Why St. Croix!!

[ww2farmer]

I am a big fan of St Croix, I own 4 Mojo's, a Rage, 2 Avids, and 3 Legend Tournaments. Are they the best.............meh......that's subjective. I have fished  other brands too, like, Fenwick, Kistler, Shimano, and they have all been nice rods too. I don't get paid to advertise for St Croix, so I'll tell you that I use them and like them, but it ends there.

[*Hootie]

After a while, these debates just sound NUTS....lol

My dog's bigger than your dog. My dad can whip your dad......phtttttt.

Hootie

[Sam]

Everybody has their own favorite this and that of bass fishing.

 

G. Loomis has a one time NRX Wild Card which entitles me to a replacement rod, no questions asked, for a free NRX replacement.

 

All I do is bring the broken rod and my Wild Card to any local G. Loomis dealer and they will replace the rod free of charge.

 

The replacement rod is then covered by the G. Loomis Limited Lifetime Warrenty program.

 

Kistler replaced my broken rod for free.

 

I have replaced two Shimano's as well. I think there was a charge but I don't recall.

 

I have all other rods repaired by Wayne Knabe in Powhatan, Virginia.

 

Any Virginia guys and gals out there that need rod and reel service Wayne is the guy to go to. Just PM me and I can give you Wayne's phone number.

[BrettD]

They are not 100% made in the USA either all the components are sourced from fuji just like every other rod manufacturer. 100% assembled in the USA would be a better term. 

[South FLA]

I have just about every HIGH END rod mentioned in this thread, ask Dwight, lol.   I was a HUGE Dobyns fan for a about 2 years having both the Champion and Champion extreme series.   I also owned a couple of Avids that I traded or sold, prior to receiving a gift of a Legend Extreme and purchasing 2 more Legend Tournaments. Now I am slowly selling off all my Dobyns due to quality issues with the guides popping out, and it was not isolated to just one rod, rod series, or generation of rod, I love the rod's balance and feel, but Gary has to do something about the GUIDES. I own the first generation Cumara series and love it, but hated the hook keeper in the handle, so instead of adding my own, I sold all, but one of them, but for the money the Shimano Crucial is almost as good especially for moving baits.  As far as rods that handle the majority of my jig/t-rig work they are G.Loomis GLXs, can't really find a fault with the factory rods and unless I have a great deal or break my GLX, I am going to keep them for a LONG TIME. So my point is that this thread can turn into a Ford vs. Chevy fight, but from my experience I can no longer recommend Dobyns Champion or Champion Extreme series as a top quality rod, due to the consistent popping off of the guides.  Secondly, I would say I am very impressed with my St. Croix Legend series and up rods, so much so that I am seriously considering selling or trading all my non-Loomis rods for them.  As far as top of the line American made rod blanks you may also want to consider North Fork Composites, which I have yet to try!  http://www.northforkcomposites.com/

[.RM.]

Glad you like your St. Croix, but even though "Shimano" owns G Loomis, they are also all made in Woodland, Washington.  Just to point out St. Croix isn't the only "Made in America".

Nope they aren't the only one....Just the only original mfg of rods that is..No company sale to an umbrella Co....

We all know buy now Shimano got a great deal on Loomis rods, when Garry was diagnosed with colon cancer he needed money for treatment. Shimano has never treated the rod side like Garry did..... 

[PABASS]

I tried a Veritas and I like the rod, very light, sensitive but quality control isn't comparable to a st. croix and I find that is the case with other oem,  I am looking at the Crucial but I keep looking back at the Avids.

[Hot n Tot]

I have approximately an equal number of Loomis and St. Croix rods and really like them all. Obviously I cannot fish them all at the same time, but alternate the ones I take on an outing for variety. I have a slight preference for St. Croix spinning rods, and slightly prefer Loomis casting rods. I have only had one customer service issue with any rod, and Loomis replaced free of charge an IMX casting rod that I stupidly broke misusing. I think Loomis and St. Croix are very close in quality and it's more of a Ford/Chevy debate.

[lmbfisherman]

Nope they aren't the only one....Just the only original mfg of rods that is..No company sale to an umbrella Co....

We all know buy now Shimano got a great deal on Loomis rods, when Garry was diagnosed with colon cancer he needed money for treatment. Shimano has never treated the rod side like Garry did..... 

That maybe true, but I've never had a single issue with Shimano as a whole.  I've fished Shimano most of my life.  Don't get me wrong, I don't just "own" Shimano and not a "fanboy", I like St Croix rods too.  (Own 4 of them)  I just wanted to point out St. Croix and the Made in America thing isn't the only "quality" rod and make it seem like all the others are made in "China".  Which by the way I have no issue buying "IF" it's quality product.

[Capt.Bob]

The CHEVY vs Toyota was over a few's head I see, I didn't say there were not better buy's, or other preferences, we all know there are for some. I don't care what rod you want to compare at any price, the point being,,,,,,,the Extreme and Elite are as good as it get's. I did not say there was not a rod somewhere as good, or a "company that was not as good". I did say "THEY ARE THE BEST" that means "THERE IS NO BETTER COMPANY"  so if there is a company as good that may be I won't argue preferences but to say there is better is only trying to argue a senseless point!!!!! As no one has ever done it as long as St. Croix with the level support they have. So I am saying that there is no "BETTER OR MORE DIVERSE COMPANY"  to say different is defiantly not a fact, but an argument!! I hope you understand I never said it was "BETTER THAN!!!" but I will say to you there is "NO BETTER"  but there is always those that want to twist what one try's to say, for the benefit of "me to me to", or mine is bigger, to say there is a better rod than the ELITE or EXTREME is purely personal preference!!. I will assure there is only one or two companies that can come close to as good!! That leaves out most that have been mentioned, and I could care less about price. Best is determined by the item, not the price of it!

 

I am sorry to upset so many by mentioning "MADE IN AMERICA"?? I only wish more jumped so quickly  to defend EXTREME QUALITY PRODUCTS that are made here as they are at defending foreign companies trying to compete with them.  So as far as "MADE IN AMERICA" it does matter to me, as being a retired union Iron Worker and spending much of my life BUILDING THIS COUNTRY and it's FACTORIES and INFRASTRUCTURE, it disheartens me deeply to see so many who could care less what foreign countries economy their shopping dollars support,  as long as it benefits them, when there are choices here that are as good, and in this case better. I really "DON'T UNDERSTAND" people in this "COUNTRY THAT CAN SAY IT DOESN'T MATTER TO THEM", and wonder if it would matter more to them if people paid illegals and foreigners for the services or products they provide, because it was cheaper or better for the price, even though not quite as good, and left them without a job. so I will spend a few dollars more to support the workers in my own "COUNTRY IF, THEY CAN PROVIDE A PRODUCT THAT IS JUST AS GOOD" or EVEN CLOSE!!!! But some want to "SAVE A BUCK, KILL AMERICAN LABOR", and for very little difference, sometimes settling for less because it's cheaper, not me  "WHEN I CAN BUY AMERICAN QUALITY",,,, i will, if cost more for as good or better, I will buy American, and that too is personal preference!!!!. So feel free to buy as you please, but with companies like St. Croix, I feel it is easy to justify supporting them, all the way down to the Premier for around 100 bucks, like DVC said, they truly have a price range and a quality rod for everyone!!!  And to the guy that wants to argue they aren't made here,,,,,,,with that in mind I am sorry, but GM, Ford Jeep, Dodge,,,,,,,you name it have parts on them that didn't come from here, but they are still known as American Auto Companies!!!! Same as Coix, & Loomis, and they are as 100% American as it gets, along with others I mentioned and Dobyns aint one of them! Sorry!   

[flyfisher]

The amount of bold and larger font used in this thread make my head hurt....

[kickerfish1]

This thread has run it course... time to move on.

[iabass8]

If you BOLD, ​ ITALICIZE, and make WORDS LARGER than they NEED TO BE, it sounds more IMPORTANT.

[SirSnookalot]

The only thing that really matters is the..........FISH !

[*Hootie]

 

Dobyns aint one of them! Sorry!   

 

Maybe not, but Dobyns have _some  "AWESOME RODS!!!!

APOLOGY ACCEPTED!!!!

 

Hootie

[Capt.Bob]

OH YA THE FISH!!  Forgot, Like the ones from the Spring Walleye Run over the years that really is what tested the  6'6" MF action rod and test it's ability to handle abuse, from icing up to over stressed with heavier lines than rated for, with drags torqued for all there worth, and fish in fast currents, it has been a great River and Lake rod over the 14 years!! 

These really are harsh conditions on equipment, from freezing temps to extreme currents, over 14 years of this torture and simply not enough room to show em all, and really don't want to dig that far back thru the photos of the times this rod produced. I just hope I am able to enjoy another 14 years catching fish like this on the new one, and take the abuse the original did along with the 100's of Small Mouth, Lake Erie Permit, Buffalo Carp, and 1000's of Lake Erie Walleye, If it takes the abuse and test of time this one did, 15 lbs test with the drag at max and at times hand held for more pressure, on a rod rated for 12 lbs test, I will be happy, and maybe they'll give me another upgrade????????

[Capt.Bob]

Maybe not, but Dobyns have _some  "AWESOME RODS!!!!

APOLOGY ACCEPTED!!!!

 

Hootie

Yes and so does Bass Pro, but lately Dobyns has had their share of problems, faulty components and quality control, and they have admitted it!! Sorry but no need to apologize!

[*Hootie]

Now that's what I call "fishin"!!!....WOW!

Hootie

[*Hootie]

Yes and so does Bass Pro, but lately Dobyns has had their share of problems, faulty components and quality control, and they have admitted it!! Sorry but no need to apologize!

You apologized, I didn't......lol

Hootie

[*Hootie]

Capt. Bob, I sure hope you don't take offense to any of my ribbing you. I'm just a cut up. I enjoy reading your posts.

Hootie

[Capt.Bob]

Capt. Bob, I sure hope you don't take offense to any of my ribbing you. I'm just a cut up. I enjoy reading your posts.

Hootie

I don't take offense but some here seem to try and put interpretations on things that simply aren't said. I hope you don't, and I try and keep all happy as I may head your way someday and might need a friends guidance on that BIG RIVER!!!

I have some very good (to me Bass Pro rods) I think there great, but I can't say they are the quality feel or durability that give them the right to be called "THE BEST" meaning if there are others as good there aren't any that are better!!! Kind of like some comparing a Custom Made not available anywhere rod to suggest you don't know what you are talking about. But like others who KNOW have said, you can do that with a ST. Croix Blank also, more so than any other!! 

[lmbfisherman]

I don't take offense but some here seem to try and put interpretations on things that simply aren't said. I hope you don't, and I try and keep all happy as I may head your way someday and might need a friends guidance on that BIG RIVER!!!

I have some very good (to me Bass Pro rods) I think there great, but I can't say they are the quality feel or durability that give them the right to be called "THE BEST" meaning if there are others as good there aren't any that are better!!! Kind of like some comparing a Custom Made not available anywhere rod to suggest you don't know what you are talking about. But like others who KNOW have said, you can do that with a ST. Croix Blank also, more so than any other!! 

Capt. Bob - I'm not offended I was just stating what some guy off the street might perceive, that St. Croix is the only "Made in America".  My last post was more of a response by the other guy too. 

[kickerfish1]

Yes and so does Bass Pro, but lately Dobyns has had their share of problems, faulty components and quality control, and they have admitted it!! Sorry but no need to apologize!

Got a link? Outside of their generation 1 rods I haven't heard of this. Been fishing the generation 2 rods for 2+ years with no issues with any of the rods components.

[Lucky Craft Man]

I'm not sure I get the point of this post, except for that Capt. Bob like his St. Croix's.  I am a G Loomis fan and I didn't really like the St. Croix's that I tried, but in the end it doesn't matter.  You fish with what you enjoy.  We are all here to share our passion of fishing and not compare who's rod is longer.  These divisive threads are more detrimental to a forum like this than they are beneficial.  RW, is Irene around?

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Got a link? Outside of their generation 1 rods I haven't heard of this. Been fishing the generation 2 rods for 2+ years with no issues with any of the rods components.

 

Most likely meant Loomis NRX rods and their haphazard QC