So as I've been posting the last few weeks, I'm looking for a new finesse rod. I'm likely to buy a St. Croix Avid in a ML F or XF model. Has anyone tried the Avid Pearl series? I like the split grip handle, but I don't know if I can bring myself to buying a pink rod. I can deal with purple, but pink is a little much. Also how would you rank the Avid against the Premier. I briefly looked at the Premier, but I feel at this point I might as well spend the extra money and get the lifetime warranty.

I have a pearl, but its a custom. 6'8" mxf. You may want to check them out before you buy because the factory built pearls have smaller reelseats for smaller hands. St Croix's mlxf rods are my favorite for dropshot. My wife has a 4c69mlxf and i am using a 5s69mlxf. I'm giving her mine this year once i finish my new 5s610mlxf. I'm a Croix nut if you couldn't tell!

So as I've been posting the last few weeks, I'm looking for a new finesse rod. I'm likely to buy a St. Croix Avid in a ML F or XF model. Has anyone tried the Avid Pearl series? I like the split grip handle, but I don't know if I can bring myself to buying a pink rod. I can deal with purple, but pink is a little much. Also how would you rank the Avid against the Premier. I briefly looked at the Premier, but I feel at this point I might as well spend the extra money and get the lifetime warranty.

 

I just bought (last night) an Avid AVS63MLXF... Hope to get it next week. Only other Croix's I've tried are the Premier. Never handled the Pearl series.

 

Currently use two Shimano Compre's - cork version (previous model), and love 'em. Have always wanted an Avid, and finally pulled the trigger. Can't wait to try it out.

Junkyard, I can;t speak about the Pearl Model SC but I can tell You the Avid is a much better Rod than the Premier. I Fished Premiers for Years and they are a nice Rod but the Avids are a lot more sensitive with better components.

 

Darren, You will love that 6'3 MLXF. I have one as well as a 6'3 MXF. I use the MLXF primarily for Weightless Senkos and the MXF for Weighted Tubes, Craws and other Plastics.

 

Paired with a  Shimano Stradic FI 1000 it don't get much better for River Smallmouth Outfits.

 

I  picked up a Fenwick Smallmouth 6'3 M awhile back and paired with a Stradic 1000 it is a very close second to the Avids.

 

Eli

Junkyard, I can;t speak about the Pearl Model SC but I can tell You the Avid is a much better Rod than the Premier. I Fished Premiers for Years and they are a nice Rod but the Avids are a lot more sensitive with better components.

 

Darren, You will love that 6'3 MLXF. I have one as well as a 6'3 MXF. I use the MLXF primarily for Weightless Senkos and the MXF for Weighted Tubes, Craws and other Plastics.

 

Paired with a  Shimano Stradic FI 1000 it don't get much better for River Smallmouth Outfits.

 

Thanks, Eli. I've got the same Stradic (2 of them), plus a new Lexa 2000SH. I'm going to try both models on the new rod. Can't wait!!

I just bought (last night) an Avid AVS63MLXF... Hope to get it next week. Only other Croix's I've tried are the Premier. Never handled the Pearl series.

 

Currently use two Shimano Compre's - cork version (previous model), and love 'em. Have always wanted an Avid, and finally pulled the trigger. Can't wait to try it out.

I was going to pull a trigger on that one, but I decided to get the previous model Crucial used (6'8" MLXF) for half the price.  Have fun with your new Avid, they get rave reviews!

I was going to pull a trigger on that one, but I decided to get the previous model Crucial used (6'8" MLXF) for half the price.  Have fun with your new Avid, they get rave reviews!

 

1/2 price for a previous-gen Crucial is pretty awesome. I loved the feel of those rods.

Darren, let me know how you like the rod. That's probably going to be the exact one I'm looking at.

YOu don't say whether you want spinning or casting, but if you are OK with drop-shotting using a casting rod, and prefer the split grip, you can step all the way up to the St Croix Legend Xtreme 6'10" MXF for $5 more than the Avid right now in their bargain room.  They are clearingout last years models, with the same great warranty as new.  That is a deal that is tough to beat. 

 

http://www.stcroixrods.com/shop/catalog/Freshwater-23-1.html

 

Otherwise, for $60 more, you can get the Legend Tournament Drop Shot rod.

 

Another idea is to get the Avid and find a rod maker cut the full handle cork down to a split grip, or even try it yourself.  Or have DVT custom make you one.

 

Dave

 

Are you looking for a casting rod or a spinning? I have a casting ML Legend for sale in the Flee-market

Darren, let me know how you like the rod. That's probably going to be the exact one I'm looking at.

Shipped yesterday, so hope to get it early next week. Will let you know!

Are you looking for a casting rod or a spinning? I have a casting ML Legend for sale in the Flee-market

Hey mon, you beat me to the punch LOL

Sorry I forgot to specify. This will be a spinning rod. I've looked into the legend, but I've already bumped up my budget to include the Avid.

Don't overlook the 6'10''ml Rage. It's one of the nicest in the Rage line!

Don't overlook the 6'10''ml Rage. It's one of the nicest in the Rage line!

 

They're running a promotion now buy two rods for a value over 200 get a free Rage rod. , so if I buy the Avid, I might just buy a triumph or something cheaper to get the free rod.

I'm pretty sure that promo ended.

Never mind, looks like the deal has expired.

YOu don't say whether you want spinning or casting, but if you are OK with drop-shotting using a casting rod, and prefer the split grip, you can step all the way up to the St Croix Legend Xtreme 6'10" MXF for $5 more than the Avid right now in their bargain room. They are clearingout last years models, with the same great warranty as new. That is a deal that is tough to beat.

http://www.stcroixrods.com/shop/catalog/Freshwater-23-1.html

Otherwise, for $60 more, you can get the Legend Tournament Drop Shot rod.

Another idea is to get the Avid and find a rod maker cut the full handle cork down to a split grip, or even try it yourself. Or have DVT custom make you one.

Dave

A very nice rod at a great price indeed. But that will have way too stiff of a tip and be too powerful for dropshotting. Given the price though I would take it over an avid in a heartbeat even if it did not fit what I was looking to do perfectly.

Junkyard, go to the bargain room and pick up Daves suggestion. At worst, you sell the rod and make a profit, that rod is two series above an avid and is comparable to a glx.

I have been looking at that rod, but I don't really need a casting rod, I'm looking for a spinning. It's been tough for me not to pull the trigger on that seeing that it's been sitting in the bargain room for about 3 months and I check there almost weekly.

Don't overlook the 6'10''ml Rage. It's one of the nicest in the Rage line!

X2 on the rage i have the 6'10 ml x fast that i use for drop shot its got the perfect tip for it