So I got some gift cards for Christmas, and I’m looking at getting a new Crankbait rod. I’m trying to decide on if I want to buy the St Croix Legend Glass, or the St Croix Victory power target cranker. I will be mostly throwing 3XDs and 5XDs on this rod. Thoughts? Pros and Cons?

I like a glass rod for deep cranking. A good one like that will still transmit feel and have some power

Personally, I prefer graphite composite rods for cranking, mainly for the lighter weight. That being said, a glass rod paired to a reel that balances with it well negates that reasoning.  I'd take the reel you intend to use and mount it on both rods if you're undecided.  Could be the straw that tips one in your favor.

2 hours ago, Chris186 said:

So I got some gift cards for Christmas, and I’m looking at getting a new Crankbait rod. I’m trying to decide on if I want to buy the St Croix Legend Glass, or the St Croix Victory power target cranker. I will be mostly throwing 3XDs and 5XDs on this rod. Thoughts? Pros and Cons?

Glass rods have been around forever, besides the obvious points of slower action to peg trebles better, they will also last you a lifetime and are WAY more durable, they have gotten better from the older ones, plus they are a blast to fish with on many different lures as the fish loads up big on the rod and the tip bends way over, not to mention they are DIRT cheap, even the nicer ones are reasonably priced at around $100

I’m for a composite as well. There are a number of all graphite rods with nice moderate actions. 

Get the legend glass. You won't be disappointed. I have the 7'2 MedMod and love it!

I prefer graphite. I tried a few glass rods and I just didn’t connect with the feel.  I also felt like I could cast more accurate and farther with graphite over glass.

 

i dont like glass. they feel heavy to me. also i fish alot of cranks around grass. i need a rod that is sensitive enough to feel the bait tic grass and has enough backbone to snap the bait out of the grass.there are some good moderate action graphite cranking rods out there. now if im fishing deeper diving plugs on rock or wood glass is fine.

Since you can get a graphite rod with the same taper as clunky old fiberglass, glass rods seem more like a novelty to me.

59 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Since you can get a graphite rod with the same taper as clunky old fiberglass, glass rods seem more like a novelty to me.

A kayak angler opining on equipment choices is like, ....well, a kayak angler opining on equipment choices.  What is more novelty than a roto molded pointy wading pool....  

I came into this thread with the attitude of light-in-hand Toray graphite, and new blank-making configurations can duplicate glass action. 

But when I read St Croix Legend Glass, I went ouch -

- this rod will not disappoint you, and will be the lightest-in-hand glass rod you ever fished. 

 

2 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

I came into this thread with the attitude of light-in-hand Toray graphite, and new blank-making configurations can duplicate glass action. 

But when I read St Croix Legend Glass, I went ouch -

- this rod will not disappoint you, and will be the lightest-in-hand glass rod you ever fished. 

 

I agree 100%. The only composite rod I’d put even near the Legend is the Daiwa BLX Limber rods. I’ve fished both series and they are superb. The Legend line gives you a large range of length and powers to choose from to really dial in your approach. 
 

The St. Croix also comes with a fantastic warranty and is made in the USA. 
 

There are fantastic graphite rods out there, but for medium to deep divers it’s still hard to beat the Legend Glass at any price point. 

O K  I will 2 cent about very old glass rods.  

 

I have 1 spin & 1 fly in glass. There is NOTHING available to my wallet that can toss LIVE BAIT with little injury to baitfish frogs eels or insects. Those oldies will almost make a full letter C  when fully loaded with a + 20 pound fish.

I only use crushed down barbs.  Then I also grind down the barb hump with my Moto Grinder. If you can set the hook or the fish sets the hook by pulling away.  Carp Suckers Chubs Catfish.......Or most any other fish.  THe soft rod WILL  WILL automatically keep the hook buried.  Great rods for kids or people who do not fish much. AS bad as my area has been.  I will be using BOTH softy rods this summer until My daily catching rate improves. I have no other choice with my body.

5 minutes ago, cyclops2 said:

O K  I will 2 cent about very old glass rods.  

 

I have 1 spin & 1 fly in glass. There is NOTHING available to my wallet that can toss LIVE BAIT with little injury to baitfish frogs eels or insects. Those oldies will almost make a full letter C  when fully loaded with a + 20 pound fish.

I only use crushed down barbs.  That I also grind down the barb hump with my Moto Grinder. If you can set the hook or the fish sets the hook by pulling away.  Carp Suckers Chubs Catfish.......Or most any other fish.  THe soft rod WILL  WILL automatically keep the hook buried.  Great rods for kids or people who do not fish much. AS bad as my area has been.  I will be using BOTH softy rods this summer until My daily catching rate improves. I have no other choice with my body.

Sounds very reminiscent of the old Nightcrawler Secrets rods (and technique) ?

as long as we're drifting off course

Phillipson ES66 Registered, and Hardy Exalta

 

The best venerable glass rod I and my girls ever fished, H-I Star glass and Luxor A. 

This rod was made about the time H-I acquired Harnell. 

 

though I'll also admit to preferring any light spinning rod with my green Penn 716

12 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I like a glass rod for deep cranking. A good one like that will still transmit feel and have some power

 

Love spin reels on fly rods wit 4# Mono.  45 minutes to beach a 15 pound Channel or Carp.  And those 2 NEVER died from Lactic Acid build up. All claimed superior game fish did die. 1 of those hefty fish would tire out 3 kids & a wimpy parent.

Thanks for all the replies. I have heard nothing but good things about the Legend Glass, I’m kinda leaning that way.

Good old company with a good looking warranty. Do it.

I own or have owned all kinds of crankbait rods from the most expensive to your basic crankin stick and the St. Croix Legend Glass is the best I have fished.  I have yet to find a flaw. It is built perfectly for the task.  I would highly recommend it.