St Croix Tourney Walleye Series versus Avid

  • cspierings
    Oregon, WI
    Posts: 113
    May 20, 2009 at 2:06 pm #1237443

    I’m looking for some suggestions on a vertical jigging rod. I am thinking about a vertical jigging rod. I have a couple St Croix already and I thinking about sticking with the brand in fact I may trade in an older Avid on the new rod. I am considering the 6’3″ Tournament Walleye Series MXF, the Avid 6’3″ MXF. I am wondering if I would be better served by a F instead of the XF. Should I go longer which would give me more utility for use in casting applications? Finally is the TWS worth the extra $50 or so?

    Thanks,

    Dean Marshall
    Chippewa Falls WI /Ramsey MN
    Posts: 5854
    May 20, 2009 at 2:16 pm #778291

    The “gap” between the two was certainly narrowed when the Avids were updated 2 yrs ago. There is also .4 oz wt diff between the 2 models you mentioned.I think you would be happier overall staying with the XF vs F.

    jhalfen
    Posts: 4179
    May 20, 2009 at 2:19 pm #778297

    I know that a lot of vertical jiggers prefer that shorter rod length. I also have a couple rods in that length (an Avid and a TS, built up by Jason Sullivan). But frankly, I find myself using my 6-8’s for vertical jigging more than my 6-3’s. The 6-8’s (TWS68MXF) are incredibly versatile rods, and can do just about everything a jig fisherman will ask them to do.

    whittsend
    Posts: 2389
    May 20, 2009 at 2:20 pm #778298

    I just picked up a legend tourney 6’8″ MXF… Haven’t had it in the boat much, but its pretty sweet. The Avids are obviously nice as well. I like the feel of the extra fast action, you definately know whats going on on the other end of the line. I also like the extra few inches the 6’8″ give me. I think it will be a great jigging rod for me. I also have an Avid or three that are in the 6’3″ MF category.. Very nice rods, but I do appreciated the difference between the Avids and the LT’s. Seems maybe a little lighter with a little more feel. If you have other Avids, give the LT a shot… Otherwise, Avids are catainly one of the best, if not THE best value for the money in quality rods… (My opinion, I could be wrong).

    I have a number of St. Croix fly rods – a few Avids and two or 3 legend elites… As far as fly rods go, I would go with the Legends any day vs the Avids. I’m hoping the new Legend jigging rod serves me as well as the fly rods have.

    Mike

    tom_gursky
    Michigan's Upper Peninsula(Iron Mountain)
    Posts: 4751
    May 20, 2009 at 2:30 pm #778302

    I will agree with Jason with one exception…vertically jigging blades in deeper water or current. The shorter stroke/lighter weight of the 6’3″ MXF allows me a quicker response. So often the fish suck the blade off the bottom at the end of the down stroke. You feel extra weight and must react quickly.
    Yes…I feel the lighter weight and slightly quicker response and sensitivity of the TWS is worth the $50. I plan on adding one to my arsenal for fall 2009 on
    P-4 for those blade grabbing Sauger.

    arklite881south
    Posts: 5660
    May 20, 2009 at 2:33 pm #778305

    I’ll give the nod for the Tourney Series vs. the Avid. I just picke up a couple ML Tournaments series rods, and I prefer them over my avids. With that bein said I think as Dean eluded to the Gap is narrowed on the new Avids. I also think I would go 6’3 for a vertical jigging rod for myself. Less rod to control when running the boat…. I prefer Medium light rods for jigging vertical or casting, but not sure the size jigs you boys are fishing.

    dan-tessmann
    Kieler, Wis
    Posts: 664
    May 20, 2009 at 2:45 pm #778311

    I would say go with the TL mxf, I have one and they are awesome as previously stated. I like the 6’8″ because you can use the pole in many other applications other than vertical jigging. I fish alot of deep water so the medium helps with the larger jigs. I also have a TL 7′ MLF that works better for lighter jigs either pitching, dragging or vertical jigging. The 6’8″ m also doubles as a very nice smallie rod. you can cast small cranks and sticks no problem. it really handles tubes nicely also. When I pick out a rod I like to have it serve more than 1 purpose. some rods are meant for certain applications but dont limit yourselve to just 1. Dan

    micah-witham
    Richfield
    Posts: 604
    May 20, 2009 at 4:22 pm #778336

    I have the TWS 6’3 MXF, I have two TWS 6’6 MLXF and I have a TWS 6’8MLXF here are my two cents
    the 6’3 MEDIUM is not quite sensitive enough in the tip for lighter jigs. If you are thinking about vertical jigging with the 6’3 I would consider the MLXF. The two 6’6’s I have I use for pitching plastics and vertical jigging with 2/10 braid and I absolutely love them for that application. The 6’8 I use for blades with 2/10 braid and again, fantastic!
    Typically I keep the 6’3 loaded with a 1/4oz or more because anything lighter than that I would rather use the MLXF’s. On another note, I use it in the summer for tubes and bass fishing. It’s a great rod for skipping stuff under docks b/c it’s shorter, and the Medium power is what I need to really lay into bass with weedless plastics. I run that with the same 2/10 braid and flourocarbon tippet of 10 to 14lb test.

    wade_kuehl
    Northwest Iowa
    Posts: 6167
    May 20, 2009 at 4:59 pm #778348

    Some good suggestions here. I’ll say that I think the Tournament Series is worht the extra cash. You’ll have that rod forever. Just as well pay a little more now and get the one you really want for the long haul.

    If you can’t decide for certain which action/length will work best for you, remember that you can utilize Everts Resort’s “try it before you buy it” program and give each rod a test run before you make your final decision. It’s a great program.

    Dean’s contact information

    jerrj01
    Hudson, WI
    Posts: 1547
    May 20, 2009 at 5:50 pm #778381

    Great info in this post. I think I’ve been sold on the TWS in 6’8″. I have been looking at them for some time and was wondering if they are worth it. My next question is which reel(s) would be a good match to the rod?

    cspierings
    Oregon, WI
    Posts: 113
    May 20, 2009 at 5:57 pm #778384

    I’m leaning toward the longer TWS the 68MXF. As far as the question on reels goes. I was a diehard Symetre fan but I got talked into trying a Pflueger Supreme and so far I am very happy. I gave it a pounding last weekend on the WI river on Smallmouth and a big Carp that tried the Senko. I like it because I got the extra spool back and its a few less bucks than the newer Symetre.

    I’m already looking around for a source for another one for the rod above.

    Chris

    jhalfen
    Posts: 4179
    May 20, 2009 at 6:05 pm #778390

    I ran Symetres (2500) on all my spinning rods for several years. They stood up to lots of abuse from year-round angling, tournaments, and guiding. With some gentle prodding, I’ve been making the transition to Pflueger Supremes 8030mg’s also. They are wonderfully light compared to the Symetre 2500’s (7.4 oz vs 10.1 oz) and have a nice smooth drag. They are terrific compliments to light, high-modulus graphite rods like the St Croix Tournaments or Legends.

    Dean at Everts carries all of the above. He will even spool up your new reel with the line of your choice. Try the Cortland Hi-Vis!

    Give him a call, and he’ll have it all in the mail asap: 715-792-2333

    whittsend
    Posts: 2389
    May 20, 2009 at 6:33 pm #778404

    I have been sort of stuck on the Shimanos.. Quality reels at somewhat reasonable prices. That being said, I haven’t tried many other brands in the near past, so I might be a poor judge (no basis of comaprison). The Symetre is awesome, as are the Saharas and Sedonas for a little cheaper price.

    All good reels!!

    wimwuen
    LaCrosse, WI
    Posts: 1960
    May 20, 2009 at 7:52 pm #778426

    I have an Avid 69MLXF that I use a Pflueger President on for pitching and verticle jigging. It is one of the most well balanced smooth set ups I’ve ever had the pleasure of using. The 68MXF is a great choice if you’re using mono, but I like the 69MLXF for braid.

    The Supreme balances out the 68MXF very nicely, the President seems to fit better on the 69MLXF. Dean set the 69mlxf with both for me to try, and the President just felt right.

    SLDUCK
    Posts: 100
    May 21, 2009 at 3:36 am #778517

    just telling you what I have your mileage might vary. I have a 6ft 3 inch avid with an 801 abu garcia like the rod for vertical not so much pitching. Have an avid 6 ft 9 inch ml with an 801 abu garcia like it for pitching not so much vertical. overall like the ml 6ft 9 better. Check out the 801 in the garcia. FFO in Spirit Lake has them for $65. they balance very well with these rods and are a step up from the President.

    wade_kuehl
    Northwest Iowa
    Posts: 6167
    May 22, 2009 at 12:41 am #778728

    Quote:

    I ran Symetres (2500) on all my spinning rods for several years. They stood up to lots of abuse from year-round angling, tournaments, and guiding. With some gentle prodding, I’ve been making the transition to Pflueger Supremes 8030mg’s also. They are wonderfully light compared to the Symetre 2500’s (7.4 oz vs 10.1 oz) and have a nice smooth drag. They are terrific compliments to light, high-modulus graphite rods like the St Croix Tournaments or Legends.

    Dean at Everts carries all of the above. He will even spool up your new reel with the line of your choice. Try the Cortland Hi-Vis!

    Give him a call, and he’ll have it all in the mail asap: 715-792-2333

    I agree with all of what Jason says here, and I’d add that the Shimano Sedona is a very good reel for the price as well.

    baldwin4
    NE IA
    Posts: 736
    June 1, 2009 at 3:10 am #780710

    I purchased a TWS from Tom Gursky and I went with the Pflueger Supreme 9025XT to put on it Made for a sweet balanced rod. If you are going to pay top dollar for a rod, don’t scimp on the reel

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