St Croix triumph

[bow3022]

Has anyone had experience with this rod? I read good reviews on basspro and cabela's. I was just wondering if any of you guys have this rod. I got it for christmas:).

[Hawgin]

I bought one of these rods when they first came available because I was under the impression that it was going to be the same quality as the Premier.  I was very disappointed.  This rod is okay, it's fairly light, but it is not a very sensitive rod.  I only use the one I have now for topwater, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits.  If you are looking for a cheaper rod to use with these types of baits you will probably like it, if you want it for jigs, plastics, etc I would look at something else like a Fenwick Eagle GT or a Berkley Lightning Rod, or I would save up for a St. Croix Premier.

[Big T]

I have one of these rods and while it is not of the same qulity as the American made Premeirs, it is a good rod for the money. I have used mine for everything from Bass to Inshore Saltwater. It has the same blank as the $90 Premeir, only it is made in China. I am sure you will like it.

Big T

[bow3022]

Hey Big T would this rod handle stripers? As for sensitivity? PFFFFFT its better than an ugly stik! I wana use for like all around....Honestly i had a bad experience with berkley. I had a 2lb bass on a medium action, broke the first day i used it. I will never get a berkley again. And honestly i don't have another 30 bucks for a primier.  >

[Big T]

I am not sure. We do not have many Stripers down here. The only ones we get are the ones that come up the Cape Fear river in the late winter and early spring to spawn. There is a effort by the Army to remove the lock and dams up river towards Fayateville that would restore alot of the Stripers natural spawning grounds. I have never caught a Striper so I can't say for sure. I imagine if it could handle a Redfish it should handle small Stripers. Did you get a Spinning or baicast. I have a 6'6" med. fast spin rod with a Shimano Sahara 4000. I originally had the Sahra 2500 but the reel was small for my applications, so I treded it for the 4000.

Big T

[bow3022]

I have that same rod. One piece. Right now have a pflueger president on there but, i have a penn 440ssg for stripers. (I have the pfluger with 4lb test. I like a challage to fight the bass.I've been trying to find 2lb test but, nowhere to be found.) How big are the redfish you are catching? I have a buddy that fishes for stripers and he thinks it can handle stripers.(he has the same rod but, 2 piece).

[Big T]

How do you like your Penn 440 SSg, I just bought a 450. I pared it with a 7ft. Key Largo. I am going to use mine for general inshore, mainly redfish and Sheepshead. My wife has aPlfeuger that she uses on a Cape Fear rod that I won. She love her Pflueger. her first one started looking crappy after one season in the salt, it still worked fine but I had to replace it because she fell on a jetty wall and chipped the spool. As the reel was discontinued by Pflueger. However the new reel I bought had spare Aluminum Spool that fit it, so now I have an extra back up reel.

[bow3022]

I like my 440ssg. Its not to big, its not to small. The 450ssg seemed kinda big for me with an ugly stik(6ft med action) rod. But the one problem i had with it was spooling, it wouldn't spool right. Another problem is that it tends to tangle when you don't have tension when reeling in.  I will probably be using mines for the same, inshore fishing off the jetty. probably for kingfish and stripers. I fish for tougs(black fish) from time to time but not with this rod. the pfluger to me, its alright,

[Big T]

Where are you located. When you say Kingfish, are you talking about King Makeral or something else. If you want a really good reel at fair price. I would look at a Shimano Sahara, also the Spheros 3000 or 4000 would be good. The Spheros is supposed to be made for saltwater. I have Symtre which is better than the Sahara's that I have use with no problems for five years in the slat.

Big T

[Bream Master]

Bow,

I just got this rod for Christmas and yes it will hold stippers.  I have one in heavy action, 7', paired with a Daiwa Procaster 100 and 50 lb. TUF line.  

My brother and I took it out to the dam hear and caught a stipper, about 13 lbs.  

I haven't fished with the more expensive St. Croix rods so I can't testify on the sensitivity.  But, I'm with you, it sure is better than an Ugly Stick.

Cheers.

[bow3022]

Big t im up north in jersey. King fish is up here, and no where else i think(from what my cousin says). As for now the penn is fine for me. Its just not made for freshwater action lol.

Bream master- your rod is a heavy action, mines is a medium. You probably got the saltwater triumph.

[Big T]

I was just wondering, because when someone says Kingfish down south around the Carolina's, they are talking about King Mackeral and I have heard of fish called a Kingfish. I figured you wer up north when you wer talking about catching Tautogs, I do not think we have those this far south.

[bow3022]

Yea i think KingFish are only up north. I just went out with my new st croix today, had the worst luck. NOTHING. Man i don't even know how this thing sets! I guess i have to wait till tommorow. But so far this thing is pretty light, and casts great!