Phenix Bass Recon Elite vs St. Croix Legend Elite 2024
freelancer27 reply :
Hi all,
In the market for a Jig/Chatterbait rod.
I chose these rods since they have a long, full handle. I have a Avid X with a broken guide that I am considering to use for the Gold program with St.Croix to upgrade to the Legend Elite.
Considering the following:
* Phenix Bass Recon Elite Casting Rod 7'6" Heavy
* Phenix Bass Recon Elite Casting Rod 7'9" Heavy
* St. Croix Legend Elite Casting Rod 7'4" Heavy
Legend Elite would cost me: 280 USD
Phenix would cost me: 200-210 USD (I could sell the Avid X additionally, not sure though how much I could get for it...)
What are you guys thinking?
Thanks!
PatrickKnight reply :
That St Croix is a class above that Phenix. No question go with the Croix.
freelancer27 reply :
Wondering if should also consider the St. Croix Legend Elite Casting Rod 7'6" Med Hvy...
Not sure if a heavy or a medium heavy would be better for my purposes..
THoughts?
Big Bait Fishing reply :
the Phenix recon Elite 7'6'' heavy and 7'9'' heavy are flipping rods ! i would go with the 7'6'' MH .
Turkey sandwich reply :
I have a St. Croix Legend Elite MH Fast jig rod and it's phenomenal. Everything from the blank, quality of guides, cork, and craftsmanship are all excellent. I got mine as a warranty/trade in after I snapped a tip on a Rage for something like $150-$200. It's easily the best jig rod I've ever fished. Also, mind you, the MH will cover most jig and worm applications exceedingly well. I know nothing about the Phoenix, but I will recommend a Legend Elite to anyone who likes a full cork handle and is willing to spend the money.
nocluefisher reply :
Try the Dobyns champion 736cb. $170 on Dobyns website under mislabeled rods. I have one and I like it a lot.
http://dobynsrods.com/store/#!/DC-736CB-GLASS-labeled-DC-735CB-GLASS/p/78078711/category=22175368
RichF reply :
St Croix all the way. I agree you should probably go with a medium heavy if you want the rod to pull double duty.
Angry John reply :
I have two 7' LEC70MHF rods and they are wonderful. Unless your trying to punch the mh will be the ticket. I have an avid 74hf and that rod is very powerful. I do frog and punch with it. If your dealing with heavy cover the heavy is sweet but way overkill for most of the year.
freelancer27 reply :
On 8/28/2017 at 3:14 PM, Turkey sandwich said:I have a St. Croix Legend Elite MH Fast jig rod and it's phenomenal. Everything from the blank, quality of guides, cork, and craftsmanship are all excellent. I got mine as a warranty/trade in after I snapped a tip on a Rage for something like $150-$200. It's easily the best jig rod I've ever fished. Also, mind you, the MH will cover most jig and worm applications exceedingly well. I know nothing about the Phoenix, but I will recommend a Legend Elite to anyone who likes a full cork handle and is willing to spend the money.
On 8/28/2017 at 9:01 PM, RichF said:St Croix all the way. I agree you should probably go with a medium heavy if you want the rod to pull double duty.
On 8/28/2017 at 9:09 PM, Angry John said:I have two 7' LEC70MHF rods and they are wonderful. Unless your trying to punch the mh will be the ticket. I have an avid 74hf and that rod is very powerful. I do frog and punch with it. If your dealing with heavy cover the heavy is sweet but way overkill for most of the year.
Thanks guys!
Ok, going to look closer at the MH as well then.
I am planning to throw anything from 1/2 oz - 1.5 oz with the rod (most of the time Jigs, other single hook lures). I want a longer rod than 7', also the handle needs to be at least 16inches long.
So that leaves me in essence with:
* St. Croix Legend Elite Casting Rod 7'4" Heavy
* St. Croix Legend Elite Casting Rod 7'6" Med Hvy
The heavy is more of a punching rod? The 7'6'' has a moderate taper? Never fished such a taper for jigs. What are the pros and cons of such taper for the applications that I am looking for?
Thanks again.
RichF reply :
The 7'4 heavy is more of a frog/swim jig rod. I have a 7'4 H Avid X and I actually like it a lot for 1/2 to 3/4oz jigs. I can tell it would be a very good frog rod too. Personally, I wouldn't punch with it. I also have a 7'6 med heavy moderate fast Rage. I tried a few things with it but never found a solid use for it. I briefly used it for 5" paddle tail swimbaits (keel weighted hooks). It worked ok for that. I tried swing heads with it and again, it was just ok. I also pitched t-rigged plastics with it. That was the best use but the rod was just a bit clunky for my liking. The extra give of the mod-fast taper will be good for bladed jigs.
Personally, I don't mind a mod-fast taper for jigs. One of my favorite jig rods is my 7'6 Kistler heavy mod-fast Helium.
Turkey sandwich reply :
.5oz to 1.5oz is a huge range to cover with one rod. Jigs are best fished on a fast rod. The problem is that the faster action a rod, the more narrow it's weight rating, typically favoring lighter weights. For example, lets assume that all of the following action rods weight rating begins around 3/8 - 1/2 oz. A med heavy x fast may rate up to 7/8 oz, a med heavy fast may rate up to 1 1/8 oz and a med heavy moderate crank bait rod may rate up to 1 1/2 oz. It would obviously not be worth buying a rod designed for crankbaits for jig fishing just because it gives you a larger envelope for weight.
Also, specific reason you need a 16" handle?
freelancer27 reply :
On 8/29/2017 at 12:49 AM, RichF said:The 7'4 heavy is more of a frog/swim jig rod. I have a 7'4 H Avid X and I actually like it a lot for 1/2 to 3/4oz jigs. I can tell it would be a very good frog rod too. Personally, I wouldn't punch with it. I also have a 7'6 med heavy moderate fast Rage. I tried a few things with it but never found a solid use for it. I briefly used it for 5" paddle tail swimbaits (keel weighted hooks). It worked ok for that. I tried swing heads with it and again, it was just ok. I also pitched t-rigged plastics with it. That was the best use but the rod was just a bit clunky for my liking. The extra give of the mod-fast taper will be good for bladed jigs.
Personally, I don't mind a mod-fast taper for jigs. One of my favorite jig rods is my 7'6 Kistler heavy mod-fast Helium.
I have a different rod for frogs, so I think I want to specialize this rod for Jigs (and occasionally other things like chatterbaits, paddle tail swimbaits, spinnerbaits).
So, it seems like a MH - H might be the better: so these two options :
* St. Croix Legend Elite Casting Rod 7'1" Med Hvy
* St. Croix Legend Elite Casting Rod 7'4" Heavy
On 8/29/2017 at 1:07 AM, Turkey sandwich said:.5oz to 1.5oz is a huge range to cover with one rod. Jigs are best fished on a fast rod. The problem is that the faster action a rod, the more narrow it's weight rating, typically favoring lighter weights. For example, lets assume that all of the following action rods weight rating begins around 3/8 - 1/2 oz. A med heavy x fast may rate up to 7/8 oz, a med heavy fast may rate up to 1 1/8 oz and a med heavy moderate crank bait rod may rate up to 1 1/2 oz. It would obviously not be worth buying a rod designed for crankbaits for jig fishing just because it gives you a larger envelope for weight.
Also, specific reason you need a 16" handle?
I have a Daiwa Steez XT Casting Rod 7' Med Hvy that I can use to throw lighter jigs and Trigged plastics. The sensitivity on the rod is ok, hence I would like to get a top of the line rod for heavier jigs (1/2 oz - 1 oz jigs with trailer).
I prefer a longer handle because it just gives me a bit more control when setting the hook.
RichF reply :
If you're going to use it mostly for jigs, I would choose the 7'4 over the med heavy. But I also prefer to be over powered on just about everything.
Angry John reply :
Hate to say it but the rod your looking for is the mb XX perfect pitch.
freelancer27 reply :
On 8/29/2017 at 3:49 AM, Angry John said:Hate to say it but the rod your looking for is the mb XX perfect pitch.
Why is that? 
Isnt the rod more for pitching (as the name implies)?
Angry John reply :
On 8/29/2017 at 4:44 AM, freelancer27 said:Why is that?
Isnt the rod more for pitching (as the name implies)?
Arguably one of the best frog rods around
freelancer27 reply :
On 8/29/2017 at 7:39 AM, Angry John said:Arguably one of the best frog rods around
Looking for a J.I.G. rod though I think the qualities of a great Jig rod would be wasted for Frogging, no?
Angry John reply :
On 8/29/2017 at 4:44 AM, freelancer27 said:Why is that?
Isnt the rod more for pitching (as the name implies)?
Arguably one of the best frog rods around. Another good all around choice is the steez xbd rod. Great from frogs to heavy jigs.
freelancer27 reply :
On 8/29/2017 at 8:13 AM, Angry John said:Arguably one of the best frog rods around. Another good all around choice is the steez xbd rod. Great from frogs to heavy jigs.
So you are using rod and frog rods interchangeably? IMO that is a bit of waste, since you do not really need the sensitivity (high quality components) for a frog rod, no?
Turkey sandwich reply :
Still, you aren't going to find much high end that's going to fish presentations requiring high sensitivity well for that entire 1/2 oz - 1 1/2oz range. If you already have the Steez as a MH jig rod, why be concerned with the new rod fishing 1/2oz lures? By all accounts, that seems like a great rod for throwing bottom contact baits up to about an ounce. Why not just focus on something intended for heavier jigs, punching, and flipping 1oz+ weights?
As for frogging and most top water presentations around heavy mats, I typically make do well with MH rods. If I were to look at something specifically for frogs, I probably wouldn't be looking too much in the $300-500 range unless I really had the cash to burn. To me, I don't see frogging as an all day technique that would wear me out if I didn't have a perfectly balanced stick, nor does it require the sensitivity of say, a jig, T-rig, dropshot, etc.
Angry John reply :
Using a high end rod for frogs only may be excessive but what about the idea of a rod that can be used for a lot of techniques. Why carry 10 rods when 3 will do the job. If you are into nice gear and see no reason to have the most rods, it may be best to find a few that cover everything you want to do. Would i buy a steez or MB rod for one technique only hell no. But the rods mentioned will do a lot. Frog, pitch California swim jigs, small to moderate swim baits and the list goes on. I yak most of the time and dont like to carry more than 3. I have a lot more than that and i try to decide which rods would fit the situation the best while giving high coverage for the techniques i plan for that day. If your using multi purpose rods then thats less reels to buy also. I am a huge fan of tackle tours search for the one, and single technique rods are a huge expense in not only initial cost but maintenance and space in the boat or on the yak. I dont know that i have ever seen a factory handle 16" other than on a slant bridge. My 70hf avid is a custom build for this reason just to get a 12" handle. Where are you measuring the handle from??? I have 12" of cork and my builder was very wary of that idea.
freelancer27 reply :
On 8/29/2017 at 9:08 AM, Turkey sandwich said:Still, you aren't going to find much high end that's going to fish presentations requiring high sensitivity well for that entire 1/2 oz - 1 1/2oz range. If you already have the Steez as a MH jig rod, why be concerned with the new rod fishing 1/2oz lures? By all accounts, that seems like a great rod for throwing bottom contact baits up to about an ounce. Why not just focus on something intended for heavier jigs, punching, and flipping 1oz+ weights?
As for frogging and most top water presentations around heavy mats, I typically make do well with MH rods. If I were to look at something specifically for frogs, I probably wouldn't be looking too much in the $300-500 range unless I really had the cash to burn. To me, I don't see frogging as an all day technique that would wear me out if I didn't have a perfectly balanced stick, nor does it require the sensitivity of say, a jig, T-rig, dropshot, etc.
Fair enough.
Honestly I think I will stay in the 1/2 - 1 oz range.
On 8/29/2017 at 9:42 AM, Angry John said:Using a high end rod for frogs only may be excessive but what about the idea of a rod that can be used for a lot of techniques. Why carry 10 rods when 3 will do the job. If you are into nice gear and see no reason to have the most rods, it may be best to find a few that cover everything you want to do. Would i buy a steez or MB rod for one technique only hell no. But the rods mentioned will do a lot. Frog, pitch California swim jigs, small to moderate swim baits and the list goes on. I yak most of the time and dont like to carry more than 3. I have a lot more than that and i try to decide which rods would fit the situation the best while giving high coverage for the techniques i plan for that day. If your using multi purpose rods then thats less reels to buy also. I am a huge fan of tackle tours search for the one, and single technique rods are a huge expense in not only initial cost but maintenance and space in the boat or on the yak. I dont know that i have ever seen a factory handle 16" other than on a slant bridge. My 70hf avid is a custom build for this reason just to get a 12" handle. Where are you measuring the handle from??? I have 12" of cork and my builder was very wary of that idea.
Yeah, good point. Friday nights I pick a max of 4 rods that I will take with me the next day. Those 4 rods will alway cover 1-x applications.
For this particular rod I am looking to get something for heavier bottom contact lures and also something that I can fish a single hook lure (chaterbait, spinnerbait) with that I have to set the jig hook hard. My Daiwa (though Medium- Heavy) just feels not right for those applications. I liked the Avid X basics, but would like to improve on Length of the rod, Sensitivity and handle length& type
Turkey sandwich reply :
The Elite has a **** ton of backbone.
freelancer27 reply :
Ok here is my current list of options:
* Phenix Bass Recon Elite Casting Rod 7'6" Heavy
* St. Croix Legend Elite Casting Rod 7'4" Heavy
* St. Croix Legend Elite Casting Rod 7'6" Med Hvy
* Phenix Bass Recon Elite Casting Rod 7'4" Med Hvy
* Orochi XX Casting Rod 7'2" XH Perfect Pitch
* St. Croix Avid X Series Cast Rod 7'4" Med Hvy
How would you rank them and which would you choose?
PatrickKnight reply :
3rd one from the top because imo it will do more than any of the others listed. It can pitch, flip, light punching, frogs, small swim baits, and most importantly it will do them all pretty darn well.
webertime reply :
I have the 766 Recon and an 804 (MH) Recon. The 4 power Recon will be too soft for jigs 3/4oz up. I use my 804 for swimbaits, chatterbaits and LONG Bombing Ikas (like Pumpkin chunkin'). I like a rod with a bit slower than "fast" action for moving single hooks (tapers like Dobyns, Phenix, Lamiglas, Megabass have).
The 766 is a great jig/flip/frog rod, so is the 7'9" (796). A 715 might be the ticket for you as well.
A 7'4" St Croix Heavy is a beast for power (feels more powerful than my 766 when playing around with it.)
The Perfect Pitch is hard to argue against. I've never heard anything close to negative about that rod.
I wish St. Croix made a 7'+ rod in what would be equivalent to a Heavy Medium Heavy (in their power scale) fast.
DINK WHISPERER reply :
I don't own the St Croix but i have the recon elite 796 and 766. I can tell you they are overrated for sure. They have soft tips and perform more like MH rods. I really like them though. Especially considering I purchased them on sale from TW.
Big Bait Fishing reply :
On 8/30/2017 at 2:27 AM, DINK WHISPERER said:I don't own the St Croix but i have the recon elite 796 and 766. I can tell you they are overrated for sure. They have soft tips and perform more like MH rods. I really like them though. Especially considering I purchased them on sale from TW.
the Recon Elite's are a slow fast , i was just at Phenix yesterday and was checking out all the models (blanks) , looking for a stout flipping blank ( ended up getting a Ultra Swimbait 7'9'' blank ) the recons have power but it's farther back into the blank making it feel underpowered . for me and my fishing style , i like blanks that shut off in the first third of the blank no matter what power it is .
freelancer27 reply :
On 8/30/2017 at 2:27 AM, DINK WHISPERER said:I don't own the St Croix but i have the recon elite 796 and 766. I can tell you they are overrated for sure. They have soft tips and perform more like MH rods. I really like them though. Especially considering I purchased them on sale from TW.
WHich St. Croix do you have? Which one do you prefer?
Which would you recommend for my purposes?
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