SCORE!!! Free St. Croix Triumph rod!!

[The Rooster]

I posted on here a week or so ago about asking my brother-in-law if he'd sell his Shimano Clarus rod he was not using. I did last night and he said he believed he still had the rod and would sell it to me. I wanted a MH/F but he said he thought it was only a M/F.  We got to talking and he said he also has several other rods that he was not using as well. Since he was coming into town today to visit he said he'd make a list of what he has that he is not using and let me know. I told him to let me know also what he wanted for any of them.

Well, today he came in and tells me that after he had previously said he would sell that Clarus he then remembered he was already letting his son use it to learn to fish on and didn't want to take it away from him. I don't blame him there at all, although thinking about it it's kind of funny, there's a 6'6" Clarus out there with a Zebco 202 on it ;D.

But when he came in today, instead of having a list of his rods he currently was not using, he had brought a 6'6" M/F St. Croix Triumph casting rod and said he'd just GIVE it to me at no cost since he was not using it.

I was stunned, this is a nice rod and fairly expensive (to me) at $70 retail. It's not quite the rod I wanted since I originally wanted a MH/F for spinnerbaits, but it is actually stiffer feeling than a Shimano Compre M/F I have now, making the St. Croix Triumph feel more like a MH power so I think it will work fine for my spinnerbait needs. And I can't beat a St. Croix for free so I'm not complaining one bit. It's in excellent condition, just like new, and mine to keep. I offered to pay him for it but he wouldn't have it. He said keep it, he's not using it at all, doesn't plan to ever use it and it's just leaning there in the corner of his garage collecting dust. Naturally I was thrilled. 8-)

[bugman]

I have the same rod and I think you will be more than happy using it for spinnerbaits. St Croix rods do tend to have more backbone compared  many other brands. It's a good multi purpose rod. The more you use it the more you will like it.

[The Rooster]

I can't wait to fish it.  I already saddled up a reel on it and went out into the backyard with a spinnerbait tied on to see how it would cast.  It casts beautifully and feels light in my hands.  Never had a St. Croix rod before so this will also be a learning experience.  The rod says it will handle 1/4 to 3/4 baits.  I had a 3/8 oz. spinnerbait tied on (actual weight was 3/4 oz. when put on a scale).  The rod did not feel maxxed out at all, so I'm sure I could use the 1/2 oz. baits on it too (the ones I weighed in at 7/8 oz. on the scale).  It actually feels like it's in between the M/F Compre and the MH/F Compre I have now in terms of power and action, regardless of the M/F rating the rod claims.  This is just fine with me.

[Tin]

He must not like you. lol

[Stasher1]

I have the same rod in a two-piece version that I use as my "trunk rod". It stays in my truck/car along with a small assortment of lures and soft plastics.

It's actually a decent rod, especially for free. I had to pay full retail for mine, and wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

[grimlin]

Trust me..it ain't anywhere near a MH.

I hate mine......I feel it doesn't have any backbone and it's real whippy feel. I actually use mine for treble hook type lures.Mine actually feels like a moderate action rod.

I tried using this as a tube set up and i missed so many bites it was ridiculous. 

[The Rooster]

Well time will tell.  When I get to use it on the water, that's when I'll know.  Just casting it though it felt fairly stiff feeling.  My Shimano Compre M/F feels a bit weaker than this St. Croix does.

[dodgeguy]

enjoy the rod dude!!!