Hello! I broke my beloved brown blank St. Croix legend elite 9’ 8wt and although St. Croix did replaced the rod with the latest legend elite, it felt nothing like my brown blank. Now I’m looking for something that has a similar action/feel and was thinking of trying out the CTS affinity x. Anyone have experience with both these rods and can give me a comparison? I love the quality and performance of my CTS double hander and figure I try the single hander series. Plus the options CTS gives you just makes it even more appealing for truly customizing. Any input is appreciated! Thanks.

The new Legend Elite doesn't feel anything like the one you broke huh , what a bummer . Seems everybody loves the CTS Affinity X models so i would bet the house thats what most will recommend but i highly doubt you will get much feedback from people that own both . Any idea the year the rod you broke was that will help .


Herb at HNL Rod Blanks is great to deal with and he's a sponsor on the left side of the page , anyways good luck and i hope you enjoyed the holiday.

Herb, I believe it was the 2005 model. It was when the St Croix legend ultra was still around as well.

Sid Thao Wrote:
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> Herb, I believe it was the 2005 model. It was when
> the St Croix legend ultra was still around as
> well.



Oh OK , thats quite a long time . If you dislike it i would sell it and pick up what appeals to you now.

Hey Sid and thanks Herb,

Rita and I just returned from a 2 month striper fishing trip to Cape Cod - on the fly only.
The season got a very late (2 weeks) start due to water temps.
The CTS Affinity-X is nothing like any St Croix model - especially the Affinity-X #8.
The #8 is probably one of, if not the best, #8 blanks around.

It makes for a very fast rod if you build it properly - LIGHT.
Like all CTS blanks - the recovery rate is phenomenal and it feels very light "in-the-hand". i.e. low swing weight.

It likes the Wulff Bermuda Triangle floater in an 8wt but will easily handle a 400gr line.

The last one I built for myself has 12 guides. Except for the Fuji Titanium frame and Torzite-ringed stripper - all guides are the REC Recoil spinning guides. The feet keep the line off the blank. It seemed to handle the weight very well - but next one I build will be conventionally built with 10 guides.
I'll use the same stripper. Then a #16 REC Recoil, spinning, then a #12 and then a #10. The rest will be #4 REC single foot fly single foot guides. The tip top will be the REC Recoil with large ring.

If you wish I will send for your testing - with some sort of security.

I do have another #8 un-built that I was going to build for myself in normal manner.

BTW - what CTS blank was used to build your 2 handed rod?

Regards,
Herb



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/05/2018 11:18AM by Herb Ladenheim.

Herb L., Sounds like a great rod. I don't think you can go wrong with a CTS blank. Herb C. It's going to be hard to match an older blank to the newer versions of anything that's made now. The best I think you can do is think of the improvements that you may have wanted in the old rod and try to incorporate them into the new build. I believe the CTS blank is going to have some things that you will really like.

Lance,
A very good observation.
I have a GLX GLoomis #10, 2pc, fly rod circa 1995 that just sits in my rod rack because while it was "THE" 10wt in 1995 - it is old technology now.
Herb

Thanks for the info Herb! And yes I’ll take up on your kind offer to test drive your affinity X. Let me know what you’ll need.

Oh I have a 6/7wt 12’6” SK. It’s a crispy beast!