Sneaky Good : St. Croix's BassX BAC710HF

Total Score: 7.58 - GOOD

Introduction: Revamped and refreshed for 2022, St. Croix's Bass X series has been a go to choice for anglers seeking substance and value over flair and breaking the bank. Let's face it, at the rate costs are increasing in bass fishing across almost every aspect of the game. For anglers with more self control than I, the attraction of more value driven tackle has never been more strong. St. Croix's BassX features an updated blank and an intriguing new, hybrid guide train. Here's our look at one of the sticks in this refreshed lineup, introducing the BassX BAC710HF.

St. Croix recently refreshed their BassX Series

Impressions: St. Croix's BassX BAC710HF has a very interesting spec. It is a seven foot, ten inch (7'-10") stick built with a fourteen inch (14") handle and a fast taper rated up to three ounces (3oz) in lure weight. Part of this rod's specification makes me think of it as a swimbait rod, but another part of it makes me think of it as a rod for heavy cover. Given a rod's length, the first thing I look at is the lure rating. That 3oz max lure weight is just shy of swimbait territory. Together with its fast taper leads me to think this is a stick for heavy cover with soft plastics.

Here's a look at the BAC710HF

However, once in hand, you realize that 14" rear handle (measured from the back of the reel seat to the butt) is a bit long for pitching, flipping, and punching, so maybe big baits is the way to go. In fact, the rod's normal sized guides better accommodate large diameter lines and connection knots, so I came to the conclusion the BAC710HF may just be ideal for soft plastic swimbaits.

Paired with an Abu Garcia RevoX and ready for action