Advice picking new St Croix Rod Setups

[Yianni]

Hi, I am looking to upgrade my rod setups to St Croix Legend X rods. I fish mostly for bass at ponds, lakes, sometimes on a boat. A shop near me has legend X’s on sale for a good price, and I have good reels but my rods are pretty bad but am unsure on how to go about a two rod setup for most applications I’ll be fishing.

The Legend X comes in:

6’8” ML XF

6’8” M XF

6’10” M XF

7’ M F

7’ MH F
 

I do a lot of pond fishing using finesse (wacky, senkos, Texas rig). I’ve seen a lot of people recommend the 6’8” Med XF for finesse, but I’m sure the 6’10” Med XF would work just as good. Not sure what would be best as I know the power ratings are very different between companies… wondering what others thought about it with more expensive with these rods. 

 

I’d also like a more “all-purpose” rod for most other applications such as spinnerbaits, z-man chatterbaits, some light cranks. I’ve always been told that 7’MH was the way to go for bass fishing. It’s what I’ve always stuck with. But as I’ve read more, many have said that St Croix’s run heavier and that M feels like MH, MH feels like H. For people who have used these rods (or any St Croix in general), what do you recommend? I worry a 7’ M might overlap too much with the 6’8” M XF, and that a 7’ MH might be too heavy. Any advice on how to go about this two rod setup?

 

Thanks in advance 

[Manifestgtr]

It looks like you’re looking at the spinning rods? I can’t comment on those SPECIFICALLY because I’m all baitcasting but I can tell you this much. The Legend X is one of the finest rods I’ve ever held. They completely stack up to NRX and Conquest in my experience. 
 

The 68MXF is my personal favorite but the 7MHF is really nice, too. I have a 68MHF on the way for short range toading (a bit odd but I have a feeling it’s gonna be nice). 
 

Torzite guides, unbelievable cork and some of St Croix’s finest graphite…they’re really hard to argue with unless you need a stiffer tip section. 

[Yianni]

Yes, I am looking to get two new spinning setups to clarify. I knew I’d forget to mention something!

 

manifestgtr, thanks for all the info! I do agree, the Legend X is a whole package of awesomeness. I think I’ll for sure go with the 6’8” M XF because everyone seems to love that size. Hopefully, someone who does spinning can help out on if the 7’ M F is too similar to that, or if I should just bump up to the 7’ MH. Like I said, I’d usually be quick to pick up a MH, but the power rating weights seem a bit high. Hopefully someone who’s used St Croix spinning rods more than me. But I appreciate all the help so far!

[webertime]

68Mxf is my jerkbait rod.   I'd go 7mh or 7m

[Susky River Rat]

I have premiers not the high end rods but I do love my 7’ medium F. 

[TNBankFishing]

Do you have access to any elite rods or just X? The elite 7’ MLF is a standout. In the x line I’ve owned a mlxf and m and sold both. The medium was too firm for what I wanted but might be exactly what you’re looking for. The MH will be stout for a spinning rod. It may feel strange at first but I own the casting 7’ mh and love it for everything single hook. 
 

Check the bends on all of the lengths when you go back. The 6’10 might have slightly more tip which gives it a more versatile spot in your lineup.

[Yianni]

Sadly, only the Legend X is on sale, not the elite. So I’d like to stick with the x. 
 

I think I’m going to have to go back and compare the bends again. Although everyone seems to agree the MH is very stout for a spinning rod from what I’ve read. I mainly wanted to see what type of application or preferences people like to use each of these rods in and who have actually gotten to use these out on the water. 
 

Would the 6’8” M XF and the 7’ M F be too similar for each other? 6’8” for finesse and 7’ for spinner and chatter bait maybe?

[Wprich]

I have 3 of the models in the Legend Elite line which I am pretty sure is same blank as the Legend X's. 

The 6'10" MXF Legend Elite is a mean wacky rig, light Texas rig, and 110+1 JR rod only rod I have better is my NRX+ 852S for wacky/Texas rigs.  The 6'10" MXF Legend Elite is great at skipping Senkos and gets into backbone quick for great hooksets.  I have even taken it to the Georgia coast and caught reds, huge flounder, and sea trout it's just a great rod. 

I also have the 7' MF Legend Elite and I like it for throwing Shad Raps and finesse swimbaits it has a pretty soft tip so not that good to me for Texas rigged baits.  Also have thrown Neko rigs with it and it shines for those as well to me. 

The 6'10" MLXF I use for Ned rigs and little jigs like Roadrunners and Bobby Garland baby shad for crappie, white bass, and yellow perch.

[roadwarrior]

Take a look at the Legend Tournament series. I own the LBTC72MHM

https://stcroixrods.com/products/legend-tournament-bass-2022-new-models

[WIGuide]

The 6'8" M/XF rod is a tremendous wacky rig rod and works very well for a lot of other finesse techniques. The 6'10" would be great too with a little extra length. I wouldn't hesitate to go with the 7' MH/F as your all purpose as you won't have any issues with that.

[WRB]

On 3/1/2023 at 8:46 AM, Yianni said:

Hi, I am looking to upgrade my rod setups to St Croix Legend X rods. I fish mostly for bass at ponds, lakes, sometimes on a boat. A shop near me has legend X’s on sale for a good price, and I have good reels but my rods are pretty bad but am unsure on how to go about a two rod setup for most applications I’ll be fishing.

The Legend X comes in:

6’8” ML XF

6’8” M XF

6’10” M XF

7’ M F

7’ MH F
 

I do a lot of pond fishing using finesse (wacky, senkos, Texas rig). I’ve seen a lot of people recommend the 6’8” Med XF for finesse, but I’m sure the 6’10” Med XF would work just as good. Not sure what would be best as I know the power ratings are very different between companies… wondering what others thought about it with more expensive with these rods. 

 

I’d also like a more “all-purpose” rod for most other applications such as spinnerbaits, z-man chatterbaits, some light cranks. I’ve always been told that 7’MH was the way to go for bass fishing. It’s what I’ve always stuck with. But as I’ve read more, many have said that St Croix’s run heavier and that M feels like MH, MH feels like H. For people who have used these rods (or any St Croix in general), what do you recommend? I worry a 7’ M might overlap too much with the 6’8” M XF, and that a 7’ MH might be too heavy. Any advice on how to go about this two rod setup?

 

Thanks in advance 

How much of a discount are getting? This is a high end price spinning rod $450+!

6’10” MXF and 7’ MHF stand out, lots of great rods in that price point.

Tom

[RichF]

The extra fast Croixs fish pretty heavy (I have the 6’10 in the Legend tournament series).  I’d go with the the 7’ m and mh. The medium will cover all your finesse needs and the med heavy will have enough power for your bigger, single hook baits.