C._Weed

haha. Same thing happen to me. The only rod left was a 7ft ML, for the Avid sale. I bought it. I like it There is a 90day return with reciept, so buy it worry about it later. I like mine very much. Does 4 inch senkos finesse worms, and the like very well. For me, I like the 7ft, just not transporting it, that part is a pain for my circumstance. Either way, buy it, and try it.

thye have been on sale at dicks since late June. Here, at the beginning of July, they were practically sold out as everyone bought the Avids up for a 50-75mile radius of here.

Thanks for your input ww2farmer

I have it on the rod, tried to twist it off, like as if I wanted to break it off from where it is mounted, when I do that, the whole reel moves probably less than a 1/4inch. I bet if I wanted, I can twist it hard as I could, and do that a couple times, and maybe not break it off, but bend it out of proportion or maybe snap it eventually. With that being said, it still feels strong. I catch fish average under 5lb, am careful with my gear, only paid $22.99, so I will keep it. Rarely horse a fish in, unless me gets nervous on a big one. At the least I will use it for trout. Caught a nice pickerel today on it, and a few 16inch bass, felt nice. Casts awesome, Is light weight and makes me fish more positivly minded. thanks guys... btw the rod is rated for 4 6 or 8 lb line. I only use 6lb mono line. So if I hoarse a big fish in, I think the line would snap before the reel. It is whitish and turns goldish with the angle. heres a pic:

dodgeguy: yeah I talked to you before about not getting a graphite reel. Are you saying this GOLD Medalist reel is graphite? I don't think it is. Maybe it is. I know the Medalist isn't, but mine is a Gold Medalist Pro. IF it is only made for Dick's, perhaps it is a cheaper version of the Medalist. As long as it isn't Graphite, I am OK I guess, it has 8 bearings in it, and a 6disc drag system, which I think is good. And it was only $22. Specs that were on the package of my Gold Medalist Pro reel says: Seven Stainless steel Ball Bearings Uni-Lok Instant Anti-Reverse Bearing Large Diameter Titanium Line Roller Smooth Six-Disc Front Drag System Rosewood T Knob Handle Machined Aluminum Spool with Titatnium Lip Spare Aluminum spool Left/Right hand retrieve Quick Release fold down handle I guess it is aluminum like the Normal Medalist Pflueger Reels.

Hey Guys, I just bought a new reel. The Gold Medalist Pro,(Pflueger) off Dick's Sporting goods. It is listed at $49, was on sale to $39.99, then for some reason came up as $22.99! So I was happy. The reel has 8 bearings and a good drag system, from what I can gather. I like it alot. Very smooth and light. I put it on my 7ft Fast action ML Avid rod, feels nice. I just tried it for a few mins, and caught a nice 22inch Largemouth on a *** Watermelon seed 6" finesse worm. Always seems I catch fish when I am not trying, when I try, I come up empty. lol This drag system works nice. Anyone ever use/own one of these? I can't find much info at all on them, on this forum or the net I think they are made special for Dicks Sporting Goods. I wonder how it compares to the normal Medalist reel of Pflueger? Like this one. http://www.pfluegerfishing.com/products/products.php?p=10 This Gold Medalist Pro isn't even on the Pflueger site. I hope it ain't gonna fall apart after a few outings. I would much rather have the grey color, instead of this Goldish white sparkle paint job,(for not letting fish see it from the riverbank) but for $22, I couldn't pass it up!

how about for 4inch 'Senkos'? a 1/0 Finnese Weedless Gamakatsu? or a 2/0 of the same? thanks

I have a 7ft, Medium Light fast tip, Avid, SPINNNING rod. I love it. Very sensitive, light, casts far, awesome. I caught up to 4-5lb smallmouth and 3-4lb largemouth so far on it, had to play them for like 3-5mins though cuz of the medium light action. I am going to buy another one this week. either 6ft or 6ft6, for fishing creeks and stuff. Before I bought mine, I searched the forum, there was a few threads on Avids, everyone loves there's.

I thougth you guys here would have a laugh, around 2:15 they really go wild. ;D

thanks guys.

thanks. yeah these guys fight so much harder than largemouth, in my instance anyway. I would describe it as an aggressive fight, lots of line and forced to use the drag alot. btw, I let the fish go.

Hey, This is my first 'big' sized smallmouth bass. I thought it was Largemouth when I was fighting it, but when I held it, the mouth was very small compared to a largemouth, and it had that tiger scale pattern on its side/back in certain light. I caught it on a smoke blue black pepper salt impregnated worm. I found the worm on the shore washed up a few days ago, I wasn't catching anything at all, then I put this worm on and caught a few nice fish these past days in this same spot with this worm. The worm I actually ripped in half, it was only 3 inches long. This bass I caught on my new Avid 7ft Medium Light rod on 6lb line. He fought one of the hardest fights of any bass I ever caught. The 7ft pole was good to keep him up higher out of all the jagged rocks, so he didn't cut my line. The medium-light rod was very sensitive. He stayed deep and took my drag out many times, the line on my pole is done for, all twisty and frayed. Took about 5mins to get him in, but I had him hooked good in the top jaw bone when I set the hook. I was near the end of the line anyhow. I caught him/her off a shore line where it is rocky, and the water drops off and gets deep. Probably over 6ft deep, maybe to 10-14feet deep out there with rock ledges. I casted out pretty far. I actually had the worm sitting on the bottom, it was texas rigged. I decided to start fishing deeper, since the smallies I were catching were really small, sure enough I let it go to the bottom of the 'school' like Doug Hannon said once on this forum. Thanks Doug for the tip! From the tip of the tail, to the tip of the bottom jaw it measured 19" with the measure tape straightened. IN pic the tape is not straight. It was bigger looking in person. The day is overcast, mid 70's, and slight rain here and there. In PA. I also caught a few smallmouth on my favorite Senkos, 4inch Red/Black shad color. These smallmouths are aggressive!

I didn't know you guys were talking baitcasters, my mistake. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, take care.

Is this the Trion you guys are talking about? I need to get a reel that does 4, 6, and 8lb line for my medium light 6ft Avid Rod. was thinking on this one, then you guys mentioned Trion and I just wanted to make sure I am looking at the same Trion you guys are talking about that is good. http://www.***.com/descpageRLSPFLUEGER-PTSR.html

I just bought a St. Croix Avid rod. It is 7ft, fast tip, Medium Light action. I find it works great for 4-5" plastic worms and setting the hook. It seems the Medium Light Avid rods, are more similar to a Medium rod of another company, compared to a Medium light of another company. I like my rod. But I do feel a 6'6" Medium action rod would be better for setting the hooks even though I didn't have trouble, I may on bigger fish. I may take my rod back for a 6'6" medium action rod. Only reason I am probably not, is because I also like to use this rod for 1/16th-1/8 size spinners for trout and a heavier rod wouldn't work so well with this. But, I didn't have ANY truoble setting the hook or fighting fish on my Medium Light 7ft rod today. I caught a nice Pickerel about 17inches,(they kinda hook them self though as they strike fast) and I caught a bunch of SmallMouth Bass about 2 hours ago, all about 10-13inches and I set the hook on every fish and didnt lose any except maybe the small guys that hit the line and never got hooked as they usually do. I was texas rigged on a Zoom 5 or 5 1/2 inch trick/fisnesse type worm and also a 4" Senko on a few fish. I have a few ugly sticks, not old ones. My medium Ugly Stick Lite(lite just means it is more graphite than fiberglass version, it is Blue) and I used to have trouble hooking the Large Mouth bass these past weeks because the tip bends easily. I think even though this medium light Avid rod is not as strong as my Medium Ugly stick, the faster tip on the Avid makes the rod stiffer or something and helps with setting the hook. hope this makes sense. I am sure others will chime in soon and help you more. Welcome to the Forum.

I picked up the 7ft AS70MLF pole today so that I can try it on the water. It is 7', ML, fast tip, Avid Series. I do like it very much. About my tenth cast out, I caught a 17inch Chain Pickerel. The rod is amazing. I do feel 7ft feels long, but I started to get used to it pretty quick. A 6'6" may be a better bet for me, only time will tell. I do like the ML Avid as I compared it to a M Premier, and the ML seem to have a thinner smaller handle, which I like for my preference. (same with the premier ML vs premier M, the ML had a thinner smaller length handle) Thanks for all your help guys. It helped me very much hearing from you guys. Looks like this rod is a keeper, with the worst case scenario being returning it for a 6'6" rod, ML. I do feel I may end up just buying a 6'6" M and keeping the 7' too. I feel a Medium for me might be too heavy, as cuz I am using this pole for bass and trout, the ML casts a 1/8 spinner good, anything smaller and it doesn't work as well. I usually use 1/16th spinner, that is the next smallest to 1/8 I think. So going to a Medium pole, might not be a good idea for me for trout.

That might be a very good idea 'Hot n Tot.' I do use the 1/8oz spinners or 1/16(which is smaller that rating of ML) for trout. So maybe the 7ft ML will be a good choice for now, for my trout fishing and some other fishing. And for when I am fishing with the bigger baits another St. Croix 6'6" or 6'8" rods like you said, in medium, may be the ticket. I mean I do like finesse/trick worms, and 4" Senkos, and occasionally use 5 inch Senkos if I know I am fishing a pong area where there is bigger fish. Lats night I was looking at the lure weight rating for the rods, and line rating, and it does seem the ML St. Croix is rated to the Loomis Medium. I guess maybe the ML might be a choice after all. I'll use all this information that you guys helped me with to make a decision. And post back when I get the rod I end up getting. Thanks Hot n Tot for your post.

thanks guys, and thanks for the welcome. I'll see if I can get used to the longer handle on the 6'6" or 7' vs the 6'. (oddly, the 7' ML seemed to have a smaller handle than the 6'6" M rod, but according to St. Croix website catalog, they are infact the same handle) I will definitely go Medium, as that seems to be where everything points to. You are right, why buy quick and now, hold off, and make the best decision. btw, Dicks has the sale till july 28th , I called them today. All the avids near half price. Just for now this 7ft is the only one left, they sold out quick they said, soon they are getting more in though. The guy said someone came in and bought 3 rods himself, etc.. So maybe soon they will get in more for me to try. Thanks guys for everything,.. Take Care

OK. Thanks for your time. You've been very helpful. Good Luck on the water. *edit* Haha. I was just talking to a guy locally, and he had a 6' Medium and a 6'6" Medium Avid rods in his truck. I liked the 6' better cuz the handle on it was smaller, but I loved the 6'6" length. Just that darn handle was too long, kept hitting me in the arm. So I guess that makes me go with a 6' Avid Medium, as I would compensate with shorter length, and have it more comfortable handle. (6'6" had 4 handle, and 6' had 3 handle) Anyone find the 4 handle on the Avid 6'6" rods bother them? I guess I am the only one that feels this way... I never heard about others having it bother them.

Thanks for the reply. What you said makes sense. Yes, sorry, I was looking at a Spinning Rod, I forgot to mention that in my post. I will take your advice, as you make perfect sense, and it goes together with what I read here on the forum and this site/FAQ. I may end up purchasing this rod, as I can always return it within 30days, I guess. But I am definitely going to try and get a 6'6" Medium Power rod. Perhaps the store will allow me to exchange it for a 6ft 6 MeEdium in 2 weeks or so, when they get them in. btw, Are you basing your advice for the Medium Power, because that will be better suited for those bigger up to 7lb fish I sometimes catch, and a top water bait presentation? Those bigger fish I probably catch about 3-4 a whole season (spring/summer/fall) if that. I am still going to get ahold of a 6'6" Medium as I kind of felt that would be best suited for me anyway.

Hi Guys, New to the forum. First post. Been reading and searching for weeks. I am going to put out some money for a new Rod. I tried a bunch of rods out,(all but any Loomis rods) and I came down to the Avid Series of St. Croix. My local Dick's Sporting goods has them on sale to near $90, which for me is a steal since they go for $150 and up I think. Problem is, they only have one rod left, a Medium Light 7ft Fast rod one piece . I was hoping to get a 6ft, or 6ft6 maybe in a Medium. But the 7ft does feel good in the store, and I can return it within 30days, and I take care of anything I own. (The guy at the store is holding the rod for me till Monday till I decide) I am mainly a trout fisherman, but I wanted something to use for Bass too. The biggest bass I catch are up to 22-23inches, usually I catch the 15-18inch large mouth. I guess that is around 5-7lb fish,. but most of the fish are 2-4lb or smaller. I use trick worms, finesse worms, 4" Senkos, sometimes 5" Senkos(not often 5" though) spinners, jigs, light rapalas/crankbaits, live worms, some top water torpedos, jitterbugs. etc.. I have a reel to use for now, will uprade the reel at a later time. My Questions if you guys would be nice enough to lend me some advice: (hopefully Roadwarrior will read this post and chime in, as he makes alot of helpful posts on this forum and I read a post of Roadwarrior owning a 7ft ML Avid rod, I think) 1. Is a MEDIUM LIGHT 7ft Fast tip AVID One Piece rod OK for my type of fishing? Should I wait and see if Dicks can get a Medium 6ft or 6ft 6 rod in for me? 2. I do alot of trout fishing in creeks and streams, and alot of Big Bass Lake fishing, which requires alot walking through woods to get to the back parts of them, I wonder if 7ft is overkill? 3. What is the benefit that I am going to get from a 7ft rod of this model, compared to having Dicks get me a 6ft or 6ft6 Avid Rod instock for me? ( I read the FAQ several times, still not 100% sure how it affects my circumstances) 4. I read where St. Croix says "Specialized, technique-specific taper designs for jiggin', wormin', spinnerbait, float-n-fly and live bait. " But I am not sure what taper this rod was.... the guy at Dicks didn't know. I want a rod to use for my situation, I don't have the financial backing to purchase a few rods and reels for different baits. I am basing my decision on SALE Price, availability and what 'feels' good in my hands. I did notice the 7ft ML was pretty thin towards the tip of the pole, which scares me of having it be weak for those occasional 5-7lb bass, and the occasional 5lb-8lb trout in the creeks. I guess with this kind of rod, I really can't go wrong. Just not sure if I am better off with a 6ft6 Medium or 6ft Medium rod instead of a 7ft Medium Light. I don't know of any local places selling St. Croix for me to try out the Mediums. And Don't want to miss this sell at Dicks. btw, I read just about every post here when searching, and read the FAQ. This is an awesome site with an awesome forum. I look forward to being an active member. OH yeah, I am in PA, USA, if that helps anyone to know the size fish I am catching, (no 15lb Florida LargeMouth Lunkers, Take Care Guys, Look forward to any advice one can offer.