Edge Black Widow Vs St Croix Legend Elite

[Fisher Guy]

I trying to decide between a st croix lend elite or an edge black widow. Anyone have an opinion on these spinning rods?   I fish mostly large mouth with some large pickerel every now and then.  i would pair it with a shimano stella 2500.  I usually gw with a light rode but am thinking the 7' med-light for both choices.  Not a lot on line about the black widow.  Any opinions would be so helpful.  Thanks 

 

 

[S Hovanec]

Before I dropped $500+ on the Edge, I'd get a custom built on a NFC.  My first choice would be a custom on a St Croix SCV though.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I can't imagine dropping $500 on a cookie cutter Rod. 

[skno]

St. Croix would be me.

[WRB]

If a $550 spinning rod is in your budget you can choose between Loomis NRX, MegaBass Destroyer, Edge Black widow. Lamiglas, St Croix and Dobyns are in the under $400 range.

Having a custom rod built to you exact requirements from state of the art components would be under $400 price point.

I am not familiar with Edge other than Gary Loomis started the company with his brother after selling Loomis to Shimano.

You need to touch and feel before you buy.

Tom

[kickerfish1]

St Croix will have the better warranty. Frankly I would probably go custom build or NRX rep sample/dealer demo.

[Fisher Guy]

thanks for the feedback.  went to bass pro shop yesterday.  Touched and liked the st croix a lot.  Not sure how to go about getting a custom st croix though? Im off the edge after reading up some more.  sounds like you guys prefer the nrx over the st croix? 

Edited March 20, 2016 by Fisher Guy
spelling

[MIbassyaker]

Hmm...maybe I'm just a cheapskate, but I'm having a hard time getting my head around the notion of deciding to spend $500 on a rod without already knowing exactly what I wanted.

[0119]

Last year I got to talk to Mr. Loomis at a small local shop and handle his unique rods. Nothing about them was cookie cutter and everything about them was amazing. I'm apparently the only person who has less than stellar customer service from St.Croix. Anyway the edge was on an entirely different planet from even the very top end of St.Croix and I regret everyday that didn't buy one.

[S Hovanec]

2 hours ago, 0119 said:

Last year I got to talk to Mr. Loomis at a small local shop and handle his unique rods. Nothing about them was cookie cutter

If it's a production rod, it's cookie cutter.   I believe they are just a production rod built on a NFC HM blank.  You can get a one of a kind built on the same blank fir less.  Why buy something that others have?

[Fisher Guy]

don't really want something others have.  King really seems to like the black widow so i should probably not rule out.     again how do i get a custom rod built?  also my wife recently left me as i caught her with another guy.  she had some bucks so i just got a lump sum in the split and therefore feel i deserve a really nice rod after what i been through.  Or else i wouldn't spend $500 on one.   the St croix is 400.  also any thoughts on a med lt 4-8 lbs test vs 6-6 light 4-8 test.  catching mostly large mouth bass 2-5 lbs.  Thanks for all the advice.  

 

 

[WRB]

Contact DVT site sponsor and discuss his thoughts on a custom spinning rod.

ALX is who I used in the past, Alex uses state of the art components.

Customer service, warranty, trail period and shipping all factor in who anyone should buy from.

Tom

[kickerfish1]

There are many rod builders out there that can build you a rod. Some are members of this forum that build for fun and for their own clients, some are sponsors, and some will pop up on a Google search. To me it is kind of like finding a good, honest, and reputable mechanic. Lots of guys do it but their style and craftsmanship may not be what you are looking for either. The builder you choose should be able to execute your build idea and help with questions and fitment issues among parts you choose.

Also keep in mind the hidden costs that most builders won't always tell you up front.

-Labor cost to build the rod - This may vary a bit depending upon who you go with - I would figure a good $50 - 100 here

-Shipping the rod - They aren't like a larger retailer who will ship a rod for free - expect $25-35 here

-Shipping the rod components - All places that I am aware of will hit you with a $10 charge for all rod blanks shipped

- MSC supplies - Rod epoxy, finishing products, and other supplies that they may need to use

-All of your components - Blank, guides, reel seat, cork/foam grips, but caps, foregrip parts, thread wrap, etc.

Pick a custom rod if you have the funds and the want to have something unique and built in specific way with certain components. Keep in mind that more bling and trim pieces you add the more the cost goes up.

Choose a shelf rod if you want a lower cost, ability to recoup more of your cost should you sell it and overall better warranty support. If your custom rod fails it may only cover the blank. You still need to worry about having the rod re-done with what components could be salvaged from your failed rod.

Customs and factory rods appeal to folks for different reasons. I would look into both before pulling the trigger either way...

 

[Fisher Guy]

thanks a lot.  very helpful.

[0119]

2 hours ago, S Hovanec said:

Why buy something that others have?

I say that all the time about my custom made Ambassadeurs, and the world thinks I'm nuts.

[.ghoti.]

contact this guy

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/profile/23280-delaware-valley-tackle/?wr=eyJhcHAiOiJmb3J1bXMiLCJtb2R1bGUiOiJmb3J1bXMtY29tbWVudCIsImlkXzEiOjE3MTQyNSwiaWRfMiI6MTk0MjA1Mn0%3D

"nuff said

[KP Duty]

The lifetime transferable warranty loomis provides is worth $500 alone.  When my great grandson breaks the glx I pass on to him, he will get a brand spanking new one.  Almost doesn't seem right.  

[John G]

Try selling that custom rod for anything close to what you paid for it. No thanks! I'll buy my cookie cutter JDM rods and be happy with my choice.

[smalljaw67]

4 hours ago, John G said:

Try selling that custom rod for anything close to what you paid for it. No thanks! I'll buy my cookie cutter JDM rods and be happy with my choice.

The idea is you get a rod made for you, and only for you that you plan to keep. Not everyone plays that game of buying high end rods and then sell them 3 years down the road to get something else, that is like leasing cars.

[roadwarrior]

I have never considered resale value.

 

[S Hovanec]

9 hours ago, KP Duty said:

The lifetime transferable warranty loomis provides is worth $500 alone.  When my great grandson breaks the glx I pass on to him, he will get a brand spanking new one.  Almost doesn't seem right.  

You're absolutely correct, it isn't right.  If that rod didn't break on the first couple trips, then there isn't anything wrong with it and any break after that is operator error.   I wish all the companies would do away with the unconditional, no fault lifetime replacement BS.  It lets people abuse their rods with no consequences. But this is a whole other topic.

 

6 hours ago, John G said:

Try selling that custom rod for anything close to what you paid for it. No thanks! I'll buy my cookie cutter JDM rods and be happy with my choice.

I have no problem selling my customs for what I paid for them.

[Fisher Guy]

i bought the st croix 7' legend elite.  paired with a stella fi 2500.  tried today for first time.  liked it but too cold still to catch 

[MPM IV]

Congrats man. I hope you enjoy it.

[Capt.Bob]

On 3/19/2016 at 8:09 AM, S Hovanec said:

Before I dropped $500+ on the Edge, I'd get a custom built on a NFC.  My first choice would be a custom on a St Croix SCV though.

X2 excellent advice! You could have the Legend Elite custom built for with the finest components and custom built handles fer around $400.00  I agree the St. Croix is a better blank SCV,, or the Extreme Blank w/SCVI in the lower section when you can have it with full cork, both better than the SCIV Legend Tournament blanks!!

On 3/27/2016 at 9:26 AM, S Hovanec said:

 

On 3/27/2016 at 9:26 AM, S Hovanec said:

I have no problem selling my customs for what I paid for them.

All my custom rods go up in resale value every year I own and responsibly use them!! Take care of them and you will never loose money on a properly built custom rod that has been properly assembled with top quality components! 

15 hours ago, Fisher Guy said:

i bought the st croix 7' legend elite.  paired with a stella fi 2500.  tried today for first time.  liked it but too cold still to catch 

Congrats on a great rod,,,, I almost always buy the Legend Elite over the Extreme when I purchase the factory built rod's, as I will take the full cork rear and front grip over the skeletonized any day!! The difference in that and the lighter weight are both a bigger defference with the Elite, the difference in sensativity between the two, which is excellent with both.

I own two Legend Extreme rods and both are casting, I would have bought neither if I didn't get them on sale at 50% off, as I knew I would have another 100 bucks in getting full cork rear grips custom installed on both,,, that and the fact they were the year models that came with REC Recoil guides made them a no brainer fer me!! 

Enjoy that new Legend Elite rod,, EXCELLENT CHOICE!! 

[Kevin22]

If you lose money by selling a custom made rod you goofed. You either got completely ripped off, had your name printed on it (I did that one!), or order some completely oddball colors or graphics. Otherwise you are buying componants and selling componants. The blank always has a value, as do the guides, they can be reused. A hand built "custom" rod with a good blank, good guides, a good reel seat, and a "normal" color scheme will have no problem selling at or near what you paid.. as long as your builder doesn't charge you $200 labor. The reason being is that just as someone else pointed out, it will be LESS than a comparable factory rod when talking high dollar rods.