Are These St. Croix Spinning Rods Any Good?

[The Brim Reaper]

I'm in the market for two spinning rods and reels. I've already decided to get the Pflueger President XT and Pflueger President reels. I was browsing the Bass Pro Shop website and came across the St. Croix Premier and St. Croix Triumph rods. They're in my price range and have the specs I want. Does anyone have any experience with these rods? If so, do you recommend them? How durable and sensitive are they? What species do you use them for? I will be doing mostly freshwater fishing, but maybe brackish water once and a while.

Here's what I have in mind:

Rod #1 (6' to 6'6'', Light, Fast, at least 4lb line) + Pflueger President = Bluegill, Crappie, Perch, Sunfish

Rod #2 (6'6'', Med, Fast, at least 10lb line) + Pflueger President XT = All-Purpose Fishing (Good for Panfish, but also larger species)

Will these particular St. Croix rods do the trick?

[tomustang]

I have the premier PS66MF, hell of a rod, it's got the backbone of a MH and top of a medium range for solid hooksets and castability. it's taken serious abuse and still strong as hell. I throw darn near everything on it

[NorcalBassin]

Premier yes, Triumph no.

[Stasher1]

The Premier, Triumph, and Mojo rods are all built on the same blanks. The differences between them are primarily in finish, country of origin, and guides. Triumph and Mojo are built in Mexico while the Premier is built in the US. Having owned all three I can honestly say that I didn't see $.05 worth of performance difference from one to another.

[esoxangler]

I own the 6'6" Light in the Triumph. Works real well for fishing panfish and crappie. I really like using it for tiny crankbaits. I have owned the Premier line also in the past and would have to agree with Stasher1, that I really never saw a real difference between the Premier and Triumph lines.

[jerzeeD]

Only difference between the Premier and Triumph is the country of manufacture and the Premier has a flex coat finish. The Triumph line does not have the coating.

[KSRonH]

Here's my opinion and a little food for thought. I own 1 rod that will do everything you want, handles 1/16 oz rosdrunners and jigs to heavier 1/2 oz lures from 4# to 10# line. It's the LTBS69MLXF St Croix Legend Tournament Bass rod. The quality of this rod is quite a bit better than in the SC II blank of the Premiers and Triumphs. It uses the SCIV blank and has a life time warranty. This rod retailed for $230 but because this line has been changed for 2012 the 2011 model is for sale at St Croix's web site for $161, the price you'd pay for two lesser quality rods. You would also save some money in needing only 1 reel. The sensitivity of this rod is far superior also. I personally would prefer one higher quality rod that can do the job of two lesser quality rods. Here's the link if you decide to check this option out. http://www.stcroixrods.com/shop/catalog/Freshwater-23-1.html

[Stasher1]

KSRonH makes a good point. Sensitivity generally isn't an issue when chasing bluegill, perch, crappie, etc., so there's really no need to tie up $80 in a rod for them when a $20-$30 rod will do the job just as well. Take the money you'd save on Rod #1 and add it to your Rod #2 budget. While it might not get you into LTB range, it might be enough to get you into Avid range, which is a noticeable step up from the Premier/Triumph/Mojo. The AVS68MXF is my favorite rod from the Avid lineup, and it'll do pretty much anything you'd want/need a spinning rod to do.

[BassinLou]

Being the owner of both premier and avid rods, the info that everyone has shared is good. If you can get your hands on a legend on sale for $160 its a no brainer and you will not be disappointed.

[The American]

Well now the monkey got me. Thanks a lot guys, i'm 161 dollars poorer now. LTBS69MLXF on it's way though!

[BassinLou]

Good move, by the first fish you would have forgotten of the $160. Enjoy!!!

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Well now the monkey got me. Thanks a lot guys, i'm 161 dollars poorer now. LTBS69MLXF on it's way though!

St Croix ML is a very versatile power. I run the gamut gills to cats on my ML Avid. Quite possibly the best $161 you will ever spend. Too fill out the warrantee registration you will be sent a catalog and decals.

[The Brim Reaper]

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I will look into the other rods you recommended.

[The Brim Reaper]

KSRonH makes a good point. Sensitivity generally isn't an issue when chasing bluegill, perch, crappie, etc., so there's really no need to tie up $80 in a rod for them when a $20-$30 rod will do the job just as well. Take the money you'd save on Rod #1 and add it to your Rod #2 budget. While it might not get you into LTB range, it might be enough to get you into Avid range, which is a noticeable step up from the Premier/Triumph/Mojo. The AVS68MXF is my favorite rod from the Avid lineup, and it'll do pretty much anything you'd want/need a spinning rod to do.

Well, at the moment, I don't own any rods at all. I'm using one of my father's 30+ rods. I'd like to buy at least two for now. You make a good point about panfishing, though. I think what I'll do is buy a cheap rod to go with the Pflueger President reel, and then get a St. Croix for the President XT. I'm about to look into the other rods you all recommended.

[The Brim Reaper]

Okay, I checked out those rods. The Legend Tournament is a no-go because of the handle. I prefer a full-grip handle made of cork. The Avid rod has what I'm looking for, though. I'm eyeing the AVS66MF.