Loomis13

A Croix L is too stiff? That to me is like the perfect power for a 1/16 by the time you had the plastic. Anything lower than that is going to be "whippy". I grabbed a rod for 1/16 oz jigs and went away from a croix L power because it was too flimsy. Sorry I dont have an answer, but I think you're looking at custom. Another person suggested an UL from croix. IF you look at a 7' UL from them they get real whippy. They bend way down into the blank. I got rid of my 7' UL avid because of this.

Yeah, Always close the bail by hand. I guess when Im thinking bail-less Im picturing a reel that has nothing other than the frame and spool. I would probably get it with a quick search.

This does not compute! I can't even picture this or how it would work LOL. Ill stick to the normal way I guess!

Figured I have been around here long enough I might as well show you what Im working with! Only thing missing is a Curado K I pick up from work on Tuesday! Mostly spinning stuff as Im a walleye/crappie guy first as we tend to fish out of my dads boat and he doesn't get too much kick out of the bass fishing. But I love talking equipment and learning so I ended up on bassresource!

I would say it depends on what you are going to do with it. For me, the difference is worth it when Im fishing walleye. I would agree that it is not as noticeable when going premier to avid as someone else said. With all that said, the legend elite is better than both to me.

The XF with braid is sort of like double whammy. Neither one of them allows for much give. Some like this and some don't. When walleye fishing, i don't know that they do enough stuff in the water to throw the hook because there is not enough play in the rod/line. However, I can smallies taking advantage of this, but Ive never had an issue. I want that jig to be set hard into a walleyes hard mouth.

The bass x rods utilize St. Croixs lowest end graphite and to me the rods are less than stellar. For another $30 you can get a much better blank if you were to go with the mojo bass line. If you don't want to to go over the price of $100 I would look at a different brand than croix and I am a big croix guy.

Yeah, fast will still be just fine for jigging walleye. I like the XF but as you stated you dont. Fast will be fine, and the rods will be more suited to other scenarios too. My walleye rod is actually a 6'10" MLXF from croix.

Sounds like it would do great. I use a 6'4" MXF avid x and a tourney pro and it does well. The one you mentioned should do even better!

In that case I would stay with the Ultegra and save the $200. Im not sure how the weight compares, but it is possible the FK balances very well with a MH. At the same time the weight could be close to an Ultegra and then the ultegra would balance well also. I can just tell you that I would stay away from a CI4+ for balancing reasons with a MH

FWIW I would not worry at all about walleye cutting your line with their teeth. I have never heard of this happening. That rod will make a great walleye! I have the same one in the elite that is my walleye rod. Pitching jigs, blade baits, vertical jigging. Pretty much covers jigging walleye unless you need to go real heavy!

Just a complete guess as I'm not sure where they are made. But perhaps, they are made up north somewhere and the guides could freeze up there. I know they sell rods all over and many to the south but just a thought. It seems like Loomis are Croix are the big companies up this direction (Iowa) and down south isnt as heavily those two major brands.

I haven't looked at them that closely, but I thought they were exactly the Elites but with a split grip. Feel me to tell me otherwise, because it would save me some research!

Ive just messed around with it in store, but nobody else to have first hand experience so Ill offer what I have. First off its stiff. Very stiff. Ive never had the need or thought to cast a 2oz weight so I cant begin to tell you it will handle that. However, the rod does have a rating for a reason (Im sure you know this). With that being said, Im sure lob casting a 2oz lure would be fine, but trying to cast it a long ways would probably not be too good on it.

Yeah, for whatever reason they are not online yet. Im not sure if Croix has a PDF of their 2018 catalog, but Im pretty sure the rods are in there. They are also making a Legend X, which is just like the Elite but has a split grip. The color is a little wonky on the Legend X though.

The handles are pretty slick! I like the look of them better too, not that that really matters though.

I like the 6'10" MLXF spinning or the 6'9" MHMF the best. They seem like they would fit the most situations for me.

but wait! The guides are now satin instead of chrome haha. Not much changed, except the LTW have full cork now

Check your PM's

I havent put a reel on one, but have messed around with them on a slow day in the shop and too me it depends on the model. Some I thought were still heavy, especially since they have been touted as not being heavier in the tip. Then on some models, I have thought they felt great. All this was done without a reel...something to keep in mind.

I have two Avid X casting rods and don't find them to be tip heavy and I like both much more than the regular avid. However it is not apples to apples as I have used the casting rods. However, playing around with them at work, I don't seem to notice any of them being tip heavy. Disclosure: I haven't held a Sierra...probably a fine rod.

If you can swing the trip up to Hank's (in waterloo) they have the old model LTB on sale 50% off right now. You could call and see if they have that rod. I think they do...so it would be like $145

You'll love that rod. Perhaps a little short for bass fishing, but if you're fishing from bank a lot it could also be perfect!

I would choose LOTW on the canadian side. I have been to okeechobee LM fishing and it was fun and the water so different than what Im used to, but Im a walleye/crappie guy at heart and this lake has literally endless opportunities. Plus, in the winters I could ice fish. Oh, and the smallmouth fishing can be spectacular too. I could also deer hunt a little bit and Iowa isn't too far away if I would be so lucky to get a tag there.

Sounds like reel wont matter either way too much. Ill see how they feel on the rod and go from there. Also, thanks for the tips in helping me get started and trying to avoid some frustration!