St. Croix rods

[John]

I attended a walleye seminar today by Ted Takasaki. He spoke highly of the St. Croix graphite rods. I am sure that they are on of his sposors, but regardless, what do you guys think of St. Croix rods? I am in the need for a couple of new ones for jigging and casting. Any recommendations?

[wyoming]

I have 2 avids 6'-6'ml and one legend elite 7' m. exspensive but the best I have ever fished. saving to get 2 more avids. If you have the money there worth it.

[John]

Thanks, I will give them a look.

[jim-lc]

I have a 6'6" ml with a quatum "kinectic", I bought last spring and I just can't fish with it enough! Although I have caught over 8 different spieces with this combo the increased sensitivity over my older/ cheaper rods has helped me actually catch some eye's.

[WAeyes]

I have a 6 1/2ft. Legend in ML. One thing to keep in mind is that when you go into the higher quality rods like St. Croix you will find that a ML fishes like a M and a M fishes like a MH etc. etc. I researched it quite thoroughly and found that St. Croix Legends are the lightest weight of any rod in their class and I can tell you by experience they are unbelievably sensitive for jig fishing. I highly recommend them, as will alot of others here.

[ITRY]

are st. croix better than g. loomis?

[skr]

I have 5 Loomis rods in various models and 4 St. Croix. I love all and all have their place.I have A GLX 6 ft 721 and a 6 ft Elite med light action. Very similar rods. I like the handles of the St. Croix better than the Loomis. The St. Croix is slightly lighter in wt. than the Loomis. They are very similar in action. I have never broken a St. Croix but have broken a couple of Loomis. Loomis has always been great replacing rods.Don't know about St. croix....I'm sure I'll find out thoght!!!!FYI i have found the St. Croix on sale in a few places. BPS in Auburn Hills had the Elite on sale...Enjoy

[SnellTier]

I have ... let me think ... 16 St Croix rods.

2 6'8" M avids for bottom bouncing

2 6'6" M legends for crankbait casting

2 6'6" MH premier for musky crankbait casting

2 6'6" ML avids for vertical jigging

2 6'6" ML legends for vertical jigging

2 6' L legends for vertical jigging

2 6' UL legends for panfishing

2 6'6" two-piece premiers for easy travel on fly-ins (for sale to a good home ... lol).

I love them ... have bought them over a 7 or 8 year period. Nice strength, nice light weight, cast well, good sense of feel, and stand up well. I have owned other rods (none of the Loomis ... the ones I liked were out of my price range) but I like the St Croix best.

[wyoming]

These are very light rods so reel choice is in ''my opinion'' is to look at the weight of the reel that you decide on. I went with pinnacle deadbolts, seem to be pretty well balanced.

[Reels]

Great Rods. Are they better than loomis? You have to compare model to model. In a broad paintstroke, you can not honestly say. They both make great Rods.

<{{}}><

[WAeyes]

Wow...you have 16 $150 to $300 St. Croix rods but the Loomis you liked was out of your price range? LOL :)

[SnellTier]

Yah ... lol. I DID say I bought them over a large number of years ...lol.

[iamwalleye1]

Yes! they are great.
They don't float!

[Reels]

ouch!

<{{}}><

[SnellTier]

Oh, and I missed part of your post ... I paid $135 apiece for the most expensive rods in the bunch ... the avids. Not sure how you got to $300 ... maybe that is what they are going for now or maybe you mis-read my "legend" as "legend elite". I bought the "legend" models ... they were like $99 at the time. I haven't bought a rod since 2000 in fact.

I lucked out on one pair of legends ... a store was going out of business and had 2 of them taped together and marked down to $75. I am not sure they were intended to be SOLD together ... but that is how they were displayed and that is how the clerk rang them up after she checked with her boss and I was not going to object.

[WAeyes]

Yes, I did assume you meant Legend Elites. Retail price for those is around $300. Sounds like you got good prices on your rods.

[rangerpat]

Hey Tomd, are you considering parting with the 2 piece rods 6'6" or were just kidding? If your thinking of parting with them, drop me an email. I had someone drop one in the river & never could snag it. Thanks, Pat Cavins

[fishandhunt1]

There is a fella in minnesota that will build ya a rod with St.Croix blanks for alot less than ya can by them for through Cabelas. I am working with him on a 6foot 6inch ML 1 piece Avid series blank right know!!!!!! if any one would like his address i can get it to ya. He was on here a while back it sounds like he does it for a hobby and just picken up a couple extra $$$$$$$ to cover his expences. Larry

[Eyez]

With a little patience, I think most anyone can build a nice rod for less than it costs to buy off the shelf. One example is the st. croix as66mlf. I can get all the components in a kit at my house for under $100 from cabelas, compared to $160 for the rod off the shelf. It's not EXACTLY the same components that st. croix uses, but they are high quality components.


Eyez

[tj1n]

Just to give you a variance of opinions....

Last year I bought an Avid because I thought the feel was good.....once I got it out on the water I found that my lifelong favorite jiggin' rods out performed it considerably and are only 60% of the money.

Furthermore, the second day using this rod I had a hard bite that I set the hook firm on and the rod snapped 3" above the handle. I was able to get this eye' into the boat and it was about a 3#er. This hurt my confidence of St. Croix rods.

Anyway, I've heard nothing but good from everyone on this board and on the water regarding St. Croix's so I'll give em' another chance.

TJ

[Eyez]

Is that the one you showed me at mobridge? When'd you snap it off?

[Den]

Any good rod, no matter which brand can and will break sometimes. most rod builders, and manufacturers will tell you that if a rod breaks within the first few uses , it is a flaw in the rod blank. i have way too many st. croix's to mention here, but i also had a musky rod(st croix) break on the very first hookset, it was also about 3 to 5 inches above the handle, that is the stress point of the hookset. so you just had a rod that had a flaw in it. i have had some very expensive rods besides the croix's break in the same area, but was told the same thing, so nobody can make a perfect one every time. i do like the croix's over the others for casting, and jigging, they are very good for the money. good luck and good fishin.
Den

[rebelrn]

I have a Legend 7' ML (about 5 yrs old now), and that one has taken a lot of abuse. I have a Legend Elite 6 1/2' M ($300 but my step son worked at a sporting goods store so I got it for $105). The Elite snapped in two, TWICE. The first time I was hooked on a reed and gave the rod a snap and the rod snapped too. St Croix sent me a new one for shipping only. The second time I casted a large lure (yes it probably was too big for the rod) and it snapped again. St Croix again stood behind it. I guess the rods are so light weight and sensitive that they also kind of become brittle. Be sure to stick to the weight recommendations on the rod. No more 'snapping' or 'musky' fishing w/that rod for me!! Otherwise, yes they are VERY good for sensitivity.

[Eyez]

I've heard the same complaint about loomis GLX's. As sensitive as they are, I'd rather have a rod like an IMX or Avid that I don't have to worry about being so brittle.

Eyez

[Daren]

The problem with a brittle rod can be compounded by cold. With these rods you really have to be more carefull to stay in your recommended lure size when fishing in colder (early to late winter) weather. Graphite does become brittle in cold weather and the higher the modulous the more brittle it gets. That combined with the extremely light weight of these rods can make using these in extreme conditions a bad ideal.

Personally, I don't buy St. Croix or G.Loomis rods anymore. I have a few and I do like them but there are other good rods out there also that cost substantially less.

As for a rod breaking on the first outage and being replaced for just shipping costs, any other rod you could have taken back to the store and exchanged with no shipping costs the same day. Basically you paid the price of the rod plus shipping cost for a rod you really did not get to use for a week or more after you initially purchased it. Yes, I know they will often replace a rod for years after you purchase it but I do feel that if I break a rod after fishing with it a few years then it really is on me not the rod manufacturer to replace it. Very few rods break when used the way they are designed to be used. Most breakage is due to some type of abuse, such as dropping, hitting it against something, etc...

[Todd_NE]

This is my take on St. Croix.

I like the idea of buying a rod from a bunch of guys and ladies (they probably say gal there) in Pine Falls, WI that work hard and design hard. I can almost see the leinenkugels and brats at the company picnic. To me, a company like this is a little slice of what we seem to yearn for in the U.S. - right before we buy some rod for less money from somewhere else.

A rod breaks, they send you a new one. They don't have the resouces as some of the big boys but they make products as good as anyone out there for a heckuva price.

I've never been to the plant, but everyone I've ever met associated with them at shows I've liked and respected. I'll give you an example, I have tons of rods but I'm always looking to learn and maybe add to the ol' collection. This past weekend I slipped out of my boat booth to go look at a St. Croix. I've always wanted a 7' baitcaster to use for handheld bottom bouncing, etc. Dave Nichols, a pro was there and spent quite a bit of time with me, ASKED ME a bunch of questions about what I wanted a rod to do and eventually I discovered with his help the 6'8" rod was the way to go because of the action, design, and use. It was slightly cheaper to boot. I've met other guys with St. Croix and it's always the same. Educate, don't knock the other guys, and I've never met one yet that was condescending in any way. By the way, thanks Dave.

Tackle dealers generally talk about them in glowing terms. They have all the sizes I need, they keep coming out with good stuff, and there is just something about the way their product fit in my hands and work on my boat that I like.

There are a ton of good rods out there, to each his own.

Todd - I'm not a pro staffer by the way. I just fell in love with the first rod I bought from them years ago.

Yup, got her... feel that head shake!

[MURPHFISH]

I JUST BOUGHT A SCHEELS OUTFITTER GUIDE SERIES AND SCHEELS SAYS THEY ARE ST CROIX BLANKS... IT WAS LAST YEARS MODEL AND WAS $50.. I'VE HAD 3 ST CROIX'S, THE CHEAPER ONES, PREMIERS?? AND THEY HAVE BEEN MY FAVORITE RODS... I'M DOWN TO ONE KNOW.. I LIKE BUYING THE SCHEELS OUTFITTER RODS BECAUSE THEY TELL YOU RIGHT IN THE STORE THAT THEY WILL WARRENTY THEM FOR LIFE AGAINST ANY KIND OF BREAKAGE.. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY INFO ON THESE RODS??? WHAT BLANKS THEY COMPARE TO?? THOUGHTS..

[House]

Todd,

Everything you say is true except for the town, it's Park Falls. Take a tour if you ever get the chance. The Schlutter boys are dyed in the wool Lienenkugel drinkers. The people are very proud of the rods they make and yes there are brats and sourkraut at the company picnic.

One of the engineers who designs the rods visits this site from time to time. He might answer a question or two.

My mother-in-law has been working there for at least 20 years. She's pretty loyal to St. Croix and I know she does her best to make a great rod. I think she is pretty typical of the attitude there. It's still a family run business so there is still a lot desisions based on what is good for the customer and not just the numbers. I get the impression that they suffer from growing pains now and then but follow through with thier commitment to a high quality product.

I'm a little biased but I try not to show it.

House

[Todd_NE]

My mistake on the towns and I know better. I got my favorite town in Manitoba mixed up with Park Falls. The subliminal mind...

I like St. Croix even better after hearing what you've added. Thanks!

Todd
Yup, got her... feel that head shake!

[Jason S. Brunner]

Thanks for all the support guy's. Your comments and honest opinions are appreciated. We do work hard to make the best rods in the world. People here take pride in the rods they build. Hope your enjoying them!

I do try to visit this site once or twice a week. If you have any questions on rod technology or design, I'll be more than happy to help you out.

Take Care
Jason Brunner
St. Croix Rods

[SnellTier]

eyez,

I looked in Cabela's most recent catalog ... the one with the bass on the cover. I did not find such a kit shown. Did I miss it someplace??

I might like to build a rod or two just for the fun of it.

Tom

[Todd_NE]

Wouldn't mind seeing a 5'6" Avid in LEF action :)

Todd
Yup, got her... feel that head shake!

[Custommaderods]

Jason, how does one go about getting a job with St. Croix?

[CURRENT BREAK]

JASON:
I have a question for you I have a ST.CROIX older series LEGEND
LS60ML. My favorite rod ! Is the blank a IMS and what is IMS.How dose
it compare with your newer blanks. I looked on your Web site and could not find any history on this
graphite type blank. I was thinking it was your best rod at one time
I am now replacing the handle and reel seat to keep the life in this rod for, I hope many more years

THANKS
GARTH MERRICK

[Pooch]

I have several St. Croix and several Loomis rods along with some pretty inexpensive rods from various makers. IMO the St. Croix offers a good value in the more high end rods. Especially if your not into rod building. But, I have a couple mid priced (cheap) rods that I really like to use also. The Loomis is a super nice rod and I wouldn't trade them for anything. Same goes for the St. Croixs.

If you do any really finnesse fishing you will appreciate a good rod. It is a pleasure to use. Remember that these rods will still be fishing when you and I are long gone. For a few more bucks go for it!

Pooch

[Fishin'Bemidji]

St Croix has come out with a one piece 8' fast action Avid series, if you want the ultimate rigging rod!!! $170 retail

[jason]

Garth, the legend you have was at one time our top of the line rod. We have since then replaced them with the Avid series and went one op from there with the Legend Elites. The Legends were and still are very good rods, but somewhat out of date in terms of the design. The Avids and Elites are much more refined. Our updated manufacturing process and unique computer design program allowed us to take rod technology to another level. We have also upgraded our carbon fiber selection in these models to the increase there performance as well.

Jason

[Fitz1131]

I've got about a dozen of their rods and wouldn't part with any of them. I've had 3 repaired (2 at no charge) and if you're in the neighborhood they have a factory second/last years model rack in the store. I picked up a $200 spinning rod for $75 due to a 1/2" scratch.

Fitz

[Mattman]

Rods being brittle due to the cold is a myth. The same graphite and resins are used routinely in the aerospace industry. And these are under much greater stress and cold than you could put any fishing rod through. It takes the kind of cold you get from a bath of dry ice and acetone (-300F) to turn graphite brittle.



Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[Mattman]

It's in their Tackle Craft catalog.


Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[Mattman]

MURPHFISH - I'm sure they TOLD you that. But they don't really know. Maybe St. Croix built the rod for them but it is not on a real St. Croix blank. Companies like Scheels, Galyans, Cabelas put out bids for who can build them rods for X price. The graphite used and the tapers used are of their own specifications, not the builders. St. Croix doesn't want their blanks in cheaper off-brand rods. That's not good for their business.


Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[jason]

Matt is correct, the cold is not a factor. I can take a rod that has been in my garage the whole winter and flex it as normal and it won't be affected. The temp would have to be extremely cold to become a factor.

Jason Brunner

[SnellTier]

Ok ... went over the Tackle Craft catalog this evening. Cover to cover. Even looked into the index.

I still cannot find it.

Page please?????

Tomd

[Mattman]

2003 Tackle Craft Page 8. SCIII Standard Spin Rod Kits 3S66MLF - $80



Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[SnellTier]

Matt,

I have the Tackle SHOPT 2003 book.

Is that different from your Tackle CRAFT 2003 book?

The only thing on my page 8 is spinning reels.

[Mattman]

Yes. The SHOP catalog has all their rods, reels, tackle, line.... The CRAFT catalog has all of the rod building and lure making stuff.


Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[tj1n]

>MURPHFISH - I'm sure they TOLD you that. But they don't
>really know. Maybe St. Croix built the rod for them but it
>is not on a real St. Croix blank. Companies like Scheels,
>Galyans, Cabelas put out bids for who can build them rods
>for X price. The graphite used and the tapers used are of
>their own specifications, not the builders. St. Croix
>doesn't want their blanks in cheaper off-brand rods. That's
>not good for their business.

Matt - Call Hagen rods (who builds them for Scheels) and find out for yourself what blanks he's using. No the rods aren't identical in design but the blanks are St. Croix

Travis

[tj1n]

Yes it is! I snapped it the first day prefishing at DL

I was torqued too say the least. Sure glad I had a couple extra HMX's along.

Matter of fact I sent it in when I got back and still haven't received the replacement? Well, I haven't checked any further on it so....


TJ

[Mattman]

So what you are saying is that they indeed are not St. Croix blanks, just made by St. Croix.

I don't doubt that St. Croix or Loomis or Graphite USA or Shikari make blanks for other companies like Scheels or Gander Mountain. That is a well established fact. But just because they make them doesn't mean that's whose blank you are getting when you buy one of those rods. The blanks are made to whatever specs the end user specifies. The graphite makeup, the tapers, the lengths, everything. St. Croix isn't going to give their proprietary, quality stuff out to be undersold by a 3rd rate party. (Not that Scheels and GM are bad, they're just not on the level of St. Croix or Loomis) It's just not going to happen.



Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[SnellTier]

Thanks for hanging in there with me Matt. I ordered the Tackle Craft catalog and just got a confirming note from Cabela's that it is on the way.

I appreciate your help.

[Mattman]

No problem.


Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[tj]

>So what you are saying is that they indeed are not St. Croix
>blanks, just made by St. Croix.

Nope! What I'm saying is they are indeed St. Croix blanks, just the rods are finished by Hagens!

Yes you're right they are not the same quality as a Croix rod. I agree it's not good business exactly for the reasons you mention. People are misled to believe they are getting the same quality for the X price.

Good fishing to you,
TJ

[Mattman]

Yes, maybe I wasn't clear enough. The blanks themselves are rolled by St. Croix in Park Falls WI. But the blanks are not St. Croix's proprietary blends of graphites and tapers. The blanks are then shipped to a second company, Hagen's, and there they are built into actual fishing rods for Scheels. Where they are available for sale.

However, I didn't say the quality wasn't as good. When rolling for others I have no doubts that St. Croix or Loomis or whomever does just as good of a job on their contract blanks as they do on their propietary blanks. You can't keep getting that work if you don't do a good job. I think the quality is very good. I've handled and fished quite a few rods from chain stores. It's just not an actual St. Croix or Loomis or whatever. It doesn't have in it what makes a St. Croix a St. Croix, or what makes a Loomis a Loomis.



Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[River_eye]

What St croix has that I have seen nowhere else is the ex-fast tip on the 5'9 and 6'3 rods. This is really nice for light jigging applications where backbone comes in handy.

[JAK]

I have a Legend 6' ML IMS that I am willing to part with, if you are interested. Leave me an e-mail and I will drop you a line.

You are right this is a very nice rod. I have upgraded to some Loomis and some Avids.

[eye lunker]

Jason i love st criox rods been using for jigging for 15 years.How about sending me a few for this spring i could always use a couple extra! WOLF jigger

[walleyeken]

no message

[Tracker185]

I own 4 St Croix's, I broke one and they sent me a brand new one just had to pay for shipping, great customer service if you ask me




Fish the Finest!!!!! Fish Tracker!!!!!




T185

[Fishin'Bemidji]

If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. To come on this site and call a company a joke just show's your mentality. I'm sure there is someone out there that would have the same to say about the company you use. I have used St Croix for five years now and have had nothing but good experiences, I have yet to pay more than shipping costs for a broken rod. So forgive me if I take your "joke" remark personal. I guide and fish 8-10 tournaments a year, last year I applied and received a pro-staff sponsorship from St Croix. Even though I will probably never use another brand rod agian I will not bash other companies. VERY UNPROFESSIONAL

[walleyekendoll]

>people people when are you gonna learn about
> the fishing pole game?st.croix is a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!
> you can find the same pole out there on the market
> for half the price!!!!!!!!!!!!
> for instance check out hookhider.com
> by far the best custom rod i have used in 23 yrs.
>
>
>thats my two cents!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Good thing you only priced it at two cents. That is about what it is worth!!

[willowking]

Hey Walleyeken,

First things first, a pole is something you hang a flag on. St. Croix makes a fine fishing rod and I would recommend them to any avid fisherman. I have a plethora of their fine fishing rods; their quality and customer service is second to none!

[Croix Buster]

The only fault I found with my St.Croix rods is my dog likes their cork handles second to none. They are always the first one hit.

[SnellTier]

OK, Matt. Got my Tackle CRAFT catalog and I have found the kits you have referenced. Looks like something I might want to try.

Have you built rods from these kits? How much skill does a beginner need to get a decent result?

There have been a few posts on this thread regarding 2nd-named rods ("built by company XXX for sale by company ZZZ under ZZZ company name brand). Does the SC mean St Croix? and does that mean these are the SAME blanks St Croix uses in their own rods marketed as St Croix rods?

[Fishin'Bemidji]

Seema as everybody loves perfection!!!

[WALLEYES_ONLY]

st croix makes very good rods ive have one for 20 years or better

[jigstop]

St. Croix makes a good rod, there is no doubt about that but they aren't really any better than a lot of other rods out there - just more expensive.

They are made in the USA and I hate to say it but you can buy a foriegn made rod of the same or better quality for the same price and often much less. If a St. Croix sells for $100 and is made by workers making $15 per hour + benefits versus an over seas made rod that is made by workers making much less that sells for the same amount who do you think can afford to put better quality materials into there products? And just besause they are made in the USA does not mean that they are made by better workers.

[Rockchalk]

As a small American manufacturing business owner I’ll always pay the extra to buy a quality made American product. Just picked up a new 6’3” Avid a few days ago to add to the half dozen other S.C’s I have. Awesome feeling rod… I can’t wait to try it.

[jigstop]

To each there own I guess but I am not going to pay $100+ for the same quality rod just so I can say it was made in America. I prefer to buy the best product for the best price and unfortunatly when it comes to rods that leaves the USA manufactures out.

[rapman]

i Will pay 100 bucks for an american made rod. we have lost so many jobs in the blue collar sector in this country that we are on our way to becoming a third world nation. i will do anything to keep our people working. and 15 bucks an hour in today's economy is not that great. support american labor.......buy american when possible.

[Rockchalk]

Exactly!!! I remember when I was a kid the only reels my uncle would buy were made by Shakespeare because they were one of the few reels still made in the U.S. I found it a little silly but 25 years later I get it. If the option and quality is there I will ALWAYS buy American. No doubt it will cost more but it’s worth it to me.

[jigstop]

So what reels do you put on USA made rods?

[China]

I thought St.Croix started makeing some of there rods in china????

[bigshooter]

who drug up a post from 03'?

[rapman]

st croix has a line called the triumph that is made overseas. what reel would you suggest that we put on a rod made in the usa? (i think penn still makes a spinning reel here).

[Tom M.]

The Triumph series is the only one being made overseas. It was a pricepoint issue for them. All the rest are made in Wisconsin including resale blanks.

Tom

[waleht unlogged]

:rotflmao:

Hey bigshooter.....I read thru this thread and had no idea it was from 2003. Seems like it picked up right were it left off.

priceless!!

Brent

[rapman]

what year is this?