St. Croix Avids

[zepman]

Have been looking for a new #1 stick and have heard so much about the Avid series. Was wondering if anybody out there had an opinion about which length,action, etc. is your favorite. This rod would be strickly a live bait rig and most serious fishing occurs in deeper water in the fall. I was looking at the AS68MXF which is a 6'8" medium action rod with an extra fast tip. Never owned a rod with this extra fast tip and was also wondering what your opinions are of this. Will this type of rod give me the sensitivity in the tip I will need for livebait and the back to bury the hook in 45 ft? Any help on this would be great.

[Seabass77]

The general consensus is that you want a more moderate action in your rod for rigging. That way if you miss a strike and the fish is moving away from you with the bait, the fish will first feel the soft/gradual tention of a moderate rod. With a fast action rod, the tention will be much more pronounced.

That being said, I still think that you need to fish with a rod that your comfortable with. I heard from the St. Croix Rep at the Sport Show that Ted Takasaki is fishing the ES68MXF for his rigging rod.

I personally like the AS7MLF. I use a super line with floro or mono leader for greater sensitivity and better hook sets.

[Chris Haley]

I use the AS76MLXF for my rigging. But for the depths you are talking (45ft) go with the 6'8" you are looking at!! Rigging at that depth requires using at least a 3/8 - 1/2 oz sinker and that rod is rated for up to 5/8.

[This message has been edited by Chris Haley (edited 03-11-2004).]

[Scoot]

I'm not sure if you're interested in this, but my dad's a custom rod builder who's built lots of rods for many satisfied guys on this site (Rick, me, Northlander, huntnfish, and a bunch of others). If you know the blank you'd like to get, he can get that exact blank and spruce it up a lot. It'll end up costing the same as you'll pay for it in a store, but will have better guides (of your choice) and any bells and whistles you'd like. He just made a pheasant feather inlay on a Legend Elite that I almost wet myself over- really sweet. If interested, let me know.

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Scoot

So I got dat goin’ for me… which is nice.

[fiskyknut]

Scoot could you send me Rod's contact info please? Does he get his Croix blanks at wholesale do you know? Perhaps I should break down and get a special one.

Thanks....fiskyknut

[walleyewacker]

His dad built me a SCIII70MLF which is pretty much the same thing, just the name of the blank, same fast tip and all. He does an awsome job. Excellent rod for live bait rigging, and with enough backbone if you need to weight it down for deeper water or bouncers.

[Scoot]

Fisky,
If you're interested, he'll be coming through your area sometime in the near future. I'm sure he'd happily stop by and show off the new rod he made for my mom (or any other rod too.) It's the Legend Elite I referred to earlier-holographic guides, pheasant feather inlay in the cork and a bunch of little inlays on the bottom of the blank, holographic prism reel seat- you'd have to see it to appreciate it.
Anyway, he's in Fisher, MN. Home number is 218-891-4415 or you can reach him at [email protected]. I'd suggest the phone as a first option. As long as he's around home he'll get back to you if you leave a message. He sometimes goes on rather long missions to LOW though. He should be home today and tomorrow if you're interested.

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Scoot

So I got dat goin’ for me… which is nice.

[huntnfish]

I would definately have one built rather then get one at a store. The one that I had built was the Legend Elite and has holographic guides. It is by far the nicest looking rod I have ever seen. Rod does outstanding work. I paid about the same as it would have cost in the store, but all the other little extras really spruce the rod up. If your interested give Rod a call and if you aren't really sure about exactly what you want he will help you get the best rod for the type of fishing that you do. You won't be dissapointed with his work.

[Dan Wood]

That 6'8" MXF Avid is an awesome rod. I have a couple baitcasters and 1 spinning in that size and they are the best I've found. Plenty of back-bone with that XF action in the medium.

[Northlander]

Im with Seabass on this one. Go 7' and you will love it.
Also Im really pleased with Rods work and turn around time. If your looking for that "Special" favorite rod give him a call!
Another real good rod maker is Crappie Tom on the Rochester forum. [email protected] He made me a Legend Elite Med/Heavy 7' for bouncers and I love it! His prices are right too! Plus he is a Grade A guy!

[This message has been edited by Northlander (edited 03-11-2004).]

[zepman]

Thanks for the info guys. I have a very good 7ft. and 7'6" rod that I like to use for some different applications such as bottom bouncing, slip-bobbing, and cranks. I have really liked the shorter rods for rigging 6'6" or so. I feel like they give me a quicker set on those fish that are really aggressive and I also have found that a longer rod can become clumsy when trying to set directly under the boat. Also, thanks for the info on the custom rods. I think they would be great to have but I'll pass this time. I'm going to place my order for the AS68MXF in the morning.

[Northlander]

Why are you rigging under the boat?

[early007]

Hey fellas you guys should check out Rogue rods. I saw them at the sportshow and are they nice. I guess they are a new company that just started a couple of years ago. They have the same blanks as Loomis and St Croix. Very lightweight, I was very impressed. Lifetime warranty and they run about a hundred dollars less than the other companies. I'm going to pick up a couple this summer.

Jason Erlandson

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Dave's Sportland Bait and Tackle
Sportland Guide Service Hwy 371 & Cty Rd 13
Nisswa MN

218-963-2401

[Northlander]

Where can ya see Rogue rods? Anyone got a HSOforum for them?

[FishinFix]

roguerods.com is the web site. I also seen those rods at the show and really liked them.