Lighter Weight St. Croix Rod

[Hilltopper]

I have been fishing with 2 primary spinning rods for the past several years, both St. Croix Premieres (7ftM). Broke one at the end of last season, want to replace it, and was wondering of the Avid is worth the additional $. I fish almost exclusively at night from April through Fall in extremely clear water...casting crankbaits at night..that adds up to a lot of casts during the typical night..not getting any younger and was wondering if the Avid would put any less stress on arm/shoulder ? Fish next to banks, lots of laydowns, trees along shorelines. Use 12lb fireline with 10lb vanish leader. Was thinking about Avid 66M..rather than another 7m premiere. Would I notice a difference ? Any thoughts or other suggestions ? Trying to keep from having to take Advil in the mornings! Thanks
Russ

[Juls_WI]

Since you mentioned you find it difficult sometimes using a fishing rod, I have to think it is the way you have to hold the rod that is causing you pain, and not the weight of the rod. Have you heard of the Wrist Saver rods? You can view them at www.wristsaverrods.com.

They look really funny, but there are testimonials from folks, just like yourself, who claim they don't feel anymore pain while fishing with them. They are used by some of the pros, so they can't be all that bad..;-)

It might be a solution to your pain problem?

Just something to consider.

Juls

[Juls_WI]

One thing I forgot to mention. St. Croix is number one in standing behind their product, and will probably replace your broken rod for the cost of shipping. Did you contact them about that? See what they say...

Juls

[youngeye]

Hilltopper,
First, St.Croix should replace your premier rod at shipping cost as Juls prevoiusly stated. St. Croix WILL also give you the choice to upgrade from your premier to the Avid series for a minimal fee, I think it is about $35 or so.

In resonse to your first question I would definitely upgrade to the Avid series rod, first, because it is in my opinion one of the best rod series available and also because this rod comes with a Lifetime warranty. The warranty will basically cover anything that happens to the rod. I snapped 3 St. Croixs in my rod locker last year and all were replaced for the shipping cost good luck.

Youngeye
IA

[Nick(Ia)]

A couple of thoughts:

How old is your Premier? Repair or replacement is certainly an option. You get a significant savings with replacement pricing from St. Croix.

The Avid series is a great buy for a serious piece of fishing gear. The Premier 7 footers weigh about 5oz while a comparable Avid will be approximatley 1/2 oz lighter. You will also get the improved graphite SCII to SCIII which will lend itself to improved casting.

You might try moving to the 6'6" Avid medium power-fast action-1 piece given the terrain you are fishing. AS66MF has over an ounce of weight difference from your current Premier. If you would like to switch to casting rods, try the new Avid crankbait series, very sweet and over a 1 ounce weight change from your current rods. One last option would be to look at the Avid spinning in the 6'8" medium power-extra fast action. Enjoy rod shopping. Good luck and good fishing.

[Husky]

Youngeye and Juls,

Consider yourself lucky in having your rods replaced.
The lifetime warranty on St Croix rods covers manufacturing defects only. My son broke his Legend elite (lost balance and fell against it) and he contacted the company. He got a personal reply from the president of the company who made it clear no warranty claim would be honored other than their manufacturing defects. The letter was written in a very nasty tone and as a result, St. Croix has lost my business.

[s.f.]

hey juls! i'm trying to earn a free wristsaver rod and you steal my show! geez....guess i gotta get up earlier. lol lol
as previously has been said many times...listen to juls!
this new rod concept is amazing. i have held a fishing pole for over 30,000 hours and never thought of changing anything but, maybe, sensitivity or blank action. like teaching an old dog new tricks, there was no way i was going to use a wierd lookin' thing like THAT.
well...i fished with one for an hour and went back to the "normal" rod. and like everyone else that has tried this revolutionary concept, i didn't like the old style anymore. now i fish with the crooked rod exclusively.
for anybody that is worried about comfort, fatigue or pain due to age, tendonitis or whatever, this is the ticket. and the design/grip automatically creates more sensitivity. take a peek. wow!

and they use st. croix blanks that should be of special interest to you.

#49
steve fellegy

[youngeye]

Husky,
Just curious as to what state or region you live in. I am very good friends with a St. Croix rep and maybe he would be willing to do something for you. Also, was the rod an Avid series or Premier, how old was the rod.

Youngeye
IA

[Husky]

It was a Legend Elite ($290) We are located in Michigan. There is a long story behind this rod, none of which needs to be discussed in a public forum. Thanks for the offer, but when we inquired as to replacement by writing a letter to the president, the reply he sent turned me off to the company completely. I gladly purchase G.L.Loomis products since their warranty will replace a rod broken accidentally for a set (low) fee.

[Husky]

Youngeye,
By the way, the rod was brand new, on its first time out when the accident occured.

[Drewman]

Had a light action Legend spinning rod break due to total stupidity on my part. Picked it up by the tip from a boat seat...snap! Held on to both pieces for about 2yrs before finally making a phone call to St. Croix. They gave me a number and said send it in. Since I would rather pike and muskie fish and wanted another rod for that I asked if they could replace it with a different rod in their lineup and it was not an issue. As someone else pointed out, they charge me $35 plus shipping. Not a bad deal at all.

I wish all companies stood behind their products like St. Croix!

[Husky]

In my sons case, St Croix wasnted $180 to replace the Legend Elite. A far cry from the $35 you are talking about.

[Husky]

Youngeye,

If you or the rep you know would like to contact me,


sm492252@yahoo.com

[Hilltopper]

Thanks to all of you for the responses. You have provided several options. I only wish I had been smart enough to call St. Croix and get an exchange/upgrade...I just discarded the broken rod after hanging on to it for a while. Now I know better. Thanks
Russ

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[River_eye]

St. Croix doesn't replace rods unless it is from a manufacturers defect. I snagged my avid on a tree while walking up a lake portage and snapped 6" off the tip, and they replaced my rod for $90 + $10 for shipping. I wasn't too pleased.

You are extremely lucky to have had your rods replaced after you broke them in your rod locker.

Great rods, but the warranty isn't as good as some would have you believe.

[River_eye]

Husky, you're experience sounds like mine. They will replace it gladly for 60% of the ticket price.

I think the days of getting rods replaced for $35 are long gone at st croix.

[bigeye]

I saw your post on the Wristsaver rods, and I have seen these rods also...My biggest complaint is that you can't use your own reel. If they could get it rigged to where you could use a Shimano or a Daiwa I think they would have something. Any chance that that will happen?

[s.f.]

first, if you or anyone else can engineer the design to accomodate the conventional reel stem, please let wristsaver know and you will be compensated dearly.
i can't mention names, but the reels themselves, with the unique stem, are in fact the same reel that has other, high profile brand names on them. they are 6 ballbearing reels with silk smooth drags. you would surely recognize the rsemblence to other reels with names such as the ones you mention, among others. there are just a few companies that make all the various namebrand reels. the reels on wristsavers, because of the concepts young history are simply cheaper than more expensive brand names.

#49

[discroix]

i totally agree that st. croix has little regard for the average customer. i have picked other manufacturers to purchase rods from.
the atitude at croix sucks. almost as bad as mine!

[Husky]

River_eye,

Thats what I thought too, untill I see posts like the ones at the top. Makes me feel there is something rather arbitrary about whether St. Croix extends themselves beyond the legal scope of their warranty. ( or not.) Some individuals seem to get their rods replaced for shipping and handling alone, while others pay the 60% of sticker price. Either these people are not quite telling the truth, or there is a very subjective, arbitrary application toward "good deeds" at St. Croix. Having been on the short end of that stick, I'm disgruntled.


Perhaps a St. Croix representative would like to explain these differences to those of use whose of us who do not get the "preferential" treatment????

[walleyefs]

I think St.Croix makes some great rods. The Legend Elite is an awsome rod and is much lighter. The Avid series is also a great rod for about half the cost. In the past, I've always sent my registration card in, so they know you use their products, and when I've called and told them that I broke a rod, they've always taken care of it one way or another. Tell them what happened whether it was their fault or yours. If they gave away every rod claim, they wouldn't be in business anymore or the prices would be double what they are now. I'm sure if they have record that you have multiple rods of their's, that would help too.

[Husky]

Andy,
All you suggested was done.