The Search for One: St. Croix Speaks in Xtremes

[Cal]

The Search for One: St. Croix Speaks in Xtremes



Introduction: There are two things you can expect when selecting a St. Croix branded fishing rod out from the display wrack: 1) The craftsmanship of the rod in question will be spot on; 2) what you're holding is the end result of a slew of technological advances most customers simply take for granted. St. Croix does not promise you the lightest rods on the market, but what you can expect is a finely crafted, very high performing tool to add to your arsenal. Today, we take a look at the rod that took top honors at ICAST 2012 as Best of Show Freshwater Fishing Rod.

Complete Article: http://tackletour.com/reviewstcroixlxc71mhxf.html

[jeb]

Thanks Cal. Great review, as always.

[spookybaits]

"The controversial piece in St. Croix's composition of the LXC71MHXF and all it's Legend Xtreme siblings is of course the grip material."

With all due respect- I think you got this one wrong Cal (or maybe you were just being respectful to St Croix & didn't want to mention it?)- the most controversial thing about that handle is that awful shape. Full stop.
It's not commonly referred to as resembling a sex toy because of the material.

I love the material, but I wouldn't be seen out in public caressing that thing. Even holding it just feels fruity.
The shape, along with the SK2 reel seat, is the overwhelming main issue, atleast here on the TT forums.

Imo St. Croix got it right with the rage rod handle. Same material, less bulbess & phalic.

[spookybaits]

In my best jenna jameson sales pitch voice:

"And now with the new inshore version, you have a choice between the Sean Michaels chocolate handle or the John Holmes handle".

[Boondock]

Maybe its just me but I find this review a little to "easy" on croix....
First a $390 rod with Fuji K SIC's. Nearly all rods in that range come with titanium framed guides.

The weight of the rod... It is heavy compared to other $400 rods and no points were taken off for that. 5/5 for weight but it is a heavy weight compared to Kistler KLX, Phenix MBX, Phenix K2 even the new GLX and NRX

"While I'd rate the sensitivity of this stick as very good, I was not reminded of that "it" factor" Lift drop 5/5 drag 5/5 but no "it" factor so you have fished more sensitive rods so why 5/5? I understand its not all senstivity but the tamper of the blank and what the rod is good at but 5/5?
Sounds like a sensitivity was lacking a bit on this rod for the price.

Not mention of the non cut down threads on the reel seat? They are so long it would be hard to place an index finger on the blank and I have big hands.

Also from my past experience with Croix rods, they are thick blanks... Which really doesn't affect anything but normally worth mentioning I would think.

[dragon1]

In my best jenna jameson sales pitch voice:

"And now with the new inshore version, you have a choice between the Sean Michaels chocolate handle or the John Holmes handle".

http://forums.tackletour.com/viewtopic. ... it=extreme

Yessir!

I do like a couple of the 1st and 2nd Gen SCV blanks...custom built of course, with a MUCH different handle design!

[zodiak311]

I have to wonder how durable that ugly handle would be if it met a fish hook from a lure off another rod? Is it thick rubber or just rubber coated? Does anyone know what the material is under the grip material?

[goldrod]

I am a st. croix fan and i think the blanks they make are great.
If you dont like the handle then go custom. I think many companies are thinking outstide the box. People are going to resist change but I must say the eva foam grips on my gen one cumara are great and I was
a little shy at first but, I can clean them easily.

[zodiak311]

I am a st. croix fan and i think the blanks they make are great.
If you dont like the handle then go custom. I think many companies are thinking outstide the box. People are going to resist change but I must say the eva foam grips on my gen one cumara are great and I was
a little shy at first but, I can clean them easily.

True on the change point.
I'll stick with my NRX's, no "change" for me.

[Phippy]

I have this exact rod and must say its one of my favorite rods in my boat. It also competes with some NRX, new GLX and MB X4 rods. I have zero issues with the rod build except yes StCroix could of done a better job cutting down the threads on the reel seat. Sensitivity wise in my hands better than X4 and new GLX on par with NRX and is a perfect match with the new Metaniums. I also have the Xtreme drop shot rod and favor that as well over the NRX counterpart. I have six months of water time with my Xtremes compared to some nay sayers that just handle them or fish their buddies on a outing. Looking at the 7'4" heavy next.

[SPAZ]

I never fished one but when I saw it in person an felt it in hand the new handle design was pretty damn nice. I would probably buy one.

[zodiak311]

I have this exact rod and must say its one of my favorite rods in my boat. It also competes with some NRX, new GLX and MB X4 rods. I have zero issues with the rod build except yes StCroix could of done a better job cutting down the threads on the reel seat. Sensitivity wise in my hands better than X4 and new GLX on par with NRX and is a perfect match with the new Metaniums. I also have the Xtreme drop shot rod and favor that as well over the NRX counterpart. I have six months of water time with my Xtremes compared to some nay sayers that just handle them or fish their buddies on a outing. Looking at the 7'4" heavy next.

Is the handle rubber coated, or thick rubber?

[tywithay]

I have this exact rod and must say its one of my favorite rods in my boat. It also competes with some NRX, new GLX and MB X4 rods. I have zero issues with the rod build except yes StCroix could of done a better job cutting down the threads on the reel seat. Sensitivity wise in my hands better than X4 and new GLX on par with NRX and is a perfect match with the new Metaniums. I also have the Xtreme drop shot rod and favor that as well over the NRX counterpart. I have six months of water time with my Xtremes compared to some nay sayers that just handle them or fish their buddies on a outing. Looking at the 7'4" heavy next.

Is the handle rubber coated, or thick rubber?

It's a rubber coating, but seems very durable. I would say it's maybe 1/8" thick or so. Also, it's not really squishy, it's pretty sturdy feeling. I like that you can take a fish off, then just grab the rod and go. You don't have to worry about soiling the handle like you do with cork. End of the day just take a wet rag and wipe it down, thing looks brand new. My issue with St Croix here recently is the handles are too short for me in most instances, the exposed threads are tacky looking, and the lack of a hook keeper was kind of a nuisance; that's an easy fix thanks to Fuji though.

I felt like the new Xtreme blank was one of the most lively I've ever held in my hands, on par with the NRX and far more sensitive than my GLX. If they could just get a few small quirks and tighten up the aesthetics some, it'd be an unbelieveable rod.

[zodiak311]

I have this exact rod and must say its one of my favorite rods in my boat. It also competes with some NRX, new GLX and MB X4 rods. I have zero issues with the rod build except yes StCroix could of done a better job cutting down the threads on the reel seat. Sensitivity wise in my hands better than X4 and new GLX on par with NRX and is a perfect match with the new Metaniums. I also have the Xtreme drop shot rod and favor that as well over the NRX counterpart. I have six months of water time with my Xtremes compared to some nay sayers that just handle them or fish their buddies on a outing. Looking at the 7'4" heavy next.

Is the handle rubber coated, or thick rubber?

It's a rubber coating, but seems very durable. I would say it's maybe 1/8" thick or so. Also, it's not really squishy, it's pretty sturdy feeling. I like that you can take a fish off, then just grab the rod and go. You don't have to worry about soiling the handle like you do with cork. End of the day just take a wet rag and wipe it down, thing looks brand new. My issue with St Croix here recently is the handles are too short for me in most instances, the exposed threads are tacky looking, and the lack of a hook keeper was kind of a nuisance; that's an easy fix thanks to Fuji though.

I felt like the new Xtreme blank was one of the most lively I've ever held in my hands, on par with the NRX and far more sensitive than my GLX. If they could just get a few small quirks and tighten up the aesthetics some, it'd be an unbelieveable rod.

Thanks for the great info.

[Boondock]

Glad a few of them like them..
Review still seems a bit biased to me

Cal??