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Posts: 32930
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Check this out...
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=769223069824183
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Posts: 999
| The rod series looks outstanding! I'm very suprised a 9' model is not in the mix though. What is the handle length on these? |
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Posts: 750
Location: Minneapolis, MN | So I think I heard him say there were 4 models, but is that all of the line or just what they brought to the show?
Based upon the legend tournament line, these are the weight ranges we might expect for the rods:
7'6" XH 3-8
8' MH .75-3
8'6" MH .75-3
8'6"H 2-6
If these are the only rods in the lineup, then it doesn't really scream musky fishing to me because I'm not seeing anything designed for the bigger baits that we as musky fishermen throw. I mean the 7'6" should be a great jerkbait rod and the 8'6" should be an awesome bucktail rod, but I'm not seeing anything for mags and pounders really. Yes, I know this is all just conjecture at this point. |
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Posts: 1000
| that 8'6" H looks pretty sweet. They're keeping the legend tournament series right? |
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Posts: 403
Location: Lakeville, MN | Torzite are mighty expensive guides.. I was asking Lonnie about them not too long ago. |
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Posts: 32930
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I'll get the specs tomorrow for each rod. These things ABSOLUTELY scream 'Muskie fishing', they are stunningly light, and all other series are still available. |
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Posts: 992
| Very cool, I can't even imagine what the price tag says... |
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Posts: 410
Location: Wakefield, MI | Hasn't my wallet taken enough of a beating? |
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Posts: 32930
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The answer I received when asking about a 9' model was; "We'll see."
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Posts: 231
| As Mr Worrall said, they are "Stunningly" Light. One of the St. Croix reps told me the price point would be north of 500. |
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Posts: 1760
Location: new richmond, wi. & isle, mn | When does the "blue to green" trade up plan start?  |
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Posts: 1283
| I looked at them today. Yes they are light, but not a fan of the split grip or the length not to mention Im not a fan of the egg shape fore grip. Ill stick to my LTs for now. I did get a Shock and Awe which seems like a bad ass rod for the $.
Edited by achotrod 1/11/2015 6:07 PM
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Posts: 357
Location: Western U.P. | As sworrall said above, the 9' ers are a wait and see. 9' rods aren't the most popular sized rods among Musky fisherman. If all current Musky rod sizes were listed on a curve, the peak would be between 7'6" and 8'6". The curve has been moving higher over the last decade, but not at the rate the rods are being made longer. St Croix hit the biggest market segment first. Not a bad business decision when introducing a new higher end product line. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | 12' is the new 9'
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Posts: 58
Location: South Elgin | There's Sled exaggerating again. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | actually was given a 12' 2-piece St. Croix rod to use on our November Vermillion trip last year ... throws pounders and alphas like they're bucktails and at the boat they are fantastic. surf-rod heritage but will be building from a blank as will those who were with me trying it. sounds crazy but it's money!
you're fun John ... confidence has never been a struggle for you has it |
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Posts: 2067
| Cedar - 1/11/2015 6:12 PM
As sworrall said above, the 9' ers are a wait and see. 9' rods aren't the most popular sized rods among Musky fisherman. If all current Musky rod sizes were listed on a curve, the peak would be between 7'6" and 8'6". The curve has been moving higher over the last decade, but not at the rate the rods are being made longer. St Croix hit the biggest market segment first. Not a bad business decision when introducing a new higher end product line.
St. Croix missed the boat here.... Serious muskie guys... those that would spend $500 on a rod will want 9' rods.... I bet 50% custom rods being ordered the last three years are over 8'6". I might buy one these Elite's if they made a nice 9'6"...since I already have (5) 9' rods
Edited by IAJustin 1/11/2015 8:12 PM
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Posts: 379
Location: Thief River Falls MN | ^+1
No 9 no dice... |
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Posts: 32930
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Who said there WILL NOT eventually be a 9' rod in the series? No one. The 8'6" won't be available until April.
And, the core muskie market is not 9' or 9' plus rods by a very long shot. The 'extremes' seem common place here, but many times what seems 'majority' here isn't in the broader Muskie market.
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Posts: 379
Location: Thief River Falls MN | We will see if they sell enough of these to warrant development of a 9' or longer model. For $500 plus it will be hard for me to try one out. Will have to stick to my lowly Blue LT's... |
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Posts: 157
Location: Lincoln, NE | I think everyone is somewhat correct here. They are missing out on a lot of people that want only a 9'. But like was mentioned maybe they will still introduce it. Maybe that's the one that they are putting a little extra time into developing just right. If I'm going to spend that kind of money it would be for a 9'+ only. But I think sworrall is correct, there are probably a ton of guys that fish with 7'6" to 8' or 8'6" as their main stick. Not everyone is throwing pounders all day long. A lot of older guys throwing bucktails that are smaller than twin tens and diehard jerkbait guys out there. Girls, kids, older guys, guys new to the sport, all throwing smaller stuff. My dad has a 8'6" Mojo and throws small to medium cranks, single blade bucktails and regular sized dawgs, not even mags. And he isn't just chomping at the bit to go out and get a 9'6" XXXH to throw monster medussas. He sees us hurting at the end of the day and is fine throwing what he throws. I think the real question here is the price point. At $550 who's going to buy one when they could get a custom for cheaper? Is the blank that good/light that it's worth it over a custom? Will the blank be available for people to build customs on? Will they make a Predator version with that blank? That's the stuff that I bet alot of people want to know. I'm not saying that it's too expensive, because people will pay that. I'm just saying once people justify to themselves "OK I'm going to break down and drop $500 on a rod" how many will steer in the direction of a custom? |
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Posts: 2378
Location: Chisholm, MN | I'm in the market for a new rod, so I was pumped to see this. But, I will be getting a 9' or longer, so this won't work for me. |
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Posts: 270
Location: SE WISCONSIN | I don't think I could pay $500 for any rod I can afford it I just won't do it that's a lot of money for a rod in my eyes. |
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Posts: 32930
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Travis A. - 1/12/2015 8:01 AM
I think everyone is somewhat correct here. They are missing out on a lot of people that want only a 9'. But like was mentioned maybe they will still introduce it. Maybe that's the one that they are putting a little extra time into developing just right. If I'm going to spend that kind of money it would be for a 9'+ only. But I think sworrall is correct, there are probably a ton of guys that fish with 7'6" to 8' or 8'6" as their main stick. Not everyone is throwing pounders all day long. A lot of older guys throwing bucktails that are smaller than twin tens and diehard jerkbait guys out there. Girls, kids, older guys, guys new to the sport, all throwing smaller stuff. My dad has a 8'6" Mojo and throws small to medium cranks, single blade bucktails and regular sized dawgs, not even mags. And he isn't just chomping at the bit to go out and get a 9'6" XXXH to throw monster medussas. He sees us hurting at the end of the day and is fine throwing what he throws. I think the real question here is the price point. At $550 who's going to buy one when they could get a custom for cheaper? Is the blank that good/light that it's worth it over a custom? Will the blank be available for people to build customs on? Will they make a Predator version with that blank? That's the stuff that I bet alot of people want to know. I'm not saying that it's too expensive, because people will pay that. I'm just saying once people justify to themselves "OK I'm going to break down and drop $500 on a rod" how many will steer in the direction of a custom?
Simple answer. You can't get a custom with that blank, grip, and guide set for less. The guides probably cost St. Croix a C spot alone. Ben has it right, hyper quality rods have been on the scene in the fly fishing market for decades. There are a couple companies that offer nothing but high end rods, and have been in business for decades doing very well. Pick up the rod, and if you want the best of the best, you will drop the money and own it. If not, then St. Croix has several lines available to you, and of course, there are the other great brands out there. James at TI was absolutely amazed with the Elite. So were Tuscarora Tackle's custom building experts. St. Croix will sell plenty of this series of rod...maybe not to some of you guys, but I'd bet the farm some of the folks who are focusing on the price point will buy one on the BST board when one shows up at 2/3 pricing. Saw that with the high end reels often.
Some folks have 'Bird Onix series sonar/gps series and some have Piranhas.
For those frugal folks out there, there's always big box chain branded Muskie rods. |
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| And, the core muskie market is not 9' or 9' plus rods by a very long shot. the core muskie market is also not buying $500 rods. imho, the guys who do pay that much are the same ones who are more likely to desire the longer lengths. 8'6" is a minimum in my eyes, with 9' and 9'6" being very desireable, especially when i'm paying that much. |
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Posts: 32930
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Once again, no one said there will not be a 9' model. The 8'6" isn't in production yet and won't be available until April. |
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Posts: 157
Location: Lincoln, NE | I didn't mean a custom made with this blank for cheaper than one of these rods. I was thinking more like a Predator now vs this rod. The choice would be weighing the benefits of a lighter factory rod vs the benefits of custom choice of handle length, grip material, color, etc. Some would choose lightness as the #1 important thing. Others might choose the more options the way they want them. Then as a totally different point, would be this blank available to build a custom on. Some people might think if I'm going to spend $550 I might as well spend another $100 or so and get it done custom. Again I'm not advocating either one here just saying that all comes into play when someone is making the decision and doesn't have the money for a bunch of rods and is going to pick out one main rod. But for example for me personally right now I think I would go with a Predator 9'6" XH over one of these rods. But if/when they came out with a 9' Legend Elite and I felt how light it was, that might swing my vote to one of them regardless of how customized anything else would be. But then if they would make a 9'6" Legend Elite blank and release available to custom rod builders I might say what hell and go all in on that. Just brainstorming the available options here cause that is how people think when comparing these for a purchase. I'd be disappointed if I settled for an 8'6" and then they released a 9' six months later. So that's what some people might be thinking is, should they pull the trigger now or wait? Realistically I'll probably keep throwing my Big Nasty for a few more years but eventually will get something new and it will come down to some of these choices. |
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Posts: 4343
Location: Smith Creek | At least it comes in a left-handed version.
Next season I'll be using a 12 footer for big rubber and the LEM86HF for everything else. |
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Posts: 32930
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Flambeauski - 1/12/2015 9:09 AM
At least it comes in a left-handed version.
Next season I'll be using a 12 footer for big rubber and the LEM86HF for everything else.
Post of the month. |
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Posts: 4343
Location: Smith Creek | Brozz88 - 1/12/2015 10:18 AM
Geez, no one better mention a 9' rod again cuz I think we all know by now that" no one said they are not going to make one" I got it. Yes there are $7-800 "fly rods out there but who cares, I'm not buying them and neither are most of the guys on here. They sell $80,000 BMW's and benzs too but your not throwing tools in the back and driving one to work are you?St.croix knows that everyday people eat up the $350 line of rods so they said oh boy we gotta make some more expensive rods now.Do a pole on here,you've got a pretty broad audience right here, I'd bet 9' is the norm now and $550 is a bit much. For that money I'd rather have a one off custom than an off the shelfer,that everyone else will have.But hey some guys need this $500 dollar rod to go with their $500 tranx, then when one gets knocked or dropped into the river you can shrug your shoulders and say oh well there goes a weeks pay!! Just my .02 cents,Go ahead and delete this like you do my other posts
This just in: Sage and Orvis are closing down because an online pole confirms that people don't want a 7-800 dollar fishing poll. |
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