Abu Garcia IKE series rods vs St.croix Mojo bass

[MDbassin]

Just wanted to get a feel for the communities feelings about these 2 rod series since they are both in the $120-$150 price range 

[Poolshark]

They are both good rods. They are both light, balanced, perform well + they both have cool looking blanks. 

I like the mojo bass for the quality finish and cork handles (personal preference). I've been using st croix for 14 years and have never had an issue with them. The newer version of the mojo bass fishes right up there with my avids and legend tournament and doesn't skip a beat. That being said, the warranty is five years on  the mojo vs the lifetime on the other two. I'm not sure if there are differences in blank quality/build or if the warranty is shorter because of the cosmetics/guides/gloss  etc.

I've used the Ike frog, jig and spinning rod. i own the Ike series cranking rods. Great for the money. My favorite is the lipless special, it is designed for ripping baits in grass and med to large plugs but is also a phenomenal square bill rod. I have noticed less consistency in build quality with the Abu rods in general. Namely crookedly lined guides. The grips are comfortable and it has a custom like dual paint job. In all honesty, minus the handles, these rods look similar on my rod rack. 

In short, they will both be good performing rods and cosmetically they have a similar appeal. Both will meet your needs equally well. I am just a sucker for st croix craftsmanship 

[KDW96]

Ive fished both rods. I think of the 2, id get the Mojo. Build quality is better, and is not need someones name too sell:)

[fishnkamp]

I fish an Ike 6'4" jerkbait rod. It performs exactly as Ike says it would. The length and action is perfect in my opinion.  I will say you will not be unhappy with either, but if I was spending my money I would add another Ike rod before the Mojo. Now I do like the feel of the Avid X rods in the St Croix lineup. Of course that is not apples to apples.  I have my Ike rod matched with a Tatula Type R and it fishes great as a combo. 

[MDbassin]

I've been reading up on the avid vs Mojo and it looks like they are both made with the same ScIII blanks. The only real difference I could find on st.croix website is the Mojo is made in Mexico and the avid is made in USA

I got the go ahead to order some new rods and reels and I narrowed it down to these 2. Was considering the G.Loomis E6X but was a little out of price range and thought I could get more bang for my buck with one of these 2 series of rods

[MDbassin]

Had other rods in mind to: Dobyns Fury/Savvy, Shimano Crucial but like I said about the G.Loomis thought I could get more bang for my buck with the Mojo or IKE series.

I do a lot of jig fishing so which rod is more sensitive for this of you that have used both the Mojo and the IKE series?

[Poolshark]

Any one of those rods will perform well for you. But for me st croix is where it's at. A few years from now if you'd like to upgrade to a nicer rod, st croix has a program to do so at a discount. I used it to purchase my legend tournament. But in all honestly, the sc111 mojo gets used with all my other st croix stuff indescrimately and doesn't skip a beat. I will end up owning a dozen of them soon enough. 

18 minutes ago, MDbassin said:

Had other rods in mind to: Dobyns Fury/Savvy, Shimano Crucial but like I said about the G.Loomis thought I could get more bang for my buck with the Mojo or IKE series.

I do a lot of jig fishing so which rod is more sensitive for this of you that have used both the Mojo and the IKE series?

With braid they are both similar. I've never used the dobyns or the crucial. But I've heard good things 

[Spankey]

I'd have to feel them. I would never buy a rod sight untouched. In the shop is one thing on the water is even another but you got the chance to see and feel the action. Even if only going to the shop, you'll know if you like it. 

I own Mojos and have an Ike Rod.    And many other St. Croix. I like my rods because I want to see and feel them first. Putting a reel on the helps also. If you can have someone let you fish with one first is a big plus. 

I think you should not rush. Take your time and feel them out first. Don't buy on impulse. 

[MDbassin]

I did not know about this program st.croix has. That could be the deal sealer right there. Haha

Thanks for the input. I'm still gonna do some more research and go to my local Cabelas and bass pro to see if the have these in stock and get some hands on time. I just wanted to see what the overall reaction for these rods were. Thanks again

[*Hootie]

Mojo bass, Mojo bass, Mojo bass. I have 4 of them. Fished them all season. My GLX's and NRX never left the rack all summer.

Hootie

[Spankey]

I see where St Croix is putting out this rod that's called Bass X. Fall right in line with the premiers and Mojos. Seems to duplicate the actions of the Mojos. Believe I saw this on Tw website. 

[Spankey]

MD don't know if you are in a big hurry but St. Croix has had all their rods at the local winter shows. Pretty sure it will be the same this year.

i take it you are a Maryland guy I'm se penna. I picked up a 6'10" ML spin XF Mojo (new series) at show price. 10-20% off. Don't remember exactually. Discounts were going through Susquehanna tackle. 

Every St. Croix series was there. 

[fishballer06]

I love my St. Croix Avid's and LTB's, but I'd definitely give it to the Ike series if comparing it to the Mojo Bass. My Ike series is much lighter and more sensitive than any Mojo bass rod that I've ever held. 

[MDbassin]

1 hour ago, Spankey said:

MD don't know if you are in a big hurry but St. Croix has had all their rods at the local winter shows. Pretty sure it will be the same this year.

i take it you are a Maryland guy I'm se penna. I picked up a 6'10" ML spin XF Mojo (new series) at show price. 10-20% off. Don't remember exactually. Discounts were going through Susquehanna tackle. 

Every St. Croix series was there. 

Yea I know where your talking about it's almost a 3 hour drive from me tho

[fishnkamp]

MDBassin if you are coming into Baltimore to shop the Arundel Mills there is a great shop you should go to. The shop is called Anglers Express.  They carry Dobyns, Powell, Irod, Duckett and a bunch more, Itr is located minutes from the Maryland State Fair Grounds in Hunt Valley. I purchased my Abu Ike rod there

[Scarborough817]

i've been using the 7'3" Ike M/M this has been my crank rod which i have absolutely loved. the tip is sensitive enought for cranking and telling what my bait is running into but there is still a decent amount of backbone for when i need to pop a lipless out of the grass

[MDbassin]

24 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

MDBassin if you are coming into Baltimore to shop the Arundel Mills there is a great shop you should go to. The shop is called Anglers Express.  They carry Dobyns, Powell, Irod, Duckett and a bunch more, Itr is located minutes from the Maryland State Fair Grounds in Hunt Valley. I purchased my Abu Ike rod there

I'm on the eastern shore. I usually just hit up Cabelas in Delaware as it's closer to me plus no sales tax and I get veteran discount. I do go to Arundel Mills sometimes and I hit up bass pro while I'm over there usually

[fishnkamp]

I figured that was the Bass Pro you were mentioning. Anglers is about 30 miles from the Bass Pro Shop. Anglers Express is an exclusive dealer for several brands of rods. Best of all they stock a ton of these rods on site, so you can actually put your hands on them. I realised you were living on the eastern shore, I just thought if you were considering a new rod you might want to check out some brands that Cabelas and Bass Pro will not carry. 

[MDbassin]

4 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

I figured that was the Bass Pro you were mentioning. Anglers is about 30 miles from the Bass Pro Shop. Anglers Express is an exclusive dealer for several brands of rods. Best of all they stock a ton of these rods on site, so you can actually put your hands on them. I realised you were living on the eastern shore, I just thought if you were considering a new rod you might want to check out some brands that Cabelas and Bass Pro will not carry. 

Thanks for the tip I will have to check them out next time I'm in the area

[fishnkamp]

here is the website for Anglers Express   https://www.anglersexpress.com/

[fishwizzard]

6 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

 The shop is called Anglers Express.  

Wow, I had never heard of this place, most fishing stores in MD are very saltwater centric so a more freshwater bass focused place is a great find.  It's nice and close to Loch Raven Reservoir too.  

[MDbassin]

There prices are great to. Looks like everything is $10-20 cheaper then tackle warehouse 

[fishnkamp]

The owner has only had the store for about a year. He is a tournament angler, both tidal and reservoir. He even carries a new (to me) brand reservoir electric outboard. His original partner has a business that builds, modifies, and helps design reservoir boats.  Check out this site.  http://www.reservoirboatworks.com/boat-projects.html

Anglers has the serious bass guy and the striper guy covered.  I like the shop because he carries the typical Strike King stuff that others carry, but also a large selection of Picasso lures, Reaction Innovation, Missile Bait, Keitech and a lot more. I can not just go into Cabelas or BPS and get these brands. His rod racks are full of Irods, Powell, Dobyns, Duckett, NO8 and Shimano.  If he does not have something ion stock he is willing to order it, he has done that for me a couple of times already. 

[CTBassin860]

I own the mojo bass and its my favorite rod.Sensitive,light,balanced,good backbone.Worth every penny.