I got my hands on the 2022 St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass rods!! Opinions incomming!!

[@chefmatt6299]

I think its really cool that they are listening to feedback they are getting from KZbin. It may have been awkward for you but I think it demonstrates that they are interested in paying attention to the fishing tackle obsessed who serve up good lessons for them on a silver platter.

[@PunchFishing]

It was a bit surprising!

[@ralpheastham5615]

It's very cool that they're taking your remarks about the fine details to heart. I really love all of my St. Croix rods, but almost all of my American made ones before Victory (my Victories all look great) have very obvious "crust" on them for lack of a better word. The Mojos I have don't have any of these problems, and I've never seen problems on others in shops, in the panfish rods, Eyecon, etc. I have three Legend Glass rods and an Avid X with badly aligned guides. My Legend Elite's reel seat creaks when the rod flexes to the left. None of these things obviously affect the performance of the rods, but if you're going to be proud of these American made products, they need to all be brought up to the aesthetic standard of the Victory line and these new LTBs. I'm excited about them making composite rods for cranking, even though I don't need any of these for my lineup. I've been very slow to take up pure graphite for crankbaits, even though St. Croix makes a pretty noodly moderate graphite rod. But I like composite, especially for bigger crankbaits. I would replace a rod I have currently with a composite from St. Croix with the stats of the "max cranker" if they made one. Edit: Also, regarding the use cases for the rods, I know St. Croix provided recommended lure styles and techniques that are listed with each rod on TW if you expand the info section for each. They might do the same with these.

[@Glax2229]

just ordered a 6’10 MLXF spinning along with a vanford 2500, excited to get some finesse fishing in. glad to hear the cork is super nice it’s a great detail a lot of people leave out👍🏻

[@FishinwithGRAMPS]

They definitely need to do a better job of marketing and explaining some of their rods. I had to call to have them explain the differences in the previous glass RipNChatter rods vs the new one with the mix of carbon fiber on their version of glass they call SCIV + with iAct Glass. They need to have their staff or someone experienced at making videos like you explain their proprietary tech for us lay folk

[@PunchFishing]

I would be happy to do it if they paid me! I'm not doing their job for them though. What's funny is I found out that St. Croix has over 400+ "pro staff" members throughout the world. You're telling me they can't get one of them to sit and make a 20-30 minute video waking through all the models as a buyers guide BEFORE the product launch? I really don't understand St. Croix's marketing department. They suck.

[@FishinwithGRAMPS]

@@PunchFishing yup, I was hesitant to even bother to order of couple of Victory rods for my sub-$200 rod round up this year

[@rustyshackleford1325]

Imo the best looking rods SC has are the Avid Inshore Spinning rods. The titanium guides look great.

[@joegarrigues3697]

We're definitely going to need some apples to apples comparisons between the Victory lineup and these new LTB rods. I'd love to see the Full Contact Finesse 73hxf and the spinning 73mxf models you compared in the Victory series compared to the LTB... redundant for your own needs lol i know.

[@scottskinner6868]

Legend Glass has got this one beat aesthetically for me. But they do look pretty!

[@t.a.4702]

I gotta admit after owning a couple legend tourney in the past and not being real blown away with them, I am still not overwhelmed enough to buy one personally. Glad to see they got rid of that ball shaped handle below the reel seat. I dont like not feeling the blank in the reel seat and they went back to their old real seat trigger which i hate. I liked the 2nd gen ECS type one. If they are not lighter and balance is all over the place I will stick to my Steez AGS and Destroyers or even new Falcon Cara's.

[@PunchFishing]

However Steez and Ags are still more expensive than these. I honestly would consider a LTB over an Orochi.

[@mgd2040]

I got my hands on a workhorse and its a jig rod. I dont know what else I would use it for except maybe a swimbait on a heavy wire jig head. More like a extra fast action, very stout backbone. Im not convinced that it isnt a mislabeled full contact finesse 7’3” H extra fast, it feels like that model.

[@hunterbull7804]

Wonder if this means new Legend X/Elite next year. I’ve wanted to pick one of those up but am probably going to wait until they get a revamp where they pay attention to aesthetics

[@PunchFishing]

I'd imagine those will get rebooted in the next couple years.

[@krzysztoflobos2853]

LBTC68MXF is one of the best rods I have ever owned. In my country I use it for zander. With Zillion or Steez.....wonderful!

[@pixel1120]

610MLXF is better 😁

[@krzysztoflobos2853]

@@pixel1120 not on my lake.....too big zanders 😜

[@davidrauschenbach6871]

Great timely information. Hopefully the locking nut won’t loose during the day. May be interested in a spinning model if they come out with a two piece version.

[@PunchFishing]

I wouldn't hold our breath for any 2 piece LTB's.

[@dougcaffrey973]

I own both the 7'3 Workhorse and the 7'5 Warhorse. The Warhorse weighs 4.3ozs and the Workhorse weighs 4.5ozs. The Warhorse is better balanced than the Workhorse. I installed Shimano Curado DC on both and much better balance on the Warhorse! The guides are actually bigger on the Warhorse vs Workhorse, which I like the bigger opening on the guides, since I'm using more braid to fluorocarbon. Thinking of possible getting another Warhorse or possible the 7'1 All-In, and selling my Workhorse. Just my 2 cents. I did own the 7'1 and 7'4 older version of the LT, and really think the new generation feels better in the hand (balanced), but the newer version is much lighter which helps make if feel much better to me in the hand while fishing.

[@PunchFishing]

Great post! Good info.

[@fish4life226]

I have the warhorse ordered, gonnna put a Bantam mgl on it, should balance pretty good I hope, how is the sensitivity on warhorse and what do you use for?

[@dougcaffrey973]

@@fish4life226 Use mine a lot for offshore fishing, Texas, Carolina, Jigs, lipless crankbaits (yoyo), and spinnerbaits. I love the tip and the backbone of the road to set the hook.

[@dougcaffrey973]

@@fish4life226 Senstivity is outstanding for $350 rod. I do use braid to fluorocarbon leader, which helps for sensitivity, especially bottom contact fishing.

[@rhodesianhunter9360]

I think their coming along with the looks. And that lock handle might be a nice balance between metal and cork/foam. I like the look of metal lock handles, but lately have been picking rods with cork or foam locking nuts. Just because they don't hurt my hand at the end of the day. I've had days with metal caps that I was literally tired of catching fish,lol.

[@lightningmusky5286]

Nice job on this one! Great to see some images. Glad they kept the blue color. Agree with you , St croix always have such nice cork. The fastening nut is cool and well thought out. I prefer exposed rod blank reel seat don’t like whatever cork / fake cork that is. Shortening the back part of the blank would make it more tip heavy. Too many Mod and mod fast models but that’s St Croix’s mojo. I think there are winners in the lineup and some I just don’t get get.

[@nawinchester]

Let us know when you get your hands on one of these rods to actually fish. I would like to hear your feedback on sensitivity of the spinning rods, specifically compared to the Exprides, since they play in the same price point. I would assume based on blank materials that the LTB would be more sensitive than the Victory line.?

[@joshalzen4778]

Perfect timing. I was thinking of ordering one of these tomorrow.

[@PunchFishing]

Set email alerts on Omnia and try my code *hint hint*

[@Sk3rRR]

I can definitely feel a difference in my Victory 7'3" vs similar size/power $300+ rods, so that 7'3" LTB may be in my future! I'm thinking 4k Vanford, but the colors clash...

[@PunchFishing]

I agree! Vanford will look weird.

[@MrGingermToxic]

The new Daiwa Legalis matches with LTB's very well. Not a very high end reel especially when compared to a vanford, but it's color scheme is overall very similar.

[@elkman28]

Then go up to the sustain that would probably look damn good with the matching gold in it but I’d also go 3000 over 4000

[@jacobturner9947]

Quick video....20 mins lol, love it!

[@fenixTKO]

Awesome video my man! Honestly I have to agree that the rods look great. What I’m not a fan of is the many models from the previous version that St.Croix decided not to bring into the redesign. I’m really hoping that what they released were just “Kickoff models” and they will release more later on.

[@dontdoxmebro1780]

The cork on the grip is like what Berkeley used to use on the lightning rods. Looks cheap AF especially considering the high grade of cork on the rest of the handle. The locking nut looks very nice.

[@PunchFishing]

Honestly in hand nothing on the rod felt cheap.

[@johnjenkins52]

I know this is probably a dumb question but what is the benefit of higher in guides? Like does it add more sensitivity?

[@edwingroot4751]

Good morning, I'm looking for a st croix rod to fish on the river with lures up to 25 grams. I cast fish from the shore. Which fishing rod is suitable for this?

[@robertveith2255]

I wish they made a rod that would fit a Calcutta 200gtb casting reel ...

[@jamathon]

Do the size of the guides on these rods cast braid to liter ok?

[@zac-d9h]

Just got my power finesse rod. I have to say that I don't agree with your opinion on its action. It's definitely an extra fast and everything I thought it would be coming from st.croix and their accurate rod ratings. Getting the 7'3" dropshot rod next.

[@PunchFishing]

Glad you like it!

[@spinningrodfisherman]

100% agree with you with their marketing. They probably will lose alot of sales just because they dont explain their product and do some basic marketing.

[@PunchFishing]

It's not that hard to shoot a video where you pick one of your 300+ pro staffers to walk through all the models.

[@auddonboswell774]

Would like to see how the New LTB stacks up against an expride

[@PunchFishing]

Me too;

[@abuncharandomstuff]

Nice! Don't think I don't see those Lightning 4's back there (first the 1's now these). You're going to have to do a video on your shoe game at some point lol

[@PunchFishing]

Thanks for noticing. I'll switch out the kicks here and there. 😁

[@abuncharandomstuff]

@@PunchFishing Keep doing it man, showing that fire lol. Love that you're into high-end fishing gear as well as sneakers.

[@tousenv]

Great video and a great product! Any thoughts on the AGS Legend Xtreme rods? Just hype or actually great high end rods?

[@PunchFishing]

IMHO they are a mess of a rod line. For $600+ i'd be spending my money elsewhere.

[@jello7281]

I really want to like these, but they're too tip heavy for what I want from a jig/T-rig rod. I have a Victory crank rod which I like though.

[@titaniumcrayon3090]

The 6’8 mediums are slowly becoming the best rival for shimanos 6’10 medium. I’ve said this a millions times. Crazy amazing rod in casting and in spinning but with shimano a crisper action and higher weight rating it’s slightly more versatile. I will get two of these to replace my current spinning rods and see how it goes. I’m not worried about the shorter rods. I just care about the balance on the longer ones.

[@CrazyCranker]

These missed the mark for me. All they had to do was keep the same reel seat and smooth out the cork on the rear and make it slightly longer. Instead, they went back to the short trigger seat they had 2 gens ago. Excellent video though! And great point about their bad marketing. :)

[@stevenm6301]

This line is a swing and a miss for me. The 2018 redesign was perfect. And much better looking too.

[@robertveith2255]

I own the full contact victory it doesn't match up with Calcutta 200gtb wish I knew this before I bought one .

[@robertveith2255]

The balance of the rod doesn't bother me a bit i use a heavy reel so it doesn't matter...

[@98red300]

Punch, did you handle the 6'8" rod? I really like that length for a jerkbait rod. I don't know if you have handled a 684 Dobyns crankbait rod. That is what I'm currently using and a 611" M+ Shimano PA. I prefer the Dobyns out of those 2 but would like to try a St. Croix. Thanks for the discount at Omnia. I have ordered from them several times now. I should have some new tackle coming from them next week.

[@PunchFishing]

They did not have that model.

[@TimtotheJ]

wait. are you also Grimm green?

[@adamvanstedum5546]

Wonder how these will compare to an Expride as far as weight and sensitivity.

[@PunchFishing]

I think the biggest differences between Expride and LTB will be actions. Expride is much faster, LTBs (and Croix in general) will be softer.

[@playingwithmytrains5440]

Love your content. I subbed! I just happen to be in the market for another St Croix rod and would love some feedback. I already have several Legend Elite spinning setups with Shimano Vanford 2500 reels and braided line. I have a 7' MH fast, and a 6'6" MXF, and most recently the legend Glass 6'10" MM which I am loving for crankbaits. Not sure what setup to go with for a chatterbait. Lots of different opinions on KZbin. Some say go glass moderate and others so no. Was thinking of going with the legend glass casting in 7'4" MH. What are your thoughts? What would be another good choice in the St Croix lineup? I kind of feel like any of the rods other than the Legend Elite would be a step down. Do you think the Legend Tournament Bass is a step down?

[@twiggsherman3641]

"gonna be a quick video" 20:00

[@PunchFishing]

🤦‍♂️

[@theoutdoorsmantimg3450]

Thorne bros

[@StoutSportsmen]

That's an expensive lock nut for a $5 reel seat! Looks cool, but if people knew what each component costs they would probably be a bit pissed off.

[@PunchFishing]

I think St. Croix is just trying to keep up with the Megabass's of the world.

[@StoutSportsmen]

@@PunchFishing true, just think of what parts cost to customize cars and put it in fishing rod scale..... You got a lot of rod companies selling pimped out Honda Civics at Lamborghini prices. We should chat sometime.

[@drunknnirish]

Here to see how they compare to the victory

[@michaelroberts1571]

Also curious

[@michaelriggio7680]

Your review is only visual. You have not assessed the sensitivity issue of these rods. Legend tournament is much more sensitive on bottom contact baits . I own one of each and there is a worthy difference.

[@PunchFishing]

@@michaelriggio7680 I have a full review video on one of the spinning rods. Check my history.

[@Joelflowers513]

First 🙌