St. Croix Avid Vs. Rage

[Lacustrine]

I have heard good things about the Avid, but I enjoy the micro guides on my Duckett. It might be good to mix it up though and get a rod with large guides. Have any of you had any experience with these rods? How do they compare?

[The Great Blue Heron]

I think that the new Avid X has the micro guides? I want that 6'6" MF.

http://stcroixrods.com/products/freshwater/avid-x/

I have an Avid 6'8" MXF with a Chronarch 50E that is pretty dang sweet. The Rage doesn't do anything for me, but I'm sure it's a fine stick.

[Lacustrine]

I think that the new Avid X has the micro guides? I want that 6'6" MF.

http://stcroixrods.com/products/freshwater/avid-x/

I have an Avid 6'8" MXF with a Chronarch 50E that is pretty dang sweet. The Rage doesn't do anything for me, but I'm sure it's a fine stick.

So it does. Does anyone have one? How do you like it?

[Choporoz]

I have a Rage and love it now. At first I didn't like the short handle, but I have really come around to it

[Lacustrine]

I have a Rage and love it now. At first I didn't like the short handle, but I have really come around to it

How short is it. I like a longer handle too, but with my Duckett after setting the hook with soft plastics a lot it starts hurting my ribs.

[Choporoz]

13.5 According to TW. One piece, neoprene. I have split grips on my other rods, so it was an adjustment for me. I got it real cheap during Dicks'clearance purge. For $60 it was a steal. At $150 regarding I'd probably consider others

[Choporoz]

I haven't had a day of setting hooks so much with it, I hurt yet...hopefully soon

[Lacustrine]

13.5 According to TW. One piece, neoprene. I have split grips on my other rods, so it was an adjustment for me. I got it real cheap during Dicks'clearance purge. For $60 it was a steal. At $150 regarding I'd probably consider others

That is a great deal. I prefer split grips too, or at least that is what I am used to. Do you prefer cork or neoprene? 

[Choporoz]

I'm not picky. Not certain I prefer one over the other, but the Rage grip is quite comfortable. And I used it in the rain for a couple hours yesterday and it never felt least bit slippery

[Fish Whacker]

Comparing the Avid to the rage, side by side, the Rage is quite a bit heavier because of the handle

[Lacustrine]

Comparing the Avid to the rage, side by side, the Rage is quite a bit heavier because of the handle

Which one do you prefer? The Avid?

[flyfisher]

I have used both the avid and now the rage rods quite a bit.  They both are good rods and on the same blanks.  I prefer a split style grip and the rage rod is closer to that than the avid.  The price is also a little bit better and while they are labeled as micro guide rods, I see them more as an in between really.  I own 2 spinning and one casting and have zero complaints.  

 

As far as the weight goes, they are very similar.  the 6'8" MXF spinning rods are .2oz different with the avid being the lighter of the two and in other comparable rods you will find about the same weight difference.  I actually find the rage to "feel" lighter when set up with the same reel which may be attributed to the smaller guides but who knows....they are both good sticks and you won't be disappointed with either one.

[webertime]

They only share the same graphite. The scrim, resin, and mandrel are all different from the Avid. I found the Avid a much nicer rod in every way.

[Lacustrine]

I have used both the avid and now the rage rods quite a bit.  They both are good rods and on the same blanks.  I prefer a split style grip and the rage rod is closer to that than the avid.  The price is also a little bit better and while they are labeled as micro guide rods, I see them more as an in between really.  I own 2 spinning and one casting and have zero complaints.  

 

As far as the weight goes, they are very similar.  the 6'8" MXF spinning rods are .2oz different with the avid being the lighter of the two and in other comparable rods you will find about the same weight difference.  I actually find the rage to "feel" lighter when set up with the same reel which may be attributed to the smaller guides but who knows....they are both good sticks and you won't be disappointed with either one.

Do yo have the Avid X or the Avid? Is the regular Avid supposed to have micro guides?

[flyfisher]

I had the regular avid not the avid X but i sold them when I got my rage rods.  They had a buy 2 get one free deal two years ago so i picked up 3 And the regular avid has standard guides i believe.

[Lacustrine]

I had the regular avid not the avid X but i sold them when I got my rage rods.  They had a buy 2 get one free deal two years ago so i picked up 3 And the regular avid has standard guides i believe.

Why did you get rid of your Avids?

[flyfisher]

I got them for a good price and when i checked out the rage rods in the store i liked them so i went for it given the deal they had going.  I am not a fan of full cork handled rods either. 

[FishTank]

I can't speak much for the Rage but I have a couple Avids and love them.  I like the classic feel and look of the Avid.  They are great all around rods.

[Fish Whacker]

I compare these rods daily where I work and I can tell you the Avid feels much lighter and I have and would buy the Avid but would buy other rods for less before buying the Rage. The Cabela's Tournament ZX rod is on sale right now for $69.99 and is lighter and better balanced. What's more is we hardly ever sell a Rage. For a little more you could have a Shimano Crucial. The *** and the Abu Veritas are other ones to compare with.

[Lacustrine]

Does anyone have any other rod suggestions for around that price? Do the brands have just as good customer service?

 

FishWhacker, do you prefer those brands above the St. Croix's?

[Fish Whacker]

the ZX have a 2 year over the counter unconditional and sell easily. Don't get me wrong, all St Croix's are solid rods but customers are easily won over on the Avid with the beautiful soft cork handle and light wt. The rods that are now on the active list are 5 Crucials, 2 Avids, 2 ZX's, 2 IMX and 2 new Tatulas which are really nice but a few bucks more.

The Legend Tournaments are really well made but are tip heavy, IMO.

Like Gary Loomis said, I can make a rod that won't break but nobody would enjoy fishing with it.

[SDbassin]

ive got the 7'4 H/F, 7' MH/F, and the 7' M/F spinning Avid X. I absolutely love them, I personally really like the handle design, especially the foregrip and love the kigan guides, I wish I had them on all my rods. I've never fished the regular avid, but I really do like the avid x.

[BassinLou]

I have had both rods at one time. Rage and the Avid. The Avid imho, is the better rod hands down. The Avid is a workhorse of a rod. With a great warranty. I had a Rage and really enjoyed the rod however came across 2 quality control issues and that was 2 too many for me so I upgraded to a LTB. Never looked back. Til this day, I am still enjoying my Avid.

[Lacustrine]

I have had both rods at one time. Rage and the Avid. The Avid imho, is the better rod hands down. The Avid is a workhorse of a rod. With a great warranty. I had a Rage and really enjoyed the rod however came across 2 quality control issues and that was 2 too many for me so I upgraded to a LTB. Never looked back. Til this day, I am still enjoying my Avid.

Do you ike the LTB better than the Avids?

[BassinLou]

Do you ike the LTB better than the Avids?

Oh yes very much so. The Ltb's are a bit more refined and bit lighter.