St. Croix Question

[Midnight Splash2]

Well I snapped my 6'6" MHF Avid trigger rod last night. I wrapped the braid around the rod about a foot from the top after a hang up somehow. I jerked to get my lure lose and snapped the rod in two pieces. Now Ive got to get a replacement rod. I used this rod for my texas rigged soft plastics like Rage Crawls, Brush Hogs, & worms. I went to Gander today to possibly get a replacement rod. Would a 7' MF Avid rod be better for these type of baits or should I stick with a MHF? Also Gander had 1 of the St Croix Legend Tournament 6'6" MHF Trigger rods on sale for $179. Is there a noticeable difference in sensitivity between this rod and the avid series? The Legend was marked down from $240 and is only 10 dollars more then the Avid. If any of you guys have used both the avid and legend tournament rods Id be interested in hearing some comparisons. Thanks.

[Midnight Splash2]

Oh and the rod will be paired with a Pflueger Patriarch reel.

[Alpster]

I would jump on that Legend Tournament rod at that price. You will love it! Go at least MH power and fast action for Worms & creatures.

Ronnie

[00 mod]

I would be all over that 6'6'' mhf! Heck if you dont want it, I might get you to pick it up for me!!

Jeff

[Midnight Splash2]

It seem like a killer deal for the Legend. It just seems like the St Croix rods are a little off too spec. The MH seems close to a H to me. Thats why I was thinking of getting a M for these particular plastics. I was hoping there M was closer to every one elses MH. There 3/8 oz - 1oz rating on a MH seems a little heavy too. I would of scooped up the Legend right away but the MH action made me hesitate. Is it just me or are the St Croix rod ratings a little lower then they should be?

[esoxangler]

I agree that St. Croix Avids tend to have a little more power so to speak, at least in my experience and observations. For example I have a MBR783 MHF loomis, which acts more like my Croix MF, than my Croix MHF. Even their specs are the same: 1/4 - 3/4oz lure, line 10-17lb test. I should note that my Croixs are pre IPC casting rods, so maybe things are a bit different now. Oh, and I would still go with the MHF, especially if you can get the LT for that price.

[joshmb1999]

I've got avids, legend tournaments and a legend elite and there is not a huge difference in sensitivity from the avid on up. The avid, in my opinion, is the best value of the st. croix rods.

[Midnight Splash2]

Thanks

[SirSnookalot]

I don't know about that rod but this is how I buy rods. I go to a big box store and buy, then use it for a few outings and return it if I don't like the rod, no questions asked. I did this quite a few times this year. Several weeks ago I buy rod x, use it for almost 2 weeks, then return it. I then decide I want rod x, go back and only the rod I returned is in stock with no wrapper or price tag. I tell the cashier it's used rod and they give me 15% off. Not having another rod in stock the bar code was not available so the 15% off was based on a cheaper rod as it was the closest match. I like to let the system work for me.

[Bluebasser86]

I'd go with the longer rod for fishing plastics. I feel like I get better hooksets and can stear fish out of and around cover a little bit better with it.

[roadwarrior]

It's just personal preference, but I like 7' rods.

For weightless soft plastics, I fish a ES70MF. I

have the EC70MHF which I predominately use for big

spinnerbaits. The Avid AVC70MF is my regular spinnerbait

rod; AVC70MM is a classic light crankbait rod. I also

have the AVC66MF for topwater and jerkbaits; AVS66MLF

for white bass, crappie and stocker trout. I'm a St. Croix

fan!

My suggestion for you is to buy the Legend now and use some

of these suggestions when you consider you next purchase. The

Avid AVC70MHF is probably the best "all-around" rod you can

buy at the pricing point.

Good luck!

[Dave T.]

I'm also a St. Croix fan. I have an LTB, LE, and a custom Xtreme.

If it were me, I would also buy the Legend for $10 over the Avid. Although, there is certainly nothing wrong with the Avid... great rods.

As others have stated, St. Croix rods seem to be a tad "underrated" in the power department compared to most manufacturers. However, once you understand that, picking one is easy. I go buy the recommended lure weight on SC rods rather than the ML, M, MH power ratings.

You know what weight plastic you are fishing with... decide from there.Of course, you also have to consider the type of cover you tend to fish. That should also be a consideration.

[tritz18]

I have both avids and legend tournament rods. At that price the legend tournament rod is very worth it. You will not be disappointed with that rod and in general it will work fine for what you are planning on using it for. Jump on that deal, you won't regret it.

[ww2farmer]

Hold the phone here................you do realize that for $50 + shipping you can use St Croix's Gold Star plan, and get that rod replaced with another 6'6" MH/F brand new Avid. Even if your not the original owner. You need to contact St Croix, they will advise you on what to do. I used this service on a 7 MH/F Avid I snapped, I was not the original owner, cost me lesss than $75 bucks to replace it. Cheaper than going to the store and buying a new Avid for $180+. You also have the option of using the Gold Star plan PLUS and upgrade to a LTB or higher end rod cheaper than buying them straight up.

[Midnight Splash2]

I just found that information out today farmer. That is an awesome warranty. I bought it out of the flea market here and just figured there was nothing that could be done. I was on there website today and read there warranty information and was pleasantly surprised. I'm going to call them tomorrow and see what my options are. Hopefully they cant repair it and I get a new one. I'm going to ask for a 7' MF Avid as a replacement. If you are the original owner I believe it said the replacement cost would only be $20. $50 is a hell of a deal since it was my fault.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I just found that information out today farmer. That is an awesome warranty. I bought it out of the flea market here and just figured there was nothing that could be done. I was on there website today and read there warranty information and was pleasantly surprised. I'm going to call them tomorrow and see what my options are. Hopefully they cant repair it and I get a new one. I'm going to ask for a 7' MF Avid as a replacement. If you are the original owner I believe it said the replacement cost would only be $20. $50 is a hell of a deal since it was my fault.

Not nit-picking or arguing semantics, but this is a replacement program, not a warranty. These plans are built into the cost of the rods. You paid for it, so use it. That said, I am also a fan of St Croix blanks and rods.

[Midnight Splash2]

Whether it be a replacement or warranty program, Im very happy. I talked to a rep today and sent the rod back. He said they could send me a new 7' MF Avid for $50 to replace my broken 6'6" Avid. What a great company to deal with.

[Mainebassin]

I unfortunatly had to use the warranty program also....But was very very pleased.....5 year old Avid broke.,..called paid $50..within a week had new rod.......So I look at it like this......$230.00 total for 2 rods...Divided by 5 years thats less than $50.00 per year invested in a rod of that quality.....Any way you word it....Hell of A DEAL !!!!!!!!!!!