Hey guys, I have a question for you. I have the following:

RODS
1. 6'10 Heavy Fig Rig
2. 7' M/H St. Croix Triumph
3. 7'6 (forget what action, lol) St. Croix Avid

REELS
1. 6500C3
2. 6500SSC3 (the red one?)
3. 7000ci (the silver one)

Now I want to get an 8'-8'6 Croix, what would you guys pair with what?
I was thinking the 7000 with the 8', and it didn't matter with the rest, by buying another C3? Since they're all the same gear ration, maybe just make the thumb bar (SSC3) my main casting rod?

Also, what would you use each combo for? Trolling, casting big, small, jerkbaits, topwater, etc.

Thanks guys, this'll give me a lot better of an idea of what else to get this season!!!

tyler,
your fig rig will make a good walk the dog/jerbait rod. put either the ssc3 or the 6500c3 on that. your call, the reels are the same ratio and spool size. the triumph you could maybe use for a tiger tube or red october tube for a throwback if you wanted. otherwise that rod will do a lot of things...jakes, suicks, topwater...., use either the ssc3 or the 6500 for that too. i wish i knew what the power of that avid is, the power on the avids are very different from each other. As far as a new rod, i would suggest to get the longest you can. 8'6" will be great for everything really. whatever st. croix you decide on, these longer rods are good for burning bucktails, topwater, dawgs, cowgirls, cranks, spinnerbaits...on and on. the abu 7000c3 would be a good pick, that is a really good all purpose reel with a lot of power. You will prolly find yourself using that larger set up most of the time anyway. You could troll with that set up too, just dont do it when its getting colder out there.
hope i helped
chris britton

That's exactly what I was thinking, and you helped enough that I went out to my garage and checked, the Avid's a 7'6 MH. Howso are the Avids different from each other, besides the obvious feel. What would/n't you use a H for instead of a MH?
And would I be better off with an 8'6 MH or a H?

hey tyler,
each rod line has its own signature to it. for example: a heavy diamond back is lighter than a heavy avid. That 7'6" MH avid is a lighter rod with more tip action. I actually have one of these and used it for delong eels. worked great. also good for jigs or those tubes again. lighter bucktails/topwater...although IMO a much longer rod is a better option for that kind of thing. As far as what blank you might want? there is a lot of options out there...but some examples of all purpose long blanks would be the new g-loomis steel series, the st. croix legend 8 ft MH or the 8'6 xh. The st. croix 8 ft MH premier blank is a real good one too.

When you say lighter, I'm assuming you mean action, so the Croix is a lighter rod with a faster tip?
So 6'10=Jerkbaits and topwaters
7'=Small baits
7'6=Multi-purpose
8'6=General Use, Trolling, and bigger baits?

These are obviously for my particular rods, since you made that point about each rod brand being different.

"When you say lighter, I'm assuming you mean action, so the Croix is a lighter rod with a faster tip? "

not all the avids, but yes the action and power of the 7'6" MH avid is lighter/faster. For example...the 8ft H avid blank is a really strong blank with a slower tip....my favorite rod i own is my 8'9" avid(thing is a tank)...bulldawg rod. not the best cowgirl rod cause of the slower tip.
6'10= jerkbaits/walk the dog stuff
7'= really anything you want.
7'6 avid=great eel/tube/jig rod
8'6= you will find yourself using this the majority of your time...longer rods give you longer casts/better figure 8's/easier hooksets/more power/more variety in lures you can use in one rod. go to rod.
all thats left tyler is to catch a good one
hope i helped ya
chris britton

Britt you've given me a TON of answers to my questions, thanks very much. One last one though on the 8'6. MH or H?

are you looking at a thorne built rod or a stock? i think the best thing to do is to call the shop directly and talk directly to lonnie or anyone in the shop.
chris britton