ibobpeb

Personal preference, I like 6'6" over the 7'. Try them both and keep the one you like best. I have rods that vary in length from 6' all the way up to 8' and find myself using the 6'6" medium light St Croix the most.

I am serious.

Can you tell me which fish grips you are using? And is it safe to hold a fish only with the grips? It won't tear the mouth?

Can you tell me which hook you are using to replace it and where I can buy it?

Hey thanks for the response. I'll be using it for multiple purposes. Everything from walleye jigging where sensitivity is a must and even for LMB. I have other rods as well (dobyns champion, avid) and I'm not too technique specific. I like versatility.

I've never fished with the Legend Elite spinning rods before. Can you tell me how it compares to the Avid spinning rods? Is it that much better?

Paca craw, havoc pit boss, and huddle bug.

Thanks to everyone who responded! Now I have tons of options to tinker around with. Will give em all a try.

Thanks! Will look into those brands.

I'm planning to do some river smallmouth fishing. They don't get any bigger than 2 pounds in these parts. Problem is that most of my jigs are a little too big at 4/0 size. I need some smaller jigs preferably 1/4 ounces in a 2/0 hook. I know the Bitsy Flip and Bitsy Bug jigs meet that criteria but I'm just looking for something with higher quality. Any suggestions? Thanks.

I personally use 3/8 oz Hack Attack Jigs with a 4" Pit Boss trailer and I live up north like you do fishing similar waters. The head design is awesome for moving in and out of cover. Pitch it, flip it, or swim it... It's all good. These are readily available at the stores, very affordable, and you don't have to pay for shipping and no waiting time.

Haha guess I missed that part! I'd go about 3 or 4 power w/lilly pads. He could go with a true MH (5 power) BUT it's not gonna cast those light baits very good.

Lots of good options for the $100 price point. $100 rod and $100 reel will get you a nice setup. Rods: *** Black/Green Powell Inferno Carrot Stix Orange/Green/Black Dobyns Fury St Croix Triumph/Premier (mind you some of these rods are $120-ish but you can always find them on sale for as low as $90 brand new too) Reels: Lew's BB-1/SS-1/LFS/Tournament Shimano Curado I (Some of these reels are $150-ish but I've been able to get them for $100 and less on auction sites, fishing conventions, etc. You just gotta look. Got my Curado I for $100.)

They taste great too.

Dobyns Champion 702C or 703C. Fits all your criteria: 7 feet. Perfect for 1/4 oz baits. Most balanced rods I ever used. Will cost you $250 though. I got mine for $180 at a fishing convention. Bargain with the vendors they'll take up to 30%-40% off.

I was able to get one for $100 so it's solid. Don't think I would at $179 though. I like some of the Lew's reels alot better at that price point.

Don't know if anyone already mentioned this but for 3.8" Keitech Swing Impact Fats, I only use 3/0 1/8th oz Eagle Claw Weighted Swimbait 60 degree hooks with the spring-lock.

x2. I only eat LMB when I'm camping. Where I'm from I'm lucky enough to have easy access to tastier fish like crappie, perch, white bass, and salmon.

Yep I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority too that's why St Croix doesn't make them in that configuration lol. I value portability of a 2 piece over the perceived sensitivity of a 1 piece because I travel 52 times a year by plane for business. I also fish remote locations often require trekking a few miles through dense woods/bushes to reach water. I just can't bring along a 1 piece rod with me.

I'd buy this rod in a heartbeat but they don't come in 2-pieces for the 6'6". There is a 2-piece for the 7' rod but it's too long for what I need it for. C'mon St Croix! Please come through!

If money were no object I'd build a private 100 acre pond stocked with trophy sized fish. I'd use a kiddie Shakespeare spiderman rod and have the time of my life.

Thanks for the reel suggestions everyone. Another question: I was wondering if this light rod would be suitable for swimbaits? Would be mostly 1/8 ounce weighted offset hooks with 3.8" keitech swimbaits.

I'm pretty set on my next rod being either a 6'6" Premier or Avid Light power spin rod (PS66LF2 and AVS66LF2). It will be mainly used for white bass, panfish, and trout. I need help pairing it with a good reel under $99! Thanks.