Need Advice Please, St Croix Eyecon Or Avid?

[largemouthinoh]

Hello to all! I would sincerely appreciate some advice from fellow anglers who have or have had both of these SPINNING rods. 

 

Background info to help: I'm in Northeast Ohio and primarily (80% of the time) fish for largemouth in a pond that I live on (about 4 to 5 acres and roughly 8 feet at it's deepest point) and some nearby reseviors as well. Though I have a small rubber raft that I've used a handful of times, mostly I fish from shore.

 

Although I've been fishing for about 30 years, (and I'm ebarrased about this so don't laugh at me please) I'm only recently mastering the art of soft plastics including Wacky style Senko's, Manns Jelly worms and the like. Currently I own all Fenwick Rods but the newer HMX rod handles in my opinion are not awesome. I LOVE the Fenwick HMG rods that I have (Medium and Medium Heavy both 6' 6") but I'm looking to try something new and currently just about all HMG's are sold out many places anyway. I believe the Medium Light in Fast or Extra Fast would be the best power since I'm not fishing for sharks and the size of the bass aren't world record breakering. On top of that, a recent dealing with Fenwick's customer service has left a poor taste in my mouth.

 

I know St. Croix rods are great quality and I've owned the Premier and Triumph series in the past but to be perfectly honest, I HATE the grips on them.

 

So with all of that background info, my question is this.... any of you folks that have owned or do own the St. Croix Eyecon AND Avid series... which do you prefer??

 

The 6' 3" Medium Light Extra Fast in BOTH series weighs EXACTLY the same according to the St. Croix Website. I would be interested to know which grips you like better as that for me, is an important feature. I do plan to get to a Bass Pro Shops to have a look although the closest one to me is about 1 1/2 hours away. Thus the reason I'm looking for your expert opinions on these two fine rods. Any and all help is GREATLY APPRECIATED!! Thanks for your time

[Scott F]

Hard to say if you'll like the grips on an Avid or Eyecon. What did you hate about the grips on the Premier? They are similar to the Avids. The Eyecon rods use the same blanks as the Premier, SCII, but have split grips with a different style fore grip. Very different from the Avids. If you are that sensitive to the grip design, I suggest you try them out in person. I personally like the grips on Premiers so my opinion would not be valuable to you.

[Capt.Bob]

The grip may be similar on all the Avid Premier and eycon but the Avid is a far better stronger more sensitive and more precise taper, not to mention the only one with a lifetime warranty!! The Eyecon is the only one that is not built by American craftsman.

[Tywithay]

The Eyecon is made for walleye, are you sure a bass will bite if you're using it?

All kidding aside, the Avid is a better rod. Eyecon does have a better handle, but uses the same blank material as the Triumph, Mojo, and Premier; though they all use different tapers. The Avid uses the SCIII material, which is lighter and more sensitive. The reason the weights are the same is because the Avid has full cork and bigger guides.

[iabass8]

Avid is a far superior rod but the Eyecon foregrip on the spinning models is one of the most comfortable grips i've ever held.

[Missourifishin]

I own a 7'0" M/F Avid spinning rod, and I couldn't ask for anything more in a spinning rod. I think it's the best rod out of all the ones you mentioned. But like others have said, if you hate the grips on the Premier that much, you're not going to like them on the Avid either. I've only handled Eyecons in stores, and I didn't really care for the overall feel of them. But the grips might be more to your liking.

[largemouthinoh]

I really appreciate everyone's input and advice, Thank You all. I did get a chance to check out both series of St. Croix today at a local shop, without having to drive and hour and a half to Bass Pro. The selection wasn't great so I couldn't see the exact length / power that I wanted but at least I got to hold the Avid and Eyecon to see how the handle feels. To my surprise, my local Dick's Sporting Good's also had two different Eyecon's I got to check out.

 

While I gather from you all that the Avid is a superior rod, the Eyecon using the same blank material as the Mojo and Premier IS STILL a quality rod. The largest selling point to the Eyecon for me in all honesty is the handle. I had the gentleman who helped me put a reel on one for me and it just feels extremely comfortable.

 

I didn't pull the trigger today since no one had the exact rod that I wanted, but this coming friday (better for my budget then anyway), I WILL order up the 6' 3" Medium Light Extra Fast Eyecon. Next.... Pflueger Supreme XT to match it with!!! I have a brand new, never opened Shimano Sahara 2500 FD but I think the Pflueger Supreme will be a much better match for that rod! ORDER UP!

[ColdSVT]

Avid is a far superior rod but the Eyecon foregrip on the spinning models is one of the most comfortable grips i've ever held.

This!

I have an eyecon for dropshots...and i have a premier. Both are nice rods but the eyecon is super comfy in the hand compared the premier which is nice as well. The avid is a d**n nice rod as well

[NEohioDimo]

Awesome that you found a good rod. I know this is a 6 year old post but people still read it who have the same question. I think it’s important that we consider buying local if possible for these purchases. If the local tackle shop doesn’t stock it, they can probably order it. Even if it’s a little more money, it is worth it to hold the rod in your hands. First post in this site. Thanks to everyone on here as I’ve gotten the answer to very question I’ve asked google +bassrecource