't had much time on the 7'3 but so far it fishes very similar to the ML.

My biggest issue with the Victory is most apparent when I fish a DS.  I dont get the feedback from my tungsten DS weight dragging the bottom with my Victory that I do with with my other rods and even rods that are close to half the price of the Victory which is disappointing.  My bite detection has been great, but when it comes to subtle feedback I find the Vics lacking, in the case of the 6'10 ML at least.  Time will tell for the 7'3.

I'm not trying to say the Victories are bad rods, because they arent, some just have quirks IMO.  Theres a channel on YT called punchfishing.  The guy is a rod snob.  Hes a big MB Destroyer and Loomis NRX fanboy, so his standards are high.  He absolutely raves about the 7'3 M XF Victory. 

I did see that video actually. Definitely sounds like he likes the rod

[cyclops2]

I like GetFish  rod sensitivity rating.  With shot dragging bottom and  twitching the tip a noticeable amount. My rods are all the same TIP twitching sensitivity  for any fish I am after. I cast & troll for bass & perch at the same time. 2 rods & lures both active at same time.  Need stiff ones to set instantly while watching other rod tip.  Keeps the time moving faster.