Which St Croix for Punching and A-Rigs?

[Junk Fisherman]

I have the opportunity to purchase a St Croix rod at a good price.  I plan on doing more punching and A-rig fishing this year and I do not have anything heavier than a 7'3 5 power Dobyns rod (Champion 735C to be exact).  This rod has a lure weight of 1/4 to 1.5 oz.  This has been primarily a frog and football jig rod for me.  So what am I looking for in a rod to punch with a 1-1.5 oz sinker?  Croix offers a medium heavy and heavy Avid at 8' with lure weights at 1/2 to 2 oz (MH) and 3/4 to 3 oz (H).  Both are fast action.  Would this rod also be able to double for A-Rigs?  Think Flash Mob Jr with 5 4" Keitechs. Any advice is appreciated.  

[FishTank]

I love the Avid rods but I think the ones you are looking at are for Inshore fishing. They will probably work but will have a different level of sensitivity and power than the freshwater bass versions. If they around $100 to $150, that would be a good deal.  The regular Avids for bass run around, on average, $200 but the inshore run closer to $300. 

[Junk Fisherman]

26 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I love the Avid rods but I think the ones you are looking at are for Inshore fishing. They will probably work but will have a different level of sensitivity and power than the freshwater bass versions. If they around $100 to $150, that would be a good deal.  The regular Avids for bass run around, on average, $200 but the inshore run closer to $300. 

 

You're right.  I was looking on the St Croix website and all I could find was the Avid inshore.  Was the original Avid discontinued?  I haven't paid much attention to St Croix over the last couple years.

 

How about the Legend Tournament Bass LBTC711HMF?  0.5 to 2.5 oz lure rating, heavy, moderately fast, and 14-80 lb line.  Is moderately fast action ideal for punching?  How about for A-rigs?

 

 

[Rob St Croix]

Avid casting replaced by the Victory series.

[FishTank]

2 hours ago, Junk Fisherman said:

 

You're right.  I was looking on the St Croix website and all I could find was the Avid inshore.  Was the original Avid discontinued?  I haven't paid much attention to St Croix over the last couple years.

 

How about the Legend Tournament Bass LBTC711HMF?  0.5 to 2.5 oz lure rating, heavy, moderately fast, and 14-80 lb line.  Is moderately fast action ideal for punching?  How about for A-rigs?

 

 

 

That might work for both. I haven't held it but it if it follows suit with other LTB rods, it would be a beast of rod. Like most of St. Croix rods, it's sweet spot is in the middle to the upper end of the rod rating so if you think 1/2 oz baits will cast well, the rod may not load the way you want it to at that weight. 

[Adrift]

On 3/23/2022 at 4:40 PM, Junk Fisherman said:

I have the opportunity to purchase a St Croix rod at a good price.  I plan on doing more punching and A-rig fishing this year and I do not have anything heavier than a 7'3 5 power Dobyns rod (Champion 735C to be exact).  This rod has a lure weight of 1/4 to 1.5 oz.  This has been primarily a frog and football jig rod for me.  So what am I looking for in a rod to punch with a 1-1.5 oz sinker?  Croix offers a medium heavy and heavy Avid at 8' with lure weights at 1/2 to 2 oz (MH) and 3/4 to 3 oz (H).  Both are fast action.  Would this rod also be able to double for A-Rigs?  Think Flash Mob Jr with 5 4" Keitechs. Any advice is appreciated.  

What did you end getting? I have to warranty one of my St Croixs and need a better punching rod. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I don’t love one rod for both of those applications. To load and cast an A rig I’d look at more of a swimbait rod and for punching an xh or xxh flipping stick with a stiff, mod fast action