Looking for an addition to St. Croix Avid-X spinning MLF 6'6"

[E-H]

So I bought 2 Avid-X spinning MLF 6'6" a few years ago.  Love them.   Catch tons of SMB (under 4lbs), mostly smaller ones.  I use them for ned, topwater, spinners etc...Split grip is great and the light weight is perfect for me.  Paired with Procyon 2500 and Vanford 3000.  Great for my needs.

 

St. Croix has discontinued the product.  Looking for something similar but has to have the reel seat tightening from the top down.  Also looking at 2 piece or more so I have a great portable option as I might be tracking through some woods to some new ponds/lakes this spring/summer.  My avid-x rods are both 1 piece.

 

I did try the victory but didn't like it as much and the reel seat got loose on occasion the way I cast.  That's why I like the top down.

 

Although the St. Croix Triumph Travel Spinning Rod 6'6" Med Light 4pc SCII Carbon - TSR66MLF4 doesn't meet all my needs it's close I think.  Anybody own this one or have any experience with it?

 

Open-minded for another brand but am really happy with my Avid-X's. 

 

To summarize what I am looking for:

 

1.  Spinning

2.  super light-weight

3.  split grip if possible

4.  top down reel seat tightening (OR great reel tightening system).

5.  2 piece or more for portability

6.  MLF

7.  6' up to 7' max length

8.  Around $200 or less

 

Thanks.

 

Edited February 17, 2023 by E-H
adjusted

[E-H]

No responses at this point so bumping this.  I realize there are 1000's of rods to choose from.  Just looking for someone who has had experience with the avid-x and has another similar option with most of the criteria I listed.  I started researching MegaBass and maybe shouldn't have....

[E-H]

On 2/19/2023 at 8:31 PM, E-H said:

No responses at this point so bumping this.  I realize there are 1000's of rods to choose from.  Just looking for someone who has had experience with the avid-x and has another similar option with most of the criteria I listed.  I started researching MegaBass and maybe shouldn't have....

So....should I look for a topwater specific rod?  I want to use the whopper plopper 60/75 for smaller SMB at night when the hatch comes up in the evening.

 

I will never really get anything over 4lbs where I fish, so nothing more that medium or even medium light.

[PhishLI]

Medium light is too light for the WP 75, IMO. I throw it on a crisp MF casting rod. It'll overload a typical ML spinning rod.

[E-H]

40 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Medium light is too light for the WP 75, IMO. I throw it on a crisp MF casting rod. It'll overload a typical ML spinning rod.

I also have the 60's.  Most of the SMB I catch are 1lb with a few up to 3lbs or so.

 

Guess Medium would be better.  Any speed recommendations?  Moderate for this type of fishing?

 

I use the Avid-x MLF for ned and sometimes spinners and they are perfect for that but I do miss quite a few topwater with this setup.  They are smaller fish so some of that is expected but it would be nice to land more.

 

I would still want the rod weight to be fairly light and not over 7' if it's a one piece.

[PhishLI]

35 minutes ago, E-H said:

Guess Medium would be better.  Any speed recommendations? 

If lighter fish are your average, I'd opt for a fast if you're keeping the stock hooks. Spinning MF is quite moderate already. If you have issues hooking fish on the smaller side, consider going with lighter wire hooks.

[E-H]

13 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

If lighter fish are your average, I'd opt for a fast if you're keeping the stock hooks. Spinning MF is quite moderate already. If you have issues hooking fish on the smaller side, consider going with lighter wire hooks.

Thanks!   Helps knowing what to look for....and now I need to look at which brand and model...only 4k of them out there lol...Something similar weight wise like the avid-x - 3.5 oz I believe.

[E-H]

Reached out to ALX and they recommended the ZOLO JPS (Jerkbait, Poppers, Shakey) spinning - 6'8" Medium Fast. 

 

Anyone have/use this?  It's fairly new.  I love the avid-x mlf 6'6" for ned, so this might be great for the whopper plopper etc...on the smaller size - 60,75,90.  Might get some good distance with it too.