Applications?? for St Croix Legend X - XLC76MHMF / 7’6” / MH / Moderate Fast

[Chris Shonefeld]

I just got this rod as a gift and I couldn’t be more stoked. Never had a rod of this caliber. As excited as I am, I’m not really sure what to use this rod for. I’ve been looking around and I’ve seen some people using moderate fast action for pitching and punching. Some say bladed jigs. Some say cranks. Would love to pick this crews brain - what techniques will this rod excel at? Anyone own this exact rod - thoughts? TIA!!

 

[TNBankFishing]

I’ve used my buddies on a couple outings on a boat. My impression was it was a baby brother to their big flipping stick. It’s got a slightly slower taper and a slightly lower weight range but those combine into a wonderful package. It reminded me a lot of my Megabass Wild Bunch.

 

I prefer sticks with a slower action for my style of fishing and my line choices. 
 

This stick is a do it all weapon with enough sensitivity to handle bottom contact duty. I’d throw 1/2oz jigs, 3/4 light punching setups, deep cranks, 3/4 chatter/spinners, and 6” magdrafts. From there touch base on some 1oz wake baits and big topwaters. I would get two reels and roll one braid for the bottom contact and one flouro for everything else. 

[Chris Shonefeld]

@TNBankFishingthank for such a thoughtful answer. Pumped to hear it. Can’t wait to try it out!!

[Loomis13]

Assuming you dont go too low in weight, Im not sure there anything you couldnt use that rod for. 

[txchaser]

Congrats. I have that exact rod and it's really nice. The mod action makes it fish more like a crankbait rod to me, so first and foremost it is a moving bait rod. 

 

Bomb 1oz deep divers to the spool? Yep. But the length and tip let you throw fine at the low end of 

Throw mid-depth cranks and feel every little tic? Yep

Blade baits

rattletraps if you like softer (I don't) 

Chatterbait

mid-thickness hooks on a swim jig

deep spinnerbaits

etc etc

 

For me, It's too long for most squarebills. And a little soft/mod for bottom contact baits, unless it's a thinner hook.

 

If you gave me five rods only it would 100% make the cut, and might be the only moving bait rod because it can do everything reasonably well. 

[Chris Shonefeld]

21 hours ago, txchaser said:

Congrats. I have that exact rod and it's really nice. The mod action makes it fish more like a crankbait rod to me, so first and foremost it is a moving bait rod. 

 

Bomb 1oz deep divers to the spool? Yep. But the length and tip let you throw fine at the low end of 

Throw mid-depth cranks and feel every little tic? Yep

Blade baits

rattletraps if you like softer (I don't) 

Chatterbait

mid-thickness hooks on a swim jig

deep spinnerbaits

etc etc

 

For me, It's too long for most squarebills. And a little soft/mod for bottom contact baits, unless it's a thinner hook.

 

If you gave me five rods only it would 100% make the cut, and might be the only moving bait rod because it can do everything reasonably well. 

Really appreciate you taking time to type this up!! Very pumped. Cannot wait to get out there and give it a shot. Going on a fishing trip with some good friend at the beginning of April to Newton lake in Illinois. Haven’t told my buddies I got this rod. Pairing it with a JPN Zillion I just picked up.

 

Also, was thinking of going straight flouro 15-17lb. Thoughts?

[txchaser]

On 3/19/2024 at 9:19 PM, Chris Shonefeld said:

Really appreciate you taking time to type this up!! Very pumped. Cannot wait to get out there and give it a shot. Going on a fishing trip with some good friend at the beginning of April to Newton lake in Illinois. Haven’t told my buddies I got this rod. Pairing it with a JPN Zillion I just picked up.

 

Also, was thinking of going straight flouro 15-17lb. Thoughts?

Yep I use mostly 17lb tatsu, given the cover around here. If it was getting sole duty as a treble hook rod I might back off to 15.