southtexasbassin Posted August 12, 2012 Posted August 12, 2012 I order two new rods from Bass Pro. My first outing the glue that holds the top part of the rod seat unglued itself and I was not able to use it anymore. I sent it out to St. Croix because it was cheaper to ship to them than to ship back to Bass Pro. Then other rod i was pitching with it and the reel keeps coming loose. The crew that the rod seat has keep jumping the grooves. It looks like im sending this one to St. Croix as well. Im wondering if any of you all out there have the same problems with these rods? This is my first time owning a St. Croix. Rods are like weeks old.
Super User BassinLou Posted August 12, 2012 Super User Posted August 12, 2012 I own several St. Croix rods and I have never had any of the issues you have mentioned. Its too bad you are having that experience, they are great rods and I enjoy mine. Which models do you have? St croix will take care of you and send you new ones no questions asked.
bigdawg74 Posted August 12, 2012 Posted August 12, 2012 i purchased the mojobass and the first time i used it the tip snaped like a twig. took it back and traded it for a shimano. the shimano has been great
Super User MarkH024 Posted August 12, 2012 Super User Posted August 12, 2012 I have all St. Croix rods. I have yet to have any problems with any of mine. I have nothing but great things to say about them.
tritonguy Posted August 12, 2012 Posted August 12, 2012 I have numerous St. Croix rods and haven't had any problems with them. I hope they take care of you.
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted August 13, 2012 Global Moderator Posted August 13, 2012 I have lots of St.Croix rods and had never had a problem, until I bought a rage rod. My Rage spinning rod foregrip came loose and moves all over. I used rod tape and don't have that problem anymore. Another guy I talked to said he had the same thing happen with a casting rod. I'd upgrade to an Avid series rod and be done with it. I have a Rage casting rod and I love it and have never had a problem with it.
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted August 13, 2012 Super User Posted August 13, 2012 I purchased a new escape series 3 piece travel rod from loomis, not an inexpensive rod. Checked it out when I got it and everything looked good. First time I took it on a trip 11 months later I found out the reel seat twisted between the front & rear cork grips. Had to pay freight to send it back to loomis & a $20.00 fee for handling. The online retailer said to send it back to loomis not them. They sent me back a new replacement. But it cost me $40 some buck for a blatant manufactured defect. Weak quality control. I have 9 loomis rods & 15 st croix's. Never had a manufactures defect in st croix. But stuff does happen. I'm not bad mouthing loomis but sometimes quality control is greatly lacking. I should have mounted a reel on the original new rod & checked it closer. Call st croix & explain your problem. They do offer a reduced price on shipping back to them by printing out the shipping label on your printer which cost 10.00 bucks. 1
WIBassMan Posted August 13, 2012 Posted August 13, 2012 Sorry to hear about your misfortune. I'm sure St. Croix will take care of you. I have a Legend Elite and love the rod.
Super User ww2farmer Posted August 13, 2012 Super User Posted August 13, 2012 I own 7 St Croix's now, (3 LTB, 2 Avids, and 2 Mojos) and have had various others over the years, never had a problem with them that was not my own fault. I snapped a 7' MH Avid casting rod in half dead lifting a 5lber in the boat once, they replaced it. And I had a tip guide insert on a LTB chip when I smacked it on the TM shaft, they sent me a new guide free of charge.
Super User Hi Salenity Posted August 13, 2012 Super User Posted August 13, 2012 I have the rage rods I have a 7'11'' rage with a loose front reel seat also. They are made in Mexico and have VERY POOR quality control.
Capt.Bob Posted August 13, 2012 Posted August 13, 2012 I'm sorry to hear about the rods, but have to say that is exactly what I would expect since they are not really the St. Croix rods we usually talk about. The Rage, Mojo, Eyecon, Triumph, and Panfish series I don't consider St. Croix rods. The are all made in Mexico, not what the St. Croix brand is known for and will never see a lifetime warranty! I have said all along the Premier series, is a much better rod than any that I mentioned here!. The REAL St. Croix rods are 100% designed and built in the USA by real craftsman!! They start with the Premier Series all the way up thru the Legend Extreme, and out of the over 15 Premier's Avid's and Legend's I own I have had one problem and that was a stupid move on my part, when I sat a Legend Elite on the Cap of my truck and it fell off, never scratched the rod or the reel, but one of the guides landed on a rock and it shattered the guide insert, cost me $10.00 to print shipping to St. Croix and it was taken care of no questions asked!! You get what you pay, if you just want a rod that says St. Croix on it, well you been there! If you want one that say's St. Croix and is the real Mcoy!! if I were you, I would upgrade to the American made Avid series, or myself would rather have the Legend Elite, and experience what made St. Croix great, a real St. Croix, made right here in America with American Craftsman. 1
Super User Hi Salenity Posted August 13, 2012 Super User Posted August 13, 2012 I have lots of St.Croix rods and had never had a problem, until I bought a rage rod. My Rage spinning rod foregrip came loose and moves all over. I used rod tape and don't have that problem anymore. Another guy I talked to said he had the same thing happen with a casting rod. I'd upgrade to an Avid series rod and be done with it. I have a Rage casting rod and I love it and have never had a problem with it. I called them and asked about the trade up program after we discussed the issues with my rod. I gave them the serial number off the rod and they depreciated it because it was made last year? I said I bought it less than 3 weeks ago and it's now defective do to no fault of mine? to this they told me "but it's used now" St Croix of S**t
jerzeeD Posted August 14, 2012 Posted August 14, 2012 None of my St croixs have ever broken. I do have the reel seat screw problem on my premiers, and had it on a triumph I used to own. Just wrap the threads of the reel seat with teflon tape. This will keep the reel seat screw from coming loose. My avid and ltb do not have that problem. It isn't St. Croix's fault as the reel seats are manufactured by fuji.
Super User QUAKEnSHAKE Posted August 14, 2012 Super User Posted August 14, 2012 None of my St croixs have ever broken. I do have the reel seat screw problem on my premiers, and had it on a triumph I used to own. Just wrap the threads of the reel seat with teflon tape. This will keep the reel seat screw from coming loose. My avid and ltb do not have that problem. It isn't St. Croix's fault as the reel seats are manufactured by fuji. Well your money goes to Croix and its Croixs choice to use them so by default fault goes to them. Like with NRX rod there is a glue/adhesion issue you dont blame the glue maker you blame Loomis/Shimano.
jerzeeD Posted August 14, 2012 Posted August 14, 2012 Well your money goes to Croix and its Croixs choice to use them so by default fault goes to them. Like with NRX rod there is a glue/adhesion issue you dont blame the glue maker you blame Loomis/Shimano. Yes and no. I can understand a problem happening with a component manufacturer and not being awsre of it initially and it effects the final product. I work in manufacturing and issues like this happen all the time. However I agree that the rod manufacturer should contact their component supplier after being aware of the problem to correct the issue ASAP. As of now, St Croix SHOULD be aware of loosening reel seat screws and demanding more from Fuji. Although it is a small problem, it certainly warrants attention.
Super User MarkH024 Posted August 14, 2012 Super User Posted August 14, 2012 I'm sorry to hear about the rods, but have to say that is exactly what I would expect since they are not really the St. Croix rods we usually talk about. The Rage, Mojo, Eyecon, Triumph, and Panfish series I don't consider St. Croix rods. The are all made in Mexico, not what the St. Croix brand is known for and will never see a lifetime warranty! I have said all along the Premier series, is a much better rod than any that I mentioned here!. They are all designed and tested in Park Falls, WI first. They are manufactured in Mexico. Being that all these models are half the price or less than their upper end rods from St. Croix, I can understand why they are manufactured in a different facility. I own Rage/Mojo/Triumph as well as Avids and Premiers and they all perform just as well as each other. I've never had a St Croix rod break or have loose fittings. You're going to get a faulty product no matter what it is at some point in time, no matter if it's made in your garage on US soil or if it's made in China, Mexico, or where ever else. So to say that "they aren't real St. Croix rods" is a bit extreme. I'm all for made in America and providing jobs for American people but it doesn't always downgrade the products of ones company just because it was put together in a different country. A lot of the bad products could be from mishandling in the stores like BPS, Cabelas, tackle shops, or even from getting shipped. How many people are handling and touching your rod before you actually get it. How many kids at BPS picked up that rod and swung it or wacked a guide in the stand. There is a lot of variables to consider. Unless you're driving to Park Falls WI, and taking the rod from the factory itself, you have no idea who touched your rods. Just my 2 cents on that whole topic.
Super User S Hovanec Posted August 14, 2012 Super User Posted August 14, 2012 How many people are handling and touching your rod before you actually get it. How many kids at BPS picked up that rod and swung it or wacked a guide in the stand. There is a lot of variables to consider. Unless you're driving to Park Falls WI, and taking the rod from the factory itself, you have no idea who touched your rods. Just my 2 cents on that whole topic. Back before I built my own, I would buy directly from St. Croix for just that reason. You can't believe the way rods are handled in stores. I'm not as concerned with bare blanks as there are fewer people handling them before I get them.
Super User MarkH024 Posted August 14, 2012 Super User Posted August 14, 2012 Back before I built my own, I would buy directly from St. Croix for just that reason. You can't believe the way rods are handled in stores. I'm not as concerned with bare blanks as there are fewer people handling them before I get them. I hear you on that. Do you have any images of your own rods? I'd love to see them.
Capt.Bob Posted August 14, 2012 Posted August 14, 2012 They are all designed and tested in Park Falls, WI first. They are manufactured in Mexico. Being that all these models are half the price or less than their upper end rods from St. Croix, I can understand why they are manufactured in a different facility. I own Rage/Mojo/Triumph as well as Avids and Premiers and they all perform just as well as each other. I've never had a St Croix rod break or have loose fittings. You're going to get a faulty product no matter what it is at some point in time, no matter if it's made in your garage on US soil or if it's made in China, Mexico, or where ever else. So to say that "they aren't real St. Croix rods" is a bit extreme. sorry to say the rods you are talking about I won't own, I have seen how great they perform by those who own them! They are made in MEXICO! they are made with MUCH CHEAPER COMPONANTS! They say St. Croix and are the only ST. COIX RODS that ST CROIX WON"T BUILD in there Park Falls Factory! As a Licensed State Fishing Guide and owner of a Lake Erie Charter Service I have witnessed many rods consumers call GOOD RODS, and I will assure these GOOD RODS, are what make all St. Croix rods built in there factory in Park Falls GREAT RODS, from the GREAT Premier Series, all the way to GREATEST LEGEND ELITE & EXTREME! I witnessed these import rods bearing their name and have witnessed the same type performance we are reading about from the OP here. If you haven't had any problems with yours, we are all aware the fact that "EVEN A BLIND PIG GET"S AN ACORN ONCE IN A WHILE", this just means you are one of the lucky ones, or we would be reading about the problems you are having also!! In another twenty years get back with me and tell me how they held up, I'm sure my Premier's Avids, and Legends will still be going strong and some have made the first 20 years already! It will be a cold day somewhere I hate to think of, when I am willing to spend my American Dollar on when the Company I buy from is making the the same type of products here, just because it cost less, and as we have seen fails more!! No thanks I will take the chance that I will get the same quality I am accustom to buying from the models built buy the American Craftsman that have a reputation of hardly ever letting a bad one get out!! Unlike seeing and hearing about the ones coming from MEXICO which quite frequently are poor quality built with issues! Those are the FACT'S, and why we are reading this thread! like I said far more issues with import Croix's than Domestic's! If your's is a good one you are one lucky fellow, as a Charter Captain I learned a long time ago I can't afford to rely on LUCK, so I'll have to rely on AMERICAN CRAFTSMAN to supply my ST. Croix! If you don't want to do that remember what I said in my first post when it fails. "this is just what I would expect"!
Super User MarkH024 Posted August 14, 2012 Super User Posted August 14, 2012 If you haven't had any problems with yours, we are all aware the fact that "EVEN A BLIND PIG GET"S AN ACORN ONCE IN A WHILE", this just means you are one of the lucky ones, or we would be reading about the problems you are having also!! In another twenty years get back with me and tell me how they held up, I'm sure my Premier's Avids, and Legends will still be going strong and some have made the first 20 years already! If your's is a good one you are one lucky fellow, as a Charter Captain I learned a long time ago I can't afford to rely on LUCK, so I'll have to rely on AMERICAN CRAFTSMAN to supply my ST. Croix! If you don't want to do that remember what I said in my first post when it fails. "this is just what I would expect"! Well for starters, I admire your passion for american craftsmanship as I do feel the same in general. Your posts confuse me. You glorify them on their "high end" rods, but throw them under the bus on their "low end" rods. To be honest, it sounds more like you have an issue with St. Croix itself and the way they handle business and manufacturing. Do you honestly think there aren't Premiers - Legend Extremes that fail? You're dead wrong. It's not as common, I'll give you that but not everyone can afford the high end stuff. Out of the 1000's of rods they make, I'd be willing to bet there are more "great" ones, than failures. You make it sound like ALL the Mexico imported rods fail or are garbage...and I just think it's bs. And that's merely the point I am getting at, don't bad mouth them just because you see a handful of threads about the rod breaking/failing. If you buy a Triumph and expect it to be the same as Legends then you as a buyer are in the wrong from the get go and you need to do some research prior to purchasing. I have 2 triumphs that are 10 years old...still use them and they still perform flawlessly. I have Avids and Premiers...they're just as good as my "garbage" rods. I hear more great things about the St Croix low end rods than bad. All I'm saying is don't bash all their stuff just because it's not put together on our soil, that's ridiculous. Maybe that's what it takes for St. Croix to keep up with the supply and demand of their product? Why don't you email them and ask why they manufacture their "low" end stuff in Mexico? As a fishing guide/charter I'm sure you do have rods that are 20 years and going strong. You probably take care of your stuff far better than your weekend warrior angler. I take care of my stuff like they are my children. I was raised to cherish the things I buy and I paid my hard earned money on. Some guys that I know just throw their stuff around and don't care. Like I said, you don't really know how this stuff is handled before you take it to the check out or after for that matter.
Capt.Bob Posted August 14, 2012 Posted August 14, 2012 I can ASSURE you there are FAR fewer Failures with their Premium rods, and I mean MUCH MUCH FEWER, and assure you a lot has to do with the quality of the American Craftsman! They use higher quality materials here but they are from the same suppliers for the most part, as in 3m glue is 3m glue, but does make a difference HOW YOU USE IT. And YES I do have a problem with any US Company that OUTSOURCES THERE PRODUCTS! They do it to save money, not to REINFORCE THE AMERICAN ECONOMY or to try and build a BETTER PRODUCT, and most obviously NOT TO PUT AMERICANS TO WORK! I am not faulting you or upset with you, or anyone else for using them, but it is ridiculous to try and say they are as good or of near the same quality, and stand up for their shortcomings by saying they are of the same or nearly the same quality the ones made hear are, ain't happenin!! PERIOD!
Super User S Hovanec Posted August 14, 2012 Super User Posted August 14, 2012 I have 2 triumphs that are 10 years old. If you have Triumphs that are 10 years old, they weren't made in Mexico. Chances are they were made USA made right before they started making them in China (which FAILED MISERABLY). Same goes with the Mojo. There were a handful that were USA made because the NEW plant in Mexico was just starting up and not running at full capacity. St. Croix puts these lower priced rods out to be able to compete with all the other imports that are flooding the market. They need their presence known at every level.
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