Anyone have any numbers on the current St Croix blanks, 5S66LF2-G and 5S66MLF2-G? Thanks.

Here is a link to St. Croix rod building information.

The 5S70LF-G is one of my favorite rods.

I and building 3 each of the 5S76MLXF-G and 5S76MF-G right now. Both will be with split grip carbon handle.

[www.stcroixrods.com]

I hope this is what you are looking for.

Good building!

See you on the water, Doug
Captain Paddlefoot

Steve,
I have built on many of the St. Croix blanks; including these blanks you metion.

Wonderful blanks and they make very good rods.

Be safe

Steve - I built a rod on the 5S66MLF 1-piece and I love it. It looks like you may be looking to do a 2-piece rod but I would seriously consider the 1-piece. What are you going to use it for?

Most of my recent fishing is for smallmouth. My tackle is usually lighter than most. Living in Florida, 2 piece rods are better to travel with.

If fishing for smallmouth the ML blank will be a better fit in my opinion. I live in MN and mostly fish for walleye and panfish, but we catch the occasional bass too and I wouldn't want to go any lighter than the ML if I was building it specifically for bass. I have no doubt you'll be happy with it!

Steve,

If by lighter than most you are getting into the realm of Midwest Finesse Fishing and the Ned Rig with 1/32-1/16 oz open hook jigs, then either rod will serve you well, though I would gravitate toward the L in this application. You could get by with L with most open hook presentations with less than 1/4 oz of lead.

You are in the 1/8-1/4 oz of lead realm, then I would aim toward the ML. Also, if you are fishing anything that is T-rigged, such as flukes, seances, light T-rigs, shake heads, etc., I would go to the ML power. I built a Batson ISJ781 light power spin jig, probably not all that different from the 66L in terms of action and power, as a casting rod to push the lower limits of my casting ability with weightless plastics, but it just didn't have the power to hook bigger fish, and has since seen little use. I'm now tinkering with the idea of possibly extending it 4"-6" and rebuilding it as a spinning rod for MWF applications. I've always wanted something similar to the 823 and 822.5 with just a bit softer tip, and this could get me there. (Sorry for the divergence at the end, just thinking aloud for a bit.)

Joe

I rarely fish anything heavier than 4 pound test in shallow water. I have played with PE .03 lines for offshore work in LSC and Erie and deeper areas of Pickwick. A soft tip works, however the blank needs to lock up to work bigger fish. I depend on light wire hooks rather than the rod for hook sets. CCS/RDA numbers would help but ultimately, building a rod may be the best answer.

i fish 90% smallmouth bass in Pa rivers. Ive had many many st croix factory rods and customs from premiers to elites. I wouldnt go any lighter than the 66MLF from st croix. Their L powered blanks lack the backbone FME and feel too soft. If your not stuck on st croix than id give a hard look at the mhx hi mod SJ 781. great smallie blank and fishes more like a ML IMHO. I I have a 5s66MLF and the mhx sj781 both built as casting rods with daiwa pixys on them and i much perfer the mhx blank