I picked up a 6' lite/fast Premier spinning rod right before Easter but have never used it. I've had it for sale on a couple local forums for $60, but it's just not moving.

According to the depreciation chart on St. Croix's site, it's worth $90 in trade so I can ship it back along with a check for $110 and they'll send me the Avid I've been eyeballin'. :-?

Anybody here tried this?

I haven't, but I have been thinking about it for a couple of weeks.

Let us know if you go for it.

I broke an Avid and upgraded to an LTB. It is a great way to replace a rod if you are also in the market to upgrade

Can I upgrade a 6' medium Premier for a 7' medium Avid?

TRADE-UP Program

Here's a great plan for St. Croix owners wanting to try an even higher-performing model. Hard to believe, but your undamaged Croix is worth money towards the purchase of another in a series which is at least one level higher. Additionally, rods with 5-year warranties can only be traded for rods with lifetime warranties. The rules are below, but you'll need to speak to our Customer Service Representative to complete the deal.

Here's the phone number: 800-826-7042. When prompted for the extension number, press either 139 or 135.

But before you call, please read the following explanation of how Trade-Up works. And when you do call, please be prepared to give the model and serial numbers to our Representative. He'll need them to calculate your trade-up cost.

1. First you'll need to determine the year of manufacture of your rod. To do this, scroll down this page to Interpreting the Age of the Rod. You'll only need the year of manufacture. Rods built prior to 2001 are not eligible for Trade-Up.

2. Subtract the year of manufacture of your rod from the current year. Multiply this number by $10. This is your Depreciation Cost.

3. Return your undamaged rod to St. Croix. You may use our Discount Shipping Program to save money. Package it carefully, because damaged rods are not eligible, even if they are damaged in transit. A damaged rod will be returned to you in the condition in which we received it.

4. The formula below is used for determining the total cost. But again, please contact our Representative at 800-826-7042 Ext. 139 or Ext. 135 to confirm this cost and assist in the selection of your new rod. Acceptable methods of payment include personal check (drawn on a USA bank account) and credit card (VISA, MC, American Express, Discover).

Trade-Up Cost Calculation

Difference in current retail price between your rod

and the new rod you want: $_____

Depreciation Cost ( per year): $_____

Shipping & Handling Cost

(USA and Canadian customers): $_20

Trade-Up Cost

(add the three items above): $_____

http://www.stcroixrods.com/category/service_and_warranty

I'm debating on it. I bought a 3 year old AVS66ML  from a friend for $60 dollars, and am looking at the LTBS69MLXF. The difference in price is $60, + $30 for 3 years old + $20 S&H, for $110 plus the Avid. Gets me the Legend Tournament for $170, not great but better than the $230 retail. Only reason I haven't pulled the trigger yet is I'm wondering if I should go with the LTBS68MXF instead. I would be using the rod for light finesse presentations but wondering if the ML would have enough backbone. Anyone have any input on the ML versus the M?

While I haven't fished the LTB 6'8" M/XF, my primary spinning rod is an Avid 6'8" M/XF.

It's my favorite rod, by far, and pretty versatile. It'll cast weightless worms and light shaky-heads very well, but in typical St. Croix fashion, it feels a little more stout than you'd expect from a "medium".

I'm actually looking to pick up the 6'9" ML/XF to cover the lighter finesse lures a bit better. I thought about stepping up to the LTB, but I really don't like split-grip rods.

I can't comment on the MXF, but i do fish the LTBS69MLXF regularly.  I mostly fish lightly weighted tubes, grubs and drop shots with it.  It has plenty of power for any of those applications in my opinion.  Then again, I fish mostly rocky/sandy conditions with some light grass.  I also think you could get away with very light jerk baits, or even inline spinners.  It is a little light for texas rigged plastics, and even shakey heads if you are not exposing the hook point, again, my opinion.

i traded in my mojo rod for a legend tournament rod. i've got the mlxf spinning rod, and use it for dropshotting. great rod. i've also got their topwater rod and it might be my favorite. it's paired with core 50, and i use it for a variety of techniques including senkos, topwaters, light jigs and t-rigs.  i even dropshot with it when i can use 10lb line when dropshotting(clearlake)

Well, it appears I won't be using their upgrade program afterall. I paired the Premier with one of the Sahara 1500's I picked up the other day and a spool of Sufix Siege that I found in the clearance bin at Walmart and it sold right away.

Now I just need to clear out a few more things and I'll have a new 6'9" ML/XF Avid in my sweaty hands.

Well, it appears I won't be using their upgrade program afterall. I paired the Premier with one of the Sahara 1500's I picked up the other day and a spool of Sufix Siege that I found in the clearance bin at Walmart and it sold right away.

Now I just need to clear out a few more things and I'll have a new 6'9" ML/XF Avid in my sweaty hands.

Avids are great.  But I absolutely love my LTBS70MF.  It is one of the most versatile and pleasurable rods I have ever fished, and I fish decent quality tackle.  Not to mention I bought it new for 180$ two years ago on Ebay.  You might want to look there yourself. 

I appreciate the advice, but I really don't like split-grip rods. I have an AVS68MXF that does a pretty good job of addressing the majority of my spinning needs. I'm really just looking for a lighter-powered version of the same rod.