Should I give St. Croix another shot?

[RyanDR]

A while back I got a ML St. Croix premier and honestly I hated it. Couldn't cast right felt weird in my hand and didn't like the bite detection or fight. Since then I have been hesitant to get another St. Croix. But I've been looking at the St. Croix Panfish series 6'9" UL Fast for crappie and panfish. Another rod is the Fenwick Elite Tech River Runner 6'9" UL Fast. I have a few fenwick rods and absolutely love them. The only reason I ask this question is because the St. Croix Panfish series rod I felt in the store and it felt real nice in my hand and I really like the grip but am hesitant to how it fishes with my light 1/32 jigs. People seem to really like St. Croix rods so I thought I would give it another shot. Also the Panfish series is $30-40 cheaper. 

[curtis9]

I don't have any experience with the panfish series, but I'm a huge St Croix fan.  

[Fishinthefish]

I'm a huge st croix fan, after the mojo series until the newest mojo was released. If I was going towards the lower end of st croix I'd take the Fenwick over it personally.

[Angry John]

It would be a shame to rate one of the best blank manufacturer by one of the cheapest products they make.  I have a lot of there rods and the SCIII blanks are the poop.  I have the legend series as well and there good to go.  Fish an avid or one of there better series to get the real feel for what their about.  Discount rods are made in mexico or china and are not even close to the same.

[Puggz]

I have several St Croix rods, some I love, some I hate.  Same goes for fenwick.  Personally I would pick fenwick for what you're looking for.  St Croix seems to make better bass/muskie rods tho.

 

[kickerfish1]

Many do not like St Croix casting rods due to the fact that a Medium is more like other companies MH, a MH is more like a Heavy, and so on. Their spinning rods seem to be rated more within other manufactures rods for the most part but still slightly heavier/more powerful. If the rod felt good to you and the price is good I would give them another shot.

Your only other option is to try to find a local shop that carries the River Runner so you can compare the two. I would also Google both rods heavily as you will probably find some posts in some kind of panfish forums or general fishing forums. They may mention what weights they feel the rod excels at...

[WIGuide]

You should definitely give St. Croix another chance. 

[Molay1292]

I have one of the panfish rods and it is fantastic.  A lot of fun for bluegill.   It is also a one piece rod, where IIRC the Fenwick is a two piece if that makes a difference.

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

On July 21, 2016 at 7:36 PM, Angry John said:

It would be a shame to rate one of the best blank manufacturer by one of the cheapest products they make.  I have a lot of there rods and the SCIII blanks are the poop.  I have the legend series as well and there good to go.  Fish an avid or one of there better series to get the real feel for what their about.  Discount rods are made in mexico or china and are not even close to the same.

This about what I was thinking. Stick to avid and up or a new gen mojo maybe. 

[NYBasser]

I have a couple St. Croix rods and love them. That being said, I also have the exact model Fenwick elite tech you are looking at and it's an awesome rod. The spigot ferrules on the rod make it feel like a 1 piece rod and it's extremely sensitive. Love it for catching trout, crappie, carp, and even for dropshotting smallmouth. I've fished 1/64 oz trout magnets on it and it works very well. Shouldn't have a problem fishing 1/32 oz jigs at all. Have mine paired up with a Sustain 2500FG, but any 1000-2500 size reel should work just fine. 

[Turkey sandwich]

Man, I hate St. Croix so much I only own 6 of them.  

 

Seriously, though, I know nothing about the panfish or trout series spinning rods.  For all else, check the blanks.  If it's built on an SCIII or better blank, you'll be very hard pressed to find better performing rods at that price point.  Still, I don't know of St. Croix making any really bad products, and their reputation for customer service is amongst the best in fishing, conventional or fly.  

[BassinLou]

St Croix are very good rods. However imho these rods do not begin to shine until you start fishing the Avid line on up. 

[lmbfisherman]

I agree with all the Avid comments.  I started St Croix when I started getting into the hobby.  They aren't bad rods when you get to the Avid series.  Only thing I dislike it fished heavier than the rating.  I still own one Avid, to me the 6'6" Medium Fast is da bomb for some reason. Great all around rod and especially jerk baits.

[roadwarrior]

The Avis is where St. Croix begins to shine, comparable to G. Loomis IMX, but a better "value". 

 

[scbassin]

If you already have the Fenwick  line & like them & had a St.Croix  & did not like it, why change. It's all about what you like, not someone else.

[fvogel67]

I own 6 St Croix rods,3 old Mojos,1 new Mojo,1 Avid Neo and a Premier.I really enjoy fishing with all my St Croixs and I'm looking forward to moving up to the Avid and Legend Bass series.

[JigMaster4]

I havent tried st.croix but love my fenwicks also.

[Angry John]

I love the elite tech rods as well.  I had the small mouth series and now have a MLXF bass series i use for drop shot.  Its not an either or but a little of both that gets it done.

[Preytorien]

On 7/22/2016 at 5:56 PM, Molay1292 said:

I have one of the panfish rods and it is fantastic.  A lot of fun for bluegill.   It is also a one piece rod, where IIRC the Fenwick is a two piece if that makes a difference.

 

This exactly. I don't own the panfish rod myself, but my buddy does and we use it, along with others, at a small pond we have access to that's loaded with nice size bluegill - it's a blast to use and has good characteristics you'd want in a panfish rod. 

I guess you could always get one, take it out the next day to give er' a try and if you still don't like it, just exchange it for something else that fits your needs.

[wnspain]

The OP inquired about the St. Croix panfish series for crappie and panfish. Personally, I feel it doesn't matter much when you are talking about those two species. For bass, the Premier series is a poor indicator of SC performance. I have a Rage (spinning) and 2 Avids, completely satisfied with all 3 although the Rage requires some adjustment for the grip, but I like it now.  

[desmobob]

I think it's very hard to beat the Panfish Series for UL and L rods that have decent backbone at a great price.  I have the 6'9" ULF and a matching pair of the 7' LXF panfish series rods and love them.  I used the LXF for Ned Rig fishing sometimes and have a blast with them!

Tight lines,

Bob