St Croix AC68MXF for crankbait ?

[bugman]

I was checking into a few St Croix rods and I saw that the AC68MXF was  highly rated as a Crankbait rod in the rod selector area in the Croix web site. I was suprised to see a XF tip rated for cranks. What crankbaits would you fish with this rod.

[ww2farmer]

I often like to use a fast tip rod for ripping Rat-L-Traps or ultra shallow running cranks (baby 1-, sub warts etc....) through grass, with a moderate action rod I don't think I get as good a feel when the bait is just ticking the grass, and the faster rod lets me rip it free when it catches in the grass with little loading up of the rod. I wouldn't buy a rod for just this technique, as my faster action jig/worm rods do the trick for me just fine. Just make sure you use mono.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

ww2farmer is right on.  I have the Legend Tounrey version and no way would I buy this rod specifically for crankbaits.  I guess it would ok to use for shallow cranks and lipless cranks in a pinch, but not specifically for these techniques.  

[bugman]

After you hook up a Bass with this rod do you have problems with them throwing the R-trap?

[bugman]

One of the reasons I asked this question is that I think the AC68MXF would be a good rod for weightless plastics but I would only buy it if I could use it for other baits. What other baits would this rod be good for? I have a PC60MF that I use for spinnerbaits/Jerkbaits/Top Waters. Would a AC66MF be a better all around rod or is it to close to the PC60MF? I also have a PC70MF that I use for long casts with spinners and buzzbaits.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

IMO your other two rods would be better for throwing treble hooked lures.  I do not have and have not fished either, but from what I understand St. Croix's Med power Fast rods have a fairly soft tip making them better for treble hooked lures.  I have also heard they are great general purpose rods.  IMO XF would a little more technique specific.  I am personally using it for weightless senkos (weightless), soft plastic jerkbaits, shaky head worms, and light jigs.

[jagdbdg]

AC68MXF will work fine for crankbaits, topwater and spinners.  If you look for the thread" ST.Croix Which one graphite or fiberglass?", others use this rod for crankbaits.

[Gatorbassman]

I am in the middle of making a rod from a SCIV68MXF. It will be my Rat-l-Trap, Topwater, jighead worm, leadhead fluke, ditch witch rod. That's basicly all I use most of the year. I can't wait to try it out.

[bugman]

Thank you for all the information about the Croix AC68MXF. This fourm has always been a great source for information due to fishermen like yourself. Because I already have AC66MHM, AC73MHF, PC60MF & PC70MF rods I will buy the AC68MXF and pair it up with my Curado 7.1:1. I think this will round out my medium power rod inventory.

[Gatorbassman]

Thank you for all the information about the Croix AC68MXF. This fourm has always been a great source for information due to fishermen like yourself. Because I already have AC66MHM, AC73MHF, PC60MF & PC70MF rods I will buy the AC68MXF and pair it up with my Curado 7.1:1. I think this will round out my medium power rod inventory.

You and I are thinking along the same line. I am pairing mine with a 7.1:1 too.

[bugman]

One last question about the AC68MXF? Out of all my rods I use my PC60MF the most. I fish out of a small 14' boat and I like the accuracy of shorter rods. I see Croix has an AC62MXF. My question is how will the 6" difference between these two rods effect what I can use this rod for? I have never fished with a XF rod before an I'm not sure how the length effects the hook setting and fish fighting ability of this type of rod.