I absolutely love my 7’1 medium heavy victory, but it is in no way a medium heavy. It has a really soft tip and mid section, which makes it perfect for smaller baits like a dark sleeper, pop max, or smaller walking bait. If your in the market for a softer casting rod for top waters and small jig hook baits, its awesome.
Exactly what I use that rod for too. Love it for Texas rigging in grass. Fished it down to a 3/16oz and it casted great. Have it paired with the 2021 zillion. A bit tip heavy but don’t feel it after a few casts.
Great review I'm a St.Croix fan and I understand what your saying about their rating system for rod power ratings. For the money made in this great country I'm in!!
I have the 7'4" Victory Full Contact Heavy Fast. It's rated for up to 1.5 oz lures and 65 lb line. I have it paired with a Shimano Curado 201K reel. I use it for jigs and frogs. It's awesome for both.
I took it up to Champlain and wrecked largies using a 1/2 Jackhammer braid to copoly leader in the thick stuff! Held up to big pike and LMB in the grass no problem. Totally get the confusion with the labeling but I think we all have to understand that SC rods are generally softer. Haven’t done much Trig yet, but this rod does claim my PB honors with 7+ lmb using a 3/8 oz Football Jig! Nice stick. Oh BTW, I use the 7’4 H for my Trig duties and LOVE it!!
Have you had a chance to test out other rods in this line? I’m trying to level up my fishing game. Haven’t been fishing more than a year but I go out 3-4 times a week now. Really love it. Helps that I live right on a river in SC that has large mouth and spotted in it. I’m also close to Lake Wylie which has all kinda fish (not sure exactly). I have a 6’6” Abu Black Maxx baitcaster combo and an ugly stik 6’6 (basic stuff) but they both catch me fish. Probably not nearly as many as higher quality equip and that’s why im here watching your videos (think I’ve watched 6-7 already today). I want a new rod (and reel) that’s a few levels up from my black max. I’d like a setup that allows me to fish my techniques across the Black Max and the new rod. 1 setup for topwater (and whatever else I could do on the topwater Setup) and a second setup for 0-10ft crank baits, chatter, buzz Texas rig. I’d also like 7-7’3 area so I can cast a bit further across the river and when I’m wading in it (come April :)). You really REALLY know your stuff so any nudge in the right direction would be incredible.
@@SpotlockBros I ended up eventually getting both. I like the H a little bit better for bottom contact, but the MH is both good at bottom contact and awesome for swim jigs. If I could only have 1, I would pick the MH. It is is more versatile imo. Once I got it, I just couldn't take the swim jig off it, so I picked up the H for dragging things around.
@@codycantrell2780 I have them both also and mainly use the HXF with braid & leader for t-rigs, all jigs w/ the hook fixed to the head, power shot and light tokyo rigs & light frogging. The MHF runs fluoro and use if for all other single hook baits. It has even done fine when I've thrown trebled baits and the stuff I usually use the HXF for so I agree with you, it is more versatile.
Most of my rods are 7’, what is the advantage to the 7’4” on a heavy? I thought the longer rods were geared more towards long casts with cranks and baits you want to cover a lot of water.
@@PunchFishing I am, but that’s not a true heavy, as you stated, it’s more like a MH. Why would a heavy longer rod be advantageous over something smaller for a heavy? Is it only casting distance then? Strange it has such a light weight rating. I’ve heard that their warranty is amazing.
Many people find longer rods more confortable to flip and pitch with. Longer rods also have higher weight ranges they can tolerate for casting, and they move more line on the hookset just cause of geometry so it picks up more slack when you swing
@@jamesh7469 gotcha, thanks! I haven’t bought a rod for it’s own purpose, as I’ve only ever had the budget for a combo to maximize my buying power. Looks like I need to invest in a good rod and pair it accordingly. I’m probably missing out.
@@live2fishofficial it all depends on comfortability and your application and preferences. Anything 7’4 and below really isn’t that crazy for length. This does sound like a great all around rod, although others like the 7’2 MH zodias or Levante Tour Versatile are amazing bang for your buck Options too
I have the full contact victory in a 7 ft 1in mine goes to 3/8 oz 1 1/4 oz extra fast it's pretty stiff all most like a telephone poll it's great for the style of fishing I do you see I don't set the hook I let the fish hook it self I don't like a rod with soft tip no matter what lures I use I still never set the hook !!!!!!
That tip and bend, to me, just screams chatterbait and swim jig. 🤷♂️ Seems like they have a winner in the Victory line though. I have heard nothing but good things.
Your passion (as always) showed through on this review! I'm thinking of getting it for a T-rig and 3/8 mojo rig in our CT milfoil lakes if u feel it can handle more than isolated/light grass, but I'm not talking matted over or punching calibre weed either. The one thing I paused on was watching you struggle to endorse a half ounce use with this rod, like u feel that's too heavy for it. Really? I know their rating system is kaka on that rod, but its rating at 3/8 to 7/8 has got to make 1/2 oz close to the center of its wheelhouse. Let me hear you say it will be!
Sounds like a “full contact finesse” to me haha. Full contact or bottom contact finesse football jigs or smaller Texas rigs. Agree that it doesn’t sound like a typical heavy. Their 7’4 Heavy “full contact” sounds more like a true heavy rod.
Probably oversell the rating to make the weight seem more impressive? I know you don't do a lot of price point rods, but any experience with the daiwa Rebellions or BLX given your preference for the tatulas?
Is it really false advertising? Just like rod sensitivity, action and power are arbitrarily rated from one MFG to another. If Croix is typically lighter and softer across the board, I don’t think it’s really false advertisement. IMO
Whats crazy is when it comes to dobyns everyone knows they're lighter than most other rids but everyone just accepts it as the norm. Not false advertisi g
@@PunchFishing I appreciate your comment. I only ask because I am about to buy a lot of new rods. I am that guy that likes to only have one brand and I I am going to stay right in that $200 price range. In your experience and from the people you talk to in the industry, what is the best Rob at $200. I know that’s a pretty loaded question just looking for an opinion
@@daniel_fogle_fishing apples and oranges imo. Meaning two different actions/powers/feel. Have the 7'2 Zodias and it has virtually no tip compared to the SC. Still a great stick, but for different applications. I really like SC for my moving/winding stuff because of the deeper bends.
I had the same exact problem with the Victory rods. I broke my 7’1MHF setting the hook with a swimjig after fishing it for over a year and a half so I wasn’t too upset and St Croix replaced it under warranty. I ordered the 7’3” MHF rod as a replacement for Swimjigs and the first day I had it I set the hook on a 3lb fish and the rod exploded in 3 pieces the exact same way the first one did. I wrote St Croix and email asking if they were having this problem with the Victory rods breaking due to the mixing of the different levels of graphite used. I wanted some answers to see what the problem is because I have probably 10 St Croix rods from Mojo to the Avid Inshore and really liked them. The reply I received was to send it back and they would replace it. 🤯 I fish tournament’s and guide in Florida so I can’t afford for my rods to keep breaking and sending them back so with no explanation of why they are breaking I have officially written St Croix off my list and will no longer purchase anything from them. They have major problems with this new technology and need to address it. Both rods sounded like a gun shot when they broke in 3 pieces. They lost a very loyal customer and couldn’t give a shit about it.
St croix is a class act..warranty 👏 the name shouldn't be a issue .preferences should be. Over opinions.and American made. By American people in sportsman paradise Wisconsin.
I have 7ft 4 in heavy they claim it's heavy 3/8 to 1 1 / 2 i don't think it will cast a 1 1/2 lure I too found the sharp edge iam going to file it also I don't understand the rating either maybe a 3/8 to a 1oz but not 1 1/ 2
I'm glad I came across your video! I'm also in MN and was throwing a 3/8 oz t rig with a rage bug or 3/8 jigs around the grass a lot. Sometimes step it up to 1/2 oz and have been looking at this rod pretty hard.
I have a 7'3 Tatula Elite MH/F I've been using as a light jig rod. 5/16th to 3/8th. I find its muted when dragging stuff across the bottom, so it serves me better as a keitech or swimjig rod. In your opinion is this thing more sensitive then the Tatula series?
Lol, I should of commented later. The breakage problems are why I hate them.lmfao...and thier warranty sucks. They only want to give you thier cost of the rod. Like ohh really, your product breaks on the first trip out on me too...and you won't replace it. Yeah, no.
You just to picky. If anyone spends more then $200 on a rod, then you got more money then sense. $20 rods catch fish. $1,000 rods catch fish. That's the objective to catch fish, not to see you brag about how much your rod and reel cost! More money then sense.
I absolutely love my 7’1 medium heavy victory, but it is in no way a medium heavy. It has a really soft tip and mid section, which makes it perfect for smaller baits like a dark sleeper, pop max, or smaller walking bait. If your in the market for a softer casting rod for top waters and small jig hook baits, its awesome.
Flukes?
My 7.3 victory broke at the same spot you mentioned the other ones broke. all i did was flip a 3.5 lber on shore and it snapped.
Exactly what I use that rod for too. Love it for Texas rigging in grass. Fished it down to a 3/16oz and it casted great. Have it paired with the 2021 zillion. A bit tip heavy but don’t feel it after a few casts.
Had this rod since before they were widely released. I love it. It can do almost anything as long as you don't put too heavy of a lure on it.
Great review I'm a St.Croix fan and I understand what your saying about their rating system for rod power ratings. For the money made in this great country I'm in!!
I have the 7'4" Victory Full Contact Heavy Fast. It's rated for up to 1.5 oz lures and 65 lb line. I have it paired with a Shimano Curado 201K reel. I use it for jigs and frogs. It's awesome for both.
I took it up to Champlain and wrecked largies using a 1/2 Jackhammer braid to copoly leader in the thick stuff! Held up to big pike and LMB in the grass no problem. Totally get the confusion with the labeling but I think we all have to understand that SC rods are generally softer. Haven’t done much Trig yet, but this rod does claim my PB honors with 7+ lmb using a 3/8 oz Football Jig! Nice stick. Oh BTW, I use the 7’4 H for my Trig duties and LOVE it!!
Killer chatterbait rod,by the way thankyou for the omnia code,I have spent thousands with them because of you thanks
appreciate the support 🤘
I feel like this would be an awesome heavier hook swim jig or wobble head rod
Is this rod any good for throwing around docks with 3/8 and 1/2 ounce casting or flipping jigs? Would the 7’3” mh be better for finesse jigs?
How would this handle hopping a 3/8-1/2 oz jig around docks and mid-light cover?
Have you had a chance to test out other rods in this line? I’m trying to level up my fishing game. Haven’t been fishing more than a year but I go out 3-4 times a week now. Really love it. Helps that I live right on a river in SC that has large mouth and spotted in it. I’m also close to Lake Wylie which has all kinda fish (not sure exactly). I have a 6’6” Abu Black Maxx baitcaster combo and an ugly stik 6’6 (basic stuff) but they both catch me fish. Probably not nearly as many as higher quality equip and that’s why im here watching your videos (think I’ve watched 6-7 already today). I want a new rod (and reel) that’s a few levels up from my black max. I’d like a setup that allows me to fish my techniques across the Black Max and the new rod. 1 setup for topwater (and whatever else I could do on the topwater Setup) and a second setup for 0-10ft crank baits, chatter, buzz Texas rig. I’d also like 7-7’3 area so I can cast a bit further across the river and when I’m wading in it (come April :)). You really REALLY know your stuff so any nudge in the right direction would be incredible.
Exceptional job on the review as always my man. That is why you are one of the few guys I trust to review a rod. Keep up the good work buddy.
I appreciate the kind words thank you!
Im looking to get a rod for jigs 3/8-1/2 oz mostly and t-rigs. Might swim a jig on it as well. Should I go 7'3" MHF or HXF?
Hrmmm that's a good question. I've not handled the 7'3 MH, only the H.
I am in the same boat.
@@SpotlockBros I ended up eventually getting both. I like the H a little bit better for bottom contact, but the MH is both good at bottom contact and awesome for swim jigs. If I could only have 1, I would pick the MH. It is is more versatile imo. Once I got it, I just couldn't take the swim jig off it, so I picked up the H for dragging things around.
@@codycantrell2780 I have them both also and mainly use the HXF with braid & leader for t-rigs, all jigs w/ the hook fixed to the head, power shot and light tokyo rigs & light frogging. The MHF runs fluoro and use if for all other single hook baits. It has even done fine when I've thrown trebled baits and the stuff I usually use the HXF for so I agree with you, it is more versatile.
Most of my rods are 7’, what is the advantage to the 7’4” on a heavy? I thought the longer rods were geared more towards long casts with cranks and baits you want to cover a lot of water.
watch the video and I'll explain 😎
@@PunchFishing I am, but that’s not a true heavy, as you stated, it’s more like a MH. Why would a heavy longer rod be advantageous over something smaller for a heavy? Is it only casting distance then? Strange it has such a light weight rating. I’ve heard that their warranty is amazing.
Many people find longer rods more confortable to flip and pitch with. Longer rods also have higher weight ranges they can tolerate for casting, and they move more line on the hookset just cause of geometry so it picks up more slack when you swing
@@jamesh7469 gotcha, thanks! I haven’t bought a rod for it’s own purpose, as I’ve only ever had the budget for a combo to maximize my buying power. Looks like I need to invest in a good rod and pair it accordingly. I’m probably missing out.
@@live2fishofficial it all depends on comfortability and your application and preferences. Anything 7’4 and below really isn’t that crazy for length. This does sound like a great all around rod, although others like the 7’2 MH zodias or Levante Tour Versatile are amazing bang for your buck Options too
Does anyone know the difference between the 7’3MH and 7’3H? Can’t decide which one to get.
I have the full contact victory in a 7 ft 1in mine goes to 3/8 oz 1 1/4 oz extra fast it's pretty stiff all most like a telephone poll it's great for the style of fishing I do you see I don't set the hook I let the fish hook it self I don't like a rod with soft tip no matter what lures I use I still never set the hook !!!!!!
Thinking of getting a MH as my do it all rod. Would this power be a better option ?
Great question, if you're fishing deeper water often I would consider it.
That tip and bend, to me, just screams chatterbait and swim jig. 🤷♂️
Seems like they have a winner in the Victory line though. I have heard nothing but good things.
I was hoping to get one for open water frogging. Any suggestions for a open water frog rod around the same price point? Thanks for the review
Levante Perfect pitch!
7'2 MH Zodias, tip is softer for walking, yet I have no problem dragging fish with 10lbs of weed.
Your passion (as always) showed through on this review! I'm thinking of getting it for a T-rig and 3/8 mojo rig in our CT milfoil lakes if u feel it can handle more than isolated/light grass, but I'm not talking matted over or punching calibre weed either. The one thing I paused on was watching you struggle to endorse a half ounce use with this rod, like u feel that's too heavy for it. Really? I know their rating system is kaka on that rod, but its rating at 3/8 to 7/8 has got to make 1/2 oz close to the center of its wheelhouse. Let me hear you say it will be!
Do you think it would work for large top water lures ??
Like which one?
Sounds like a “full contact finesse” to me haha. Full contact or bottom contact finesse football jigs or smaller Texas rigs. Agree that it doesn’t sound like a typical heavy. Their 7’4 Heavy “full contact” sounds more like a true heavy rod.
Like your reviews. Just picked up my first victory. The most expensive rod I own.... definitely not a beater for me lol. Ill never own an nrx
Dobyns fury and mojo bass are my bread and butter
Would you pick the victory casting rod over an expride casting
No, I'd take the expride.
Probably oversell the rating to make the weight seem more impressive? I know you don't do a lot of price point rods, but any experience with the daiwa Rebellions or BLX given your preference for the tatulas?
The rebellions seem really nice! I've handled em a few times.
7'4 Tat MHRB BLX awesome chatter rod as well! 7'2 Heavy BLX is a dang meat stick...honestly prolly a better push pole!! you can have mine!!
Sounds like a great chatterbait rod to me!!
Review the Duckett Black Ice!! I think its interesting that theyre willing to discount them 50%, lets see what Brian has to say about them!!
I don't think I'll be grabbing and Duckett rods in the near future.
Is it really false advertising? Just like rod sensitivity, action and power are arbitrarily rated from one MFG to another. If Croix is typically lighter and softer across
the board, I don’t think it’s really false advertisement. IMO
Whats crazy is when it comes to dobyns everyone knows they're lighter than most other rids but everyone just accepts it as the norm. Not false advertisi g
I know I’ve commented this probably 4 times now but please do a review on the Megabass Evoluzion and wether or I should buy it or a conquest lol.
I have one Evoluzion and I can 1000% say get a Conquest.
In your opinion are these rods better then it’s another $200 competitor the shimano zodies.
I've not used the new Zodias rods personally.
@@PunchFishing I appreciate your comment. I only ask because I am about to buy a lot of new rods. I am that guy that likes to only have one brand and I I am going to stay right in that $200 price range. In your experience and from the people you talk to in the industry, what is the best Rob at $200. I know that’s a pretty loaded question just looking for an opinion
@@daniel_fogle_fishing I would probably lean Daiwa Tatula or step up to Expride
@@daniel_fogle_fishing Victory might be a great pickup but their entire lineup isn't available yet. Lots of gaps.
@@daniel_fogle_fishing apples and oranges imo. Meaning two different actions/powers/feel. Have the 7'2 Zodias and it has virtually no tip compared to the SC. Still a great stick, but for different applications. I really like SC for my moving/winding stuff because of the deeper bends.
I had the same exact problem with the Victory rods. I broke my 7’1MHF setting the hook with a swimjig after fishing it for over a year and a half so I wasn’t too upset and St Croix replaced it under warranty. I ordered the 7’3” MHF rod as a replacement for Swimjigs and the first day I had it I set the hook on a 3lb fish and the rod exploded in 3 pieces the exact same way the first one did. I wrote St Croix and email asking if they were having this problem with the Victory rods breaking due to the mixing of the different levels of graphite used. I wanted some answers to see what the problem is because I have probably 10 St Croix rods from Mojo to the Avid Inshore and really liked them. The reply I received was to send it back and they would replace it. 🤯
I fish tournament’s and guide in Florida so I can’t afford for my rods to keep breaking and sending them back so with no explanation of why they are breaking I have officially written St Croix off my list and will no longer purchase anything from them. They have major problems with this new technology and need to address it. Both rods sounded like a gun shot when they broke in 3 pieces. They lost a very loyal customer and couldn’t give a shit about it.
St croix is a class act..warranty 👏 the name shouldn't be a issue .preferences should be. Over opinions.and American made. By American people in sportsman paradise Wisconsin.
I have 7ft 4 in heavy they claim it's heavy 3/8 to 1 1 / 2 i don't think it will cast a 1 1/2 lure I too found the sharp edge iam going to file it also I don't understand the rating either maybe a 3/8 to a 1oz but not 1 1/ 2
Excellent video really enjoyed it thanks 😜
I'm glad I came across your video! I'm also in MN and was throwing a 3/8 oz t rig with a rage bug or 3/8 jigs around the grass a lot. Sometimes step it up to 1/2 oz and have been looking at this rod pretty hard.
Hate to see how the 7’3” moderate fast is
7ft 4in victory rod in heavy they claim it's 1oz 1/2 they called it a full contact I don't know what they mean full contact
I have a 7'3 Tatula Elite MH/F I've been using as a light jig rod. 5/16th to 3/8th. I find its muted when dragging stuff across the bottom, so it serves me better as a keitech or swimjig rod. In your opinion is this thing more sensitive then the Tatula series?
That's hard for me to answer since I've not used many of the Tatula Elite rods.
I have the 7'2" mh/moderate, I swear it feels like a ml+. Great squarebill rod, but I dare you to throw a 5xd on it.
Can it handle 3/8 or 1/2 Chatterbaits?
@@jamesh7469 I personally wouldn't. I don't think it has the backbone to effectively drive a heavy Guage hook consistently.
@@jamesh7469 they have a 7'2 H mod fast chatterbait rod
I always enjoy your reviews. I must be the black sheep of the northern family, I hate st.croix.
Lol, I should of commented later. The breakage problems are why I hate them.lmfao...and thier warranty sucks. They only want to give you thier cost of the rod. Like ohh really, your product breaks on the first trip out on me too...and you won't replace it. Yeah, no.
You just to picky. If anyone spends more then $200 on a rod, then you got more money then sense.
$20 rods catch fish. $1,000 rods catch fish. That's the objective to catch fish, not to see you brag about how much your rod and reel cost!
More money then sense.
You really won't like my TH-cam channel then! :)