Would anyone happen to own one of these rods and be willing to offer some insight on it?

1. How well will it cast/pitch inline spinners and spoons from 3/16 to 3/8 oz?

2. Does the rod have enough backbone for targeting larger trout (5-10lb steelhead)

3. What is the circumference of the blank right where it meets the handle?

Any help appreciated, thanks to anyone and everyone who answers!

Well one thing I know with st croix is they know how to make a Rod with a good backbone. What is the taper of the rod? I know that my st croix ml xfast Dropshot Rod and it has caught plenty of big fish and has the power to turn striper mid run. So I can't imagine that that the light version wouldn't have much of a backbone

Tight lines

Andrew

The rod is a med-light power and moderate action.

I would go with a 9', especially if Youre planning on float fishing with it, that extra foot will pick up more line and the extra foot will also get you a bit more casting distance. I dont own one of these rods but use a 8' 6" Shimano Clarus ML and love it

I would go with a 9', especially if Youre planning on float fishing with it, that extra foot will pick up more line and the extra foot will also get you a bit more casting distance. I dont own one of these rods but use a 8' 6" Shimano Clarus ML and love it

I have a 10'6 and a 13' for float fishing, this is strictly a small creek spinner/spoon rod.

That blank in an SCIII is rated for 1/16-5/16 casting weight. It will cast the 3/8 a distance but may not be my choice for in close accurate casting. The butt measurement is .4". The taper isn't very fast in the butt of these so depending on the grip length you're probably looking at .35 +/-. You can't really judge power by butt diameter alone due to the differences in materials, wall thickness etc. I've built on the 13' and it lands big steelhead no problem. Kinda off the OP, but FWIW, I built a 4 1/2' rod from the front half of a fly rod blank for a client that fishes the limestone creeks in PA with small spinners and he lands some impressive rainbows and browns. 

I have a 10'6 and a 13' for float fishing, this is strictly a small creek spinner/spoon rod.

alright, then I'd consider even a 7' 6", 8' could be pushing it in small creeks, I fish large open areas so it's not a concern.

Taking into account what DVT said, I will probably end up going with a 7'6

OFG, I have this rod and it shines for what I use it for. I use it with 4 and mainly 6lb test line for float fishing and live bait pitching. It is definitely a moderate action, bordering on slow action for a St. Croix blank. It can definitely handle any size fish out of a creek/stream depending on the cover and your skill. I smallie fish GL open water (some weeds) and never feel underpowered. But, I think you should go with St Croix's 7'MLF or 7'6" MLXF Avid based on what has already been said. On small streams with close quarters you're better off with a shorter rod. And the Mod action isn't the best choice for chucking hardware up to 3/8th oz., IMO.

I have the 7' ML/F Avid, and use it as a dropshot rod, but i will be sure to try it for steelhead once spring rolls around.i have been looking to get the 7'6 ml/xf as a light plastics rod for some time now, so I may be able to use it for a couple different things. Thanks for the help.