So last year I used tips I got to buy several new rods. I bought a ST Criox 63 MXF and MLXF LTW spinning, an avid 68 MXF, 610 MLXF for DS, and several fenwick elite bass 610MLXF, 7MF and 69mlxf.

I love the 6'3" for feel, but I dont really like how they load up while pulling fish (maybe its the length?). I use them for jigging mainly, caught lots of walleye and smallmouth this way. I feel like I lost a lot of fish because of that for me personally, I feel like the rod just has a much different feel while reeling in than I liked. I was thinking of switching them to both 66 MLF and MF. Would they still be good jig rods also then? I know St Croix XF is REALLY fast, unlike the Fenwicks XF, just my thoughts after using. I just want them to feel a little more "normal" to me.

I found I really like the fenwick elite tech 7 MF. I use that rod every chance I get, spinnerbaits, cranks, etc. It feels pretty stiff so I dont use it for light lures. The 610 Fenwick MLXF feels way slower than my LTB 610MLXF for comparison.

The 68 Avid X 68 MXF doesnt get used much, I want to switch it for another rod I might use more. All I use it for is jerkbaits, which I didnt do much, or days I needed a second heavy jig rod in the river.

So I guess after rambling do you have suggestions on what to change? I guess I dont love the XF rods, but maybe the shorter 63 is the issue. They handle amazing but maybe I need longer. Not sure. All my setups are spinning, and mainly walleye and smallmouth.

 

I realize I dont NEED all these setups, but it sure is nice having a pre rigged setup for each technique.

 

26 minutes ago, WRangler506 said:

 

I love the 6'3" for feel, but I dont really like how they load up while pulling fish (maybe its the length?).

 

Is it because they feel too stiff, because you don't feel enough flex/give, or because of some other aspect that doesn't feel right?

 

I grew up with fiberglass rods and later graphite composite.  When I was first exposed to graphite bass rods they all felt like skinny broomsticks to me.  I suspect if you have been using walleye rods, you may be used to lighter power rods that have more give thoughout the length of the rod.  Bass rods usually need to be stiffer to set thick hooks through the tough mouths of LMB.  As such, a 1 lb bass is not as "fun" to reel in.  If I'm way off base, try to describe what you don't like and then how you would like it to feel when you're reeling in a fish.

 

Good Luck!!

 

 

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25 minutes ago, LAO162 said:

Is it because they feel too stiff, because you don't feel enough flex/give, or because of some other aspect that doesn't feel right?

 

I grew up with fiberglass rods and later graphite composite.  When I was first exposed to graphite bass rods they all felt like skinny broomsticks to me.  I suspect if you have been using walleye rods, you may be used to lighter power rods that have more give thoughout the length of the rod.  Bass rods usually need to be stiffer to set thick hooks through the tough mouths of LMB.  As such, a 1 lb bass is not as "fun" to reel in.  If I'm way off base, try to describe what you don't like and then how you would like it to feel when you're reeling in a fish.

 

Good Luck!!

 

 

I grew up using cheaper spinning combos ( and a premier 6' ML) that were probably all barely a moderate action. When I got back into it last year, I started trying "the right" rod for some techniques. What Ive been used to isnt necessarily good or right, but its what Im used to. I can catch many fish using them still. Lighter moderate action, for every fishing type I use.

These LTW jigs rods feel great, the ML XF is plenty soft for walleye or bass, it just feels harder to keep a fish hooked up. Maybe its the length, or maybe Im being too nice to it and not keeping enough pressure on the fish. I thought maybe the XF was what I didnt like but trying to figure that out, which part to change.

My 610 LTB DS rod is better feeling while hooked up, but maybe I still pay attention to the rod tip.

 

The Fenwick 7MF, I got it for cheap, it feels great, so I probably just load it up heavy while reeling fish. Maybe Im being too easy on the Legends, or maybe its the XF.

 

If I tried a 66 MLF for a jig rod, it would probably stay rigged and never get used for much else anyway, so might not matter its more versatile. Maybe I would pitch with it more.

 

 

It's not the length. XF is great for feel/sensitivity, but certainly lacking in many other areas. If they don't seem right to you, get rid of them and replace with something a little less fast. You'll be fine, and from the sounds of it, happier, which is all that really matters. There is no shortage of people who will buy them off you as XF seems to be an "in thing" these days with anglers.

2 hours ago, WRangler506 said:

What Ive been used to isnt necessarily good or right, but its what Im used to. I can catch many fish using them still. Lighter moderate action, for every fishing type I use.

These LTW jigs rods feel great, the ML XF is plenty soft for walleye or bass, it just feels harder to keep a fish hooked up. Maybe its the length, or maybe Im being too nice to it and not keeping enough pressure on the fish.

I would guess that most bass rods are now designed with the intent to have the "backbone" to get LMB quickly away from thick cover that can tangle or break the line.  Unlike open water where you have time to play the fish, LMB in  cover need to be quickly pulled in, or they will be lost to the environment.  When I started to get into bass fishing, I was shocked watching pros using 50lb braid to rapidly haul hawgs out of heavy cover.  It didn't seem sporting.  Now, I know that long fights can be very traumatic to the fish, so it is more sporting to get them out of the water and then back into it as soon as possible.

 

I'd offer to take the LTW 63MLXF off your hands, but I already have one with tags waiting for its first use.  I fish from shore and often need short rods to cast around trees and brush.  I actually bought the LTW to be the lighter power compliment to my G Loomis IMX SJR723 that is a bit stiff for some smaller baits.

2 hours ago, Team9nine said:

It's not the length. XF is great for feel/sensitivity, but certainly lacking in many other areas. If they don't seem right to you, get rid of them and replace with something a little less fast. You'll be fine, and from the sounds of it, happier, which is all that really matters. There is no shortage of people who will buy them off you as XF seems to be an "in thing" these days with anglers.

WRangler, your gear is much too nice to sit around unused.  Get to know the policies and protocol of the Flea Market, and you may find someone who will trade with you.

I for one can not stand all the super fast actions you see in many rods today. I go out of my way to find rods that are on the slower side of fast. Some brands to look at are Dobyns (Sierra line most of all), Megabass, and Phenix (the M1 line is great). I have found these rods fish on the slower side of fast and really help in keeping hooked fished pinned. I LOVE the Avid line of rods but they are just to fast in the actions for me (this isn't even counting the XF models).

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.

Maybe I will trade or sell the 68MXF Avid X to start. I think the 66 MLF would be worth a try, in either an Avid(X) or LT. 

16 hours ago, PatrickKnight said:

I for one can not stand all the super fast actions you see in many rods today. I go out of my way to find rods that are on the slower side of fast. Some brands to look at are Dobyns (Sierra line most of all), Megabass, and Phenix (the M1 line is great). I have found these rods fish on the slower side of fast and really help in keeping hooked fished pinned. I LOVE the Avid line of rods but they are just to fast in the actions for me (this isn't even counting the XF models).

What dont you like about them specifically? Im wondering if its the same or different reasons than mine.

I fish a fast moving river and use braided line. I find the super fast actions of some rods will come unloaded while I am trying to get a smallmouth out of the current. 

 

This may very well be my technique but since I have gone to slower actions I don't lose nearly as many fish. I could see using the faster actions in a lake setting or even slower moving rivers but they don't work for how and where I fish.

I like XF actions but i use a copoly line.  XF and braid seem to be the worst combination and although very good in the feel category there is no give in the system.  If you like the rods try a line that will give the system some stretch.  It seems like every one wants the fastest rods with braid and a 9.0 reel to ski the fish back to the boat.  I like my fenwick 610mlxf for dropshot and my 610mxf st croix sc5 for shakey head and small jigs.  I will have hooks 2/0 in size so i have a lot of meet to hold on to the fish.  Smaller hooks and trebles need some give with liter lines as your not horsing them in and need a system that does not instantly unload.  In your case if you use a line with a little more give and still dont like it maybe try a 7' fast.

4 hours ago, Angry John said:

I like XF actions but i use a copoly line.  XF and braid seem to be the worst combination and although very good in the feel category there is no give in the system.  If you like the rods try a line that will give the system some stretch.  It seems like every one wants the fastest rods with braid and a 9.0 reel to ski the fish back to the boat.  I like my fenwick 610mlxf for dropshot and my 610mxf st croix sc5 for shakey head and small jigs.  I will have hooks 2/0 in size so i have a lot of meet to hold on to the fish.  Smaller hooks and trebles need some give with liter lines as your not horsing them in and need a system that does not instantly unload.  In your case if you use a line with a little more give and still dont like it maybe try a 7' fast.

Yes maybe the braid is affecting it too. Ive never run braid before but put braid and flouro leaders on my jigs rods, 6'3".

I can feel everything, but I dont know that i need it.

I have 2 new Fenwick Elite Techs in the 610 MLXF that i didnt even use yet. They seem like a much slower action than the LTB 610 that I have and used a bit. Like I said the Elite Tech 7MF is amazing. I love that rod, and didnt think i would. Maybe I should give the 610s a try... And, maybe I just dont mesh well with the XF, especially with braid.

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.