Hi Guys,

New to the forum. First post. Been reading and searching for weeks. I am going to put out some money for a new Rod. I tried a bunch of rods out,(all but any Loomis rods) and I came down to the Avid Series of St. Croix. My local Dick's Sporting goods has them on sale to near $90, which for me is a steal since they go for $150 and up I think. Problem is, they only have one rod left, a Medium Light 7ft Fast rod one piece . I was hoping to get a 6ft, or 6ft6 maybe in a Medium. But the 7ft does feel good in the store, and I can return it within 30days, and I take care of anything I own. (The guy at the store is holding the rod for me till Monday till I decide) I am mainly a trout fisherman, but I wanted something to use for Bass too. The biggest bass I catch are up to 22-23inches, usually I catch the 15-18inch large mouth. I guess that is around 5-7lb fish,. but most of the fish are 2-4lb or smaller.

I use trick worms, finesse worms, 4" Senkos, sometimes 5" Senkos(not often 5" though) spinners, jigs, light rapalas/crankbaits, live worms, some top water torpedos, jitterbugs. etc.. I have a reel to use for now, will uprade the reel at a later time. My Questions if you guys would be nice enough to lend me some advice: (hopefully Roadwarrior will read this post and chime in, as he makes alot of helpful posts on this forum and I read a post of Roadwarrior owning a 7ft ML Avid rod, I think)

1. Is a MEDIUM LIGHT 7ft Fast tip AVID One Piece rod OK for my type of fishing? Should I wait and see if Dicks can get a Medium 6ft or 6ft 6 rod in for me?

2. I do alot of trout fishing in creeks and streams, and alot of Big Bass Lake fishing, which requires alot walking through woods to get to the back parts of them, I wonder if 7ft is overkill?

3. What is the benefit that I am going to get from a 7ft rod of this model, compared to having Dicks get me a 6ft or 6ft6 Avid Rod instock for me? ( I read the FAQ several times, still not 100% sure how it affects my circumstances)

4. I read where St. Croix says "Specialized, technique-specific taper designs for jiggin', wormin', spinnerbait, float-n-fly and live bait. " But I am not sure what taper this rod was.... the guy at Dicks didn't know.

I want a rod to use for my situation, I don't have the financial backing to purchase a few rods and reels for different baits.

I am basing my decision on SALE Price, availability and what 'feels' good in my hands. I did notice the 7ft ML was pretty thin towards the tip of the pole, which scares me of having it be weak for those occasional 5-7lb bass, and the occasional 5lb-8lb trout in the creeks. I guess with this kind of rod, I really can't go wrong. Just not sure if I am better off with a 6ft6 Medium or 6ft Medium rod instead of a 7ft Medium Light. I don't know of any local places selling St. Croix for me to try out the Mediums. And Don't want to miss this sell at Dicks.

btw, I read just about every post here when searching, and read the FAQ. This is an awesome site with an awesome forum. I look forward to being an active member. OH yeah, I am in PA, USA, if that helps anyone to know the size fish I am catching, (no 15lb Florida LargeMouth Lunkers,

Take Care Guys, Look forward to any advice one can offer.

I think the rod would suit you well for some of your applications but not others.  I own a 6'6'' ML Avid and basically only use it for baits that are too light for the rest of my casting rods (Flukes and floating Smithwicks).  If you can handle jerking a 7 footer it'd work well for your topwaters and also some of your finesse applications.  However, even a with a medium power Avid, wrestling fish from cover is difficult.

Although the rod is a good deal, I'd  probably spend the extra money to get a medium power for the broad range of presentations you require.  A good deal isn't worth it if it's for something you don't want.

I just realized you're probably talking about a spinning rod.  If so, I believe you'll have some serious issues fighting 7lb fish.  A 7 footer probably isn't necessary either.  Look at a 6'6'' M.

Thanks for the reply. What you said makes sense. Yes, sorry, I was looking at a Spinning Rod, I forgot to mention that in my post.

I will take your advice, as you make perfect sense, and it goes together with what I read here on the forum and this site/FAQ.  I may end up purchasing this rod, as I can always return it within 30days, I guess.  But I am definitely going to try and get a 6'6" Medium Power rod.  Perhaps the store will allow me to exchange it for a 6ft 6 MeEdium in 2 weeks or so, when they get them in.  

btw, Are you basing your advice for the Medium Power, because that will be better suited for those bigger up to 7lb fish I sometimes catch, and a top water bait presentation?  Those bigger fish I probably catch about 3-4 a whole season (spring/summer/fall) if that.   I am still going to get ahold of a 6'6" Medium as I kind of felt that would be best suited for me anyway.

I suggested a medium because it'll easily handle all the baits you want to throw.  Also, I've caught several bass on the rod you were talking about while walleye fishing and all you can really do on a decent bass is just wait until it gets worn out.

OK.

Thanks for your time. You've been very helpful. Good Luck on the water.

*edit*

Haha. I was just talking to a guy locally, and he had a 6' Medium and a 6'6" Medium Avid rods in his truck.  I liked the 6' better cuz the handle on it was smaller, but I loved the 6'6" length. Just that darn handle was too long, kept hitting me in the arm.  So I guess that makes me go with a 6' Avid Medium, as I would compensate with shorter length, and have it more comfortable handle.  (6'6" had 4 handle, and 6' had 3 handle)

Anyone find the 4 handle on the Avid 6'6" rods bother them? I guess I am the only one that feels this way... I never heard about others having it bother them.

It doesnt really bother me but I have heard people complain about that before.  

Welcome to the boards!!

I think there is a reason it's on sale and the only one left.  Put it that way.

I dont think it suits most of your applications.  It most definately is not suited for an all purpose rod and it sounds like that's what you need.  I wouldnt go any less than a medium power if it were me and even that is too light for me but useful for some applications.

I also do not like rods less than 7 ft for all purpose stuff but again, that's personal opinion and you may like the 6'6".

To sum it up.  Based on what you stated I would not buy that rod.

B

Welcome aboard!

For an "all-around" spinnng rod, I recommend 6 1/2' -7', Medium Power/ Fast Action.

St. Croix makes a fine rod, but just because a rod is on sale doesn't make it a good deal. If you can be patient, great deals come up in the BassResource.com "Flea Market" all the time or save your money now and buy the Avid you want later.

thanks guys, and thanks for the welcome.

I'll see if I can get used to the longer handle on the 6'6" or 7' vs the 6'. (oddly, the 7' ML seemed to have a smaller handle than the 6'6" M rod, but according to St. Croix website catalog, they are infact the same handle) I will definitely go Medium, as that seems to be where everything points to. You are right, why buy quick and now, hold off, and make the best decision.

btw, Dicks has the sale till july 28th , I called them today. All the avids near half price. Just for now this 7ft is the only one left, they sold out quick they said, soon they are getting more in though. The guy said someone came in and bought 3 rods himself, etc.. So maybe soon they will get in more for me to try.

Thanks guys for everything,.. Take Care

I think you definately need both med and med light rods. The Croix ML is rated for 1/8-3/8 oz lures, and I believe the medium power rods are rated 3/16-5/8 oz. The ML is great for finesse worms and 4" senkos. I prefer it for Rapala minnows as well. I think the Med rod is better for 5" senkos and fluke fishing. I have a 7' ML Croix and it's a blast fishing finesse worms and 4" senkos. I'd get the 7' ML now, and later find a deal on a more powerful Med rod, or find an Avid AS68MXF which is a great finesse rod due to it's extra fast action, but still has the ability to cast the heavier 5" Senkos. That just might be the most versatile of the St. Croix spinning rods.  BTW, St. Croix's ML has the same line and lure rating as the medium power Loomis.

That might be a very good idea 'Hot n Tot.'    I do use the 1/8oz spinners or 1/16(which is smaller that rating of ML) for trout. So maybe the 7ft ML will be a good choice for now, for my trout fishing and some other fishing.  And for when I am fishing with the bigger baits another St. Croix 6'6" or 6'8" rods like you said, in medium, may be the ticket.  I mean I do like finesse/trick worms, and 4" Senkos, and occasionally use 5 inch Senkos if I know I am fishing a pong area where there is bigger fish.

Lats night  I was looking at the lure weight rating for the rods, and line rating, and it does seem the ML St. Croix is rated to the Loomis Medium. I guess maybe the ML might be a choice after all.  I'll use all this information that you guys helped me with to make a decision. And post back when I get the rod I end up getting.  Thanks Hot n Tot for your post.

I have an Avid AS66MLF. I use it mostly for stocker trout (Panther Martin, Rapala Countdown), white bass (Little George, Silver Buddy and live crawdads) and some smallmouth fishing (live bait) in relatively open water. The knock on the rod is a soft tip, too soft in my opinion, for effectively fishing soft plastics. I like the rod well enough to have it matched up with a Shimano Stella 1000FA, but I don't think it is the right rod for you if "all-around" is your objective.

My soft plastics rig is St Croix Legend Elite (ES70MF) saddled with a Shimano Stella 2500FB, #6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft and 4/0 EWG Gamakatsu or X-Point Offset Worm Hooks. This rod has a firm tip and could be considered my "all-around" spinning outfit, too.

I picked up the 7ft AS70MLF pole today so that I can try it on the water.  It is 7', ML, fast tip, Avid Series.  I do like it very much.  About my tenth cast out, I caught a 17inch Chain Pickerel. The rod is amazing. I do feel 7ft feels long, but I started to get used to it pretty quick.  A 6'6" may be a better bet for me, only time will tell.  I do like the ML Avid as  I compared it to a M Premier, and the ML seem to have a thinner smaller handle, which I like for my preference. (same with the premier ML vs premier M, the ML had a thinner smaller length handle)

Thanks for all your help guys. It helped me very much hearing from you guys.  Looks like this rod is a keeper, with the worst case scenario being returning it for a 6'6" rod,  ML.  I do feel I may end up just buying a 6'6" M and keeping the 7' too.  I feel a Medium for me might be too heavy, as cuz  I am using this pole for bass and trout, the ML casts a 1/8 spinner good, anything smaller and it doesn't work as well. I usually use 1/16th spinner, that is the next smallest to 1/8  I think. So going to a Medium pole, might not be a good idea for me for trout.