St Croix MF

[huskertko]

Just curious what everyone thinks about using this rod for a small/medium crankbait rod?  This one is a baitcaster, not a spinning rod

[roadwarrior]

The Avid AC66MF is my all-around baitcaster. It works well for spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, topwater, buzzbaits and crankbaits. Although the rod action is rated Fast, it has a soft tip. I suggest another rod with a firmer tip for jigs and soft plastics.

[huskertko]

Yeah, I have my Loomis MBR for jigs and t-rigs, and this St Croix is now my all around rod.  I was going to pick up a BPS crankin stick on Wednesday when they open the new store in Olathe, but the more I think about it, if I can get by using the St. Croix as a crankbait rod, then I can pick up a BCR Mossyback as my jig and T-rig rod and use the MBR as my all around.

[ww2farmer]

The Avid AC66MF is my all-around baitcaster. It works well for spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, topwater, buzzbaits and crankbaits. Although the rod action is rated Fast, it has a soft tip. I suggest another rod with a firmer tip for jigs and soft plastics.

Out of curiosity RW, why do you like firm tips for jigs/soft plastics, not a smart-alec ?, I would like to get your thoughts on that. I like soft tips on rods that have lots of "backbone" for weightless soft plastics, small jigs, I think it gives me a better "feel" of what I am doing with smaller presentations. I really only go to a fast tip rod when c-riging, and using big jigs in heavy cover.

[roadwarrior]

The main reason I want a firm tip is the hookset. I use a "snap-set" or what some call a "quick-set." The firm tip gives me an immediate, not delayed, response. I feel like the firms tip telegraphs virbration better and is therefore more sensitive, too.

I fish a St.Croix Legend Elite, ES70MF.

[Hot n Tot]

I personally feel that the St. Croix fast action rods are not well suited for crankbaits. I was losing lots of fish on Rat'ltraps with a fast action rod. Problem got much better when I picked up a Loomis crankbait rod. Now I don't lose nearly as many fish.  I admit to being skeptical about the benefits of moderate action rods for crankbaits until I started using one and now I'm landing a much higher percentage of the fish I hook. Some of it may be coincidental, but the fish don't throw the hook now nearly as often as  they did. As in everything else in fishing, your results may vary  

[roadwarrior]

Hot n Tot,

No disagreement from me. Generally, I recommend Moderate or Slow Action for treble hook lures, but the tip on the Avid AC66MF compensates for flexibility. For heavy and deep running lures, I fish a Lamiglas SR705R which is Heavy Power/ Slow Action.

[huskertko]

Thanks guys, I think I am still going to get the BPS crankin rod with a Shimano Citica.  Now I just need to decide on a 5.0:1 or a 6.2:1 ratio.

[bugman]

Myself I like the faster reel even when crankin. I like the speed when trying to get deep cranks down to max depth. I don't have problems slowing down my retrive with a 6.2:1 reel. As long as the reel you pick has the cranking power you want I would go with the 6:1. (jmho)

[Banor]

Myself I like the faster reel even when crankin. I like the speed when trying to get deep cranks down to max depth. I don't have problems slowing down my retrive with a 6.2:1 reel. As long as the reel you pick has the cranking power you want I would go with the 6:1. (jmho)

In my humble opinion you have this in reverse.  You are cranking faster with less torque and will not reach max depth(not to mention you'll wear yourself out fast).  Slower IPT with higher torque will get you deeper with less effort expended.   I also see as an added benefit that you keep the crank in the strike zone longer.

As mentioned before this is one man's opinion not a personal attack, results may vary.

B