St. Croix Legend Xtreme 2020

[Chode]

who's gonna be the first to post a pic and write a review? if you post a pic, plz show the balancing point

[TravisNY]

Will spinning rods be permissible regarding balance point pics ? I ask because I doubt that is what the readership is wanting. My two spins (and another couple Legend Elite spins) should be here this week early next depending on shipping.

[iabass8]

This is at least the 3rd generation of the Legend Xtreme...

[TravisNY]

This is at least the 3rd generation of the Legend Xtreme...

Yes sir. It is the third but I think we all know the newest model being inquired of.

[Chode]

This is at least the 3rd generation of the Legend Xtreme...

Yes sir. It is the third but I think we all know the newest model being inquired of.

that's my fault haha. 2020 extreme. all pics and reviews welcome. no discriminating here

[russ57]

They are probably the coolest looking rods on the market IMO. That being said, at that price I would probably just opt for a conquest.

[Cracker]

Overpriced IMO.
Shouldn't even go over $500 MSRP

[bronzefly]

Here are some ramblings about this whole thing from my perspective. There is a LOT to consider here guys, from the standpoint of a fisherman, a retailer, or even a manufacturer. First of all, from a manufacturers standpoint, they are rightfully excited about their new flagship rod, especially considering that it is the most expensive bass rod they've ever built. St. Croix cracked the $600 MSRP price point with new Xtreme and they built one impressive rod when you put one in your hands. I have my own Legend Xtreme 74 Heavy Fast mounted to a Daiwa Steez A 7:1 with an RCS 100mm Carbon Fiber handle that I will now be fishing A LOT and I'm excited to do so considering how impressive this combo feels in my hands. The photos below will show the combo, and the fact that the balance of this particular model, and all the other casting rods are noticeably better than their Legend X and Legend Elite counterparts.

I am a tackle enthusiast and I absolutely love high end rods and reels, for better or for worse. I fish a lot of brands and models, from manufacturers The Tackle Trap doesn't even deal with, because I'm an enthusiast. Sometimes it works out to be something good for TT, sometimes it works out to be something good for me personally, sometimes it just doesn't work out at all!

I can say from personal experience, without question that this new series is not simply a rebadged previous generation Legend Xtreme. In my opinion, St. Croix could have done a better job telling the story about how significantly different this new Legend Xtreme series is from the previous generation. I hope they make it a point to do that very soon as I believe it will quell some the inevitable criticism by folks who have never handled, seen, fished, or really know anything much other than what has been made public about these rods. Any time a company comes out with a flagship model with a flagship price, there will be criticism, so this is really no different in that regard.

I am NOT speaking to performance here, I haven't fished these rods against the cream of the crop - Steez AGS, Megabass, NRX, and a couple others, and those I've fished extensively. My goal is to reserve judgement until I've had meaningful time on the water with a group of rods. In my opinion however, this is the best looking, best feeling series of bass rods St. Croix has ever built, based on picking them all up and admiring them all in hand.

Any of you guys who want to take the leap and be an early adopter and give these a shot, let me know and let's see what I can do to get you set up. In the meantime, I'll be dragging some jigs in the pond here shortly before it gets dark...

[Chode]

for a 7'4 H powered rod on a steez, that balancing point is indeed great. A heavier reel will only improve upon that. As usual, thx a lot for the response bronzefly. Eagerly awaiting your assessment.

[Polkfish1]

The very first rod ‘high end’ bass rod I ever bought back in the day when I became able to do so was a St. Croix. Loved that rod. Never had anything but good experience with this rod maker since then. That other recent thread revealed to me at least that St. Croix is definitely not stagnating. I mean putting AGS on your top tier series—that’s pretty balsy. I agree that criticizing these for their price point alone is probably not fair. It’s their new top tier and it’s not out of line where other top tier rods have gone in price. Can’t wait to hear more about their performance. If that handle did not look like it belonged in a porn flick, I’d be all over trying one of these out.

[Gone Phishin]

The very first rod ‘high end’ bass rod I ever bought back in the day when I became able to do so was a St. Croix. Loved that rod. Never had anything but good experience with this rod maker since then. That other recent thread revealed to me at least that St. Croix is definitely not stagnating. I mean putting AGS on your top tier series—that’s pretty balsy. I agree that criticizing these for their price point alone is probably not fair. It’s their new top tier and it’s not out of line where other top tier rods have gone in price. Can’t wait to hear more about their performance. If that handle did not look like it belonged in a porn flick, I’d be all over trying one of these out.

Lol! Are you referring to a double-sided marital aide?

[Polkfish1]

The very first rod ‘high end’ bass rod I ever bought back in the day when I became able to do so was a St. Croix. Loved that rod. Never had anything but good experience with this rod maker since then. That other recent thread revealed to me at least that St. Croix is definitely not stagnating. I mean putting AGS on your top tier series—that’s pretty balsy. I agree that criticizing these for their price point alone is probably not fair. It’s their new top tier and it’s not out of line where other top tier rods have gone in price. Can’t wait to hear more about their performance. If that handle did not look like it belonged in a porn flick, I’d be all over trying one of these out.

Lol! Are you referring to a double-sided marital aide?

Yes; this version as well as the previous bulbous handle without the grippy coating do not appeal to me at all. And, I have always liked the look of all versions of the Poison rods, as well as, all other carbon/composite handles I can think of. However, this symmetrical, bulbous thing by SC...it just does work not for me no matter how good the rod ends up being. I know it’s stupid, but a rod has to appeal to me visually as well. My loss if this series turns out to be a dream to fish.

[Gone Phishin]

I can't blame you in the slightest. Even the previous iterations have been a lot of coin, and I'd want to not be turned off by it either. No pun intended.

[bronzefly]

If that handle did not look like it belonged in a porn flick, I’d be all over trying one of these out.

Lol! Are you referring to a double-sided marital aide?

Hey, don't knock it until you've tried it A few of us depraved souls have had a laugh about the aesthetics no doubt, but seriously, I fished the previous model Xtreme series "**** ****" handle and it was not nearly uncomfortable as it looks. I've gotten the new 2020 AGS Xtreme wet to see how it compares and the "splatter" certainly adds to the tacky feel of the handle overall. They aren't for everyone, and as awkward as this post may seem, there is certainly some real validity to it

[Chode]

I guess I'm in the minority because I absolutely love that handle. I was also in the minority when i liked the 13 fishing envy handle. Maybe I'm just an oddball