Well since you have credit with St. Croix I'd get a 7' MH Tidemaster. Its my go to spin rod for friends who like to spin fish.
"Travel" Spinning rod selection for South Florida
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I've spent years trying to find the perfect travel rods as they are so much easier to carry when on the go. The problem is my preference for finesse fishing. Because of the added stiffness of the extra ferrules, many feel like broomsticks. That includes private label models like Cabelas/BPS, LL Bean and even TFO and Okuma. I've tried them all. I would love to own a set of Legend Trek, as those blanks are very similar to the discontinued Legend Inshore that I own. But since I'm not traveling as much these days, I can't quite justify the cost for rods that would spend most of the time in my office closet.
The G. Loomis Escape rods are nice, but I still liked the action of the Tidemasters better. But again, the heavier the rating the stiffer the action on those.
For your upcoming trip I would probably go with the 7' Medium Light rated for 8-14. With braid, it would handle most anything on your list, including juvenile tarpon. If you wanted a little more leeway, bump up to the Medium 7' rated 8-17. It won't be quite as nimble tossing lighter jigs but you'll have the backbone if you do hook a bigger fish.
As far as reels, the Shimano Stradic FK or Ultegra would be a good match. 3000 class if you go with the ML, 4000 if you opt for the medium action. Spool with 12- or 15-pound Power Pro Super 8 Slick in aqua green and you'll be set. You could also add a spare spool and load it with 12-pound mono if you are specifically targeting spooky bonefish and permit on the shallow flats.
By the way, if you or others have a St. Croix 7'6" Legend Inshore one-piece ML spinner collecting dust, I'd be more than happy to take it off your hands.
The G. Loomis Escape rods are nice, but I still liked the action of the Tidemasters better. But again, the heavier the rating the stiffer the action on those.
For your upcoming trip I would probably go with the 7' Medium Light rated for 8-14. With braid, it would handle most anything on your list, including juvenile tarpon. If you wanted a little more leeway, bump up to the Medium 7' rated 8-17. It won't be quite as nimble tossing lighter jigs but you'll have the backbone if you do hook a bigger fish.
As far as reels, the Shimano Stradic FK or Ultegra would be a good match. 3000 class if you go with the ML, 4000 if you opt for the medium action. Spool with 12- or 15-pound Power Pro Super 8 Slick in aqua green and you'll be set. You could also add a spare spool and load it with 12-pound mono if you are specifically targeting spooky bonefish and permit on the shallow flats.
By the way, if you or others have a St. Croix 7'6" Legend Inshore one-piece ML spinner collecting dust, I'd be more than happy to take it off your hands.
Ok, if anyone is/ was following along my broken Avid arrived in WI and I was called and asked what I’d like to do for a replacement.
While there was no overwhelming majority in my Poll, I did go with the number one choice a 7’ Medium 3 piece travel rod. I chose the St Croix Legend Trek Inshore.
So here’s the reasoning... 1st off you guys, thanks to everyone who voted and responded.
Second one of my very long time friends is a Fishing Dept Manager at Bass Pro, and while he lives back up North now he was in Mississippi and than Florida for quite a number of years and respect his opinion that “the Legend is MUCH nicer than the Tidemaster” to be honest it’s just his opinion and I personally have never seen either one.
Finally and really the biggest reason I went with the Legend is another 15 year Warranty. I know a lot of people have mixed feelings about the warranty Croix offers but personally I couldn’t be happier. My previous 7’ Med Avid was 13 years old (according to the date codes, to be honest I thought I had it longer). It was quite literally run over by a 4 wheeler and crushed/ rendered completely usesless.
Croix gave my $190 credit minus the $85 Gold Star program fee, so $105 credit. $105 for a 13 year old rod that was absolutely destroyed. To me that’s a pretty good deal.
The Legend cost me an additional $295 delivered. A lot? Sure but as I’m almost 40 years old now this rod should get me almost to retirement. Not bad In my opinion.
The service I received was also TOP NOTCH, I spoke with Dan and he went out of his way to help me and answer all my questions. He also called me back after almost an hour to ensure the new rod would be finished and shipped with 100% certainty before my Feb trip to the Keys. (They’re literally being built right now).
Long story short St Croix treated me right and I gave them yet another $300 to say thank you....
I plan on pairing this rod with a Diawa Saltist 3000 and Sufix 20lb 832 braid, according to my buddy that should handle virtually anything inshore....
Keep in mind I have ML, MH, and even Heavy Rods that I use when not flying. This rod is strictly to Fly/ travel with.
Thanks everyone.
While there was no overwhelming majority in my Poll, I did go with the number one choice a 7’ Medium 3 piece travel rod. I chose the St Croix Legend Trek Inshore.
So here’s the reasoning... 1st off you guys, thanks to everyone who voted and responded.
Second one of my very long time friends is a Fishing Dept Manager at Bass Pro, and while he lives back up North now he was in Mississippi and than Florida for quite a number of years and respect his opinion that “the Legend is MUCH nicer than the Tidemaster” to be honest it’s just his opinion and I personally have never seen either one.
Finally and really the biggest reason I went with the Legend is another 15 year Warranty. I know a lot of people have mixed feelings about the warranty Croix offers but personally I couldn’t be happier. My previous 7’ Med Avid was 13 years old (according to the date codes, to be honest I thought I had it longer). It was quite literally run over by a 4 wheeler and crushed/ rendered completely usesless.
Croix gave my $190 credit minus the $85 Gold Star program fee, so $105 credit. $105 for a 13 year old rod that was absolutely destroyed. To me that’s a pretty good deal.
The Legend cost me an additional $295 delivered. A lot? Sure but as I’m almost 40 years old now this rod should get me almost to retirement. Not bad In my opinion.
The service I received was also TOP NOTCH, I spoke with Dan and he went out of his way to help me and answer all my questions. He also called me back after almost an hour to ensure the new rod would be finished and shipped with 100% certainty before my Feb trip to the Keys. (They’re literally being built right now).
Long story short St Croix treated me right and I gave them yet another $300 to say thank you....
I plan on pairing this rod with a Diawa Saltist 3000 and Sufix 20lb 832 braid, according to my buddy that should handle virtually anything inshore....
Keep in mind I have ML, MH, and even Heavy Rods that I use when not flying. This rod is strictly to Fly/ travel with.
Thanks everyone.
First of all travel rods will always be compromise. As I travel from Europe to Florida at least once a year I have plenty of experience travelling with rods as well as all the headaches air travel with tackles gives
Have to admit that the choice of travel rods is growing but whatever rod you chose it will never feel as nice as the comparable one piece (st croix) equivalent.
When travelling to Florida I would never go without at least three rods.
My light stick is in fact a st croix tide master 7ft medium. This is my most used rod and handles everything from bait fishing up to small tarpon. A little more length is always welcome but do remember that a 3 piece 7 footer will easily fit diagonally inside most big suitcases.
My medium stick is another tide master. This is a 7’6” heavy. A great rod for bigger baits and fish. Landed many medium size sharks and tarpon on this rod.. As grouper stick it is less suitable as dragging fish out is not something the rods like (zing pow!). Didn’t have much hassle with st croix customer service.
For the bigger stuff I couldn’t find anything in the st Croix range so had to look else where. For a couple of years I have used a 3 piece Tsunami 7ft travel rod. As a 30-40lb stick it is not as stiff as I would have liked but again a compromise. When I needed a new tip on this rod Tsunami was a great help and for $ 15 I had a new tip delivered in The Keys. Great service.
Two years ago I discovered the MHX range of blanks by Mudhole. The do a XH blank in 7’6”. A great blank. I have build two and the are a great all-round heavy rods.
My advise would be to bring as many rods as you can. With a lot of careful packing I can get four spinning rods and a fly rod in a suitcase together with some reels, shirts and odds and ends. Take your time packing and you will be surprised.
Finally the enjoyment of fine tackle, aka legend tournaments/ elites will be lost in travel rods. But what you gain is the enjoyment of fishing your own tackle without the stress/ cost of travel with rod tubes and the risk of getting them damaged in transit.
Have to admit that the choice of travel rods is growing but whatever rod you chose it will never feel as nice as the comparable one piece (st croix) equivalent.
When travelling to Florida I would never go without at least three rods.
My light stick is in fact a st croix tide master 7ft medium. This is my most used rod and handles everything from bait fishing up to small tarpon. A little more length is always welcome but do remember that a 3 piece 7 footer will easily fit diagonally inside most big suitcases.
My medium stick is another tide master. This is a 7’6” heavy. A great rod for bigger baits and fish. Landed many medium size sharks and tarpon on this rod.. As grouper stick it is less suitable as dragging fish out is not something the rods like (zing pow!). Didn’t have much hassle with st croix customer service.
For the bigger stuff I couldn’t find anything in the st Croix range so had to look else where. For a couple of years I have used a 3 piece Tsunami 7ft travel rod. As a 30-40lb stick it is not as stiff as I would have liked but again a compromise. When I needed a new tip on this rod Tsunami was a great help and for $ 15 I had a new tip delivered in The Keys. Great service.
Two years ago I discovered the MHX range of blanks by Mudhole. The do a XH blank in 7’6”. A great blank. I have build two and the are a great all-round heavy rods.
My advise would be to bring as many rods as you can. With a lot of careful packing I can get four spinning rods and a fly rod in a suitcase together with some reels, shirts and odds and ends. Take your time packing and you will be surprised.
Finally the enjoyment of fine tackle, aka legend tournaments/ elites will be lost in travel rods. But what you gain is the enjoyment of fishing your own tackle without the stress/ cost of travel with rod tubes and the risk of getting them damaged in transit.
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