Loomis13

Can’t really comment on the sensitivity, as I have only used it for a couple hours this past weekend when it was 38° and raining. However, I didn’t notice it being any better or worse. The blank is SCVII and the elites and extremes are SCVI. If it’s not just marketing and the blank is actually more sensitive than the elites it will be a phenomenal rod. It is definitely lighter, or balanced better than the elites/extremes.

If you are considering st croix, I would look at the new X2. Supposed to be a better blank, and from what I have handed balances very well. I hasn’t caught any fish on my spinning rod, but it balances better than the Extremese I’ve held and if the blank is actually a step up, it will be real similar to an NRX.

I also the braid to leader, but tend to use a fairly short leader and try to keep the knot out of the guides. Can’t go wrong with a destroyer either like has been mentioned in the thread. I have a daemos as well it and it’s awesome.

Someone else mentioned ‘the one’ by Daiwa. Fantastic spinning rod and very versatile. I also have a kistler Z bone and very fond of that rod. Would put it right up there with the legend elite, steez, and NRX. Not as technique specific as the other rods but very sensitive. I haven’t fished it yet, but have have it on order after playing around in store. The Legend X2 from Croix feels incredible and I cannot wait to fish it. Got to talk with Dan Johnston in person who is with St croix and he has high praises for the rod (yes I know he works there and wouldn’t say anything bad about it). But I was very impressed with the rod.

Have a new twin power and the previous model certate. Like FishTank, I would get the twin power. The certate is just okay to me.

From what I can tell the legend tournament cranking rods are the scIV material, with some glass in the blank. I am assuming the legend tournaments are a little more sensitive than the legend glass. Also probably a little lighter than the legend glass. Someone may correct me as I could very well be wrong.

I can’t comment on that rod in particular, but I would encourage you to take rod into a store and mount both reels and see how they feel. That may be difficult depending on your location and that reels are high end. If all else fails, you can maybe mount a small panfish reel and see how the rod balances with a light weight reel like the vanquish. Just be cognizant that this would only be good for a balance point of the combo.

The vanquish is really light and kind of hard to balance a rod with. How long of a rod are you using? I have the 23 vanquish and I would get the excense. But I’m not sure if it would be worth the extra money, just something I don’t have. Only played with an expense in store and it felt fantastic.

Not normally in on the newest gear, however I purchased a new twin power when they came out and have a 3000 excense on order. So I guess I guess yes??

What kind of weights are you bfs guys comfortable going down too? Like 1/16th? 1/8 doesn’t seem too crazy, but 1/16 with a small panfish plastic seems pretty light. Have never used a bfs set-up so not really sure either.

$200 flat for a z-bone shipped. Good deal!

Can’t comment on the difference between helium and z bone, but I got a zbone spinning rod a couple years ago and was very impressed. Ordered the 7’0” MH casting rod for Black Friday. Replacing a legend elite that I didn’t get along with. Handle was too big for my dainty hands.

Got a daemos earlier this year, but hadn’t used it until this past week. Have used legend elites, NRXs, Adrenas, and this is just as good I think. Also certainly is a pretty rod!

Let us know how you like it. I really like my Steez.

How fast of an action are you looking for? The 7’6” steez is a sweet rod, but I feel like you want a faster rod for drop shot.