Trying to decide between 2 Avid rods.

I’ve decided to get 2 rods to cover the major spinning applications for walleyes. I’m focusing in particularly on casting jigs, casting crankbaits, and rigging. One rod I’ve decided on is the St. Croix Avid 6’8″ MXF for applications that require power and are a bit heavier like normal jig pitching, heavier cranks, & rigging. I plan on using mono on this rod.

Now I’m trying to fill the lighter more finesse oriented end of the spectrum. I’m trying to decide between a St. Croix Avid 6’6″ MLF and a 6’9″ MLXF for casting things like #5 shad raps and light jigs & maybe some light rigging. Will one model work better than the other for these applications? Which of these 2 would be more versatile? Also could I use super braid on these models or do I risk snapping them with the no-stretch line?

Am I on the right track with my choices or am I way off.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

Clark

u are rite on won’t go wrong with either one of those I have both

I have both as well. The are great rods. I prefer the longer to pitch lighter jig/plastic combos.

I like the 6’6″ Medium fast action Avid rods for casting cranks and pitching jigs. The 6’8″ will work for casting cranks but has a bit to much power when doing so in my opinion. might work great with moono but I have not cast a crank bait on mono in years.

Dustin, if you don’t mind me asking, what “non-mono” are you running on your 6-6 Avid for crankbaits?

I’m using 8/30 PowerPro on some light baitcasters for cranks now, but it’s too hard to cast lighter balsa wood plugs into the wind with the baitcasters. And I get too much line twist with a spinning rod with mono and crankbaits.

Thanks!

I am using 10/4 fireline. Bought a bunch in bulk a couple of years ago and am trying to use it up. I realy want to give the power-pro a go but not until I am out of the fireline.

If you use your hand to close the bail spring that will save a lot on line twist’s

I use powerpro 8/1 very pleased with it so far!

I really like the St. Croix Avid 6.6 ft. med. fast action rods. They are great all around rods. The med. lights are really nice too for a second choice rod. For Fireline I like the 10/4 and the 8/3. For Power Pro I like the 10/2. For Berkley Mono I like the 8 and 10 XT for the river.

If you click on the St. Croix Rods words in red in my signature it will take you to the St. Croix website. Same with all the others in my signature too.

Too many times I think that we who use St. Croix rods take for granted how sensitive they are. My fishing partner last weekend held one of my St. Croixs for a moment while we were trolling and he was amazed at how sensitive they were. He could really feel the lure. Like ALWAYS, ”gotta love them St. Croix rods.”

Thanks, Bill

Agreed. I just bought two more 6.6′ MLF Avids for the arsenal. I love them for the applications you described. I have 7 footers too, and dropped down to the 6.6′. Your arm will thank you at the end of the day for it!
Tuck

Okay, so here’s what I ended up purchasing. AS68MXF and AS69MLXF. The AS68MXF has 8# stren hi-vis yellow on it with a Shimano Sedona 2500 reel and will be used primarily for casting jigs. The AS69MXLF has 10/4 fireline with a Shimano Sonora 1500 reel and will be used primarily for casting cranks. Am I set up right for these rods or would you do something different with them?

They both feel great and are very light. In fact, I like’em so much I may accumulate one or 2 more Avids over the next year or so. Maybe the AS66MF and/or AS66MLF to round out the arsenal. Thanks for the help.

Clark

I am in no way questioning your choice of rods, you can’t go wrong buying St. Croix! But I am wondering why the choice to go “Extra Fast” with “Super Braid” lines. I would have gone “Fast” or “Mod”. Let me know how that works out for you.
Just curious…
Tuck

I thought about the X-fast with the super braid too and wasn’t sure what to do. Since I plan on casting cranks with the rod I thought I’d try the braid. Because it’s a ML power rod there still seems to be enough give in the rod where I don’t think it’ll be a problem but I’m definitely going to tone down the hook set when using it. If it doesn’t work out I’ll switch to mono and save the braid for the next rod I get .
Clark

Well I think highly of my St. Croix 6’6″ avid, but I will not buy another one when I can get a rod that is every bit as sensitive for half the money. GM tournement series rods are really a good deal. extreamly sensitive. The only draw back that i see is the warrenty. GM’s is/was two years when I bought my rod. Avids are lifttime to the best of my knowledge.
Just a humble opinion from a so-so fisherman

Clark,

I have the same two rods you bought and throw a ton of jigs with them. I like 6-8# mono on the AS68MXF and 8# (8 is best by far) fireline on the AS69MLXF. I really don’t think you can beat these two rods for throwing jigs, and I’ve tried the AS66MLF and AS66MF models. I like those rods or a 7’er I have for cranks … I think the XF actions of my pitching rods pull hooks out of fish with cranks and also cause more snags.

I think you should try throwing jigs with your AS69MLXF and then, if you like it, switch the 10# fireline out with 8. You’ll never go back for casting jigs to wingdams/riprap. For sand and dragging I like the mono on the AS68MXF, though…

John