St Croix Avid Vs. Other Spinning Rod

[Jraut98]

i am looking to purchase a new spinning rod but am not exactly sure what to get. Ive heard a lot of good things about the st Croix Avid series but was wondering if another brand makes a rod just as good or even better than the Avid for a cheaper price? The Avids go for around 200 dollars. Ill be using the rod for striped bass and Largemouth so ill most likely get like a 6'6 med heavy rod. Anyone have any rods in mind?

[VtSmallmouth]

I have not used the avid, but my dropshot - finesse rod is a st croix rage and I love it. St croix makes great rods, I think you'd be happy with one.

[ibobpeb]

Avids are nice. If you can get them for $150 or less then even better. I advise against paying full retail price. I just picked up a Legend Elite spinning for $180 and Dobyns Champion for $140 both brand new. They retail for $340 and $260 respectively. Bought them at a fishing show/convention over the weekend. Bargain with the vendors and pit them against each other for leverage. Google for upcoming events near you.

My friend bought 4 NRX casting rods for $350 each. I guess my point is that for your $200 you can probably get a better rod than an Avid like I did.

[Poolshark]

I own many avids and if you can afford them, get them. They are good rods. I have been favoring the bps carbonlite and johnny morris signature rods lately. They are lighter and every bit as sensitive as the avids. Both retail well under 200.

[Angry John]

I love Croix. I own about a dozen or so. If your looking for a cheaper option the Fenwick elite tech rods are very nice in hand

[SirSnookalot]

I'm not a fan of double duty rods, I would not be using the same rod for bass and stripers.  If one chooses to fish bottom baits then a sensitive rod may be more of an interest, stripers and other larger species is a different matter. There is no doubt in your mind when you get thumped by a 8-10  pounder, they get a lot bigger than that.  When fishing for some of these larger species my rod criteria is how well it casts and handles the lures, and backbone.  I've had or used legend extremes and tidemasters (nice rods), I've settled on 2 other brands that I prefer that perform as well for me.  I use Hurricane and Star rods.