New St. Croix Legend Xtreme Features
- Blending St. Croix’s highest-grade materials and proprietary technologies with Daiwa AGSTM guides, the Legend Xtreme has extreme sensitivity that begs to be fished
- Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC™) mandrel technology
- Advanced Reinforcing Technology™ (ART™)
- Taper Enhancement Technology (TET) blank design provides curved patterns for improved action with increased sensitivity
- Super high-modulus SCVI carbon with FRS in lower section for maximum power and strength with reduced weight
- High-modulus/high-strain SCV carbon with FRS and carbon-matte scrim for unparalleled strength, durability and sensitivity
- Daiwa AGSTM Carbon Fiber Guides with Fuji KG Tip Top with Torzite ring
- Fuji® SK2™ split reel seat for the ultimate in light weight and sensitivity
- 2nd Generation Xtreme-Skin™ handle provides unparalleled control.
- Kigan titanium hook-keeper
- Machined wind check, handle trim pieces and butt cap
- Two coats of Flex-Coat slow sure finish
- 15-year transferable warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service
- Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, U.S.A.
Classic Contenders
BASS Elite pros, Brian Snowden and Bob Downey, have played significant roles in on-the-water testing of the new Legend Xtreme Series and are excited to be using the rods throughout practice and competition on bass fishing’s grandest stage, the upcoming 2020 Bassmaster Classic in Birmingham, Alabama, March 6-8.
“When I first saw it, I was just very impressed with the look of the new Legend Xtreme and was intrigued by the carbon fiber guides,” says Snowden, “and then I picked it up.” His first physical response was to the new Gen2 Xtreme-Skin handle. “I loved the handle. The feel is comfortable and sticky with a new textured finish that feels not only more secure in my hand, but also more rigid for better energy transmission.”
And then he fished them.
“These new Legend Xtreme rods are incredibly sensitive,” says Snowden, who recalls fishing the 7’ medium-heavy power fast action Xtreme (XFC70MHF) at the BASS Elite tournament at St. John earlier this month with 1/8- and 3/16-oz. jigs in the pads. “Even with these light jigs, I could tell the difference between my lure hitting the roots of the pads versus it hitting the soft bottom. I thought I had a bite the first couple times it happened… then I did get a bite and the feedback through the rod was shocking and immediate. I can’t wait to fish these rods on deep structure and a hard bottom back home on Table Rock,” he continues. “These rods are amazing in shallow water, but they are really going to shine during deep structure fishing in the summer with 60-80 feet of line out on a ledge or a brush pile.”
Downey is equally excited by the shocking performance characteristics of the new Legend Xtreme.
“The overall look and performance of the all-new Legend Xtreme is just stunning,” says Downey. “What St. Croix has accomplished with respect to sensitivity with these rods is truly unparalleled. Until you fish these rods, it’s hard to understand just how awesome the performance is. I’ve spent a lot of time with the with the 7’ XFC70MHF model, specifically, and it has already provided a great advantage for me fishing bottom-contact baits like Texas-rigged Beavers. The rigidity of the guides and the handle just translate bites – and whatever my bait is doing – better than anything I’ve ever experienced. I’m incredibly excited and proud to be carrying these advantage-laden weapons with me onto the water at Guntersville.”
Snowden expects to find a lot of bass in 5- to 10-feet of water when the Classic kicks off on Lake Guntersville early next month. “The docks will definitely be in play, as will shallow grass beds,” he says. “In addition to their sensitivity – which is going to easily telegraph strikes on the fall – these Legend Xtreme rods are also extremely accurate when flipping and skipping, so it’s going to be the ideal tool. The tips seem quicker and the rods also seem to have more power when compared to others with the same specs… they come back to straight almost instantly, yet they are soft enough for lighter lures,” adds Snowden, who also expects to deploy his 7’4” heavy power, fast action Legend Xtreme (XFC74HF) for swimbait duty over the shallow grass. “Maintaining contact with that grass is going to be key, and with the sensitivity and immediate feedback of Legend Xtreme, I’m going to know what my swimbaits or chatterbaits are doing at any given moment. That really builds a lot of confidence.”
Of course, Downey and Snowden won’t be the lone representatives of the new Legend Xtreme Series in Birmingham. The St. Croix Team will be on hand throughout the competition, giving anglers firsthand opportunities to see, feel and experience the new Legend Xtreme for themselves.
“The entire St. Croix Team is looking forward to this year’s Bassmaster Classic,” says Simpkins. “It’s obviously going to be particularly fun and exciting in the St. Croix booth, due to the significance of the Legend Xtreme launch… seeing and hearing the reactions of anglers when they pick up the rod for the first time is what makes all our effort and investment worthwhile. But it’s going to be equally rewarding and exciting talking with them about our overall sensitivity testing and enhancement program… how the specific St. Croix rod series they are currently fishing are going to be able to be improved to result in a heightened fishing experience. And even if you strip all this exciting news away, we’re still just pleased to be out there talking with anglers about where and how they fish and how we can keep making better products. That’s what we’ve always done, and what we promise to continue doing.”
New St. Croix Legend Xtreme models will retail in the range of $630-$650, and will be available for purchase online at https://stcroixrods.com/collections/rod-shopper and at participating St. Croix dealers on Friday, March 6.
