junyer357

I wouldnt get an 8:1 just to have it if you only have 2 other rods/reels. Its more of a designated speed to me for use with baits moved by the rod and take up slack with reel, like worm/jig, jerkbait, and flipping. Id reccomend another 6:1 for general use and diffrent baits on one rod. I have over 20 dedicated use rods now and at least half of them are 6:1. I personally think its the best all around speed for general use in fishing.

Currently an 8:1 70 12# invisx 6'8" m-xf avid Jerkbaits Its my only shimano, most of my other reels are diawa tatulas. Was offered this one for $100 barely used and tried it and liked it. I found it to be a good light lure and short distance reel for slack line uses. I did not like it for general casting use. I prefer my tatula ct for that due to larger spool and lower gear ratios available.

X2 on the acadamy ethos rods.

Current setup Dobyns champion 765 8:1 tatula ct 65# yellow pp slick 8 Seibert tungsten, weight varies Tokar tk130 4/0 Various plastics. Planning to add a champion 766, set up same way, for a second flip/pitch option on deck, as well as punching.

I use 8:1 for my jerkbait, jig, worm, and flip/pitch rods, and others where i am working lure with rod, and reel just takes up slack. I only have a few 7:1 i use for burning cranks or spinnerbaits in aggressive times of year, and for buzzbaits.

I normally have no problem getting a crank close to max depth on 10# flouro. I normally get 8-9 out of a middle-n. Im still looking to see if anyone has actually used these yet, not just speculation. I have a few and the weather is killing me, raining on weekends preventing me from going.

Im going to be disapointed if its only 7' max. Supposed to go to 9-10'. Looking for one to run similar depths as a middle-n.

Anyone use these much yet? What kind of confirmed depths? Seem to work like a standard 1.5 only deeper?

I agree. I tried a buddys avidx, and i will stick with my standard avids. Not a fan of micro eyes.

Why not just go with a standard avid instead of the x?

When i began upgrading my gear, i started with the techniques i used the most, since those were the ones i would be using the most. I went with rods first, and based my budget on bottom contact rods (worm, jig, etc..) had a higher budget than moving baits like cranks. Another reason i went rods first is i also planned to go to dedicated use rods as well. No more multiple use rods like thowing a spinnerbait on a mh-f rod i used for jigs too. I now have a jig rod and a seperate spinnerbait rod. Actually, when i upgraded my jig,that became my dedicated spinnerbait rod for a while, but it has since been upgraded as well. I was able to do a good cleaning and lube on my reels, and they were servicable til i could upgrade them, and they were prioritized by favorite uses as well. I didnt go all rods, then all reels either. After i got some better rods for my favorite techniques, i changed those reels, and repurposed the older ones, or stored them in one of 2 boxes, either back up spares, or parts use only.

Ive been using power pro slick 8 with no problems for a few years now. I always spoolit with line coming off bottom of spool and close bail by hand, but thats it.

I have been putting a wrap of white electrical tape at the base of the rod with info on pound test and date spooled. I can always tell line type by looks. Braid is obvious, clear is flouro, and green is mono. It keep is simple with only buying green mono.

I found siebert from reccomendations on here, started using them and havent looked at anything else, im so pleased. My personal choice is the dredge line, i really like the hook in it. I recently picked up a few of the tungsten head jigs to try, but have not used them yet.

If you dont want micros eyes, look at the standard avids. They discontinued the 7'4", but the 7' is still available and very versitile. I like it for jigs, but my folks use it for spinner/chatter baits and many other lures. Look around and you may can find a standard avid used at times in the 7'4", it was only discontinued about a year or two ago now.

St croix avid 7' mh-f.

I use an avid 7' mh-f for the weights you plan to use. It throws and pitches really well to me. If i go heavier i go to a bps extreme7' mh-f (1/2-1.5oz rating )currently, but am planning to replace it with a 7' h-f avid.

Ive always found i have better feel on heavier jigs that sink faster and stay on bottom better.

I always throw my used baits in a designated spot in my boat for them, or a corner of my truck bed if im pond fishing. Let them dry out there and try to remember to put them back in their right box when i get home, or at least before next trip. I leave active lures tied on, except heavy salt lures like senko, those go in used plastics/trash bin, which is a empty lays stax chips tube. I used to leave them tied on, but came back later and found a rusty hook on a rod.

Thats just odd. I know mine doesnt move past around 2' down from the tip. No matter what weight lure im using.

What setup are you currently using for jigs? It can make a diffrence too. I have a avid 7'mh-f for jigs up to 1/2oz. What power you go with on a new rod will depend on what weight jigs you throw, and dont forget to consider trailer weight as well as jig weight. My 1/2oz jigs are actually around 7/8oz with a trailer. Before you go spend big money on a new spinning setup, try a few tungsten jigs from siebert with what you have now. It really suprised me at how much more lively it felt to me, even on same rod and weights. If it works better, you saved money, if not you still have some good jigs to use on new setup.

I use a 7' mh-f avid with an 8:1 tatula ctspolled with 20# flouro for casting and pitching 3/8 and 1/2 jigs. Its also rates to 1oz. I have thrown 3/4 jigs on it but shy away from doing it often. If i use most any of my trailers on it it pushes the lure weight over the limit. Im planning to get a 7' h-f avid (3/8-1.5oz) this winter for throwing heavier jigs. Then i can leave a 3/8 on my current set up at all times. Rod length is a personal preference, as WRB stated above. Some like longer rods for extra leverage on casting distance, as well as picking up slack if fish runs to you. Shorter rods tend to be more accurate for precision casts though. Find whats comfortable and fita your style. One thing to consider on throwing bigger jigs is keeping slack up at all times, hence the 8:1 reel for me. Picks and keeps slack up better and faster. This increases sensitivity as well as helps in hookset. Too much slack on hookset and you can blow fishes mouth open with mass of the head on larger jigs. I do a quick, sharp jerk, but only moving my arm around 30-45 degrees at elbow, enough to load rod, but im not trying to flip fish over the boat on hookset either.

I also reccomend the standard avid. It has been widely reguarded an axcellent rod for many years, long before the microeye fad. I have the 7' mhf avid. It is a stout rod. It has good tip action, but loads quickly when you get more into the rod. All i use mine for is 3/8-1/2 jigs. Handles them beautifully casting and pitching/flipping. I have thrown 3/4jigs on it as well and it handles them well, even though its a touch over spec weight with a trailer. Before you switch, have you made sure you didnt miss an eye? Super easy to do in those tiny wretched eyes. Also what line are you using? Is it the same? Same lures too? What weight lures? What makes you feel like its a med not a mh?

The ml/f you have would be ok for the t-rig/shakey if you keep it to light finesse weights and sizes. It may work ok for flukes as well if it has good tip action. I would look for a med-mod rod for throwing the jerkbaits and it will handle smaller weight lipless as well. I do reccomend one with a shorter butt, its easier to work a jerkbait whwn the rod isnt hitting you in the side.

No problems with mine, but i also take all my new reels apart and clean and re-oil and regrease before they see a rod or line. I use shimano grease and boca lighting oil.