UNCUT VIDEO with the St. Croix Legend Elite Panfish and a LOOOONG Tackle Rant

[@davelaux1762]

They stopped using the Torzite guides on the LEP rods, along with raising the prices. I have two of the 7ft LEPs, not your style, I know, but the XF rating is overstated a little i think. Its a good all purpose rod, probably my most used. You get a nice bend through the blank with decent fish. The extra length helps with taking up slack on long casts. The higher gear ratios reels also help with taking up slack faster, and are really nice when float fishing. different styles of fishing! Great videos!

[@ifishcatfish]

Didnt know that. Very useful info! Now i definitely aint recommending it.

[@xCruZChaos]

@@ifishcatfishI know you are mostly interested in ultralight rods. But just so you’re aware, St. Croix actually stopped using Torzite guides in ALL of their legend elite series rods - they are now using a cheaper guide from SeaGuide I believe. I called the St. Croix factory store and asked why. They told me it had to do with availability of the torzite insert. I don’t believe that, as other manufacturers are able to get them still. I’m quite sure it was strictly to cut costs and increase profit margins.

[@ogamiito739]

According to American Legacy and Fish USA, those rod still made with Torzite guides. I bought the 7ft LEP 2023 Black Friday with 20% off from American Legacy, but no tag with it said anything about the guides. no torzite, no silicon nitride tag at all. so, i am not sure what i got. Should have bought the Blue Current TZ/nano instead. I did followed Victor and bougth the Soare xr 7'6" and the 20th Anniversary Presso AGS and love them.

[@torment6369]

@@xCruZChaos St croix isn't the only ones who did that. Shimano poison ultima rods stop using torzites as well and went to sic guides. I believe they charged more than what they were originally too lol.

[@davelaux1762]

@@ogamiito739 it'll be obvious when looking at the guides. The biggest guide closest to the seat will even say Fuji and/or torzite. The last LEP panfish I seen ordered in November didn't have them.

[@jimpeterson3806]

Wish the action was like that up here in Michigan. About the only way to catch them is on a float. Just glad to have open water so no complaints. Keep the videos coming!

[@ifishcatfish]

Its comin up real soon!

[@j_jim-ys5uj]

I sought an elite recently after watching your reviews and found one mint for around $250 and put a 2024 certate 2000 on it. I think its great and with the red varivas on it the looks awesome. Your videos have cost me some well spent money, increasing my knowledge and interest working with UL gear. Now enjoy making copies of your jigs with bg-1 which are all what you say.

[@ifishcatfish]

Thank u sir

[@gerardoblancas5823]

Awesome video I’m looking forward to seeing upcoming videos on this reel. I’m still indecisive in buying this one or the vanquish.

[@ifishcatfish]

i don't know what u mean by 'this one' but it doesn't matter. My vote is for Vanquish in all cases : )

[@gerardoblancas5823]

Sorry I didn’t realize that my comment was posted on this video and not on the one you have reviewing the new Daiwa airity.

[@davidung4054]

Great info for people getting into fishing Victor!!! I also prefer using regular to slow action rods paired with a quality low speed reel. Sooo much more fun!!! I like the Abu Garcia line of rods such as the Eradicator Slow tapper special, Diplomat Extreme and Carabus Nano. I noticed that I typically pick up one of those rods each time I go fishing.

[@ifishcatfish]

hi David!

[@viktornowak7132]

Could make a video on Jdm lines and what you use on each setup, leaders and etc.

[@ifishcatfish]

I have a whole playlist with JDM line reviews.. check my playlists.. If anything i talk about lines too much, i don't want to make another video unless i have anew product..

[@kylothecollector3483]

As always awesome video Vic. When is the restock for the jigs happening?

[@ifishcatfish]

they got shipped last week. By the end of the month will be here

[@vladzorescu9426]

Amazing video as always :)

[@scottdeline]

Keep the videos coming my man! I just got my knockoff cultiva worms from Ali express yesterday 😅 can't wait to at least try em out! Oddball question, but do you think the Shakespeare 7ft micro rod in light action would suffice for swim baits? Thanks!!!

[@ifishcatfish]

Yes, it will

[@milosh91zr]

Is there a reason why you don't use braided lines? I'm thinking those super thin Japanese PE lines such as Varivas Avani Light Game and others? They come in 0.15PE or 0.2PE (0.06mm and 0.07mm), they are really nice for any kind of super ultra light lure fishing.

[@ifishcatfish]

I just don't like how rough they feel... but they are great if u just want performance..

[@milosh91zr]

@@ifishcatfish That's a valid reason. Yes, all those super thin PE braids are four strands with rough surface layer. Otherwise they wouldn't last.

[@danielwutfisho]

"Do not buy extra fast action" true. You don't want a noodle stick, you want a nice sensitive but crisp blank.

[@ifishcatfish]

high end rods are always crisp, regardless of action. Parabolic or Progressive, they never wobble

[@jnsl5772]

Do you have any tips on brands to look out for when it comes to buying floats on Digitaka? Having a hard time finding. Thanks

[@ifishcatfish]

THere is nothing good there. They have some for crucian carp that are kind of ridiculous, made only for stocked ponds.. I have never seen a nice japanese float anywhere. They don't have our fish and their floats are made for carp

[@rcabrera83]

Thanks for the bearings! Do you think the jig case you offer could hold trout spoons?

[@ifishcatfish]

yes, if they are thin.. Most trout spoons from japan will fit as they are very flat and thin. But those big kastmasters are too fat and they wont fit

[@mandogfish7418]

Too funny about Randy. I called him a Dinosaur for not using the drag on his reels. He says he prefers to back reel. He was complaining on how the new reels eliminated the swith.

[@marioservov834]

Buona sera un grande saluto di Italia.....una recensione di Evergreen salty?poseidon?superior?...e la mia canna preferita ❤

[@marioservov834]

GRAZIE

[@ifishcatfish]

I don't have any Evergreen rods, sorry

[@hugomatado2260]

Hello Victor, what fish measurer are you using in this video?

[@ifishcatfish]

Fenwick but i dont recommend it. Its too big and difficult to read

[@KevinMcGrath]

What are your thoughts on the Temple Fork Outfitters Trout Panfish II Spinning Rods?

[@ifishcatfish]

Pretty rod, fast action, my biggest complain is that is has no expensive components but its over $100. The Okuma SST that i reviewed has better blank and MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE guides, and costs half the price. I can say the same about the Shimano Sensilite A

[@KevinMcGrath]

I will check those out. Was really wanting to pick up a couple of the presso rods you often reference but always out of stock😂. Thank you as always for the reply.

[@KevinMcGrath]

@@ifishcatfish Okuma rods ordered! Greatly appreciate the recommendation and will follow back around with my feedback.

[@hugomatado2260]

Ok, good to know. Which one would you recommend?

[@ifishcatfish]

which one of what?

[@hugomatado2260]

Measurer / fish ruler

[@ifishcatfish]

@@hugomatado2260 yes, it is Fenwick.

[@moualor3358]

Got any recommendations for new fishing rod

[@ifishcatfish]

i have a video called 2024 Ultralight Rod Buying Guide, if u know how to search for videos..

[@moualor3358]

@@ifishcatfish ok thx

[@otroflores91]

Only fished the lower end St Croix rods. They proved sensitive enough. Don't think I can ever spend that much money on a panfish rod. Any other recommendations for a slightly lower priced rod that can stand up to truck rides and riding in a aluminum boat with some buddies? I saw the recent buyers guide and ordered a presso for solo kayak fishing. Got me worried about taking it on trips with buddies. Oh any thoughts on small reels like the DaiwaQZ 750? Modern 2k reels seem small enough for 2-4lb.

[@ifishcatfish]

The Sahara from my buying guide is $59. I send amazon links regularly. The reels u mentioned are SIGNIFICANLY inferior and u either save only a few bucks, or sometimes u save nothing. It makes no economic sense to go cheaper than 59. As for rods, check my Rods Buying Guide 2024. There is a Shimano Sensilite A there.. i also reviewed it separetely. Match that with the Sahara and you are GOLDEN. And the Sensilite will take a pretty good abuse... but at the end it aint no Ugly Stick...

[@raychoi9495]

How does is compare to high end JDM UL rod from Daiwa, Olympic or Yamage Blank etc?

[@ifishcatfish]

less carbon in the blank but sensitive enough. Very nice for playing fish. But the price is no longer competitive

[@raychoi9495]

@@ifishcatfish Thanks, I probably get a 2023 Daiwa moonlight beauty Air for 32000 yen. It is on sale in Japan and it is 2 piece rod with cheap shipping. The legend elite is probably the same tier but cost much more with a lifetime warrenty.

[@barbarabarber3167]

eBay had a Daiwa Procyon LT MQ new reel go for $76. Today, I see a Daiwa Exist from a French Company coming from Taiwan for less than $50. Is that a complete scam or worth a gamble like buying a $50 lottery ticket?

[@barbarabarber3167]

They have 1000 size and 5000 size

[@ifishcatfish]

its a complete scam. They can sell on ebay for 5 times more if its real, but on ebay there is id verification and its hard to scam

[@barbarabarber3167]

I seems obviously too good to be true, but could it be possible they screwed up with the conversion to dollars ? It makes no sense to charge so little for an $800 reel, but the two options they gave---1000 size and 5000 size, seems oddly to ring true…..not such popular sizes. They’ve got the 5000 size for $55 & 1000 size for $45 approx. your response says scam then says hard to scam…..so I don’t quite understand--but thanks for your time. My fear is they somehow charge me a lot more money than the listed price….if that is possible.

[@EddieJerahian]

when will you be releasing the .6 gram bg's?

[@ifishcatfish]

They will be shipped from Shanghai this week and be here first week of April. The 0.6g will come with #12 hook and there is also 0.75g with the size 10 hook. They are made from my 1 gram and 1.25 gram molds, but from alloy that does not have lead in it. Eco-friendly, one might say!

[@EddieJerahian]

@@ifishcatfish awesome cant wait! when you had originally released the bg’s it was w a size 10 hook correct?

[@sav7458]

​@@ifishcatfishI was just looking for jigs under 1g like the BG-1. You ruined jigs for me because the BG-1 is so good that nothing comes close. It's safe to say that I'm extremely excited for .6 and .75g!

[@ifishcatfish]

@@EddieJerahian No, the original was size12, and i use size 12 for 90% of my fishing. Every time u see me float fishing i use size 12, and every time i target bluegill i use size 12 also. Only if i fish a crappie school and i see it is crappie school and no bluegill then i go to size 10.. But that is rare. I prefer size 12 because it is safer..

[@ifishcatfish]

@@sav7458 Hmm.. u guys are gona make me order more : )..

[@bittabrutha31]

Honestly I’ve never seen a spinning reel with ratio over 6:1🤷🏾‍♂️

[@ifishcatfish]

what country are u from?

[@bittabrutha31]

USA

[@ifishcatfish]

@@bittabrutha31 then i don't understand... thats all all the bass dudes use