I am waiting for Black Friday to buy a St Croix  Avid spinning rod. I will using it for the ned rig, split shotting, and drop shotting. I can only buy one since these are $200 (hopefully 20% on BF). Would a med. or med.lt action be the best. The only other rod i would consider would be the Bass Pro Carbonlite but I really don't know if I could stand a white rod, of course, these cost half of what the St Croix cost. What do you think ?

ML no doubt for the Avid.

ML all the way

I have a 6'9 avid X ML XF and it's great for all of those things, and actually way more versatile than I'd expected.

Another advocate of the ML XF. The 6'-9" is rated from 1/8 to 1/2 oz lure.

ML for the St. Croix

 

M is fine for a Carbonlite - I have one white and

one black spinning and one white, a black for

casting. The black casting is ML. 

 

My new Croix rod is a 6'3" MLXF LT and it is 

fantastic action for everything I throw, while

I'd pick M for the same stuff on the Carbonlites.

Another vote for the MLXF.

St. Croix and Abu or 2 brands you can pretty much figure will be heavier than their rating.  I agree with Darren.

ML St Croix.

ML/XF St. Croix hands down no contest.

I will say ML as well, I like the Avid X, it feels more responsive than the regular Avid.

The St. Croix MLXF spinning is a special blank.

I will say ML as well, I like the Avid X, it feels more responsive than the regular Avid.

Doesn't the Avid X have micro guides. I use a 7# leader with 10# braid, will a knot go through the micro guides easy. The regular Avid has regular guides I believe.

love my mlxf for dropshot. Use a avid mlf for tubes but its a little light. It may be used for spybaits next year

Looks like a St Croix is in my future, come on Black Friday !!!!!!

Doesn't the Avid X have micro guides. I use a 7# leader with 10# braid, will a knot go through the micro guides easy. The regular Avid has regular guides I believe.

 

Yes, this is true and if using a leader I'd go with the regular Avid as well.

Doesn't the Avid X have micro guides. I use a 7# leader with 10# braid, will a knot go through the micro guides easy. The regular Avid has regular guides I believe.

I fish 20# Power Pro Slick to 7lb Sniper and have no problems with a double Uni on my Avid X. In fact, I have several Rages that I'll run 40+lb braid and 12lb Hybrid (more realistically 15lb diameter with-17lb strength) and have had few problems with the double Uni and those (I believe) have even smaller guides.

a few notes on knots... Practice helps a lot with any line to leader knot, and specially in getting them small and clean. I'll also sometimes dot the knots with super glue the night before (I tend to do this more with Seaguar Invisex because the knots seem to slip more than with either Hybrid or Sniper). Also, remember to check your leader knot throughout he day, but especially after catching a fish or running it through abrasive cover.

I've only had one spinning rod with micro guides.  Hated it and took it back.  Best I can recall the guides were still big enough for a knot to pass through.  It was a Cabela's Prodigy rod.  Tie a nice clean Alberto or Albright Knot and you should be fine.  Personally I'm not a fan of knots going through my guides.  Personal preference.  Doesn't bother plenty of others.

Well, I guess I'm the party pooper...I sold my AVS66MLF some time ago. I prefer Medium Power/ Fast Action.