I got the St. Croix deal of the century!

[jb_adams]

OK, some of you may remember my questions about buying some new rods. Thank you again to all who replied with great advice.

So, today I had some time off I went by the local Sportsman's Warehouse to check out the Falcon rods vs. St. Croix rods (again). I began comparing rods for feel, weight, sensitivity, guide quality, grips, etc. All based on what others have told me to look for when comparing rods.

As I was becoming more and more impressed with the St. Croix Avid series and more impressed with Falcon Lowrider price tag, I noticed a red tag on the St. Croix. "Orginally $180, now only $119!!

I was sold on the price to say the least. The Falcon Lowrider was $110 and it felt like a broom stick compared to the same type of rod in both length and action of the St. CroixAvid series. So, I bought two casting rods for $109 (originally $160) and a 7'-6" spinning rod for only $119 (originally $180). With tax, it was like $360 for three AWESOME high quality fishing rods! ;D

So tonight, I put my reels on and I can't believe the difference. I can pitch finesse jigs with ease and it seems like the jigs stay closer to the ground and fly further. It might be just the setting on the reel but I've never pitched a jig 1ft off the ground before and it fly over 50-60ft the whole time and land soft. That's something new for me so I know it was the rod and not the user or the reel! The sensitivity is increadible compared to the Abu Conolan I was using. The other casting rod is for all-around plastics, spinnerbaits, cranks, etc. It is a medium fast action tip and it can sling a trick worm with a 1/8oz. bullet weight around 30-40yards or better right now. If I re-spool the reel with better line, I know I can get it futher without backlashing. It's super sensitive also. I have low profile Berber carpet in my living room. I could drag the butt end of the trick worm across the carpet and feel EVERY BUMP! I was amazed!

Get this....I have a drop shot rig on my new spinning rod with a 1/2oz. tear drop swivel weight. I put it in my pool (vinyl above ground type) and while I kept tension on the line where the worm was floating, I could feel every 1/4 inch of the pool liner. If there was a bump, it felt like I had a bite in comparison to my old rod. I could feel every wrinkle in the liner with an obvious feeling in the rod handle. I am simply amazed with these rods so far.

The best part is, I got them a little over half price. I am now an "official" St. Croix fan and I haven't even fished these rods yet. I can't wait to use them this weekend for a first run. Should be loads of fun.

[jaskoh]

119 is a steal, congrats!  

[5bass]

CHA CHING!!!

Thats a heck of a deal on some great rods!

[d.hark]

Well if that was the deal of the century then I got the deal of the millenium!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2 of the Dicks sporting goods near me had the Avids on sale at $99 ;D Needless to say I have a nice new Avid spinning rod and a baitcastin rod ;D ;D Woohoooooooooo

[jb_adams]

Well if that was the deal of the century then I got the deal of the millenium!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2 of the Dicks sporting goods near me had the Avids on sale at $99 ;D Needless to say I have a nice new Avid spinning rod and a baitcastin rod ;D ;D Woohoooooooooo

Just joking! I really did think I had a great deal. Now I wish I had a Dick's Sporting Goods close by. We don't have one. I wonder why they are being reduced in price?

[Guest avid]

You got a great buy on a couple of great rods.

good luck and have fun.

avid.

[Big-Bass]

Back about 2 or 3 years ago...I got a 6'6" St. Croix Legend Elite for $150 marked down from $300...now that was a deal...and it was at my local Gander Mountain.  It was the older green blank that was being phased out for the current brown blank rod now.

[islandbass]

Congrats! There's nothing like scoring a steal. You are right about discovering the difference in sensitivty that can exist when comparing two rods.

I love great deals myself. My best to date was scoring a 6'10 MH Crucial for $59.99. I thought I scored until someone pointed out that I could have bought the other two that were there and sold them to other for say $100. I would have made a profit and they would have still gotten a deal. :

[Bass Hammer]

I wonder why they are being reduced in price?

You got a good deal.....enjoy

They are being reduced because St. Croix is redesigning the avid. They should be out this fall or 1st of the year.

[jb_adams]

I wonder why they are being reduced in price?

You got a good deal.....enjoy

They are being reduced because St. Croix is redesigning the avid. They should be out this fall or 1st of the year.

That sounds about right.  I will still be happy with the older series though & especially with the price I paid.

[ABC123]

2 Saturday's before X-Mas I was down in the twin cities shopping and I stopped by the Rogers, Cabela store. They had a Loomis 721 casting rod on close out from $210 marked down to $110. I was what I was looking for in a Sunfish rod. As I was walking around with it, an announcement came over the PA. "25% off all fishing rods and reels, excluding Shimano...til noon". Needless to say, I beelined right for the register to get my rod for $86 and change. What a bargain. 8-)

[mackkie]

I also just got a steal on a st. croix rod.  Avid AS60MF rod was $79.99, regularly $150!  Needless to say I couldnt resist.  I believe the AS66MF's were $99.99.  Man, i might have to get one more at that price.

[islandbass]

Wow, that is a steal and a half and that beats my $59 Crucial.  ;D

[bassholebuster14]

I wonder why they are being reduced in price?

You got a good deal.....enjoy

They are being reduced because St. Croix is redesigning the avid. They should be out this fall or 1st of the year.

are they mabe i should wait to get a new rod then i like st. croixs

[Davis]

I also just got a steal on a st. croix rod. Avid AS60MF rod was $79.99, regularly $150! Needless to say I couldnt resist. I believe the AS66MF's were $99.99. Man, i might have to get one more at that price.

If you guys find any online deals like this, please PM me.

I have my heart set on a nice St Croix spinning rod. Thanks.

[jb_adams]

I also just got a steal on a st. croix rod. Avid AS60MF rod was $79.99, regularly $150! Needless to say I couldnt resist. I believe the AS66MF's were $99.99. Man, i might have to get one more at that price.

If you guys find any online deals like this, please PM me.

I have my heart set on a nice St Croix spinning rod. Thanks.

You won't find them online I'll bet.  You can get a decent price online at this link though.  I'd check with local retailers to see if they have marked down their inventory.  A deal like this is worth a 1-2 hour drive even with high gas prices.

[jaskoh]

I just talked my local Bass Pro down 30% on the avids. Its worth a shot for everyone to try this. I just notified them that everyone in town is dumping their avids for the newer version. I didn't lie but what basspro doesn't know is they are they only store in town that has the exact model I am looking for!