St. Croix Rage Rod (1St One Snapped, Second Creaks)

[jyu87]

So I just got this one New Year's eve for a present from my father. I love how light it is. Paired it with a Abu Garcia Revo STX. Brought it back from and was practicing pitching in my living room when all of a sudden the tip literally snaps right off. It sounded so brittle that I was sitting there shocked.

Got it replaced. Brought the new one home, now the bottom portion of the rod where the reel sits creaks everytime I am motioning a cast/shake(?). Is this normal? Am I being paranoid?

I have another combo on it's way. Got the St. Croix Mojo Bass with Lews Speed Spool LFS. Starting to get scared. Lol.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[F14A-B]

Nope, it shouldn't creak, squeak or anything at all. Just hold your reel.

[jyu87]

Nope, it shouldn't creak, squeak or anything at all. Just hold your reel.

Ugh! Yeah it's quite annoying. Sometimes you don't hear it but mostly you can get it to make the noise. So annoying, now I have to take it right back and explain why this one isn't going to work as well.

[MarkH024]

I have two Rage rods for a few seasons which have been great. Nothing like you describe ao I suspect you got some duds. I'd return it just to be safe.

[Blues19]

That stinks, man. One of those things that keeps you from getting another. If you are worried at all, return it and probably go with something completely different.

[Angry John]

The rage is made in mexico along with the rest of their rods below an avid.  I buy avids for that reason.

[adam32]

The rage is made in mexico along with the rest of their rods below an avid. I buy avids for that reason.

Premiers are made in usa. I'm not a fan of them though, along with any st.croix rods below the avids.

[flyfisher]

Premiers are still made in the US FYI....

 

I have owned Rage rods for 2 or maybe even three seasons now and nary a complaint.  Does the rod creak with no reel mounted?

[ChrisWi]

I stopped buying st croixs. They're heavy rods and for the money there are better rods. That being said I still do fish with my st Croix rods, just won't be buying more.

[aavery2]

I stopped buying st croixs. They're heavy rods and for the money there are better rods. That being said I still do fish with my st Croix rods, just won't be buying more.

So you have me curious about how you have come to this conclusion.  Which St. Croix rods have you owned?

[mjseverson24]

how do you break a rod while pitching??? there should be little to no load on the rod, so how did it break???

 

Mitch

[BaitMonkey1984]

I have had two of these rods. Kicked one over the side of boat while unhooking a fish, maybe I should tell people I just went Ike and make the story more interesting. Liked the rod so much I immediately bought the same setup the next day, and it is my go to wacky rigged senko rod. Sensitive tip but plenty of backbone. I never felt like I was underpowered with this rod or that it was built cheap, I think you got two bad rods. I would return it and try one last time because it has been a great rod for me and everyone that I know that has used it. 

 

I would check the serial numbers on the rod you got, and try to get a new rod far from your number, or even from a different store location, in order to avoid some of the bad batch of rods you seem to have run into. Just my two cents. 

[jyu87]

Premiers are still made in the US FYI....

I have owned Rage rods for 2 or maybe even three seasons now and nary a complaint. Does the rod creak with no reel mounted?

It does. especially when I have it in hand and wiggle the rod up and down. Creak sounds like its coming right where the reel is about to be mounted.

[OntarioFishingGuy]

I stopped buying st croixs. They're heavy rods and for the money there are better rods. That being said I still do fish with my st Croix rods, just won't be buying more.

Which rods do you think are better than St. Croix for the money. I don't think you can make a generalized statement that about one brand. They have rods that are an excellent value, and some very light sticks as well. However, each is entitled to their own opinion.

[jyu87]

how do you break a rod while pitching??? there should be little to no load on the rod, so how did it break???

Mitch

Literally had me baffled as well. Been pitching all my life. I was pitching about 10-15 ft ft in the living room and I'm holding the lure on my hand and starting my to put just a bit of load on the tip and then snap.

[Angry John]

I enjoy my avids and legends alot.  Otter rods one of the best builders IMO uses NFC or st croix blanks.  He would not do that if they were junk.  I like the power and tapers they have for just about everything.  I also like there handles becasue i have large hands.  I would advise the OP to contact st croix and let them know what is going on.  They have a trade up program that i plan on using for the first time so i will let you know how it works out.  They are always friendly and helpful every time i call.  The only other company that i get this type of service from is dobyns.  Gary answers the phone a lot and how often do you get to talk to the owner of any buisness.

[ChrisWi]

So you have me curious about how you have come to this conclusion. Which St. Croix rods have you owned?

I only own premiers and a Mojo so I can't speak for the high end sticks, however I was playing around with rods at cabelas and putting reels on some LTBs and was pretty disappointed with balance and overall weight. I've switched to Powell Rods and think for the money they're absolutely amazing.

[roadwarrior]

I enjoy my avids and legends alot.  Otter rods one of the best builders IMO uses NFC or st croix blanks.  He would not do that if they were junk.  I like the power and tapers they have for just about everything.  I also like there handles becasue i have large hands.  I would advise the OP to contact st croix and let them know what is going on.  They have a trade up program that i plan on using for the first time so i will let you know how it works out.  They are always friendly and helpful every time i call.  The only other company that i get this type of service from is dobyns.  Gary answers the phone a lot and how often do you get to talk to the owner of any buisness.

 

Ask if they will exchange your rod direct. Sometimes floor models are abused.

 

 

 

[BassinLou]

I have had St.Croix's rods for quite sometime now. Premiere's, Rage, Avid, and LTB's. From all 4 mentioned, the rods that I have had the worst luck with is the RAGE series. I have had to replace 2 of them. One, I will admit was my fault. Broke the rod tip. I replaced the rod right away because I really enjoyed it. This rod served as my main frogging rod for a while and it caught me loads of bass until the adhesive around the reel seat became undone. It rendered the rod unusable. The rod was less than 2 yrs old at the time and I was having reel seat issues already? So I decided to utilize St. Croix's  upgrade program and I bought a LTB. Never looked back. Currently, out of my 5 baitcasting outfits. 3 are St. Croix's. 2 LTB's and an Avid. These great rods. Tough as nails, quality is great, and are very durable. 

[aavery2]

I only own premiers and a Mojo so I can't speak for the high end sticks, however I was playing around with rods at cabelas and putting reels on some LTBs and was pretty disappointed with balance and overall weight. I've switched to Powell Rods and think for the money they're absolutely amazing.

When you fish a company's entry level equipment, it does not provide you the opportunity to understand how good some of their upper end offerings really are.   Many company's entry level equipment is outsourced so they can keep cost down and compete in that market segment.  

You may want to consider offering opinions based on the equipment that you have personally used, rather than making bold sweeping statements about an entire company.  Once you have the opportunity to gain experience with some upper end equipment, I think you will be pleasantly surprised and just how well St. Croix competes in that area.

[S Hovanec]

You may want to consider offering opinions based on the equipment that you have personally used, rather than making bold sweeping statements about an entire company.

Amen to that.

Of St Croix's lineup, the only ones that impress me are the US rolled SCIII and the SCV.

[ChrisWi]

When you fish a company's entry level equipment, it does not provide you the opportunity to understand how good some of their upper end offerings really are. Many company's entry level equipment is outsourced so they can keep cost down and compete in that market segment.

You may want to consider offering opinions based on the equipment that you have personally used, rather than making bold sweeping statements about an entire company. Once you have the opportunity to gain experience with some upper end equipment, I think you will be pleasantly surprised and just how well St. Croix competes in that area.

I didn't say they were bad rods, they're sensitive and have great action. Compared to other sticks however theyre pretty heavy. The new Avid X's look great, the regular avids were nice (got to use a relatives for a day) just not impressed by the way the LTB feels and that's considered a "high end" rod.

[jyu87]

Ended up returning the Rage and getting a Legend Tournament 7'1 Medium. Took it out for a spin earlier today. Very light rod. No sounds or imperfections that I can really notice. Hopefully this is the one!

[adam32]

I love my avids! They are light, sensitive, built well with good guides, and the look good(no crazy colors or silly graphics). I have new doubles of every one I own just incase they change them. I actually have three 7'6" medium light avid spinning rods, two still new in plastic. My absolute favorite spinning rod!

I've also owned mojos and premiers. Wasn't impressed by any of them, and definitely wouldn't recommend them.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

I stopped buying st croixs. They're heavy rods and for the money there are better rods. That being said I still do fish with my st Croix rods, just won't be buying more.

 

 

I only own premiers and a Mojo so I can't speak for the high end sticks, however I was playing around with rods at cabelas and putting reels on some LTBs and was pretty disappointed with balance and overall weight. I've switched to Powell Rods and think for the money they're absolutely amazing.

 

I agree that there are better rods for less as well IMO. My LTB did not impress me either when compared to my other rods that cost less. In areas that matter to me weight balance my perceived sensitivity LTB falls short for a $240 stick and is surpassed by some $100- $150 rods I have. Premieres I have are outperformed by other rods Ive bought in the $60-$100 range. Ive felt for a while that Croix has been caught up to and bettered at times based on use of multiple brands and price points of rods. This doesnt mean their rods are bad I just dont hold them at the higher standard I once held them.