St. Croix LTB, Extreme, Elite

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Which of these do you prefer and why?

Anyone notice differences in sensitivity, weight, overall feel?

Thanks.

[Uncle Leo]

Wayne I never fished an Extreme or Elite just checked them out. I have fished a Premier, Avid and LTB. The sensitivity does increase for these as you move up and weight is reduced. The Extremes and Elites feel like they would be the same, just never have been able to personally justify the additional cost. To be honest the LTB is a sweet rod for the money.

[Skunked in DR]

Have a couple of LTBs and a couple of Elites.  Have only played with the Extremes.

I do find the Elites more sensitive than my LTBs but not hugely so, probably not enough to justify the extra $100. 

Where I do prefer the Elites is to my mind and hand they balance better than my LTB's and the Xtremes I've held.  It might be the full grip or it might be entirely in my head.

[Slipknot6]

Own all 3 and i'd say the LTB are very nice rods, lightweight and sensitive. However anything above the 7'mh casting rods is too tip heavy and i don't care for at all. I'd just skip the elite and go right to the extreme. For the little more you'll pay over the elite, the extreme is WELL worth it, and the extremes are just that, extremely light, well balanced, and sensitive! Now whether the extreme is worth the $120 over the ltb, thats for you to decide

Edit: To answer your question, to me there is a noticeable difference from the LTB to Extreme, but not the LTB to elite

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I'm considering the Big Cranker 7'MH  LTB.

I can get two other rods through this deal and having a tough time deciding.

[J Francho]

To answer your question, to me there is a noticeable difference from the LTB to Extreme, but not the LTB to elite

Ditto, though the Elite I had was a spinner, and Extreme was a flipping stick.  I actually get what I need out of the Avids.  The LTB are slight step up from there, mostly just lighter.

Since SC doesn't actually make "matched" combos, you'll also want to try a few different reels, and find the best match.  I have a few rods that simply felt wrong with one reel get really nice with another.  The LTBC70MHF is one example.  Sucked with a Zill on it, was great with a TD-X103HSDL.

[J Francho]

I'm considering the Big Cranker 7'MH LTB.

I can get two other rods through this deal and having a tough time deciding.

Unless you MUST have a split grip, the Avid version (AVC70MHM) is every bit as good, if not better. 

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I'm considering the Big Cranker 7'MH LTB.

I can get two other rods through this deal and having a tough time deciding.

Unless you MUST have a split grip, the Avid version (AVC70MHM) is every bit as good, if not better.

What about for the same price, which one then?

[J Francho]

For me?  Avid.  I MUST have a full rear grip for cranking.  It comes down to the grip, really.  The LTB is a tad faster, viewed side by side.  Nothing that would matter, though.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I actually like the idea of a full rear for the crank rod.  Ok, got that one picked.

Now, perhaps a 7'M Spinning rod.  (Grip does not matter to me on this one) Weightless plastics would be the main focus.  LTB Tube rod maybe?

Spinnerbait/buzzbait rod would be the other probability.  LTB Sweeper?

[Skunked in DR]

For weightless soft plastics you might also want to consider the 6'8" MXF - think its called the Finesse.

[J Francho]

Sweeper is great rod, with the right reel.

You could go with the Teaser for unweighted plastics as well.

In fact, the Teaser/Sweeper combo would probably cover 90% of your fishing.

I've looked long and hard at the Tube rod, everything is right about this stick, but it doesn't call out to me.  Don't feel like I'm missing anything not owning it.

There is a LTW (walleye) rod that really has me interested for light jigs in heavier than normal cover: TWS70MHM, yeah a spinner.  Places where you'd like to throw a 1/4 jig, and not be bothered with a baitcaster, but be able to horse a fish from cover with 20# braid.

[J Francho]

For weightless soft plastics you might also want to consider the 6'8" MXF - think its called the Finesse.

I would caution against XF tapers and wacky rigs.....my AVC68MXF just loads into the backbone too quickly, and you throw the worm on the back cast one out of three times, especially with that side arm, loop cast to get a couple skips.  The Teaser is much more suited for this.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

For weightless soft plastics you might also want to consider the 6'8" MXF - think its called the Finesse.

I'm looking more at "heavier" unweighted plastics.  Flukes, senkos.  I also prefer a 7' spinning rod.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

It looks like I can't really go wrong.

I can get three a year and they personalize them for me.

Wish Loomis and Shimano would do this too.   ;D

[J Francho]

Guide deal?

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Guide deal?

LOL, you know I don't pay retail for anything.   ;D

[NorcalBassin]

I have the LTB Teaser Rod.. definitely my favorite rod to fish with, hands down.