St. Croix Vs. Abu Garcia

[Taylor Peterson]

I am in the market for a new spinning rod that will be used for wacky worms and hard jerkbaits.I will be getting a 6'6 Medium Power/fast action rod. I am debating between the St. Croix Premier(130$) and the Abu Garcia Veritas(on sale for 80$). The Veritas would be 50$ cheaper which is huge for me but I would have to get extra-fast action(Thats okay with me). Which rod would you guys reccomend? 

 

 

 

P.S. I used to hear a lot about the Veritas line breaking, is that still an issue? Not a huge concern because they have great customer service but still...

 

 

Thanks for any advice

[iabass8]

68mxf st. croix mojo. skip the premier. same blank as the mojo.

[Cgrinder]

It's hard to beat the Veritas at $80.

 

I don't feel like you're getting good value in St. Croix rods under the Avid series. If you're open to spending above your price range, the Avid spinning 6'8" MXF would make a killer wacky/jerkbait rod.

[LuckyHandsINC.]

I used the 6'6 m/xf veritas for about 3 years. The only thing I've ever had tied to it was a zoom fluke. I loved it for the fluke and think it would make a great rod for wacky rigging.

I do not think it will make a good rod for hard jerkbaits. Although it's listed as med power it's far more powerful than one would expect out of a med power rod. I think you will have a hard time keeping fish on once hooked. In all the time I had the veritas never would I consider putting a double treble lure on it.

[Taylor Peterson]

68mxf st. croix mojo. skip the premier. same blank as the mojo.

deffinetely something to consider, thanks

[OkeechobeeAngler]

Go Mojo.

[livetofish28]

Mojo definitely

Tight lines

Andrew

[Avaitor63]

I use the Garcia Veritas 7' MF it's a great action rod I match it with Garcia MGX and can fish all day.Can't beat that combo.I also have the Premier but thats a spinning rod not bad at all. Hope that helped,have a great fishing season.Greg

[Blues19]

I have a Veritas and really like it. Dont know about the St. Croix, but I do like my Veritas.

[Arv]

I agree with considering the Mojo over the Premier. So, between the Mojo and the Veritas I would usually recommend the Veritas. I feel that the Veritas is more sensitive and balances better than the Mojo. However, since you are planning on using it for hard jerkbaits I would probably go with the Mojo (or Premier). The Veritas rods I used in the past were stiff rods so I was not comfortable using them with treble hooks. The tip on the Mojo was more forgiving which steers my recommendation it's direction. 

 

To throw in another suggestion, if you are willing to spend up to $130, I would STRONGLY consider the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth rod. I think that would be a great versatile rod that would let you cover wacky rigs, hard jerkbaits and a number of other techniques.

[tomustang]

6'8mxf croix mojo, itll do what you want and be good at many other tasks

[Grizzn N Bassin]

saving money go veritas sepend alil more and get the mojo. both great rods

[flyfisher]

I think the 6'8" MXF is the best rod in the mojo line up.  I owned a veritas in the 7' MF and while it was a decent rod, it just didn't feel right to me.  I did have the breaking issue you mentioned as i had 2 break in the same location but the third one i sold to a buddy and he has used it without incident for over a year now.

[WIGuide]

I'd go with the 6'8" M/XF Mojo. I think it will suit your needs well.

[tritondriver]

go put one in your hand, I have over 20 premiers and wouldn't trade them but I like a full cork handle where the mojo is a split handle..so see how they feel..

[ww2farmer]

I replaced all my Mojos with Veritas's. It was an upgrade. And at the new $80 price.... A no brainer.

[DFrench97]

I Love my St. Croix Premium.  It's an amazing rod and extremely light.  If you don't wanna drop $130, the Mojo is my next suggestion for $99.  They are both great rods. 

[mjseverson24]

I like both the veritas and the premier, but for the price difference I would go veritas, but if you talk about the veritas and the st. croix triumph I would go triumph for the same price. Especially since your choice of veritas is limited...

 

Mitch

[NathanW]

I used the 6'6 m/xf veritas for about 3 years. The only thing I've ever had tied to it was a zoom fluke. I loved it for the fluke and think it would make a great rod for wacky rigging.

I do not think it will make a good rod for hard jerkbaits. Although it's listed as med power it's far more powerful than one would expect out of a med power rod. I think you will have a hard time keeping fish on once hooked. In all the time I had the veritas never would I consider putting a double treble lure on it.

I agree with the second part and will add that for hard jerkbaits I want a rod that will really fling the bait out there. That rod doesnt fling light baits, I have the 6'10" ML/Fast Veritas and it doesnt fling light baits either.

[conorsixtakc]

68mxf st. croix mojo. skip the premier. same blank as the mojo.

I'm grabbing mine this Friday and pairing it with a new Sahara 3000. Couldn't be more excited for April, since it's the new March.

[Taylor Peterson]

I'm now considering the Triump rods as well. It would be better if I could get a two piece rod and those rods come in two piece models. What makes the Premier better than the triumph? I've heard that is the guides, also the premier is made in U.S.A

Thanks!

[michang5]

As you noted, the Premier has better guides and is made in USA. I have a 2-piece 6'6" MF Premier spinning rod and really love it. It is a split-grip model that is supposedly exclusive to Cabelas. I use it mainly to throw weightless soft plastics.

I caught a 5# largemouth on Saturday with it, paired with a Stradic 1000fi and 10# braid and 6# leader. One heck of a fight. The fish spun my anchored canoe 360* and pulled a ton of line. Probably my favorite catch to date.

[Darren.]

As you noted, the Premier has better guides and is made in USA. I have a 2-piece 6'6" MF Premier and really love it. It is a split-grip model that is supposedly exclusive to Cabelas. I use it mainly to throw weightless soft plastics.

I caught a 5# largemouth on Saturday with it, paired with a Stradic 1000fi and 10# braid and 6# leader. One heck of a fight. The fish spun my anchored canoe 360* and pulled a ton if line. Probably my favorite catch to date.

 

Whoever called that an "ultra light" combo was nuts! That's my reel of choice (next to the Lexa), same braid test, but I normally use heavier leader, tho go down to 6 at times.

[mjseverson24]

I'm now considering the Triump rods as well. It would be better if I could get a two piece rod and those rods come in two piece models. What makes the Premier better than the triumph? I've heard that is the guides, also the premier is made in U.S.A

Thanks!

I have a few triumphs and one premier I would say the quality is pretty close to the same, the premier just has more overhead cost being made in USA which drives the price higher, some of the components are better on the premier as well, but they fish very similar.

 

Mitch 

[new2BC4bass]

To throw in another suggestion, if you are willing to spend up to $130, I would STRONGLY consider the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth rod. I think that would be a great versatile rod that would let you cover wacky rigs, hard jerkbaits and a number of other techniques.

 

X2  A lot of people have already mentioned that Abu rods fish heavier than rated.  I know my 2 sure do.  At the $130 price I would definitely look at the 6'10" MF Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth rod or even the 6'9" MXF.  I personally feel the Fenwick rod fishes above its price point.  These rods a light and well built.  I haven't heard of anyone complaining about breaking one.  Of course running your boat trailer over one probably would do the trick.