I admit it, I initially wasn't going to bite on SCs latest attempt to jockey for position in the lower mid range rods.  Unfortunately circumstances and the degenerate tackle junky in me couldn't resist the cheesy promos from SC.  The rod didn't arrive until about 0330 EST today which gave me a little over 3 hrs on the water with it today.  Normally I wouldn't even think about posting any kind of review until I had at least a few days with it on the water, but I got to put about 2 dozen bass on it today from 1-2.5 lbs with a heartbreaking 4lb+ jumping and throwing the hook + a half dozen slab crappie.

After cutting all of the taped bubble wrap from the plastic sheath the rod was packaged in I could tell immediately the rod was light.  I've heard it referred to as, the "WOW" factor, when you pick up a rod and its way lighter then expected.  Well, this rod kind of has it, not to the extent of the Adrena, but still a little "wow."  Fit and finish is great, eyes are straight, no bubbles, no dripping good job SC and ALF for keeping it mint. The balance is what I was most pleased with, slightly tip heavy.  I had a Stradic FK 3k right within reach of where I cracked the tube and the approx. 8oz reel balanced and would have fished well, though I did prefer the Fuego 2500 because I like to choke up. 

So, how did it fish?  Long story short...good.  I was hoping that it would throw a 3" Easy Shiner with a 1/16 Owner Darter Head a fair distance and it did.  What really surprised me was on my very first cast as soon as it hit the water a slab crappie choked it, like an outfielder catching a fly ball.  After the Keitech, I tied on what is IMO the epitome of small JBs...the Rozy 63 because I knew at the very least I was on some feeding crappie so why wouldn't I use one of the most satisfying kind of baits to fish.  After 3 casts I had added another 2 slabs to the total, each about 1lb and I was pleased with the way the Victory threw the 63.  Crappie gave way to small bass which slowly got bigger as as bites became more occasional.     

At the end I felt as if I had enough of a feel of the rod for a fast and loose version of my first impression of the 6'10 Victory.  The XF action of the rod is different from the Premiers, Mojos and Avids.  The tip section of this rod is somewhat short and loads into surprisingly rigid mid section at the what I think is the 4 or 5th guide, off the top of my head.  That makes this rod load and unload faster then any other SC I've ever had, which can be good or bad the way you look at it.  I had a few fish come unbuttoned, most notably the 4lb heartbreaker, which is in no part the rods fault, I think was due to me smashing my barbs in tandem with a blank that can recover exceptionally fast.  The other unique characteristic of the rod I noticed felt different for a SC was the felt length.  SC went with a different style handle for the Victory spinning rods then they have used in the past.  The longer fore grip which I like, makes the 6'10 fish a few inches shorter to me.  So in hand it fishes closer to a 6'6 in length.   

There nice, but do you need one? That's for you to decide.  Im happy with the 6'10, but I don't envision another "Victory" for me... unless they come out with a 7'4 then SC wouldn't have to twist my arm. 

 

My apologies for the essay, I had just been looking for reviews of this particular rod for the past few days on BR and hadn't noticed any.  I felt if one person could benefit from this post in any way then I would be all the better for writing it.  I must add the typical BR disclaimer in that this is but opinion and nothing but opinion. 

Fin                

 

 

Nice right up on your first impression.