Technique Specific Rod Recommendation

I’ll be heading down to the Sports Show sometime this afternoon and the main focus is going to be picking up a new rod for the upcoming season. I’ve been doing a lot of research over the past couple of weeks and stumbled across the Avid 6’9″ MLXF. I’m looking to use the new rod for pitching jigs, Lindy rigging, and also casting light crankbaits. I know that if it were an ideal situation I would be picking up a 7’6″ MM Tidemaster to go with it, but being a college student I can really only afford one rod at the moment.

With that being said, do you guys think that the Avid will have to fast of an action and just tear the trebles out of the fishes mouth when casting cranks? Would I be better off going with a MLF rod instead? I only ask because I found a post made by James from a few years back where he was talking about throwing small cranks at wingdams and his go to setup off choice was the Avid 6’9″ MLXF paired with a hard line.

Thanks for any input you guys have to offer

One issue you might run into trying to use that rod for both applications is the line. Seems like most guy like to pitch with line from 6 to maybe 10# test. For cranks I like 15 or 20#. You can get by with 10# for cranks but its gets pretty thin and seems to start loosing more cranks.

I do like that Tidemaster for throwing cranks. Works very good for a long line trolling rod to.

Heading to the show this morning.

Check out Reeds while you’re there. They have a promotion going right now for the Fenwick EliteTech Walleye and Aetos rods. Buy a rod and get a Pflueger reel for free. I’m using an elitetech 6’9″ MLF with 10# braid, and it seems to do everything well. Sensitive jigging rod, enough whip to cast about anything. A little to light for anything over an ounce, though. I believe the Avids to be of similar quality.

69mlxf will excel with jigs. Shorter more control. Where say a 7’m or 76mlxf will excel at Lindy rigging and cranking. More leverage and casting distance light cranks. Isn’t Dean down at the show, he’s the guy everyone says to talk to. If he isn’t busy with boat stuff might be worth a shot.

Gixxer,

Do you have any issues throwing #5 shad raps or flicker shads on this rod? And is it any Pflueger reel to pair up with the rod? That sounds like a pretty good deal…

Thanks for the input so far guys. I plan on using 10/4 braid with this setup, but I would also like to make it as versatile as possible.

Last year I bought a 7′ MLF extreme and have really liked its mushier mid section and tip while not sacrificing all sensitivity for cranks. However when I pitch jigs with it I loose quite a bit of sensitivity compared to the xf action st croixs I have. So Id say if you crank more go with MLF and if you use jigs more Id say mlxf. Don’t do much rigging so I can’t really speak on that.

It’ll throw them. I wouldn’t say its optimized for it, but I don’t throw many cranks. What I do know, is that the rod will do about anything you ask of it. The 6’9″ MLF is labeled as a Jigging/Rigging rod, which is what i use it for almost exclusively npw that i have more rods. I’ve trolled shallow diving cranks with it though.

As far as the reel, they are adverising the elitetechs with a pflueger 30 series supreme mgx. I wouldnt be afraid to mix and match if thats not the reel you want. I’m sure they are ready to wheel and deal! Make sureto ask for the “out the door price”.

I should have noted, the cranks I use most are #5 shad raps and #7 minnow raps. Most common jigs are 3/32 and 1/8 oz. Good luck with your choice!

Whadya get, whadya get?!?!

You probably already got a rod but that 6′ 9″ Avid MLXF is a Swiss army knife of a rod. Jigging, top waters for smallmouth, small plastics for smallmouth, drop shot for smallmouth. Heck with walleyes man! Think bass!!! Did I mention smallmouth?

I have the avid mlxf 6ft 9 rod. it is my go to rod for most applications I have a 6ft 3 mxf avid a 5ft 9 avid mxf. and a 7ft mlf avid. if only one it would be the 6ft 9 rod

Sorry I’m getting back to you guys so late, the post must not have uploaded last night from my smart phone. I ended up going up with an Avid 7’0″ MLF and paired it up with a Pflueger Supreme XT 9230! I figured that since I already have two pretty phenomenal jig sticks in my arsenal that I might as well pick up a rod that is better suited for rigging and slinging small crank baits. Granted I’ll still be able to pitch light jigs with this setup, but it will be geared more towards the other two presentations. Can’t wait to test drive it!

That will be a swweeet setup!

Nice choice of reel, I love mine.

Here’s a picture of the new setup all spooled up with 10/4 Sufix 832 Hi Vis Braid. I can’t wait to get this combo out on the water, it is going to be an awesome post-spawn walleye cranking setup

I use the Avid MLXF. Excellent rods for jigging walleyes but I’ve found it works best for me with mono. I like Hi Seas Grand Slam #6 (and anything else Bill Dance promotes). Anyway, the stiff rod with fireline or 832 was too much for me and either the line or the tip needs just a little play or it seemed the fish were feeling me before I felt them. I also snapped a rod with braided line popping the bail open on a snag. The line doubled back like a rubber band and wrapped around the tip, retightened on the snag and she was done for before I knew what was going on. I’ll never use a no stretch line on those rods again.

Quote:

---

I use the Avid MLXF. Excellent rods for jigging walleyes but I’ve found it works best for me with mono. I like Hi Seas Grand Slam #6 (and anything else Bill Dance promotes). Anyway, the stiff rod with fireline or 832 was too much for me and either the line or the tip needs just a little play or it seemed the fish were feeling me before I felt them. I also snapped a rod with braided line popping the bail open on a snag. The line doubled back like a rubber band and wrapped around the tip, retightened on the snag and she was done for before I knew what was going on. I’ll never use a no stretch line on those rods again.

---

I agree, I use mono on my MLXF as well, but his rod is a fast action. I got a 7′ Legend Tournament MLF that braid is perfect on, a 5/16 jig puts a little bob in the tip.