St. Croix guys.....your thought on this 2024

Spankey reply :

Guys I’m about as big a St. Croix fan as any. Have more than I really need but that came with being 100% satisfied with their stuff and many years of fishing.

The last month or more has been primarily soft plastics with some cranked fished mixed in. The majority of my fishing and fish were caught on an Avid 6’3” Med. X-fast and a Avid 6’8” Med. X-fast both with older Stradic 2500fh and Symetre 2500 reels. I don’t own a SC better than an Avid or a new Stradic version yet. But I would say these are the best of my soft plastic combos.

I got to thinking about next season already and was thinking for next year I’ll put a 6’6” Med. or ML X-fast right in there. After all these years I just realized or see that SC does not make a single rod series with a 6’6” X-fast taper.

Why is that? I went as far as calling SC. A woman there tried to help. She was clueless. Asked for Dan but was not there. I’m clueless as to why that would be. Must be a reason. Maybe the answer is just because there isn’t. Seems odd, and surprised I didn’t pick up on it along time ago. The answer is probably “because there isn’t”.

J Francho reply :

Demand. Most people want a 6-8 or 6-10 length. I have 2x 6-3 MLXF and MXF. I recommend adding the MLXF. It's a very special taper, and great for a lot of things.

Spankey reply :

On 9/6/2019 at 10:03 PM, J Francho said:

Demand. Most people want a 6-8 or 6-10 length. I have 2x 6-3 MLXF and MXF. I recommend adding the MLXF. It's a very special taper, and great for a lot of things.

You are right I’m sure. If X-Fast tapers are in 6’3”, 6’8” & 6’10” probably just no reason to produce it. Not impossible to do. They could make it. But I’m pretty sure at this point in time not worth marketing such an animal. The ML is the way I’m gonna go. Winter time project. I don’t own an Avid X or anything better than an Avid. I do fish a couple of Premiere ML. Looking to step it up a notch. The Premieres, MoJo’s, BassX’s, Walleye Rods are all good/great rods.

J Francho reply :

90% of the rods I bought myself are Avids. I love them, have a couple dozen of them. Not a fan of micro guides. The SCIII MLXF taper is pretty special.

S Hovanec reply :

MLXF is a special beast in SC3, 4 and 5. It's my absolute favorite power/action in St Croix's lineup.

browne762 reply :

I have the 7'6" Legend Tournament Walleye rod in MLXF and I really like that rod. I use it for bass and not walleye. They make a 6'3" MLXF in the LTW line as well. It is above the Avid product line if that is what you meant by stepping it up a notch.

Looks like the have a 6'10" LTB in MLXF as well.

S Hovanec reply :

On 9/6/2019 at 11:10 PM, browne762 said:

I have the 7'6" Legend Tournament Walleye rod in MLXF and I really like that rod. I use it for bass and not walleye.

I sold my 3S76mlxf 1-piece to buy the parts for a 5s76mlxf 2 piece. To me, the 2 piece has a bit more power than the 1-piece. The wife has a 4C69MLXF built as spinning and a 5S69mlxf and I have the 5s610mlxf extended to 7'. I have another 5s610 on the rack to he built once I have time. Did I mention I really love the croix MLXFs? Lol

Spankey reply :

Back some years ago some boys from out around Central PA, Some real Susky guys, came out my way. We had a bit of a get together on the river. Was fishing solo but a couple of guys handed me some St. Croix Rods and told me to fish them and let them know the end of the day what I thought. My fishing gear has never been what I would call junk by any means but I turned to St. Croix than and never look back.

I do have some others I like and when others who go with me on that rare occasions use those.

Randy Price reply :

I like to use rods in the 6'6"-6'10" length primarily for ease of transportation (I have a GMC Terrain) and I like MF or MXF rods. I use primarily Legend Xtreme's and Legend Elites but I recently bought a 68 Mojo Bass in MXF and really like it.

waymont reply :

The rod you are looking for is the 6'6" ML St Croix LTW LWS66MLF rod. It's an absolutely fantastic rod for tons of things.

It's super sensitive and comfortable. The taper is somewhere between an XF and F. I bought it because like you I wanted a 6'6" rod for bass fishing primarily. It's been an excellent creek rod too. I pair it with a Daiwa Tatula 2000LT and it's beautifully matched up.

FishTank reply :

It does seem odd that they don't offer a 6'6'' ML X-fast but it also seems weird that they have a 6'3" and a 6'9'' ML X-fast. I have several St. Croix rods and I believe the Avid is the best bang for the buck rod they have..... So I don't think you could go wrong with either length. I guess it would depend on the intended purpose.

islandbass reply :

On 9/6/2019 at 10:56 PM, J Francho said:

90% of the rods I bought myself are Avids. I love them, have a couple dozen of them. Not a fan of micro guides. The SCIII MLXF taper is pretty special.

Nice fish. So what applications is that MLXF good for? Or better yet, what do you use it for? I've always been on the fence with SC because there just aren't that many to be found in my area (mostly mojos and I ain't biting on the Mojo) and I so much PREFER to hold rod in hand.

@Spankey - sorry to asking this question in your thread, but everyone has been talking about SC here for years and my baitmonkey is rattling his cage. What I'm hoping is that MLXF might be a bit of a "more powerful" DS type of rod since my Lamiglas certified pro has the goods on the light side of DS.

S Hovanec reply :

On 9/7/2019 at 8:07 AM, islandbass said:

What I'm hoping is that MLXF might be a bit of a "more powerful" DS type of rod since my Lamiglas certified pro has the goods on the light side of DS.

Yes. SC tends to be a tad more powerful than other brands of similarly labeled powers. I've caught 10 - 15# cats when dropshotting for smallies on the mlxf. It handled them just fine with 6# line.

Their MLXF is my benchmark DS rod.

Allen Der reply :

I'm a fan of the Eyecon series. I'm using the 7mlf for ned rig, grubs, drop shot, small mepps and even slip bobbers for crappie. I believe they are finally upgrading them to SCIII next year, so look for the current models to go on clearance soon.

Also if you compare a 6'6" and 6'8" rod side by side and line up the reel seats, they are almost identical. Half the extra length is usually in the handle

Spankey reply :

On 9/7/2019 at 8:07 AM, islandbass said:

Nice fish. So what applications is that MLXF good for? Or better yet, what do you use it for? I've always been on the fence with SC because there just aren't that many to be found in my area (mostly mojos and I ain't biting on the Mojo) and I so much PREFER to hold rod in hand.

@Spankey - sorry to asking this question in your thread, but everyone has been talking about SC here for years and my baitmonkey is rattling his cage. What I'm hoping is that MLXF might be a bit of a "more powerful" DS type of rod since my Lamiglas certified pro has the goods on the light side of DS.

No problem I got bit by the St. Croix bug years ago. For next season I’m gonna look at the 6’6” MLF & 6’3” MLXF. Make a good comparison between them. Breaking down and look at the New Stradic. I’ll Start a slush fund soon for them.

I’m not a huge fan of the Mojo or Bass X either. I like the Premiere Series. I fish a few ML in that series. Just stepping it up some. My Medium Avids do not fish real heavy. I really don’t fish plastics that are very heavy. Pretty much a finesse guy. The SC X-fast Rods I fish I love. I have a MXF 5’9” that I fish nothing but Grubs, tubes and small creatures in close spots, under overhangs and some docks. That is one heck of a rod.

islandbass reply :

On 9/8/2019 at 5:26 AM, Spankey said:

No problem I got bit by the St. Croix bug years ago. For next season I’m gonna look at the 6’6” MLF & 6’3” MLXF. Make a good comparison between them. Breaking down and look at the New Stradic. I’ll Start a slush fund soon for them.

I’m not a huge fan of the Mojo or Bass X either. I like the Premiere Series. I fish a few ML in that series. Just stepping it up some. My Medium Avids do not fish real heavy. I really don’t fish plastics that are very heavy. Pretty much a finesse guy. The SC X-fast Rods I fish I love. I have a MXF 5’9” that I fish nothing but Grubs, tubes and small creatures in close spots, under overhangs and some docks. That is one heck of a rod.

Thanks! Little by little you and others here are inching more toward really them there st croixs ????

J Francho reply :

On 9/7/2019 at 8:07 AM, islandbass said:

Nice fish. So what applications is that MLXF good for? Or better yet, what do you use it for? I've always been on the fence with SC because there just aren't that many to be found in my area (mostly mojos and I ain't biting on the Mojo) and I so much PREFER to hold rod in hand.

Vertical Drop Shot, up to 1/2 oz.

Flick Shake/Wacky Jigs up to 1/4 oz.

Panther Martin Spinners up to 1/4 oz.

Grubs up to 1/8 oz.

Tiny Jigs up to 1/8 oz.

Wacky Rig/Neko 3" Senkos.

Tiny jerkbaits.

I'd use it for shakey heads up to about 1/8 as well, if I threw them any more.

When the weight on any of these goes any heavier, such as a 3/4 or 1 oz. DS, then I switch to the MFX rod.

Spankey reply :

On 9/8/2019 at 6:37 AM, islandbass said:

Thanks! Little by little you and others here are inching more toward really them there st croixs ????

I like their product. But I would not try to convince someone to buy it because everything else is inferior. That’s just not the truth. There are so many other manufacturers out there the choices are endless. I’ve just had great results. I have pretty many of their rods. Their “Trout” Series of are fantastic. I get my share of trout time in down here where I live. Stocked and wild trouts. An Ugly Stik or Fenwick Eagle is more than adaquite. I know I’ve fished them but I have no regrets in buying SC.

Randy Price reply :

While I'm a huge SC fanboy I would never dismiss/knock any other brand of rods. My oldest son LOVES his Uglystick and didn't want a more expensive SC.

Spankey reply :

On 9/9/2019 at 10:06 PM, Randy Price said:

While I'm a huge SC fanboy I would never dismiss/knock any other brand of rods. My oldest son LOVES his Uglystick and didn't want a more expensive SC.

I use to trout fish for years with an Ugly Stik version called a Ugly Stik Lite. I gave it to one of the kids down at the club at a trout derby I was working. Was old and time proven but was better than what his mother and father brought him to it with.

Randy Price reply :

On 9/9/2019 at 10:59 PM, Spankey said:

I use to trout fish for years with an Ugly Stik version called a Ugly Stik Lite. I gave it to one of the kids down at the club at a trout derby I was working. Was old and time proven but was better than what his mother and father brought him to it with.

My oldest son doesn't like expensive gear. When we was old enough to hunt I offered him either a Benelli M1 Super 90 or a Remington 870 Express. He liked the Remmy because it was American made. OK. I have too many SC rods and told him he could use anyone he wanted. As my son mine is his but he wanted a less expensive rod. He really likes the Ugly Stick so if he's happy I'm happy.

Spankey reply :

On 9/9/2019 at 11:03 PM, Randy Price said:

My oldest son doesn't like expensive gear. When we was old enough to hunt I offered him either a Benelli M1 Super 90 or a Remington 870 Express. He liked the Remmy because it was American made. OK. I have too many SC rods and told him he could use anyone he wanted. As my son mine is his but he wanted a less expensive rod. He really likes the Ugly Stick so if he's happy I'm happy.

I have two daughters. 31/37. When they were growing up I’d get them out with me. We go every year at fathers day as tradition now. Never had to worry about them with specifics. But I have two grandsons I have hooked on fishing. Within reason I have them using my stuff but like you say they still want their own things.

S Hovanec reply :

On 9/9/2019 at 11:03 PM, Randy Price said:

told him he could use anyone he wanted.

My wife had an Avid. She used my SCIV. Never got it back. Then she used my SCV. I had to build myself another one cause I lost that one too!

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

On 9/10/2019 at 1:58 AM, S Hovanec said:

My wife had an Avid. She used my SCIV. Never got it back. Then she used my SCV. I had to build myself another one cause I lost that one too!

My wife and I have a similar understanding: what’s mine is hers and what’s hers is hers.

S Hovanec reply :

On 9/10/2019 at 6:54 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

My wife and I have a similar understanding: what’s mine is hers and what’s hers is hers.

I just bought her a Stradic 2500SHG-L so I could get the MgFB back that was on the SCV.

J Francho reply :

I bought my queen a spin caster. It was at least a gold cast and I painted the porch. That is worth 8 hours at the skatepark and two fishing trips. Pretty sure I’m buying a very expensive mic preamp though. It all works out.

Spankey reply :

On 9/10/2019 at 6:54 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

On 9/10/2019 at 10:44 AM, S Hovanec said:

I just bought her a Stradic 2500SHG-L so I could get the MgFB back that was on the SCV.

My wife and I have a similar understanding: what’s mine is hers and what’s hers is hers.

My wife is a great gal. She has no interest in being on the river or lake at 5:00am. No desire to get up for that time of day to fish. It would be nice but I’m not gonna push it. But she been salmon fishing on Lake Ontario and some salt water outings with me. Wish my wife would ask for a Stradic.

zell_pop1 reply :

On 9/8/2019 at 5:26 AM, Spankey said:

No problem I got bit by the St. Croix bug years ago. For next season I’m gonna look at the 6’6” MLF & 6’3” MLXF. Make a good comparison between them. Breaking down and look at the New Stradic. I’ll Start a slush fund soon for them.

I’m not a huge fan of the Mojo or Bass X either. I like the Premiere Series. I fish a few ML in that series. Just stepping it up some. My Medium Avids do not fish real heavy. I really don’t fish plastics that are very heavy. Pretty much a finesse guy. The SC X-fast Rods I fish I love. I have a MXF 5’9” that I fish nothing but Grubs, tubes and small creatures in close spots, under overhangs and some docks. That is one heck of a rod.

I've been curious about how much backbone that 5"9" Avid rod has. I dock skip with a 5'6" Premier and I like it but wish it had a little longer rear handle. The Premier has heavier line/lure ratings.

Tim Kelly reply :

I have the blue SCIV version of the 5'9" and it's a little beast stick. Really stout backbone for close quarters battles but still a light enough tip to throw the baits well.

Spankey reply :

On 9/11/2019 at 6:49 AM, zell_pop1 said:

I've been curious about how much backbone that 5"9" Avid rod has. I dock skip with a 5'6" Premier and I like it but wish it had a little longer rear handle. The Premier has heavier line/lure ratings.

I’m a river rat for the most part. The smallies I fish for, I’m sure do not hail in comparison to the greenies most of you guys fish for. I have gotten some respectable nice smallies skipping dock and overhangs with that rod. 90% of it use is with Grubs and tubes along with 4” lizards. When I saw and touched this Avid I knew I wanted it. And I knew exactly how I was gonna use it. Most guys on here at least don’t even talk about or even want a rod that short today. I’ve had mine for quite some time. I paired mine with a BPS Pro Qualifier 6.2 ratio reel. Back when I got it I was skeptical about any BPS Reel but the whole combo has worked out well.

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St. Croix guys.....your thought on this 2024

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