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Rod Review


Legendary Components and Craftsmanship in a US made rod : the 2005 St. Croix Legend Elite
 

Date: 10/26/05
Tackle type: Rods
Manufacturer: St. Croix
Reviewer: Cal






Total Score: 8.83

Introduction: At the conclusion of 2004, we debuted an article reviewing St. Croix's new Legend Tournament Bass technique specific rods featuring their famous IPC technology and their new ART rod building process. We were so excited by this new line from St. Croix, that we decided to follow on to that article with the acquisition of one of the new Legend Elite Series, St. Croix's top end offering. 
 

St. Croix Legend Elite EC68MXF Specifications

Material SCV Graphite
Length 6'8"
Pieces One
Grip Grade A Cork
Foregrip Length 2.5"
Reargrip Length 10"
Line Wt. 8 - 14 lbs
Lure Wt. 1/4 - 5/8 oz
Color Pearl Brown
Guides Fuji Ti Framed SiC Guides : 9 + tip
Power Rating Medium
Action Extra Fast
Rod Weight 3.8 oz
MSRP $300


Impressions: St. Croix's goal of Japanese detailing with US quality craftsmanship extends to their top end offering as our EC68MXF Legend Elite rod sports a very understated yet elegant detailing that, as time passes and you hold and fish with the rod, grows more and more endearing. This understated elegance is reminiscent of Japanese rod manufacturers Daiko and Evergreen more so than the intricate and coordinated Megabass rods.

 

Our St. Croix Legend Elite EC68MXF test rod

 

Our EC68MXF arrived in impeccable order and as its understated design would have, we were at first, underwhelmed. But, taking the rod out on our first trip and reassessing it in the sun, we could see the pearlescent glow of the blank, and began to notice other design subtleties that really made us appreciate the craftsmanship of the rod. Overall balance and weight of the EC68MXF is very respectable which made us all the more anxious to get this stick out on the water for a test drive.
 

Paired with the Daiwa Alphas, the EC68MXF makes a great smallmouth and spotted bass rod


The Field Tests:
The light weight and extra fast action tip of this rod had us thinking of battling feisty smallmouth and spotted bass in our local waters. As such, we spooled up one of our Daiwa Alphas with 8lb Yozuri Hybrid and headed to one of our local clear water reservoirs, Folsom Lake, for an extended trip chasing after what we refer to as the triple crown of bass fishing (largemouth, smallmouth & spotted bass).

 

Clean detailing and subtle highlights abound on the new Legend Elite Series from St. Croix

 

Casting & Pitching: Among the offerings we tied on during our field tests with this rig were 1/4 oz finesse jigs, 4" weightless Senko's, small, finesse cranks, and Texas rigged Zoom Baby Brush Hogs with 1/8oz brass bullet weights. As one would expect from a top end rod, our Legend Elite EC68MXF handled this variety of baits very well with our favorite being the finesse jigs and small Senko's.

 

Impressive Specifications

 

Paired with the Daiwa Alphas, we found ourselves pitching more than casting and dropping our baits right up next to flooded trees and bridge pilings. This 6'8" stick proved to load easily which allowed us the luxury of very accurate presentations.

 

A close-up of the distinctive reel seat on our Legend Elite EC68MXF

 

Sensitivity: Rated as a medium weight rod, we had very high hopes for of our Legend Elite EC68MXF. We are pleased to say all expectations were met and even exceeded with some baits as we were able to feel everything from the very subtle vibration of our finesse cranks, to the soft landing of our jigs on the rocky surfaces below. In fact, at times it almost felt as though we could feel the fish turning to look at our miniature Senko's on their descent into the crystal clear depths of Lake Folsom! Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but to say we were pleased with the touch and feel this rod afforded us would be an understatement. This rod is exceptionally sensitive!
 

A reel seat this good looking requires an even closer look

  

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