St Croix Rods

[Squarebill79]

Hey guys, I decided to give St Croix rods a try based on all the positive feedback I hear about them. I decided to go with a St. Croix Premier Series, 6'6, Mf. I planned on using it for finesse bass fishing and using it on the river for walleyes and wipers. Ive used it now for a few days and Im extremely disappointed.

 

The end of the rod tip seems extremely flimsy even though I got a fast action rod, same as all my other rods. You cant get a very good hookset at all because of this. I compared it to my Carbonlites which are exactly the same size and the last 6 inches there is definitely alot more bend in the St Croix rods even though they are both fast action. It just doesnt seem as well built to me as it should be for the price. Has anyone else had this experience when switching rod brands? Should I exchange it for an "extra fast" and see if that helps or go down to maybe a 6'0? 

 

 

[Angry John]

St croix is not good until you reach the avid or above level.  BMW is not the same in the 100 and 500 series.  Fish an scV blank and you will know performance.

[Vilas15]

1 hour ago, Squarebill79 said:

Hey guys, I decided to give St Croix rods a try based on all the positive feedback I hear about them. I decided to go with a St. Croix Premier Series, 6'6, Mf. I planned on using it for finesse bass fishing and using it on the river for walleyes and wipers. Ive used it now for a few days and Im extremely disappointed.

 

The end of the rod tip seems extremely flimsy even though I got a fast action rod, same as all my other rods. You cant get a very good hookset at all because of this. I compared it to my Carbonlites which are exactly the same size and the last 6 inches there is definitely alot more bend in the St Croix rods even though they are both fast action. It just doesnt seem as well built to me as it should be for the price. Has anyone else had this experience when switching rod brands? Should I exchange it for an "extra fast" and see if that helps or go down to maybe a 6'0? 

 

 

If you want a faster rod, try an XF. Go to the store and compare a fast with extra fast, any store should have one of each to see if theres a big enough difference for you. If you're not happy with the build quality, spend more on an Avid, moho bass, or get a different brand.

 

Its all personal preference. I have the same model of the even cheaper line (Triumph) and I am happy with it. Somehow Ive managed to catch a fish with its flimsy tip that cant get good hooksets.

[Squarebill79]

Just now, Vilas15 said:

If you want a faster rod, try an XF. Go to the store and compare a fast with extra fast, any store should have one of each to see if theres a big enough difference for you. If you're not happy with the build quality, spend more on an Avid, moho bass, or get a different brand.

 

Its all personal preference. I have the same model of the even cheaper line (Triumph) and I am happy with it. Somehow Ive managed to catch a fish with its flimsy tip that cant get good hooksets.

Its not that I cant catch fish on it, its just not the same feeling as Im used to on my BPS rods. It feels like it has good sensitivity but it just seems like the tip has alot of play in it compared to every other rod Ive owned. 

[jimmyjoe]

3 minutes ago, Squarebill79 said:

Its not that I cant catch fish on it, its just not the same feeling as Im used to on my BPS rods. It feels like it has good sensitivity but it just seems like the tip has alot of play in it compared to every other rod Ive

   Precisely.

   I was raised on fiberglass rods. The very first graphite rod that I had, I almost threw away because I thought it was a "2x4", and too rigid.

   It was a St. Croix Premier.  How times have changed!      jj

[Jermination]

32 minutes ago, Angry John said:

St croix is not good until you reach the avid or above level.  BMW is not the same in the 100 and 500 series.  Fish an scV blank and you will know performance.

what are you smoking? the mojo rod is very much so worth the 120 bucks or whatever they retail at these days

2 hours ago, Squarebill79 said:

Hey guys, I decided to give St Croix rods a try based on all the positive feedback I hear about them. I decided to go with a St. Croix Premier Series, 6'6, Mf. I planned on using it for finesse bass fishing and using it on the river for walleyes and wipers. Ive used it now for a few days and Im extremely disappointed.

 

The end of the rod tip seems extremely flimsy even though I got a fast action rod, same as all my other rods. You cant get a very good hookset at all because of this. I compared it to my Carbonlites which are exactly the same size and the last 6 inches there is definitely alot more bend in the St Croix rods even though they are both fast action. It just doesnt seem as well built to me as it should be for the price. Has anyone else had this experience when switching rod brands? Should I exchange it for an "extra fast" and see if that helps or go down to maybe a 6'0? 

 

 

how hard are you hammering them? You should just have to reel in and lean on these fish with light wire hooks. by definition "fast" action means the rod bends at the tip, moderate bends around the middle, and slow action bends in the lower 1/3rd of the blank

[Tywithay]

Are they the same power? Or just both fast action?

[CountryboyinDC]

I would agree  @Angry John that the Avid line is the sweet spot value/price-wise for the US-made rods.  I have 3 Premiers, and they're all what I'd call accurate in the taper (2 are fast, 1 is a moderate crankbait model).  They don't seem to be ultra-high modulus graphite.   I think the power could have something to do with what you're experiencing comparing to the BPS rods.  By the way, I have the 6'6 M-F (casting) for topwater plugs, and I wouldn't want anything faster, even with the 10 lb mono I'm usually using. I don't often use it for other baits.

[Squarebill79]

1 hour ago, Tywithay said:

Are they the same power? Or just both fast action?

Both are medium power rods.

[Angry John]

2 hours ago, Jermination said:

what are you smoking? 

Well I guess every person is entitled to their opinion.  I have owned every bass line of rods they make and still own and fish avoids and above several times a week.  A big name rod is generally not that great in the economy lines, and even the avids are now made in Mexico.  Below the avids you get much better product cheaper in other manufacturers. 

[Nelson Delaney]

13 minutes ago, Angry John said:

Well I guess every person is entitled to their opinion.  I have owned every bass line of rods they make and still own and fish avoids and above several times a week.  A big name rod is generally not that great in the economy lines, and even the avids are now made in Mexico.  Below the avids you get much better product cheaper in other manufacturers. 

Avids are made in USA

[Tywithay]

28 minutes ago, Angry John said:

Well I guess every person is entitled to their opinion.  I have owned every bass line of rods they make and still own and fish avoids and above several times a week.  A big name rod is generally not that great in the economy lines, and even the avids are now made in Mexico.  Below the avids you get much better product cheaper in other manufacturers. 

The latest Mojo rods use the same SC3 graphite as the Avid and feel a lot better than the older models that felt like tree trunks

[dodgeguy]

5 hours ago, Squarebill79 said:

Hey guys, I decided to give St Croix rods a try based on all the positive feedback I hear about them. I decided to go with a St. Croix Premier Series, 6'6, Mf. I planned on using it for finesse bass fishing and using it on the river for walleyes and wipers. Ive used it now for a few days and Im extremely disappointed.

 

The end of the rod tip seems extremely flimsy even though I got a fast action rod, same as all my other rods. You cant get a very good hookset at all because of this. I compared it to my Carbonlites which are exactly the same size and the last 6 inches there is definitely alot more bend in the St Croix rods even though they are both fast action. It just doesnt seem as well built to me as it should be for the price. Has anyone else had this experience when switching rod brands? Should I exchange it for an "extra fast" and see if that helps or go down to maybe a 6'0? 

 

 

you should have stayed with the carbonlite or gone up to the johnny morris signature series. the new ones are 10 year warranty from the carbonlite on up.

[waymont]

The Avid line of rods are made in USA.

[FishTank]

2 hours ago, Angry John said:

Well I guess every person is entitled to their opinion.  I have owned every bass line of rods they make and still own and fish avoids and above several times a week.  A big name rod is generally not that great in the economy lines, and even the avids are now made in Mexico.  Below the avids you get much better product cheaper in other manufacturers. 

I think the Avids are still made in Park Falls. 

[TBAG]

5 hours ago, Angry John said:

St croix is not good until you reach the avid or above level.  BMW is not the same in the 100 and 500 series.  Fish an scV blank and you will know performance.

I own several Avids and Avid X's in both casting and spinning but I'm going to have to disagree with you. 

 

My topwater setup is a Mojo Bass and I think it's well worth the price! It's an awesome rod. 

[WRB]

Spinning or casting rod?

Tom

[Squarebill79]

2 hours ago, dodgeguy said:

you should have stayed with the carbonlite or gone up to the johnny morris signature series. the new ones are 10 year warranty from the carbonlite on up.

I think Im going to exchange it for a Carbonlite 2.0, I have two of those but they are "casting" rods so Im hoping the spinning are similar. in build and sensitivity. I made the mistake of ordering online before I had tried out different rods so Ill take it back to the store this time. I like the Johnny Morris Signature Series Rods but they shortest they have is 6'8 and thats a little long for my tastes. 

Just now, WRB said:

Spinning or casting rod?

Tom

Spinning, Ive decided Ill probably go exchange it for something else. Whats your opinion on the subject?

[WRB]

SC Premire series I believe are multi species rods. Spinning rods are generally about 1/2 power less then casting rods with more flexible upper section to facilitate the snap casting motion the average spinning angler uses. BPS rod by comparison is a bass rod with faster upper section action.

You may want to consider Dobyns rods in your price range; FR663SF.

Tom

 

[dodgeguy]

1 hour ago, Squarebill79 said:

I think Im going to exchange it for a Carbonlite 2.0, I have two of those but they are "casting" rods so Im hoping the spinning are similar. in build and sensitivity. I made the mistake of ordering online before I had tried out different rods so Ill take it back to the store this time. I like the Johnny Morris Signature Series Rods but they shortest they have is 6'8 and thats a little long for my tastes. 

Spinning, Ive decided Ill probably go exchange it for something else. Whats your opinion on the subject?

They make a 6-6 mh fast Patriot for 199$ . is that to long? Should have enough backbone. They also have Medium fast. They are made in USA with 10 year warranty. Fuji sic guides. Really light and sensitive also.Dont know if that's in your price range. If it is I'd give that a shot since you like your carbon lites. I don't see the sense in changing brands.

[Allen Der]

3 hours ago, Squarebill79 said:

I think Im going to exchange it for a Carbonlite 2.0, I have two of those but they are "casting" rods so Im hoping the spinning are similar. in build and sensitivity. I made the mistake of ordering online before I had tried out different rods so Ill take it back to the store this time. I like the Johnny Morris Signature Series Rods but they shortest they have is 6'8 and thats a little long for my tastes. 

Spinning, Ive decided Ill probably go exchange it for something else. Whats your opinion on the subject?

the softer tip is what I like about the premiers.  you should try the mojo or eyecon in a 6'8 MXF if you want a stiff tip

[swimmingjig]

THE SCIII IPC mojo is the cousin of avid from Mexico with spilt grip . 

[Armtx77]

I bought a Triumph a few weeks ago, knowing it is their low end line. It is 6'8" ML/F and the tip is pretty flimsy. I even started a thread about it.

 

Many have said you have to get into their higher end rods to get away from the "buggy whip" like tips.

[Spankey]

21 hours ago, Angry John said:

St croix is not good until you reach the avid or above level.  BMW is not the same in the 100 and 500 series.  Fish an scV blank and you will know performance.

I won’t persecute you. But you are misinformed or a non user of St. Croix Rods. Heck everyone can’t like them right. 
 

But I’m with you as far as having your own opinion. To each his own. 

[Squarebill79]

15 hours ago, dodgeguy said:

They make a 6-6 mh fast Patriot for 199$ . is that to long? Should have enough backbone. They also have Medium fast. They are made in USA with 10 year warranty. Fuji sic guides. Really light and sensitive also.Dont know if that's in your price range. If it is I'd give that a shot since you like your carbon lites. I don't see the sense in changing brands.

I think I may do this actually. I already spent $150 so Ill probably just pay the xtra 50 bucks to get a Patriot rod. Do you have any experience with BPS Extreme rods? I have a 6'0 medium that I absolutely love but they dont make those anymore. If the Patriot is similar to the Carbonlites or Extremes that would be perfect for what Im looking for.