Anyone have a St. Croix PM70MHF or PM66MHF?

[mboy]

Good and knowledgeable friend recommended this to me to match with my Avet SX (which I am trying to find ideal rod for)primarily to live line adult bunker, secondary uses would be jigging <=6oz crippled herrings/Ava's/Crocks, deep water fluke, tog.

Anyone have one? Thoughts?
Other suggestions for rod in this arena for around $150 or so MAX.


Skolman, you have one of these St. Croix rods?

[IrishAyes]

Mike, I recently  picked up a Lamiglas TFX704CT for a 4.5:1 ratioAvet MX.  Matches up perfect.  I haven't had the chance to use it yet, but it looks and feels like it would definately do the trick.

I have no experience with the St Croix in that model, although I do have a couple of St Croix's and know you can't go wrong with them.

[mboy]

Thanks Joe. Seems a bit heavier then what I am looking for, more geared towards deepwater tog. Also def not in the price range either.

[Wreckfish]

I have the St Croix PM70MHF. It's a nice rod but a bit stiff. I use it for blackfish not jigging.  You might consider the Lamiglas inshore classics.  They are really nice. I just built one using the inshore classic blank (Lamiglas sells both the finished rod and blanks)and it is now one of my favorite.  I have an Avet MX on it.  I going to be build a ligther version soon for an SX or Penn GS523Mag. I will be using the blank that is the equal to the finished IC 70M

Lamiglas site
http://www.lamiglas.com/prod_indiv.php?id=28

[Wreckfish]

The are running about $154 if you do a little web surfing

[Skolmann]

Skolman, you have one of these St. Croix rods?

I have the PM70MHF. Nice stick. 

It's probably my second favorite general purpose rod (my first being the Seeker BA-85). I've used it for blackfishing, eeling bass, deep water fluking and jigging. IMHO, might be a little light for live lining, especially whn using the real big adult bunker-but hey what the hell do I know anyway 

I mainly use a Penn 965 with it but have been thinking of putting something else on it. Maybe a Shimano Tekota 500 or an Avet (although I still lean towards level wind reels).

Capt. Frank Tenore of the Fins On Feathers is a big St. Croix guy. His rods take alot of abuse during the course of a season and I have never seen one crack, fail or break. Most if not all of his St. Croix's are paired with Avets so they are a good match together.

I think I paid $100 for mine 2 years ago at the Suffern Fishing Expo.

Not the most ideal rod for jigging but it gets the job done. I mainly use it when using medium (6 ounce) weight jigs. Maybe because I like to use mono (for some shock absorbion) when jigging I don't find the tip to be too stiff.

The Lamiglas inshore series is a fine line of rods. Although I don't own any & I've never fished one (at least not yet  ) they've 'felt' good when I played with them at my local tackle shop. Might have to buy one as a gift to myself when my tax refund comes in. But I don't think you'll be able to find one for $150 or less.

Another option you might like to consider is the Shimano Compre CPCM70MH. Runs about $99. I'm definitely picking on of these up to use a deep water fluke bucktailing stick thats going to be paired with an Abu Pro Rocket 6500 CS.

[mboy]

I have the St Croix PM70MHF. It's a nice rod but a bit stiff. I use it for blackfish not jigging.  You might consider the Lamiglas inshore classics.  They are really nice. I just built one using the inshore classic blank (Lamiglas sells both the finished rod and blanks)and it is now one of my favorite.  I have an Avet MX on it.  I going to be build a ligther version soon for an SX or Penn GS523Mag. I will be using the blank that is the equal to the finished IC 70M

Lamiglas site
http://www.lamiglas.com/prod_indiv.php?id=28

You don't think that rod in 10-20lb is WAY too light for live lining adult 1+lb bunker?

[Wreckfish]

Then step it up to the 70HM or 70H. I built mine first one on the 70H blank and I used it for offshore seabass this past jan and dec and blackfish in Nov and Dec. It handle 12 oz of lead no problem. I'm going lighter on this next one and matching it up with the smaller Avet or Penn gs525.  The st croix is a nice rod too, don't get me wrong.  I have both but the Lamiglas inshore are a little more to my liking.  Get you reel and try it on a few different rods until you find what suits you the best.

[ryko]

Mboy, I just bought the MXL and was looking at the same Croix model but bought a Shimano 7' instead and half the price with action that is the same, I will get the exact model number when I get home and send it to you. I got the rod for $60.00 at Ramsey Outdoor in Ledgewood.

[mboy]

NIce, I was looking at some shimano's too.
I would up buying a used St. croix for 60 shiped. Turned out it needs a new guide put on, so the guy refunded $20 back
it will be 15 to have a new guide wrapped.

I actually think the rod is heavier then what I want to do with it.
I have 3 Shimano 6'6M rods with real nice bend to them (rated to 25lb test) I have 3 charter special 2000 Lever drags on, but I may just have to try my sx on it :0

[ryko]

Mboy......I bought the Shimano "convergence" 7' that takes 15-30lb. line and will put a new AVET MX with 50lb braid.
PS...Thanks for bringing me to this site too...Mike

[mboy]

Glad you could Join us Mike.

You will have to show me that new setup this spring when we live line for bass

[brijones1]

I just bought a st croix avid am66mhf,  its rated for 17-40lb.  I plan on using it for stripers.  The rod sat on the shelf at gander mt for two years and it was 40% the clearance price.  I ended up getting it for $60.  It has the backbone to liveline adult bunker or drop them done with weight.  Lifetime warranty as well!  I got an avet mxl with 65lb power pro to match it.

[mboy]

Nice setup and great price on that rod. Has to be a $175-220 rod.

[brijones1]

I lucked out.  I usually stop at gander when I go back to visit family in the Pittsburgh area.  Not to many people buy rods like that back in western pa

[Bob]

I'll second the Avid, mine is the AC66MHF and it does everything from light 2-3oz Spro to heavy in Ambrose to jigging bass assassins to stripers.  I have a Shimano on mine.

[mboy]

WHich shimano you have on there Bob?

[Skolmann]

Just picked up the Shimano Compre CPC MF70MH at the Suffern Show for $20 less than I've seen anywhere else.

Lucky the wife wasn't home when I got back so I had no problem bringing it in the house. Now it will just blend in with the rest of the 'rod forrest' 

[Bob]

Sorry Mike, didn't know I owed you an answer.  I have a Corvalus 300 on the Avid. Probaly rates a Calcutta but I had the Corvalus and it worked fine fishing twice a week all last summer.