Surge489 Posted September 9, 2009 Posted September 9, 2009 I know people have opinions on rods like opinions on cars, however i would like to get some honest thoughts on a few rods. I am looking to upgrade some St. Croixs i have (avids, triumphs, premiers) to some better rods (though i do like the avids). I have considered the legend tournament as my upgrade but would like some opinions on these rods. I guess my one concern is the weight, so i would definitely like some input there. I figure more than likely you couldn't go wrong with a Loomis or a St Croix Legend. I have also considered carrot stix, love the look and feel but questions about quality due to duckett leaving. Can you guys provide some input / experience? This is my first post btw. so thanks for any help. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted September 9, 2009 Super User Posted September 9, 2009 Welcome aboard! I have G. Loomis, St. Croix Avids and Legend Elites. This is my take: G. Loomis GLX for jigs and soft plastics PR844S for live bait PR844C for heavy jerkbaits and some crankbaits BCR854 for jigs MBR844C for weighted soft plastics MBR842C for dropshots Avids for "moving" lures AVS66MLF for stocker trout, white bass and crappie AVC66MF for topwater, medium weight jerkbaits and buzzbaits AVC70MF for spinnerbaits AVC70MM for medium weight crankbaits, especially Rat-L-Trap type lures I go both ways with the Legend Elites which I think are comparable to G. Loomis IMX series. ES70MF for weightless soft plastics. EC70MHF for Mattlures Baby Bass and 3/4 oz Ledgebuster Single Willow Blade Spinnerbait. My deep cranking rod is a Lamiglas SR705R For fishing jerkbaits at night, Fenwick Techna AV AVS70MM 8-) Quote
Infidel. Posted September 9, 2009 Posted September 9, 2009 Welcome to the board! Similar posts have come up in the past and Roadwarrior's reply is very sound. Quote
Super User flechero Posted September 9, 2009 Super User Posted September 9, 2009 Roadwarrior's reply is very sound. I thought so too, until I saw that he goes both ways... and to think- I roomed with him at Fork! just kidding around ;D ;D Quote
Super User RoLo Posted September 9, 2009 Super User Posted September 9, 2009 Roadwarrior's reply is very sound. I thought so too, until I saw that he goes both ways... and to think- I roomed with him at Fork! just kidding around ;D ;D Quote
Surge489 Posted September 9, 2009 Author Posted September 9, 2009 Excellent. Thanks for the help. I'm thinking about just upgrading to one of the tournaments and see how I like them, then maybe upgrade the rest. Any issues on weight with the st. croix vs. loomis IMX? I found weights online on the croix's but can't seem to find anything on loomis. I have fished my buddy's loomis rods before and they feel super light, he has several different varieties. Or should i be looking more at balance rather than total weight?? Quote
djmax22 Posted September 10, 2009 Posted September 10, 2009 A lot of comes down to personal preference. I have owned several St Croix Legend Tournament Bass rods and they are great rods, but I just liked the feel of the Loomis rods better. I have since sold all of my St Croix LTB and Loomis rods almost exclusively. IMO the Loomis rods are tough to beat especially when fishing with soft plastics. If I had to choose between the Loomis IMX and LTB, I would go with the IMX. I believe this topic was covered several months ago and the IMX seemed to be favored over the LTB. I would go take the reel you are going to use to the store and see what feels best to you. Good Luck! Quote
DINK WHISPERER Posted September 10, 2009 Posted September 10, 2009 Roadwarrior's reply is very sound. I thought so too, until I saw that he goes both ways... and to think- I roomed with him at Fork! just kidding around ;D ;D :-X Quote
The_Natural Posted September 10, 2009 Posted September 10, 2009 I go both ways 8-) Haha...RW must be blushing Quote
Simp Posted September 10, 2009 Posted September 10, 2009 As far as the Carrot goes. like many owners I love mine. I've had no issues with it and I use the 7'8 heavy gold. It's strong and sensitive and I love the form factor of it with my citica E. I'm not a big fan of the guides they use but I don't think it's cost me any fish or anything. I had the chance to use a IMX the other day and it was the only rod I've ever felt that compared to my Gold. I'd probably give the IMX a 10 and the Carrot gold a 9 but they were different lengths and different line. So I can't judge 100% for sure what I would think is more sensitive. I understand why many have backed away from Carrots on here after what Duckett said, but we don't know the full story IMHO yet. So as long as E21 keeps up with there lifetime warranty I'm happy. Quote
The_Natural Posted September 10, 2009 Posted September 10, 2009 I think when St. Croix made the Legend Tournaments a split-grip....they lost balance. I think the mistake lies in the handle length. You can't have a full handle that balances out the rod nicely, and then replace it with a split grip and expect it to balance. You simply need to bump up the reel seat an inch or two. The Legend Tournament is one of the Best Looking if not THE best looking rod I've ever seen, but it is definitely tip-heavy. Quote
Infidel. Posted September 10, 2009 Posted September 10, 2009 I agree about the split grips. I have four Legend Tournaments and they are all the full grip models. They just fell into the split grip fad. Quote
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