St Croix Victory Spinning ML/XF vs M/F

[Boomstick]

Does anyone have any experience with the St Croix Victory 6'10" ML/XF or the 7'1" M/F?

 

Basically, I am looking for an all-around M/F that could be used for dropshots, shaky heads, wacky rigs, finesse jigs, poppers etc. and I have heard the  ML/XF is a bit closer to a medium but I have also heard the medium is a medium.

[WRB]

Simple the 610MLXF has a noddle tip, the 710MF is M+ , 73XMF  is closer to a MF finesse rod IMO.

Tom

 

[Boomstick]

11 minutes ago, WRB said:

Simple the 610MLXF has a noddle tip, the 710MF is M+ , 73XMF  is closer to a MF finesse rod IMO.

Tom

 

Thanks! So I gather the 7'1" M/F is similar to the 7'1" M/F casting rod?

 

I was hoping for something a little shorter, although it probably doesn't matter that much.

[WRB]

My only experience was the Victory spinning series 610MLXF,  and 71MF, someone my have better info on the other SC spinning rods.

Tom

[SmugOne]

I have the 610MLXF and It is know where close to a medium in my opinion.  In fact, it was lighter than I expected it to be so I use mine for ned rigs and sometimes dropshotting.  I would definitely look for a medium for what you want it for. 

[padon]

i agree with tom. the mlxf is way too soft for anything except drop shot. the medium is a solid medium. it will do everything you want although a little stiffer than ideal for drop shot. the 73 mxf has the backbone of the medium but about 6 inches of fairly limber tip. i think thats your rod. 

[Boomstick]

On 6/1/2022 at 9:02 PM, padon said:

i agree with tom. the mlxf is way too soft for anything except drop shot. the medium is a solid medium. it will do everything you want although a little stiffer than ideal for drop shot. the 73 mxf has the backbone of the medium but about 6 inches of fairly limber tip. i think thats your rod. 

The weight ratings seem to suggest the same. For example I have the Daiwa Tatula Elite Ehrler 7’1” drop shot M/F that is perfect for all of the above. I would say it’s perfect to drop shot. 6” roboworm or similar, a little heavier than ideal for smaller drop shots I target smallish with but very passable and enough to fish anything else one might ever throw on a M/F spinning rod. If I only can bring one rod with me often this is the one and there are some lakes I don’t bother with anything else because they will hit a roboworm on a drop shot but not much else.

 

My youngest son’s line has been St Croix and we’ve been very impressed by his Victory casting rods.

[waymont]

The Tatula 7’1” ml is the rod you want.

super slick rod for less money 

[J Francho]

I have the 6' 10" MLXF Victory rod, saddled with an OG Stradic CI4 spooled with 6# mono.  I used it last week almost exclusively tossing wacky jig, wacky/weedless(T-rig style) senkos, and flukes.  It fishes a little heavier than most others' ML, but feels light and nimble.  

 

Here it is with a trophy Rocky Balboa:

[Dangerfield]

I was surprised by the backbone on the 6'10 MLXF, but it's no medium. I echo the soft tip comments, and double down on what Francho said - it's light.

[Boomstick]

8 hours ago, J Francho said:

I have the 6' 10" MLXF Victory rod, saddled with an OG Stradic CI4 spooled with 6# mono.  I used it last week almost exclusively tossing wacky jig, wacky/weedless(T-rig style) senkos, and flukes.  It fishes a little heavier than most others' ML, but feels light and nimble.  

 

Here it is with a trophy Rocky Balboa:

I recall your comments from a zoom call several months ago about how much backbone this rod had.

 

This puts me between the 6'10" and the 7'3". It really sounds like the 6'10" would work well as an all around finesse rod but not as good for say a weightless wacky rig on a non-finesse hook or finesse jigs, for example.

 

How's it handle tubes? Just the smaller ones or can you fish a 3.75" tube on a 1/4" tube head too? Or how about lighter stuff, like Ned rigs?

[J Francho]

I fish 3/4 tubes on a MLXF, so I'm the wrong guy to ask that, lol. I know- it's a quirk and not a recommendation. The rod did fine with weedless wacky so I think it will handle all that. I'd step it up for a finesse jig with a  brush guard, but I bet you'd be fine with it using braid. 

[WRB]

Braid would help. My issue was loosing 3 lb drop shot bass, landed 2 out of 5 in 1 day. 2 nd outing was worse didn't Land any bass hooked. The bass jumped off and I rarely loose drop shot hooked bass the pass 25 years. If you can load up the rod completely it’s OK, difficult to do however.

Returned the 610MLXF for 71 MF and this rod is closer to a MHF..., the 73MXF is the better choice imo.

Tom

[PaulVE64]

In my opinion StC spinning rods historically run tip heavy and plain old heavier than other manufacturers. 

But they made a big deal about 'listening to customer feedback' when they launched the Victory series. 

Im assuming my MLF St C triumph would feel heavier than the Victory MLF

[Boomstick]

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

I fish 3/4 tubes on a MLXF, so I'm the wrong guy to ask that, lol. I know- it's a quirk and not a recommendation. The rod did fine with weedless wacky so I think it will handle all that. I'd step it up for a finesse jig with a  brush guard, but I bet you'd be fine with it using braid. 

Yeah this would be no brush guard generally or maybe a single wire. He has the Mojo Bass 7'1" M/F for larger finesse jigs too, but being able to throw the smaller ones adds nice versatility. He does have a ML/XF as well, as do I but my M/F has been my workhorse lately.

 

Maybe I'd be best to go with the 7'3".

[Boomstick]

Hey @J Francho have you tried a 3/8oz dropshot on the 6'10"? If that's passable, I'm going with the 6'10" - although they are backordered right now.

[J Francho]

I don't typically drop shot with anything less than 1/2 oz.  More likely 3/4 oz.  Since I'm almost vertical, it's okay to overload the weight.  I want the bait to be where I put it.

 

But, it handled a 5" Senko just fine, and that's about 3/8 oz.

[Boomstick]

5 hours ago, J Francho said:

I don't typically drop shot with anything less than 1/2 oz.  More likely 3/4 oz.  Since I'm almost vertical, it's okay to overload the weight.  I want the bait to be where I put it.

 

But, it handled a 5" Senko just fine, and that's about 3/8 oz.

Do you find 1/2oz castable? (3/8oz + 6 deception worm or roboworm?).

If that works, I'm sold. That’s as heavy as I ever really go. He has the Mojo Bass Plastics rod for things slightly heavier. A lot of people don't like the 7'3", apparently the tip loads up quick and there's a lot of backbone so when you get a 3lb fish on, there is no give. Plus 6'10" is a comfortable length

[J Francho]

On 6/10/2022 at 5:22 PM, Boomstick said:

Do you find 1/2oz castable? (3/8oz + 6 deception worm or roboworm?).

Totally doable.

[S Hovanec]

On 6/1/2022 at 2:10 PM, SmugOne said:

I have the 610MLXF and It is know where close to a medium in my opinion.  In fact, it was lighter than I expected it to be so I use mine for ned rigs and sometimes dropshotting.

 

I was surprised by the power of this model too.  It's nowhere as powerful as the mlxf in their other lines.

[ErieCan]

I have the 7'1 MF.  It does the job for wacky rig and dragging tubes. For dropshot I'd rather something like a Shimano Zodias or Daiwa Rebellion (in that price range).  

[Dangerfield]

4 hours ago, ErieCan said:

I have the 7'1 MF.  It does the job for wacky rig and dragging tubes. For dropshot I'd rather something like a Shimano Zodias or Daiwa Rebellion (in that price range).  

From a dollars perspective, I think the Curado would be a fair comparison. The Zodias is $75-100 more depending on on model.

[Boomstick]

17 hours ago, ErieCan said:

I have the 7'1 MF.  It does the job for wacky rig and dragging tubes. For dropshot I'd rather something like a Shimano Zodias or Daiwa Rebellion (in that price range).  

Yeah, from what I gather it's sort of like the typical St Croix 7'1" M/F. Great for weightless senkos, great jerkbait rod etc

[ErieCan]

On 6/14/2022 at 9:09 PM, Dangerfield said:

From a dollars perspective, I think the Curado would be a fair comparison. The Zodias is $75-100 more depending on on model.

 

Ah yes. The new Curado rods are nice. I have a 6'10" MF casting version.  

[ErieCan]

11 hours ago, Boomstick said:

Yeah, from what I gather it's sort of like the typical St Croix 7'1" M/F. Great for weightless senkos, great jerkbait rod etc

 

Exactly. The new Legend Tournaments are much better, but obviously more money.