Thanks Guys

You're thinking in the same range I am, except for the 5" Senko, which is heavy enough to load most MH rods. I had mine out in the backyard again today with a different reel. Tried an Alphas spooled with 8lb mono. That felt better than a Fuego, and a lot better than a Zillion, which is what I originally tried on the rod. I don't know at this point what the practical lower limit will be. I set out today to test just that, but the weather put a halt to the process. I do know that 1/4oz was no problem at all, and a 3/16oz jig should be good as well.

 

I took mine out today and gave it a try. I had a Lews tourney pro on it spooled with 12# invizx. I also tried it with some lighter mono too. Casting 1/4oz seems near the sweet spot but heavier weight seems like it won't be a problem either. A 3/16 jig is beginning to approach the upper limit and with a small rage tail grub on it.....that's definitely the absolute max I would feel comfortable casting with this. A 4" senko is just about perfect (1/4oz + hook) and a 5" senko doesn't feel like it's out of range but maybe on the verge of it. I also tried tossing a small 1/8oz fluke with it and it was definitely a bit light. The lews tp isn't an ideal setup to throw such light weight so that may play a part in it too. I'm sure your alphas would do better.

 

I think this rod is slightly underrated in power but not nearly as much as any of the other St. Croix medium power rods I've had. It seems to work best for me with 1/4 to 1/3oz max. I'll have to try it with a 1/8oz jig with a little grub trailer....that might be just the ticket for jigs for this. I'm still not sure what I'm going to use it for because I haven't fished it...but that seems to settle the weight thing for me anyways.

Your assesment is right in line with mine, which makes you a pretty sharp guy. LOL!

Your assesment is right in line with mine, which makes you a pretty sharp guy. LOL!

 

It's always good to get a second opinion from someone with the same gear. Let me know if you find something where this rod really shines and I'll give it a try myself. BTW - One of my favorite (of many) Mencken quotes.

Oh, I should add that I tried some Tuf-Line supercast through the recoil guides and it pretty darn quiet (if anyone's wondering).

I took mine out today and gave it a try. I had a Lews tourney pro on it spooled with 12# invizx. I also tried it with some lighter mono too. Casting 1/4oz seems near the sweet spot but heavier weight seems like it won't be a problem either. A 3/16 jig is beginning to approach the upper limit and with a small rage tail grub on it.....that's definitely the absolute max I would feel comfortable casting with this. A 4" senko is just about perfect (1/4oz + hook) and a 5" senko doesn't feel like it's out of range but maybe on the verge of it. I also tried tossing a small 1/8oz fluke with it and it was definitely a bit light. The lews tp isn't an ideal setup to throw such light weight so that may play a part in it too. I'm sure your alphas would do better.

 

I think this rod is slightly underrated in power but not nearly as much as any of the other St. Croix medium power rods I've had. It seems to work best for me with 1/4 to 1/3oz max. I'll have to try it with a 1/8oz jig with a little grub trailer....that might be just the ticket for jigs for this. I'm still not sure what I'm going to use it for because I haven't fished it...but that seems to settle the weight thing for me anyways.

I agree with your assessment of the not as under rated, I had mine out again playing and it does seem to have a softer tip than any of my other XF Coix's but still definitely XF! for me that is a good thing as I want it for light to weightless soft baits 1/4 oz to weightless tubes and the likes, with quite a bit in 12 to 30 feet of water I am very impressed with it so far, now if I could just get them Smallies fired up!!  The eyes are absolutely quiet. 

I'm almost totally oblivious to the noise of braid. Especially with a fish on.