St Croix Vs Fenwick

[WIGuide]

I'm pretty sure the Avid will do just fine in any condition. You're definitely going to love it!

[S Hovanec]

I think I've made up my mind to go with the st croix just not sure whether to get an avid or a tidemaster anyone have any opinions?

 

Unless there is something specific you want in the Tidemaster that isn't available in the Avid, I'd go with the Avid.  Avid uses SCIII graphite as opposed to SCII in the Tidemaster.  Also, the Avid has better guides.

 

One other thing to consider:  A Medium power in the Avid will not equal a Medium power in the Tidemaster. 

[Jraut98]

What's the difference in power

[S Hovanec]

Avid 6'6" M/F spinning is rated for 6-12# line and  3/16-5/8oz lure

Tidemaster 6'6" M/F spinning is rated for 8-17# line and 3/8-3/4oz lure.

 

It's about 1 power heavier than the Avid.  Would probably compare to a MH Avid.  All of the saltwater St. Croix's I've played with are heavier than the freshwater blanks of the same labeled power.

 

for example, I use a 5s69mlxf for dropshop and a 5s68mxf for tubes.  There is a very large gap between those 2 powers.  The 5SW70MLF or the 4SW70MLF fills that gap in my line-up.

[Jraut98]

So for te type of fishing I'm doing should I go with the avid or tidemaster? Also will brackish water harm the avid?

[IAY]

So for te type of fishing I'm doing should I go with the avid or tidemaster? Also will brackish water harm the avid?

 

Based on experiences, well built freshwater things will do fine in blackish water, as long as you make sure to give them a rinse after every use to avoid salt deposits.

[tomustang]

So for te type of fishing I'm doing should I go with the avid or tidemaster? Also will brackish water harm the avid?

Just get the Avid Inshore model

http://www.stcroixrods.com/products/saltwater/avid-series-inshore

the tide master is basically a saltwater premier rod, you said you wanted to upgrade from the premier model so get an avid that is rated for salt which would be the avid inshore

[S Hovanec]

Brackish won't harm either as long as you rinse the rod with fresh water after your outings. Both rods have stainless framed guides and are equally susceptible to rusting.

[F14A-B]

I've had a half dozen rods, various rod company's that have had the upper sections.. Primarily 8" to 12" areas that were/ did , suffer from salt/ brackish fishing, (Salt )clear coat damage, as well as a bit of damage ( clear epoxy) on a couple guides... It did not hurt the rod, however, 3 of those rods tip areas did break. Only after 10 years of use, though... Again, long life on great rods, and great warranty from St. Croix ( lifetime ) on avid.. That's my experience only, you can't keep your rods rinsed off till the days fishing is done, there is bound to be some degradation over the long haul. That's pretty much all rods in that environment.

[Jraut98]

Are the tidemaster'a big downgrades from the avids? Just wondering

[GANGGREEN]

I'm glad to see a few guys have shown up to champion the Fenwick rods.  I admit to having only a little experience with the Fenwick and St. Croix rods, but this is a discussion forum and it's not worth much without a wide range of responses.  I know that I learn a lot from anecdotal posts about this or that. 

 

I've only ever owned one St. Croix rod, it's a 6'6" MLF Premier.  I've also previously fished with a 6' UL Premier and a 6'6" ML Avid. I know that the Avids get really, really good reviews on this site and are pretty much universally popular, but my very limited experience with them hasn't been as positive.  I fished with the Avid very recently and compared it side to side with my 6' ML Fenwick HMG and I honestly liked the HMG a bit more (although it wasn't completely an apples for apples comparison since the HMG is 6" shorter and to my hands, a bit "faster").  The Fenwick is about $100 less and I liked it more.  Maybe it's just me and I'm all wet.  The same HMG, at least in my hands, is a far superior and more sensitive rod than my 6'6" Premier at roughly the same price point.  The little 6' UL St. Croix that I fished with years ago was a fine little rod but at the price point, I'm not sure it was any better than any number of other options.  Admittedly, I know that it's the Avid and not the Premier that's being recommended in this thread. 

 

I have a new Elite Tech Smallmouth and 2 new HMGs on the way because I'm so happy with the Fenwicks.  I hope that these ones are as nice as the current HMG that I like so much.  So, in a nutshell, here's another vote for the Fenwick over the St. Croix at the same price points.

 

Oh, and as an aside, I got this current HMG after a friend had borrowed a previous Fenwick Walleye Series that I owned.  He broke it through his own stupidity, sent it back to Fenwick and they replaced it with the current HMG since the Walleye Series was no longer in production.  It was actually an upgrade and they replaced it no questions asked so at least in that instance, their customer service was exceptional, though I really have no other experience with customer service at Fenwick or St. Croix.

[Jraut98]

Which of these rods are more sensitive in 6'6 power fast action the avid, avid inshore, or tidemaster

[J Francho]

SCIII is more sensitive and lighter than SCII.

[Poolshark]

I've owned primarily st croix avids and legends in the past. They build a great quality rod. I had ten of them. Avids to me represent at croix step up line in terms of quality.

[Jraut98]

What kind of reel and size should I match a 6'6 med power fast action st croix avid with?

Lastly so u think the medium power avid can handle stripers up to 30 inches

[F14A-B]

What kind of reel and size should I match a 6'6 med power fast action st croix avid with?

Lastly so u think the medium power avid can handle stripers up to 30 inches

Spinning or Casting?

[Jraut98]

Sorry didn't make that clear spinning

[Poolshark]

A 3000 size shimano would balance nicely. I have a sfradic on mine and like it. I have no clue on the stripers though. Works nicely for bass. I do use a seven foot medium I use for light salt water and have caught many peacock bass and snook with it. I use 20lb braid and a floor leader. Hope that helps.

[Poolshark]

I would use a casting though. You might find it more versatile. I use a 200 size curado.