St Croix Rods- Factory Seconds

[WI_Angler1989]

Hey All,

 

Who out there has experience with St Croix's factory second rods?? I'm curious as to what the "defects" could be to make them fall into that category. A Buddy and I are planning out a trip/fish-along/pilgrimage up to Park Falls this spring, starting here in Eau Claire, following back roads and ending at the St Croix factory. We'll be traveling along a number of great rivers here in WI: the Chippewa, Flambeau, and Eagle River. Not to mention a bunch of lakes.

I'm guessing that a new rod may be in order as well...

[Scott F]

The seconds have a factory blemish. It is nearly always a cosmetic defect that is very difficult to even find.  They only have a one year warranty and are marked with an “S” on the reel seat or if it has a foam handle, it might be marked on the butt end. The amount of B stock rods is limited and they don’t have every size of every model. They also sell combos with a B stock rod and a reel. The reels are almost always low end models. You never know what you will find until you get there. 

While you are there, check out the “C” stock rods. These are rods that had the tip broken off and have been repaired. You can get a used $300 rod for $50. It might be one inch or one foot shorter than when it was made. There  is a measuring stick in the bin so you can see the current length. No warranty on those rods.  Depending on when you are there, they might have closeouts on new “A” stock, discontinued rods that have the full warranty. 

Its also a full tackle shop with full retail prices on lures. If you like St Croix branded clothing they have that too. 

 

[Chuck Popeeye Moser]

Where do I find a location to buy these rods?

 

[RichF]

19 minutes ago, Chuck Popeeye Moser said:

Where do I find a location to buy these rods?

 

They only sell them at the St. Croix factory store in Park Falls WI.  You could call them up though and see what they have in stock.

[Chuck Popeeye Moser]

Thanks....tight lines

 

[Smelter96]

I can attest to the greatness that is St.croixs rod factory. These are all seconds, 50%+ off these. If i handed you 1, theres no way you could tell it was a "b" stock. Have fun on your trip up there, its awesome! Be sure to post what ya find

[Scott F]

I go to the St Croix store from the Chicago area around 3 times a year for many years and I’ve never seen the B stock rods at 50% off. Normally the discount is closer to 30%

[Vilas15]

I have a couple "B" stock rods, as mentioned above they only have a 1 year warranty and some blemish which you may or may not be able to figure out. Every time I've gone the B stocks are 30% off, and you can get an additional 20% off the B stock rod if you buy a new rod full price at the same time. As far as I know the blemishes are likely issues with the cork, some sort of pit or something. Could also be the finish of the blank or the St Croix decals, etc. There shouldn't be anything functionally wrong and like I mentioned I don't even know what's wrong the the few that I have.

[Smelter96]

I've only ever seen them at 50% lol. My last trip up they accidentally rang up a premier crankbait rod (b stock) at full price and i failed to notice. Called them up and they immediately sent me a gift card to cover the half that was off. Awesome people and company. 

[Red Winger]

Do you ship these Factory Seconds ? 

[Bluebasser86]

51 minutes ago, Red Winger said:

Do you ship these Factory Seconds ? 

They have for Black Friday but other than that it's only in store sales. 

[Vilas15]

2 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

They have for Black Friday but other than that it's only in store sales. 

I think they did online for customer appreciation day in 2020 which cleared out their whole stock. Now they probably dont have an exact model youre looking for if you show up and ask. Customer appreciation day used to be in person with huge bins full of B stocks at 50% off or more but now they just sell cheap combos and there isn't any good sales.

[FishTank]

I have seen St.Croix factory seconds at Sierra Trading Post.  Not sure what member here has them but they posted a few times about how good they were.

[Bluebasser86]

7 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I have seen St.Croix factory seconds at Sierra Trading Post.  Not sure what member here has them but they posted a few times about how good they were.

I bought a factory second legend glass and it's been perfect 

[Spankey]

Have never been to factory, hope to go there sometime. But have been able to get show prices on new rods and pulled of big discounts when they do a change to a model. Keep factory warranty. 

[FishTank]

On 3/8/2022 at 11:22 AM, Spankey said:

Have never been to factory, hope to go there sometime. But have been able to get show prices on new rods and pulled of big discounts when they do a change to a model. Keep factory warranty. 

Same.  I bought a few Avids and a few Legend Tournaments that way. Show prices can be great. 

[Randy Price]

I've mentioned this before but I stop by the factory store at least once a year.  Over the years I have bought several B Stock rods and with the exception of the S engraved (now it's a B )in a couple of places on the rod I could not tell a difference between it and a "perfect" one.  The blemish's are so minor that I have never been able to find them.  SC used to sell C Stock rods that had been factory repaired after someone broke the tip of the rod off but they no longer do that.