Shimano Crucial sensitivity compared to...

[esoxangler]

Curious to know how these rods stand up to the St. Croix Avid or Loomis GL3 in the sensitivity department. If anyone has had experience with using any or all of these rods, any insight or recommendations will be appreciated.

Thanks,

esox

[sal669]

The St Croix factory (?) is located in Wisconsin. Why not suport your states economy ???

St Croix Avid and up are made in USA with lifetime warranty. The Avids are just a bit above the Crucials, in my opinion. True, they don't come with split grips, but I hate split grips...

I am fadeing out of Fenwicks, with the exception of the 2 Techna AVs that I got at less than half price.( just couldn't pass up the deal)The last 5 rods I bought were Avids and I'm more than happy with them.

I don't own Loomis rods so I'm not gonna coment on them.

Tight lines, Alex

[Blade-Runner]

The highest grade Shimano I have is a Clarus, so I cannot provide comparison for the Crucial.

However, I own many St. Croix and the Avid is truly wonderful. It is a very sensitive and high quality stick.

[Stasher1]

I've owned both, and I prefer the Avid by far. The Crucial is a nice rod, and pretty sensitive, but the 6'6" MF spinning rod I owned (past tense) was too soft to get a decent hookset sometimes. I don't have that problem with any of my St. Croix rods. I also prefer the grip of the Avid as well. The shape fits my hand better and the cork seems to be of a higher quality with less filler.

[repper]

of the three you mentioned I like the Avid rods the best, followed by the Crucial, and then the GL3. of course if you can get a big discount on the Crucial it will serve you well, but if the price is the same or similar then the Avid is preferable.

[trav]

I use a Crucial and a GL3, and I prefer fishing the Crucial by far. It's also quite a bit cheaper.  I learned the hard way that I'm not a fan of anything Loomis that's below IMX