Thinking about picking up the St Croix Bass X 7’2 MH-M as my new lipless crankbait rod. Anyone have any experience with this model. Good or bad idea?

I think it's more power than appropriate for the lipless cranks I throw.  The biggest issue in casting lures is to have a rod that loads properly with the lures you throw.  What are the recommended lure weights for this rod?  I use lipless cranks of half ounce or less, and use med or med light power rods, which load quite well for them.  Moderate action is right on.

 

Just make sure you are not trying to cast 3/8 oz lures with a rod rated for 3/8 - 3/4.  Better to hit the middle of the weight recommendation for your most used lures.

I’m usually throwing 1/2oz or 1/4oz lures. This rod is rated for 3/8-3/4 I believe, but I’ve always fished the lighter end of the weight rating on all my rods. My “light jig and worm” rod is a MH-F rated for 1/4-3/4 and I’m usually throwing a 1/4oz T-rig or a homemade 1/4oz jig. 

St Croix rods are usually a power higher than they are rated, so keeping that in mind you might want to go with a medium power if you're wanting a MH

My father has a 7'0 MH-M Avid that I think would work perfectly fine for lipless cranks.  Doesn't feel overpowered at all to me.

4 hours ago, Dr. Watson said:

St Croix rods are usually a power higher than they are rated, so keeping that in mind you might want to go with a medium power if you're wanting a MH

Not with the moderate tapers.  The MM rated rods will struggle with average size lipless.  The MM excels with peanut to about 1/2 oz. baits.

 

1 hour ago, RichF said:

My father has a 7'0 MH-M Avid that I think would work perfectly fine for lipless cranks.  Doesn't feel overpowered at all to me.

I have the same rod as well, and it works well with usual size lipless.

 

Yes, I use this as my lipless rod.  The rating is actually 3/8-1, and is accurate in my opinion.  I’ve thrown the floating BBZ shad with it quite a bit but it being over 1oz it it definately overloads a bit but hookups are excellent.  I don’t have enough experience with other similar rods to give a comparison but I think you’ll be happy with it.  I love it. 

 

Edit; Fact check- 4” BBZ 1 shad appears to be only 7/8oz(thought it was 1&3/8) In that regard,  the 1oz rating might be a bit liberal or my own lack of experience with other moderate rods of this rating.  

 

?

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

Not with the moderate tapers.  The MM rated rods will struggle with average size lipless.  The MM excels with peanut to about 1/2 oz. baits.

So it's only their faster actions that are a power up from their rating? Or have they just changed their tech?

I wouldn't even call them a step up.  More like half a step, and it's not all tapers.  A MXF is pretty comparable to most others.  All their MH, fast and up are pretty stout though.  I'm speaking of SCIII, IV and V, since those are what I own.

I have a BassX in MH/Moderate.  I think the tip is very "whippy" and was using it only for my cranks at 3/8 oz and under.  I now use it for my weightless plastics.  I'm using an Avid Series Crankbait rod now for all my cranks.  

Thanks for the input everyone! I think I’m going to pick one up after the first of the year and give it a shot ??

Another option may be the Mojo Bass glass rod. I have it and it’s fantastic. 

Just now, HeyCoach said:

Another option may be the Mojo Bass glass rod. I have it and it’s fantastic. 

I’m not a big fan of glass rods. When I first started trying to find the “perfect” lipless rod, I bought a 7’ M glass rod and didn’t like the feel. I’m sure the St Croix is much better quality then the one I purchased at the time, but I prefer graphite

It is what it is, I have caught about a dozen with it and I think it’s fun to have a spot bend it in half. 

On 12/17/2018 at 9:52 AM, Big_Easy_Bassin said:

I’m sure the St Croix is much better quality then the one I purchased at the time, but I prefer graphite

The AVC70MM and AVC70MHM are both graphite and will cover 95% of your cranking needs, from peanut sized cranks on up to the one ounce deep divers.  They feature that good deflection of a moderate action without sacrificing sensitivity and weight loss graphite offers.

On 12/4/2018 at 2:32 PM, J Francho said:

Not with the moderate tapers.  The MM rated rods will struggle with average size lipless.  The MM excels with peanut to about 1/2 oz. baits.

 

I have the same rod as well, and it works well with usual size lipless.

 

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

The AVC70MM and AVC70MHM are both graphite and will cover 95% of your cranking needs, from peanut sized cranks on up to the one ounce deep divers.  They feature that good deflection of a moderate action without sacrificing sensitivity and weight loss graphite offers.

I've got a St. Croix Avid 70 MM and have yet to use it as I use my Legend Glass for all my crankbaits.

 

I bought the Avid used on a whim but would like to use it as a dedicated crank rod. So, KVD 1.0's, and 1/4-1/2 oz. lipless? Or what do you suggest?

 

 

Anything up to around 5/8 oz is fine.  I like it for spoons, too.  You'll know when you've over loaded it with a bait that's too heavy.  Even then, it's do-able.