Winter Jerkbait Fishing with St.
Croix’s Application Specific Legend Tournament Rod
(continued)
Ergonomics:
The
LTBC66MF features a
number of noticeable elements that influence both the rod's styling and
ergonomics. The rod makes use of a traditional Fuji ECS reel seat that is
finished off with a machined aluminum wind check (spinning models do not have
this and are finished with a small cork fore-grip on top of the Fuji SKM reel
seat). This feature not only looks sharp but also helps balance out the rod with
a lighter reel strapped on.
Under load this rod has plenty of give
The rod has a split grip
design with the rod application “jerkbait” labeled right in the center for easy
identification, there are no winding checks between the grips but a thick layer
of finish is present. At the very end of the rod the cork knob is finished with
an attractive EVA butt that helps cushion the base of the rod against your arm
when popping jerkbaits.
With
a fish on the line we try high sticking
On the scale the rod
weighed in at 3.7oz. which is actually .2oz. less than St. Croix’s own published
specification. The LTBC66MF feels light in hand and is relatively easy to
balance with various smaller baitcasters, in our tests the Daiwa Sol matched up
very nicely.
A
open design lure hanger makes it easy to strap on both soft and hard jerkbaits
Price & Applications:
Though designed specifically for jerkbaits the LTBC66MF handles lightweight
plastics well. The length and power of the rod make it a fine choice for fishing
small jigs, hula grubs, and even light worming applications.
Even
small fish will take on a erratic moving jerkbait
Retailing for 220 dollars
the LTBC66MF is among the most affordable rods in the Legend Tournament series
which retail from 210-280 dollars depending on length and model. At this price
point the LTBC66MF falls right into the entry premium segment where there is
plenty of competition from both mass producing Tier 1 brands and mid-range
offerings from custom rod builders.
The
hook hanger in action
St. Croix
is able to successfully target this segment with this rod as it exhibits plenty
of custom rod appeal and yet is able to leverage the technology and resources of
a big builder. To top it all off each and every one of the Legend Tournament
rods are handcrafted right here in the U.S.A. and come backed with St. Croix’s
lifetime limited warranty and “Superstar Service.”
Though designed for jerkbait fishing this rod also makes a nicely rounded
smallmouth rod as it handles small plastics surprisingly well
Ratings: (We've re-calibrated our ratings standard for 2008 and have included a key at the bottom of the following matrix as a guide):
|
St.
Croix
Legend
Tournament
LTBC66MF
Ratings
(?/10)
|
| Construction/Quality |
Great
construction
and
quality
components
the St.
Croix
Legend
Tournament
rods are
built
with the
latest
technology
and it
shows.
Nothing
too
flashy
here,
just a
quality
rod |
8.5 |
| Performance |
The St.
Croix LT
Jerkbait
rod is
great
for
small to
medium
diving
soft and
hard
jerkbaits,
it
struggled
on
larger
baits
but when
it came
time to
"finesse"
jerkbaits
to
trigger
strikes
from
indecisive
fish the
accurate
feel of
this rod
was
exceptional
|
8 |
| Price |
We
ranked
the
price
for this
rod as
'good"
considering
the
competition.
There
are a
lot of
rods at
this
price
point
that
have a
lot to
offer
but the
St.
Croix
can hold
it's
own, if
you
prefer a
rod made
in the
U.S.A.
you will
want to
add a
bonus
point
here |
7 |
| Features |
All the
features
you
would
expect
in a
jerkbait
stick,
the St.
Croix
Legend
Tournament
rod
features
a crisp
feeling
blank,
split
grip
design,
and am
attractive
machined
winding
check |
8 |
| Design (Ergonomics) |
This
rod
exhibits
great
ergonomics
and is
easy to
balance
out with
most
smaller
reels,
it feels
light in
hand and
can be
fished
all day
without
breaking
a
sweat...as
long as
you
don't
tie on
anything
too big |
8 |
| Application |
Though
first
and
foremost
a
jerkbait
rod the
LTBC66MF
can also
double
as a
light
jig rod
and is
unexpectedly
good for
fishing
smaller
plastics,
which
makes it
a great
choice
if you
are
looking
for a
well
rounded
smallmouth
rod. |
8.5 |
|
Total Score
|
8.00 |
Ratings Key:
1 = terrible : 2 = poor : 3 = lacking : 4 = sub par : 5 = mediocre : 6 = fair : 7 = good : 8 = great : 9 = excellent : 10 = unbelievable!
For More
Details
of the
updated
rating
system
visit
our
explanation
here |
Pluses and Minuses:
|
Plus Minus
|
| J
Clean
attractive
design
with use
of
quality
components |
L
Not for
large
deep
diving
ripbaits,
best for
soft and
medium
diving
jerkbaits |
| J
Custom
rod
appeal
built
with the
latest
technology |
|
| J
Excellent
for
"finesse"
jerkbait
fishing |
|
|
J
Reasonable
price
for a
premium
rod |
|
Conclusion:
St. Croix’s blue
Legend Tournament
rods make use of
some of the most
advanced rod
building techniques
and technology
available but what
does that all
translate to when it
comes to real world
fishing? The
LTBC66MF Jerkbait
rod proves to be a
very polished light
jerkbait rod that is
excellent for soft
jerkbaits and medium
depth ripbaits.
Though a bit light
for larger lipped
deep divers the
LTBC66MF makes it
easy to impart
erratic action to
most jerkbaits
without sacrificing
any feel or the
ability to get in a
solid hookset.
Though first and
foremost a jerkbait
rod the LTBC66MF can
also double as a
light jig rod and is
unexpectedly good
for fishing smaller
plastics, which
makes it a great
choice if you are
looking for a well
rounded smallmouth
rod. If you are in
the market for a
quality rod to fish
smaller jerkbaits
the LTBC66MF is just
about as good as
they come.
Looking for a
St. Croix Legend
Tournament Rod?
Try
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