New St Croix rod

[Deephaven]

The cost cutting foam and guides are to fit a price point.  If the blanks are as stellar as they sound they will find their way into a more premium build.  I have a bunch of St. Croix's and love their sticks.  

[GetFishorDieTryin]

7 hours ago, Hulkster said:

 agreed but it has to be about cost cutting. 

 

I was initially very excited about the blank but then they cut a lot of corners in making the final build (not full cork -using EVA foam to finish it off and then a non blank exposed reel seat)

 

of course you will still catch fish on them but it could have been better. 

 

 

Actually that reel seat isn't that cheap as far as Fuji goes.  I would have to imagine they went with the EVA fore grip is because its the locking nut, and what happens when you put too much pressure on a cork locking nut?  Im not crazy about the way it looks, but function is more of a priority to me then appearance.  

[BrianMDTX]

I just got my first St. Croix (a Bass X ML/XF spinning) rod in January. So far so good! 

[Fir3hawk]

Anyone have a educated guess when we’ll see them at the local Cabelas/BPS? A little more than I’ve spent on a rod but it’d be nice to hold one before I drop $130ish on a Mojo Bass or Premier.

[Bluebasser86]

3 hours ago, Fir3hawk said:

Anyone have a educated guess when we’ll see them at the local Cabelas/BPS? A little more than I’ve spent on a rod but it’d be nice to hold one before I drop $130ish on a Mojo Bass or Premier.

The rods they have listed on the link are supposed to be available 3/19. Now whether that means they'll hit the shelves here locally or not, hard to tell. They do have a place you can put your email to get more information. Not sure if that might get you updates or information on when they'll be available in certain locales.

https://stcroixrods.com/pages/victory?utm_source=BassResource&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=banner&utm_campaign=VictoryLaunch

[.ghoti.]

Add a new rod to my St Croix collection. Been a fan of St Croix for quite some time. I have four Avids, three LTBs, and one Extreme. Had them for years and use them all the time. Never had a problem with any of them. All are very well built.

 

I have a new Victory; 7’1” MH-F. A very well built rod from Park Falls. Good fitment, no gaps or seams between components. Thread and epoxy are tight and neat. i’ve said before that certain other rod manufacturers (you reading this NRX) should buy a rod built in Park Falls, take it to their production people, lay it on the table,  and say why cant we build rods like this. This is what a well built rod looks like.
 

Colors are subtle. One beef I’ve had with my LTBs and Extreme is the grips are too short. They have corrected this in the Victory line. Guides are Fuji; two double foot, the rest single foot. I think they are the gunmetal finish. I have not used gunmetal guides on any of my builds, so I’m guessing.

 

My only beef is the reel seat, a Fuji SK seat. That, along with the Pac Bay Minima seat are my two candidates for the worst, most uncomfortable, reel seats ever made. The addition of an EVA piece in the middle does help. For me, it makes the rod usable for a much longer period of time. I have yet to determine just how long. 

 

Mounted an OG Fuego with #12 Invizx, and took him for a spin. Brought along a rod for comparison; a 7’ MH-XF LTB with the same reel and line. Same bait; t-rigged Rage craw. I would like to say I caught a nice six pounder and the rod handled her perfectly, but, I was throwing my baits into ice cold chocolate milk. No bites at all.

 

The Victory was a better caster than the LTB. Kinda expected that. One does not buy an XF action rod for it’s casting capability. No bites, no hooksets, so I can’t comment on that. The Victory is a bit more sensitive. I could feel the flapping of the craws claws better on the Victory, which was noticeably lighter in hand, and less tip heavy. 
I was using a 1/4oz weight which put the bait close to the lower end of it’s rated lure weight of 3/8oz. I suspect you could throw a 1/4 oz total weight bait with it. Did not test the upper end, which I never really do. 

now for some numbers. CCS numbers. With LTB numbers for comparison

Victory 7’1” MH-F IP = 430g AA = 72°

7’ MH-XF LTB IP = 607g AA = 76°

whoa! That’s a big difference. Had to double check both, and those are the numbers. Decided to test another

7’ M-F LTB. IP = 420g AA = 72°
 So, the medium heavy victory is almost identical to the medium LTB. Had to double check that as well. I also weighed all three. The Victory was the lightest, being about an ounce under the MH-XF LTB. Not listing the weights. I was using my old digital scale which is not accurate. It is consistent and repeatable. Just not absolutely on the money.

 

Just realized I should explain those numbers.

IP is intrinsic power. I higher number indicates a rod with more backbone

AA is action angle. A higher number indicates a fast action.

 

the numbers, in and of themselves mean nothing. IP has nothing to do with lure weight, line weights, drag settings or lifting power. Both number are the results of a specific, repeatable procedure, designed to provide numbers for comparison purposes.

for more detail look here

https://www.common-cents.info/

 

Most of us are aware that ST Croix underrates their rods. Their medium power is equivalent to most other’s medium heavy. Been that way for a while. Perhaps this a departure from past practice. Can’t make that assumption from only one data point.

 

I’m looking forward to see the rest of the models in the Victory line. Eventually there will be 25 bass technique specific rods available.

Oh yeah!

 

[roadwarrior]

Great review!

 

[BrianMDTX]

3 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

Great review!

 

I second that. From fit to finish and everything in between. Makes me want one. 

 

I heareth the Monkey sing the siren’s song...

[jimmyjoe]

   Thank you for the CCS numbers!        jj

[Chris186]

On 3/3/2021 at 4:33 PM, .ghoti. said:

 

 

Most of us are aware that ST Croix underrates their rods. Their medium power is equivalent to most other’s medium heavy. Been that way for a while. Perhaps this a departure from past practice. Can’t make that assumption from only one data point.

 

Do you feel this rod Is still underrated, or is it more Inline with everyone else’s MH?

[.ghoti.]

This one is more in line with other medium heavy rods. I would not assume that other rods in the line will be the same. Cant make a judgement on one data point.

[RichF]

SK2 reel seat...?

[Matt Eisen]

On 3/3/2021 at 4:33 PM, .ghoti. said:

1. Been a fan of St Croix for quite some time. I have four Avids, three LTBs, and one Extreme. Had them for years and use them all the time. Never had a problem with any of them. All are very well built.

 

2. Most of us are aware that ST Croix underrates their rods. Their medium power is equivalent to most other’s medium heavy. Been that way for a while. Perhaps this a departure from past practice. Can’t make that assumption from only one data point.

 

1. What St Croix rod do you like to fish topwater frogs on?

 

2. Really? I've heard several people say this and frankly I'm disappointed with my 7'1'' MH Fast Mojo. I wish it had more backbone, as I often fish weedless paddle tail swimbaits and swim jigs on it and I feel that the Fast action is more like a Moderate Fast.

[Bluebasser86]

15 minutes ago, Matt Eisen said:

2. Really? I've heard several people say this and frankly I'm disappointed with my 7'1'' MH Fast Mojo. I wish it had more backbone, as I often fish weedless paddle tail swimbaits and swim jigs on it and I feel that the Fast action is more like a Moderate Fast.

Backbone (power), and action are 2 different things though.

[ArthurLK11]

7 hours ago, Matt Eisen said:

 

2. Really? I've heard several people say this and frankly I'm disappointed with my 7'1'' MH Fast Mojo. I wish it had more backbone, as I often fish weedless paddle tail swimbaits and swim jigs on it and I feel that the Fast action is more like a Moderate Fast.

You're talking about two different things. The discussion was about the power of the rod, you're talking about the action of the rod. 

[Sir Shamsalot]

9 hours ago, Matt Eisen said:

 

1. What St Croix rod do you like to fish topwater frogs on?

 

2. Really? I've heard several people say this and frankly I'm disappointed with my 7'1'' MH Fast Mojo. I wish it had more backbone, as I often fish weedless paddle tail swimbaits and swim jigs on it and I feel that the Fast action is more like a Moderate Fast.

The 7'4" H/F rods are usually considered the Croix frog/swim jig rods. I use the Avid X and the Legend Xtreme in the H/F with 20lb FC along with a Dobyns with 50lb 832 braid for these techniques without issue.

[Allen Der]

Rods are available for purchase today at Bass Pro, TW and local retailers.  for some reason bass pro only has the casting models

[Glenn]

Looks like TW sold out of the spinning rods.  They just have the Casting rods now.

 

[Deplorable Fisherman]

10 minutes ago, Glenn said:

Looks like TW sold out of the spinning rods.  They just have the Casting rods now.

 

That's odd...I just went to the site and it shows all in stock (5+). For giggles I added one to my cart and it still shows in stock...

[Allen Der]

3 hours ago, Deplorable Fisherman said:

That's odd...I just went to the site and it shows all in stock (5+). For giggles I added one to my cart and it still shows in stock...

yeah I'm tempted by the 7'3 MXF spinning rod but I'm also curious to see what the other yet to be released models look like

[Deplorable Fisherman]

2 minutes ago, Allen Der said:

yeah I'm tempted by the 7'3 MXF spinning rod but I'm also curious to see what the other yet to be released models look like

I didn't hit the check out button...but I've added stuff to my cart at TW and continued shopping and it would say an item in my cart was out of stock when I went to check out if enough time had passed. I also chatted with them today and they said their inventory is real time.

I ordered a 7'3" MHF casting rod in the Victory. It was perfect for what I was looking for (was that or a Daiwa Rebellion in same size/action). I am holding off on a spinning rod and hoping they have a nice 7'6" ish ML on the horizon for a hair jig rod. 

[JPRColorado]

On 3/19/2021 at 1:46 PM, Deplorable Fisherman said:

I didn't hit the check out button...but I've added stuff to my cart at TW and continued shopping and it would say an item in my cart was out of stock when I went to check out if enough time had passed. I also chatted with them today and they said their inventory is real time.

I ordered a 7'3" MHF casting rod in the Victory. It was perfect for what I was looking for (was that or a Daiwa Rebellion in same size/action). I am holding off on a spinning rod and hoping they have a nice 7'6" ish ML on the horizon for a hair jig rod. 

I’m buying the 7'1” or 7'3" Victory casting rod. Both are MH. Unfortunately I can’t find anything suggesting the difference between them (other than the 2” and goofy names). Anyone know?  Or, has anyone else considered between these 2 - what did you choose and why?  Thanks!

[Bluebasser86]

6 hours ago, JPRColorado said:

I’m buying the 7'1” or 7'3" Victory casting rod. Both are MH. Unfortunately I can’t find anything suggesting the difference between them (other than the 2” and goofy names). Anyone know?  Or, has anyone else considered between these 2 - what did you choose and why?  Thanks!

There's 2 7' 3" casting rods, both are MH. One is a fast, the other is an extra fast. There's different specs between the 7' 1" MH/F and both 7' 3" rods. I went with the 7' 3" MH/XF. IMO, the 7' 1" would be a better all around rod. The other 2 are better suited as specialized rods for bottom contact style baits. 

 

St. Croix Victory Casting Rod 7'1" Med Hvy/Fast

Fast

12-20lb

3/8-3/4oz

 

St. Croix Victory Casting Rod 7'3" Hvy/X-Fast Action

Extra Fast

14-65lb

3/8-7/8oz

 

St. Croix Victory Casting Rod 7'3" Med Hvy/Fast

Fast

14-65lb

5/16-1oz

[JPRColorado]

14 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

There's 2 7' 3" casting rods, both are MH. One is a fast, the other is an extra fast. There's different specs between the 7' 1" MH/F and both 7' 3" rods. I went with the 7' 3" MH/XF. IMO, the 7' 1" would be a better all around rod. The other 2 are better suited as specialized rods for bottom contact style baits. 

 

St. Croix Victory Casting Rod 7'1" Med Hvy/Fast

Fast

12-20lb

3/8-3/4oz

 

St. Croix Victory Casting Rod 7'3" Hvy/X-Fast Action

Extra Fast

14-65lb

3/8-7/8oz

 

St. Croix Victory Casting Rod 7'3" Med Hvy/Fast

Fast

14-65lb

5/16-1oz

Good info. I wasn’t entirely clear. There are 2 MH/Fast rods - difference is 2 inches (7'1 vs 7'3) and their name. Do we presume overall same bending characteristics?  I have a Legend Tourneys (in m/Xf and ML/XF) and some avid X's - looking for a MH that has some give, but not like my Avid X Moderate noodle - and excited about the Victory line. 

[Bluebasser86]

2 hours ago, JPRColorado said:

Good info. I wasn’t entirely clear. There are 2 MH/Fast rods - difference is 2 inches (7'1 vs 7'3) and their name. Do we presume overall same bending characteristics?  I have a Legend Tourneys (in m/Xf and ML/XF) and some avid X's - looking for a MH that has some give, but not like my Avid X Moderate noodle - and excited about the Victory line. 

The 7' 3" will move a good bit more line than the 7' 1" on the hookset. It will also provide more lifting leverage if you're pulling fish up out of cover. 

 

The 7' 3" MH/XF I have is not a noodle at all, so I'm sure the 7' 3" MH/F wouldn't be either.