Your Favorite St Croix Tidemaster Models?

[NJ_Snappy_Bois]

I know questions about the Tidemaster may be better suited to a saltwater forum, but I am sure a lot of you guys have experience with this rod that I'd like to hear. I have the 6'6" MHF Casting (1/2- 1 1/4) and absolutely love it! It's a great light inshore rod when you want to throw small diamond jigs and other lures with a LP baitcasting reel, and also doubles as a decent "do all" largemouth rod, especially when pond bank fishing and the 7 footers stay home. The tip is a definitely a bit heavy for a primary largemouth rod, but this is sometimes welcome in NJ when the vegetation gets out of control. The "Fast" action on this series is very unique to me. It is definitely not Avid fast, but I wouldn't say it's a mod-fast either. I like it for casting/football/bladed jigs a lot.

 

Now that St Croix seems to be phasing out this fan favorite series, I am thinking of picking up one or two more in different lengths/actions/powers etc (spinning and/or casting) just because I like the rod so much. I was hoping to hear from anyone who owns other particular models of the Tidemaster that are worth checking out, or are just gems. I know this is a very broad and general question, but I fish for largemouth, stripers/summer flounder in bays and the surf, and bluefish inshore as well, so I could make use of many different rods in the series.

 

Here are some models I have been thinking about and their potential applications for me.. (have not had the chance to hold in hand yet):

 

•  7'0" Casting M Power, Fast (3/8- 3/4) - Small spoons for smaller bluefish; double as a decent freshwater swimjig rod
• 8'0" Spinning MH or H, Fast (1/2-2 or 3/4-3) - Light surf rod for lighter plugs/SP minnows/bucktails

 

Appreciate any insights on the 2-3 specific models I listed above, but more just interested in starting a discussion about this awesome series: 

 

What model Tidemasters to do you have?

 

What do you use them for?

 

Which one(s) would you add to your arsenal if this rod became harder to find soon?

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Ive got an older 6'6 MH F spinning TM with the golf ball sized striping eye.  Ive really put it to work and its held up for 12 or 13 years.  I have a 7'6 Avid Inshore for light surf and it does really well with 1/2oz kastmasters and 1/4 jigheads. When you start get rods over 7'6 you have to compensate for the heavier tip and use a slightly heavier reel, I dont think the extra .5 ft is worth it.  If your set on a rod over 8ft check out some the newer JDM light surf rods on J and H like the black hole and Shimano.  SC is just phasing out the TM and improving the Mojo Inshores which isn't a bad thing.  I see far more Avid Inshores then TM around so i see why they are doing it.

[NJ_Snappy_Bois]

10 hours ago, Rusty_Shackleford said:

Ive got an older 6'6 MH F spinning TM with the golf ball sized striping eye.  Ive really put it to work and its held up for 12 or 13 years.  I have a 7'6 Avid Inshore for light surf and it does really well with 1/2oz kastmasters and 1/4 jigheads. When you start get rods over 7'6 you have to compensate for the heavier tip and use a slightly heavier reel, I dont think the extra .5 ft is worth it.  If your set on a rod over 8ft check out some the newer JDM light surf rods on J and H like the black hole and Shimano.  SC is just phasing out the TM and improving the Mojo Inshores which isn't a bad thing.  I see far more Avid Inshores then TM around so i see why they are doing it.

Thanks for your response. I have the 7’6” avid inshore MHF as well (if thats the one you mean). I would gladly use that for light surf but it is a casting model and im thinking I’d prefer spinning for light plugs, especially at night. I’d really like if there was a 9 ft TM for this purpose, but that would probably step on their surf rod series. I take your point on 7’6”+ rods and heavier tips. I have the 76 Avid paired with a Diawa Costal TWS and it’s probably on the lighter side for that rod. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

The Avid Inshore is a 7'6 ML F spinning.  I really like it but for what it cost I could have a custom rod purpose built for a few more $ that would be better for Inshore.  The ML makes the cocktails and taylors really fun.  I get use out of the 7'6 for freshwater though which I cant say for the mag taper custom rod.  Casting gear is great and all but you know how it is on the beach.  Its hard to keep a reel dry and that foam is full of sand.  If it gets between the spool and frame it can cause issues fast.  Dont get me wrong spinning reels will have issues too but they keep sand and salt out a bit better.  

 

If you want a 9' + check out the JDM style light surf rods on J and H.  They have the Dark Matter OB its a 2 piece 10' 1/2-1.5oz so SP minnows, smaller Mag Darters, ML Catch 2ks and other plugs 1-7/8 are in the sweet spot so you can bomb em.  Unlike conventional surf rods these rods have faster actions so you can throw lures under 1/2 pretty well.  The JDM style light surf rods are made to balance with smaller reels like a VR 50 or 3k and 4k size reels.  The OB rod only weighs 7 oz so the whole combo, rod and reel with line is about 2lbs so you can wing it all day.  This is the link, https://www.jandh.com/products/dark-matter-ob-surf-spinning-rods.html if the link doesnt work go to jandh.com.  They also have a MegaBass JDM light surf called Shadow Pangea which are lighter, the 9'2 is just over 5oz, but they also cost 2x as the Dark matter. 

[NJ_Snappy_Bois]

22 hours ago, Rusty_Shackleford said:

The Avid Inshore is a 7'6 ML F spinning.  I really like it but for what it cost I could have a custom rod purpose built for a few more $ that would be better for Inshore.  The ML makes the cocktails and taylors really fun.  I get use out of the 7'6 for freshwater though which I cant say for the mag taper custom rod.  Casting gear is great and all but you know how it is on the beach.  Its hard to keep a reel dry and that foam is full of sand.  If it gets between the spool and frame it can cause issues fast.  Dont get me wrong spinning reels will have issues too but they keep sand and salt out a bit better.  

 

If you want a 9' + check out the JDM style light surf rods on J and H.  They have the Dark Matter OB its a 2 piece 10' 1/2-1.5oz so SP minnows, smaller Mag Darters, ML Catch 2ks and other plugs 1-7/8 are in the sweet spot so you can bomb em.  Unlike conventional surf rods these rods have faster actions so you can throw lures under 1/2 pretty well.  The JDM style light surf rods are made to balance with smaller reels like a VR 50 or 3k and 4k size reels.  The OB rod only weighs 7 oz so the whole combo, rod and reel with line is about 2lbs so you can wing it all day.  This is the link, https://www.jandh.com/products/dark-matter-ob-surf-spinning-rods.html if the link doesnt work go to jandh.com.  They also have a MegaBass JDM light surf called Shadow Pangea which are lighter, the 9'2 is just over 5oz, but they also cost 2x as the Dark matter. 

Thanks so much for the detailed response ! I’ll have to dive into some research on JDM finesse rods, as I wasn’t aware of this category. I usually only look at jdm sites to save some $ on higher end reels (just saved over $100 on a Bantam MGL actually using Asian Portal).

 

The Dark Matter rod you shared definitely looks like it fits the bill of what I am looking for. Not sure if the action would be the right fit, as this rod would be primarily for lures that are both on the lighter side for the surf and with treble hooks. Was thinking something more moderate/mod fast but these are all subjective terms so I’d have to hold it in hand. If it’s only rated up to 1.5 ounce, it may have plenty of flex for trebles even if it’s labeled “fast”. 
 

I have a stradic fl 4K that seems like itd pair very nicely with your recommendation. 
 

Avids are pricey for sure but what I like about St Croixs salt water rods is being able to throw one casting setup in the car and hitting both fresh and salt fishing spots in one weekend drive. My tide master 66MH is this “do all” rod for me, and in addition to throwing diamond jigs/ small BT’s/ even some bait, it makes a nice largemouth rod when the weeds are crazy and you’d like to have a bit more backbone than a freshwater MH. 
 

appreciate your feedback sir !