St Croix Mojo Bass vs Abu Garcia Ike Signature Series Spinning Rod s

[JohnnyRebTX]

I don't mean to beat a dead horse here. I've read opinions elsewhere here on this very subject of St Croix vs Fenwick vs Abu Garcia. There's a ton of posts on them, but people compare rods at different price points. The newer addition of the Mojo Bass has an SCIII blank and is at Bass Pro Shops for $129.99. The Abu Ike Signature series is also $129.99. I believe that's a more fair comparison than to a Fenwick Eagle or HMG, Abu Veritas, or even Duckett Ghost which can be found for much cheaper in most cases. I have held all of these rods several times, and for me it's between the two first mentioned. I only use spinning setups, and that's not changing anytime soon. What will it be used for? Exclusively for bass and only with lures. What kind of lures?  Soft plastics like worms on the bottom , and only occasionally for cranks and spinners. Sensitivity is key.  I also only bank fish. Most of y'all are massive St Croix and G Loomis fans. I do not wish to bump up to higher priced/rated/performance rods then the Abu Ike Signature or Mojo Bass.

Now let the opinions begin.

[KDW96]

I have fished both. My brother has the ike rod. Personally i will stick with the MOJO . It just has a better build quality.

[BradGinKC]

Haven't used the others, but if you go with the SC Mojo rod, you won't be disappointed. I have three of the casting rods and just recently added the 6'8" MXF spinning rod. I use it with a stradic fk for poppers, light jerkbaits, wacky rigs, and ned rigs. It's been great. The mojo rods definitely fish above their price point. Caught this with it last week.

 

[jtharris3]

I took the Mojo Bass bait and bought a casting rod last fall. All I can say is I'm getting ready to add more!

[Scrapiron]

I've had both. The Ike is a nice rod but it went back to the store. I've got three MOJO rods (one a SCII) and they stayed.

[Spankey]

I'm pretty much a St.Croix guy. I have both generations and like them both. The sc3 is a bit lighter. But I would not say night and day difference in them. I only fish soft plastics with the x-fast, is not the feel I want with crankbaits. That's just me. To each his own.  I think you will like the ML and Med. for your soft bait fishing. At least Mojos don't break the bank. I do like my Avid rods more. And I'd never get rid of my Premier Rods that I have when I first getting into St. Croix stuff. Balance it with the right reel and I think you'll like it. 

[JohnnyRebTX]

I really appreciate y'alls input. Maybe in the future I'll take a look at the Avid series or higher from St. Croix, or maybe even a G. Loomis. That's a big stretch for my budget at the moment. The only thing that draws me to the Abu Ike Signature is the reel seat and paint job, so if y'all think the Mojo is the better built rod and more suited for worming. Then I'll definitely pick one up. I originally looked at Fenwicks, Veritas, and even a St Croix triumph, but I can see spending a little more for a Mojo if it's worth it. I believe it would be just from what I read on here. Thanks y'all!

[Turkey sandwich]

They're likely both good rods.  I own one SCIII Mojo, a few Rage, an Avid X, an old Premier, and now a Legend Elite.  I'm obviously a fan of St Croix.  You can likely get a quality fast action rods from either line.  For me, the big difference is on the customer service end.  St. Croix has hands down the best customer service in bass fishing.

[jbw252]

Judging from the above posts, I'm guessing you'll be purchasing the Mojo rod.  I concur.  The St. Croix line of rods are my favorites.  You can't go wrong with choosing St Croix.  Good luck & enjoy your future purchase. 

[JohnnyRebTX]

I planned on putting a Pflueger President on it, but I'm not as crazy about that reel as most people are. I have a Limited Edition which is the same as the XT internally, and I feel that's a much better reel then the regular President. I own a Penn Fierce and Penn Pursuit I use for live bait. Both of those are great reels for their purpose,  but they aren't super smooth. I know most of y'all are big Shimano and Daiwa fans, but are any of those decent below $100? If not, I'll take a hard look at an Okuma Inspira and High Speed S as well as a few others.

[Turkey sandwich]

I have Presidents on most of my spinning gear and still use a few Shimanos.  I've had older Saharas and Sedona that have been quality reels without breaking the bank, but can't comment on the new line up. 

[Dtrombly]

I like the Ike Series.. but the St Croix Premier is better than both for $140 

[Turkey sandwich]

16 minutes ago, Dtrombly said:

I like the Ike Series.. but the St Croix Premier is better than both for $140 

  ?

 

I've had Premier series rods for nearly 20 years that I still fish, but the Mojo is just made from better components straight across the board.  I have both in the same power and action and it's not even close.  Unless you really dislike micro guides, or $130-150 is not in the budget, there's no benefit to buying a Premier.  If I were to compare a Premier to an Abu rod, it would likely be the Veritas.  

 

 

[BradGinKC]

5 hours ago, JohnnyRebTX said:

I planned on putting a Pflueger President on it, but I'm not as crazy about that reel as most people are. I have a Limited Edition which is the same as the XT internally, and I feel that's a much better reel then the regular President. I own a Penn Fierce and Penn Pursuit I use for live bait. Both of those are great reels for their purpose,  but they aren't super smooth. I know most of y'all are big Shimano and Daiwa fans, but are any of those decent below $100? If not, I'll take a hard look at an Okuma Inspira and High Speed S as well as a few others.

Take a look at the Shimano NASCI. It's only $99 and I've been really impressed with it. I have a Stradic FK and a NASCI, both in the 2500 size, and the NASCI holds up very well. It has a lot of the same features as the stradic at a fraction of the price (hagane gearing, xship, etc). I do like my stradic a little better, but for $99 I think you will be happy with it.

[LCG]

I recently purchased a st Croix mojo wacky style spinning rod, 6'8" m xf, and paired it with a Pflueger president xt 30 size and spooled it with 10 lb braid to an 8lb fluorocarbon leader. This combination has blown me away in terms of casting accuracy and distance, sensitivity, the xf action is perfect for me using soft plastics, the medium power is right where I want it, and the overall feel is fantastic. I can't recommend this combination enough.

 

This has become my favourite set up so far. This is also my first st Croix and my first one piece rod, but I know it won't be my last. I also have a fenwick hmg 6'9" ml f, which I also really like but the st Croix has something special to it. 

 

I would also like to thank the good people on this forum for recommending the mojo wacky style rod. Some very good advice offered here. Much appreciated. 

 

[Turkey sandwich]

37 minutes ago, Luke Goguen said:

I recently purchased a st Croix mojo wacky style spinning rod, 6'8" m xf, and paired it with a Pflueger president xt 30 size and spooled it with 10 lb braid to an 8lb fluorocarbon leader. This combination has blown me away in terms of casting accuracy and distance, sensitivity, the xf action is perfect for me using soft plastics, the medium power is right where I want it, and the overall feel is fantastic. I can't recommend this combination enough.

 

This has become my favourite set up so far. This is also my first st Croix and my first one piece rod, but I know it won't be my last. I also have a fenwick hmg 6'9" ml f, which I also really like but the st Croix has something special to it. 

 

I would also like to thank the good people on this forum for recommending the mojo wacky style rod. Some very good advice offered here. Much appreciated. 

 

 

It's a good stick!  I really like my Mojo, Rage, and Avid X rods.  It's a really good blank.  I've never really fished Daiwa, Dobyns, or Loomis, but for the price point they're very difficult to beat.  

[Spankey]

I was all amped up to buy a Bass X Series Rod. Was looking at the BXC72MHM casting Rod for cranking deeper cb's and the BXS71MF for some soft plastics. I never pulled the trigger on it, and I could be wrong on this but I think they are a guide short vs the Mojo's. Something told me not to do it at the time. I'll see where and what the opinion are on the Bass X rods are in a to year. I really don't need another Rod. Just a St. Croix addiction. 

[JohnnyRebTX]

Well ladies and gents, thanks to your input I bought a 7'1", Medium action,  fast tip, "soft plastics", St Croix Mojo Bass spinning rod today. I also bought a Shimano Nasci 3000 reel, and I had them spool it with Stren performance braid 30lb test. It's my first St Croix rod, Shimano reel, and first time using braid. Is it weird that I'm paranoid with it so far? Lol. It will get used plenty. Thanks again for the advice.

I guess next up is learning how to use a fluorocarbon leader.

[Falkus]

Just buy one spool with 10 Lbs braid and you shall see a big difference in casting distance.

 

Trust us on that  

[Attila]

Congrats on your purchase!

 

I was going to suggest matching the rod with a Daiwa Fuego 2500 that you can pick up at Tackle Warehouse for $99.99 but you've already made your choice!

 

Based on all the reviews I've read of the Mojo Bass series I'm sure you'll enjoy it immensely!

[JohnnyRebTX]

All I need now is to upgrade my primary setup for cranking, spinners, and every other lure I throw besides soft plastics. That can wait a bit though since I dropped $270 on the Mojo Bass, Nasci, line, and hooks after tax. For the moment, it's an Ugly Stik Elite and Pflueger President Limited Edition. Been fine so far.  

[d-camarena]

Im in the minority but my mojo bass rods feel dead in my hands. They dont feel sensitive or balanced in my hands. It may just be me 

[JohnnyRebTX]

1 hour ago, d-camarena said:

Im in the minority but my mojo bass rods feel dead in my hands. They dont feel sensitive or balanced in my hands. It may just be me 

I haven't used mine just yet, so I can't say anything otherwise. I went off reviews, this forum, the sales clerks, and fishing buddies advice that mostly echoed it is a great rod. I realize there are duds in just about any product as well as differing opinions. My first rod I bought for crankbaits was a Berkley Lightning Rod Shock. I run into people all the time the love that rod. It felt good in my hands vs the even cheaper combos I was use to fishing with. The rod tip broke on a cast on my second trip out with it. I was so frustrated that I exchanged it for an Ugly Stik. The Ugly Stik is still going strong, but I just don't like that model for lures. I use it for live bait only now. The Ugly Stik Elite on the other hand is not bad at all for cranking. (Even though I'd love to upgrade that one)

[d-camarena]

Dont get me wrong, its a great rod and the build quality is really good. My only complaint is sensitivity but that can be fixed by using braid. Id still prefer it over the abu

[Burntorangefan]

Congrats on your new combo!  Like so many others, I'm also a big fan of St Croix.  I own a variety in different shapes and sizes, as well as Loomis (home team, I live in WA) and I believe St Croix is the best large maker of rods in the country.  Only way to beat one is custom, IMO.  Post a pic of your first catch if you have time!