Versatile river smallmouth spinning rod

[Creek Chub 1]

I’m looking at the St Croix legend elite medium 6’10” extra fast, 7’0” fast and g Loomis glx medium and having a tough time make a decision 

 

I’ll use it for jerk baits, 1/4-5/16 skirted jigs, weightless flukes and tubes.

 

of these three choices, what’s everyone’s thoughts?

 

I’m open to other suggestions as well

 

thanks

[FishTank]

I don't like x-fast rods for jerkbaits so the St. Croix rod would be out for me. Then on the G. Loomis side, I have the 842s NRX+ and is way under powered for a Megabass Vision 110 but it's great for baits like 110 jr and small shad baits. The 843s, which I don't have,  may be better suited for 1/2 jerkbaits.   

 

I would suggest the Megabass P5 Windbuster. It can handle all of the OP wants. It has plenty of power and it has a nice tip but it is 7'2". There is also the Addermine. I have not fished this one but it seems to be great for jerkbaits.

 

 

 

[Hulkster]

Loomis over St. Croix any day of the week with what's been happening to St. Croix in the last few years. 

[webertime]

I love my St Croix Legend Xtreme for jerkbaits (66Mxf) great tip for it.  But...  no Bueno for jigs the xf tip is too soft for me on the Mxf taper/power.

Throwing this out there...  Megabass P5 Windbuster?

[Creek Chub 1]

1 hour ago, FishTank said:

I don't like x-fast rods for jerkbaits so the St. Croix rod would be out for me. Then on the G. Loomis side, I have the 842s NRX+ and is way under powered for a Megabass Vision 110 but it's great for baits like 110 jr and small shad baits. The 843s, which I don't have,  may be better suited for 1/2 jerkbaits.   

 

I would suggest the Megabass P5 Windbuster. It can handle all of the OP wants. It has plenty of power and it has a nice tip but it is 7'2". There is also the Addermine. I have not fished this one but it seems to be great for jerkbaits.

 

 

 

I mainly throw 110 jrs and +1’s and old school TD minnows with an occasional xrap and rogue. From a cost standpoint I’m trying to avoid the nrx but hear great things about them but the glx fits my budget

 

MB has some good sticks. I have the orochi whipsnake. It works the 110 jrs pretty good but it’s definitely on the upper end of its weight range 

38 minutes ago, Hulkster said:

Loomis over St. Croix any day of the week with what's been happening to St. Croix in the last few years. 

Do you have any experience with the glx model?

[Hulkster]

2 hours ago, Creek Chub 1 said:

Do you have any experience with the glx model?

no but I have used a few Imx pro and JWR E6X (second generation) and they were excellent 

[thunderblack]

Hey CC, I fish jerkbaits a ton and have fished a lot of rods from both of these manufactures. I think what you want is a legend tourney 7-1 M F. I know its not elite but handle is comfortable and power is perfect. Also look at expride 7' M. A legend elite in M would also work well. Loomis does not have a great model for jerkbaits (110 size)in my opinion unless you find a 842S conquest (more power Tim Allen grunt).

 

[FishTank]

5 hours ago, Creek Chub 1 said:

I mainly throw 110 jrs and +1’s and old school TD minnows with an occasional xrap and rogue. From a cost standpoint I’m trying to avoid the nrx but hear great things about them but the glx fits my budget

 

MB has some good sticks. I have the orochi whipsnake. It works the 110 jrs pretty good but it’s definitely on the upper end of its weight range 

Do you have any experience with the glx model?

 

I don't have any GLX spinning rods but I have three casting, the 844c, 783c, and 803c. All are older models. I tend to use casting more than spinning for jerkbaits.

 

The 783c use to be my dedicated jerkbait rod but then I purchased the Megabass Levante Jerkbait Special.  It's a little on the stiff side and does well with regular 110s. Then this past fall I picked up the Megabass P5 Z-Crank Elseil and this rod to me was perfect for 110s and 110jr's, and of course small cranks.  

 

 

[Creek Chub 1]

2 hours ago, thunderblack said:

Hey CC, I fish jerkbaits a ton and have fished a lot of rods from both of these manufactures. I think what you want is a legend tourney 7-1 M F. I know its not elite but handle is comfortable and power is perfect. Also look at expride 7' M. A legend elite in M would also work well. Loomis does not have a great model for jerkbaits (110 size)in my opinion unless you find a 842S conquest (more power Tim Allen grunt).

 

Shimano makes a good stick. I have the A version of the Expride in light+ power and that’s an awesome ned rod

[Bdnoble84]

You are going to need a good stick for those stupid tubes. I love my bassx 6’10 mlxf for throwing hair, ned etc. feel is really good to me. I would imagine going up tiers is going to provide an even better stick.

[bowhunter63]

Mxf 7 ft 6. I can cast lighter lures farther. Picks up line a lot quicker. Still using BP Carbonlite . My favorite rod for wading 

[TNBankFishing]

It you can deal with the size the Steez “the one”. I use mine for nearly everything. 

[Creek Chub 1]

On 2/2/2025 at 9:36 AM, Bdnoble84 said:

You are going to need a good stick for those stupid tubes. I love my bassx 6’10 mlxf for throwing hair, ned etc. feel is really good to me. I would imagine going up tiers is going to provide an even better stick.

Do you think a medium light has enough power for the stupid tubes?

[kschultz76]

Take a look at the ALX Enox Psychic, 6’9” M F 3/16-5/8. Any St. Croix SV3 or better M F spinning blank is a great versatile spinning rod. Just not a fan of some of their latest handle design choices. 

[Bdnoble84]

5 hours ago, Creek Chub 1 said:

Do you think a medium light has enough power for the stupid tubes?

Absolutely. Especially since you are running a #2 hook on the ones i sent you.