Great review brother. Just scrolling through watching all the reviews. Just picked up a Grunt, Marshall, and a full contact. Along with a couple new bass Xs. Too excited for next year!! Thanks for the video
Oh man nice review. I picked up a 19 Zbone with the NFC X-Ray blank for a good deal. I actually like it more then my NRX that I have own. It also makes me want to get the 21 Zbone but I believe Kistler has gone with their own blanks but I just love the NFC blanks. Great review.
This EVA in the exposed part of the reel seat just drive me nuts! You know if it's possible to remove the foam to directly touch the blank? I think that this maybe take a bit of sensitivity of the rod. Great vid man 😀
They are definitely worth it! if you aren't in a rush to get one, wait until one of the retailers have a 20% off sale. At $160, this rod is a no-brainer... even at $200, its a no-brainer.
Good review on the victory. They thought these out well but I don’t like foam handles. I was wondering if they came out with this series because they could get the components easier. Many of the other St Croix were out of stock for crazy amounts of time. I heard from a couple small shops that because of the shortage St Croix cancelled shop orders on rods in favor of big box stores and major online sellers. They are redoing the Legend bass for 2022. It should be interesting what they do with those.
@Chewy Thao Fishing Great review, thank you! So Victory vs. Avid-X in a sensitivity battle, who would you say wins? Also, how would you compare the Victory’s sensitivity to the Expride? Thanks.
Great review, would you say that this is more of a MH power or a true Heavy? I’m looking for a MH in this line and want to k ow if I should go up a power. Iv heard people say this specific power and length has a more parabolic bend
I've been looking at the Medium light 7 ft 6 inch shimano zodias and The 7 ft 10 inch medium light St Croix Victory. Any recommendations on which rod is better?
Victory > zodias by a long shot. I have the 2020 zodias (review coming soon) and the victory is far better in craftsmanship and performance. Sensitivity is on par with Expride.
@@ChewyThaoFishing That's one of the most favorable comparisons I've heard - although I've only heard good things. Any idea if the 7'4" H/F a total broomstick? I'm looking for an all around heavy rod that can do frogs and handle some lighter flipping. Bonus points if it was usable as a jig rod. Probably would want the full contact finesse rod for that, but how would that work with a frog?
I have the full contact in a bait caster 3/8 -11/4 love that rod can fish for everything in fresh water also have Mojo Bass rod in spinning rod love it to 3/16 to 5/8 in a 6ft 8 in
How does the 7'3" H/XF (Full Contact Finesse) work for frogs and punching in decent cover? Also how's it work as an all-around jig rod? I'm guessing that and Carolina rigs are what it's really designed for. I'm trying to decide between that or the Full Contact. We have some heavy cover, but it's mostly situational and not nearly as thick as other places in the country.
@@scottdellefave1868 Alright, so I went with the full contact finesse. It's a fairly unique sort of rod, because it is definitely a heavy with a ton of backbone, but has a soft extra fast tip. It's amazing for basically doing pretty much anything with a jig from casting, pitching or flipping. In cover where I live, it can handle a frog. And it is quite sensitive for its price point. If you live in Florida which has a lot thicker weeds than the northeast, you might want the Full Contact for extreme frogging and flipping and punching duty. Or the Full Contact for a frog and the Full Contact Finesse for jigs.
@@scottdellefave1868It would definitely be a great Carolina rig rod. It's a little on the heavy side for what I would normally use for a T-Rig, but you could do light and moderate punching or T-Rigs with larger baits and heavier weights. One thing I should note is that it seems to really be optimized towards casting 3/8oz and 1/2oz jigs - likewise with the weight used with a Carolina rig. You might be able to the 7/8oz upper end slightly, but I would think about 1oz is the max tops. I would look at The Marshall if I wanted to do a jig/t-rig/c-rig on one rod, but the Full Contact Finesse if you want to be able to pitch, flip and cast a jig and throw it into brush piles and laydowns confidently.
It's not the inner or outer, it's specific sections of the blank, like their Legend Xtreme, except with the Legend Xtreme its SCV and SCVI. They'll stick the stiffer SCVI towards the handle of the rod to give it power, but put SCIII towards the tip to give it flex and specific taper and sensitivity. So specific sections of the blank are SCVI and other sections are SCIII.
It is a tad tip-heavy but it is by far one of the more balanced ones. With the SCIII+ blank, the tip is not as heavy as say the Avid-X or legend tournaments.
Just got mine in the other day. Like the guy before me said compared to a Dobyns its tip heavy but I havnt found a company yet that balances them as good as Dobyns. This rod isnt bad at all and I am a little bit of a stickler when it comes to the balance. I have the 7’3” heavy with a curado k on it.
@@mgd2040 I just got my youngest son the Victory Full Contact Finesse rod, and it's probably the least tip heavy St Croix that's a MH or heavier that I have ever held.
Even the $180 Avid is more sensitive than G Loomis NRX . The emperor wears no clothes with Loomis rods- they're very light because there is no clear coat, they feel hollow, sort of fragile and not sensitive. People today are mistaken lightness for sensitivity. If UA-cam is saying NRX is sensitive everyone agrees.Example I have a steeze compile x spinning rod made in Japan - it's not really sensitive. You dont realize the best technology is here in the USA, St Croix has been making rods 60 years before Megabass, Shimano,Daiwa,Loomis so of course there the most sensitive advanced graphite.Where the other makers beat St Croix is in the actions but not not the sensitivity- I give Loomis credit they have precise actions for what the rod is specified for.
Some people make far too much of high end rods. There are many people who can not pick up on the very subtle differences in those rods. Some can. Its like people listening to a symphony and being able to tell that the speakers are not 8 inch but are 12 inch speakers. Most can't tell and even fewer care. When it is boiled down, its just marketing. ALL of those rods catch fish. The fisherman still has to do his job.
Great review brother. Just scrolling through watching all the reviews. Just picked up a Grunt, Marshall, and a full contact. Along with a couple new bass Xs. Too excited for next year!! Thanks for the video
Oh man nice review. I picked up a 19 Zbone with the NFC X-Ray blank for a good deal. I actually like it more then my NRX that I have own. It also makes me want to get the 21 Zbone but I believe Kistler has gone with their own blanks but I just love the NFC blanks. Great review.
Any Idea on this vs the mojo bass and the avid
Great review brother.
Thanks bro!
This EVA in the exposed part of the reel seat just drive me nuts! You know if it's possible to remove the foam to directly touch the blank? I think that this maybe take a bit of sensitivity of the rod. Great vid man 😀
You got me interested now in these rods
They are definitely worth it! if you aren't in a rush to get one, wait until one of the retailers have a 20% off sale. At $160, this rod is a no-brainer... even at $200, its a no-brainer.
They blended SCIII AND SCVI NOT SCV as mentioned
Good review on the victory. They thought these out well but I don’t like foam handles. I was wondering if they came out with this series because they could get the components easier. Many of the other St Croix were out of stock for crazy amounts of time.
I heard from a couple small shops that because of the shortage St Croix cancelled shop orders on rods in favor of big box stores and major online sellers.
They are redoing the Legend bass for 2022. It should be interesting what they do with those.
@Chewy Thao Fishing
Great review, thank you!
So Victory vs. Avid-X in a sensitivity battle, who would you say wins? Also, how would you compare the Victory’s sensitivity to the Expride? Thanks.
Great review, would you say that this is more of a MH power or a true Heavy?
I’m looking for a MH in this line and want to k ow if I should go up a power. Iv heard people say this specific power and length has a more parabolic bend
They are true to power. If you want a MH, please make sure to go with the MH.
Great review! Very informational!
have you heard any info on other models of this line and when will they be out, thanks for sharing , have you tried any of the spinning models?
All models are available now. I have not gotten a spinning model yet but I will! This rod is definitely a great deal for the money.
i meant the others besides the first 8 i think there is 25 in total
@@victorsimonsen921
I heard they will release them in ICAST 2021. I think it is in July.
I've been looking at the Medium light 7 ft 6 inch shimano zodias and The 7 ft 10 inch medium light St Croix Victory. Any recommendations on which rod is better?
Mine is just Full Contact 7ft1in 3/8 to 11/4 love it !!!!!!!
awesome!
How would you compare the sensitivity to the new zodias since they are in the same price range? That 15 year warranty really is pretty amazing.
Victory > zodias by a long shot. I have the 2020 zodias (review coming soon) and the victory is far better in craftsmanship and performance. Sensitivity is on par with Expride.
@@ChewyThaoFishing Wow! I think you just sold me. Appreciate it man!
I knew I wasn’t the only one that wasn’t impressed with the new Zodias.
@@ChewyThaoFishing That's one of the most favorable comparisons I've heard - although I've only heard good things.
Any idea if the 7'4" H/F a total broomstick? I'm looking for an all around heavy rod that can do frogs and handle some lighter flipping. Bonus points if it was usable as a jig rod. Probably would want the full contact finesse rod for that, but how would that work with a frog?
I have the full contact in a bait caster 3/8 -11/4 love that rod can fish for everything in fresh water also have Mojo Bass rod in spinning rod love it to 3/16 to 5/8 in a 6ft 8 in
Can't go wrong with St.Croix. BEST warranty program on the market and i love supporting local businesses.
How does the 7'3" H/XF (Full Contact Finesse) work for frogs and punching in decent cover? Also how's it work as an all-around jig rod? I'm guessing that and Carolina rigs are what it's really designed for. I'm trying to decide between that or the Full Contact. We have some heavy cover, but it's mostly situational and not nearly as thick as other places in the country.
I’m wondering the same, best uses for this vs the full contact
@@scottdellefave1868 Alright, so I went with the full contact finesse. It's a fairly unique sort of rod, because it is definitely a heavy with a ton of backbone, but has a soft extra fast tip. It's amazing for basically doing pretty much anything with a jig from casting, pitching or flipping. In cover where I live, it can handle a frog. And it is quite sensitive for its price point.
If you live in Florida which has a lot thicker weeds than the northeast, you might want the Full Contact for extreme frogging and flipping and punching duty. Or the Full Contact for a frog and the Full Contact Finesse for jigs.
@@shred5 great info. Do you think the full contact finesse would be a good Texas rig/Carolina rig rod?
@@scottdellefave1868It would definitely be a great Carolina rig rod. It's a little on the heavy side for what I would normally use for a T-Rig, but you could do light and moderate punching or T-Rigs with larger baits and heavier weights.
One thing I should note is that it seems to really be optimized towards casting 3/8oz and 1/2oz jigs - likewise with the weight used with a Carolina rig. You might be able to the 7/8oz upper end slightly, but I would think about 1oz is the max tops.
I would look at The Marshall if I wanted to do a jig/t-rig/c-rig on one rod, but the Full Contact Finesse if you want to be able to pitch, flip and cast a jig and throw it into brush piles and laydowns confidently.
Would you pick the victory rod over a dobyns champion xp
I would definitely say so. Dobyns is better balanced but the sensitivity is superior on the victory
Good recap, but the blank is a SCIII and SCVI blend. The inner part is SCVI and the outer is SCIII.
It's not the inner or outer, it's specific sections of the blank, like their Legend Xtreme, except with the Legend Xtreme its SCV and SCVI. They'll stick the stiffer SCVI towards the handle of the rod to give it power, but put SCIII towards the tip to give it flex and specific taper and sensitivity. So specific sections of the blank are SCVI and other sections are SCIII.
Do these rods have that typical tip-heavy feel that St. Croix’s are known for?
It is a tad tip-heavy but it is by far one of the more balanced ones. With the SCIII+ blank, the tip is not as heavy as say the Avid-X or legend tournaments.
I have this exact rod. I have mostly dobyns rods. This rod is tip heavy compared to dobyns.
Yes they do. They're even lighter than many other even more expensive SC rods, so that's going to happen.
Just got mine in the other day. Like the guy before me said compared to a Dobyns its tip heavy but I havnt found a company yet that balances them as good as Dobyns. This rod isnt bad at all and I am a little bit of a stickler when it comes to the balance. I have the 7’3” heavy with a curado k on it.
@@mgd2040 I just got my youngest son the Victory Full Contact Finesse rod, and it's probably the least tip heavy St Croix that's a MH or heavier that I have ever held.
Even the $180 Avid is more sensitive than G Loomis NRX . The emperor wears no clothes with Loomis rods- they're very light because there is no clear coat, they feel hollow, sort of fragile and not sensitive. People today are mistaken lightness for sensitivity. If UA-cam is saying NRX is sensitive everyone agrees.Example I have a steeze compile x spinning rod made in Japan - it's not really sensitive. You dont realize the best technology is here in the USA, St Croix has been making rods 60 years before Megabass, Shimano,Daiwa,Loomis so of course there the most sensitive advanced graphite.Where the other makers beat St Croix is in the actions but not not the sensitivity- I give Loomis credit they have precise actions for what the rod is specified for.
Some people make far too much of high end rods. There are many people who can not pick up on the very subtle differences in those rods. Some can. Its like people listening to a symphony and being able to tell that the speakers are not 8 inch but are 12 inch speakers. Most can't tell and even fewer care. When it is boiled down, its just marketing. ALL of those rods catch fish. The fisherman still has to do his job.