Welcome to another in-depth rod review from FishPoint with Joe Michels. Today we’re breaking down the St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass Power Flipping Rod, model LBTC7100HMF. At 7 feet 11 inches, with heavy power and a moderate fast action, this rod is built for serious flipping, punching, and hauling fish out of the thickest cover you can find.

As always, I evaluate this rod using the DMRVP framework: Description, Meaning, Relevance, Value, and Purpose—a powerful way to assess any fishing product from the perspective of real-world use and personal fishing needs.

Rod Overview and Key Specifications

• Model Number: LBTC7100HMF

• Technique: Power Flipping

• Length: 7’11”

• Power: Heavy

• Action: Moderate Fast

• Rod Weight: 5.26 oz

• Line Rating: 14–65 lb

• Lure Rating: 1/2 oz – 2.5 oz

• Price: $340

• Handle: Full-length grip

• Reel Seat: Fuji SK2 with machine-cut anodized aluminum lock nut

• Guides: 9 Fuji K-Series tangle-free guides with Alconite rings

This is the longest, heaviest rod in the Legend Tournament series—built to dominate in the nastiest cover imaginable.

DMRVP Framework Breakdown

Description

When I first unboxed this rod, two things stood out immediately: its length and its weight. This is a serious flipping stick designed for power and control. At 7’11”, it gives you all the reach you need for deep pitching and heavy cover combat. The moderate fast action makes a world of difference when trying to keep fish pinned after the hookset, compared to broomstick-style rods with overly stiff tips.

After a year of use in Arizona’s laydowns, flooded brush, and tight timber, I’ve pulled some solid fish from brutal cover. The moderate fast action shines when pulling fish clear and minimizing hook loss, especially when they jump or thrash mid-fight.

Meaning

For me, the rod’s weight is a concern, especially as someone who values endurance and comfort. At 5.26 ounces, it’s on the heavy side—and noticeable during long flipping sessions. But the trade-off is torque and fish control. I don’t throw fish anymore due to a stiff tip. When they bite and I get them moving, they stay buttoned more often than not.

I also care about balance and reel pairing. My best combo so far is the St. Croix SEVEN GF baitcasting reel (7.3:1 gear ratio). It’s lightweight, has narrow handles for leverage, and provides the torque I need when the fish are tight to cover. I initially tried an 8.1:1 Revo SX-SS shallow spool, but I didn’t feel in control. That switch made all the difference.

Relevance

I don’t punch heavy grass often—Arizona just doesn’t have much of it. But I do fish heavy wood, submerged trees, and brush. And in those situations, this rod performed admirably. It may not be highly relevant to my everyday fishing, but I can still flip heavy baits, pitch into laydowns, and fish deeper cover with confidence.

I’ll keep this rod ready for fall fishing at Martinez Lake or Havasu, where punching grass mats is possible. When I do get the opportunity to punch thick vegetation, I expect this rod will shine.

Value

At $340, the LBTC7100HMF is the most expensive rod in the Legend Tournament Bass series. That’s a serious investment. For me, the question is whether I would buy it again. If I fished dense vegetation or thick structure regularly, the answer would be yes. But for my situation, where flipping and pitching isn’t my primary technique, I might pass on this one. That said, now that I own it, I will absolutely put it to use for heavy pitching and specialized flipping setups.

Still, it’s built in the USA, comes with a 15-year transferable warranty, and features top-tier components—which help justify the price for serious power-flipping anglers.

Purpose

The purpose of this rod is clear and specific: flipping and punching heavy cover. If that’s what you’re doing, this is the rod for you. It can also double as a big-bait pitching rod, handle extra-heavy Texas rigs, and even work for deep bladed jig fishing or Carolina rigs, if you need to adapt.

For me, its primary purpose is pitching into thick brush, where precision, power, and control are required. And it does that job well.

Load Test and Rod Action Demonstration

In the video, I simulate pressure loads to show how this rod bends. The moderate fast action flexes early in the tip but then loads heavily into the backbone when you apply real pressure. This is what you want in a flipping stick: enough tip to feel resistance, but plenty of muscle to pull fish out of gnarly cover without sacrificing sensitivity.

This is not a rod for long casts or finesse techniques—it’s a close-quarters battle rod, pure and simple.

Rod Technology Breakdown

• SC4+ Hybrid Carbon Fiber – Combines high-modulus SC4 with ultra-high SC6 carbon for sensitivity and strength

• IPC (Integrated Polycurve) – Eliminates transition points for smoother bends and stronger blanks

• ART (Advanced Reinforcing Technology) – Strategic carbon layering increases hoop strength without adding weight

• FRS (Fortified Resin System) – Increases blank durability with high-resin, computer-controlled curing

• TET (Taper Enhancement Technology) – CAD-driven cutting process enhances taper control and sensitivity

• 15-Year Transferable Warranty – Backed by St. Croix with a simple $60 replacement process

All Legend Tournament rods are made in Park Falls, Wisconsin, reflecting high standards of craftsmanship and long-term value.

Summary – Who Is This Rod For?

If you are:

• Flipping into dense wood, laydowns, or thick vegetation

• Punching mats or fishing heavy cover where power matters

• Fishing big baits with heavy line

• Needing a rod that keeps fish pinned and gets them out of trouble

• Willing to handle a slightly heavier rod for increased fish control

Then the St. Croix LBTC7100HMF Power Flipping Rod is worth considering. For anglers targeting tournament-size bass in nasty cover, this rod is a tool that delivers.

If, like me, you don’t flip full-time, consider how often you’ll use it before investing. But once you own it, you’ll find ways to put it to work—and it will not disappoint.

Watch This Review for:

• Real-world feedback on rod weight, feel, and power

• Reel pairing recommendations and gear ratios

• Load test and rod action demonstration

• DMRVP framework to assess whether this rod fits your fishing needs

• Use case ideas beyond traditional punching techniques

Be sure to subscribe to the channel, leave a comment below with your thoughts or questions, and like this video if it helped you make a more informed gear decision.

Thanks for watching—see you on the water.