St. Croix Avid rods

[trolling monster]

Hello everyone, I recently submitted a post on this message board on what are the best choices for a 6 ft jigging rod, and I appreciate all the feedback that I received. I have somewhat decided on the St. Croix Avid series 6 ft medium action rod. The question that I have is the following: Is this rod worth the extra $60.00 over the Premier series rods? I am definetly purchasing a St Croix rod, because I feel there the best rod for the money. I know I will get some responses that I should buy a G Loomis rod, but I just can't justify paying over $200.00 for a fishing rod.

Also, I am planning to go Striper fishing on Lake Mead, NV, in April, and I was wondering if you guys/gals have any ideas for what kind of tackle and rods that I should bring. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[Bill R]

I've been using the Avid rods since they came out and I also have some of the premier graphite. I would personally spend the little extra money to get the Avid rod if you plan on doing lots of jigging. The Avid if a very sensative rod and works great for that. I use my Premier Graphite for bottom bouncing or other types of fishing that don't require lots of sensativity in a rod. Go with the Avid.

[Pitts]

Did you guys read the post that Rew left on rod sensitivity not that long ago. Check it out you will be suprised. The balance is the key to good sensitivity so check the rod out with several different reels or if you already have a reel for it put that one on at the store you are buying it from.

Hope this helps.

Pitts

[FJH1]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-28-01 AT 10:27AM (CST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Feb-28-01 AT 10:27*AM (CST)

Go with the Avid over the Premier. I have Legend Elites, Avids, Legends (old version), Premiers and Pro Glass (probably somewhere in the area of 30 rods :-), quite the brush pile). I feel that I have a pretty good handle on the St. Croix rod line up. The Legend Elite seems to offer a very sensitive tip and lots of backbone when it's loaded up. Also, the Legend Elite offers the wonderful old handle design that was offered on the original Legend. This handle is great for cold mornings. It's also very light. The Avid is very close to the Legend Elite, just not quite as much back bone when loaded (very good though). The handles of the Avid are nice inthat they offer a surface of mostly cork. I wish they would offer the handle from the Legend Eitte as an option, maybe next year...One of my favorites is the old version of the Legend, but it's heavier compared to the Legend Elite or the Avid. The Premier is a great rod for the money and for many people this is all the rod they'll ever need. It's a little heavier than the Avid and again, it lacks some of the backbone of the Avid when loaded up. All in all the Premier is a great rod, it was my first St. Croix and now my wife uses that same rod some 12 year after its purchase. If you can go with the Avid I think you'll be very happy with your purchase.

Best Regards,

FJH

[Lundluvr]

Like the guys above, I have the complete line of St. Croix rods. It all depends on how much you intend to use that rod I guess. I have a couple of Avids and love them. With that being said I have also saved the extra $ and bought two Premiers a couple of times, and they are very nice also. (The only thing better than buying a new rod is buying two new rods). You have made a good choice and can't go wrong with either.

[RIVERRUNNER]

Rods don,t catch fish, the key is geting propper rod for the job.All I do is jig, but don't always use the same rod. Some things to consider 1- fish size 2- bottom content 3- current or winds 4- depth 5- how there hitting on that day . Match the rod length, back bone, tip ,to best set up for the eyes mood.All rods should be rigged with propper reels to ensure optimum BALANCE. GOOD LUCK GOOD FISHIN

[AquaMan]

RiverRunner, have you checked out the new line of FigRig Rods? For the money, the best rods on the market and they will match your fishes moods and then some. ;-)

Their best (most expensive) 6" rod is $170 and the best deal for the money is the ISJ 602 @ $140. I have the 6'6" Fiber Pro ISB 662 ($145) and love it. Check them out! www.figrigrods.com

By the way, rods do catch fish. LOL

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

.·´¯° --- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[Den]

real sensitivity has to be tested with the rod fully rigged up, with line and all, i can tell you many ways to check it, but there are simple ways to check sensitivity. the best one is hold the rod as you would be fishing with it(no reel) have somebody lightly drag a business card with the lettered side facing the rod tip(not a raised lettered card) across the tip guide. do not put any pressure on the card.on a real sensitive rod you can feel the print on the card. this is just one way. good luck and good fishin. oh by the way i just got an avid for myself yesterday, it is my 6th one(avid that is.)
Den

[RIVERRUNNER]

HEY aqua man thanks for the info on bowmount transducer ,still undecided,probably thru hull. Anyway I,m using a diawa procaster at least 5 yrs old 5'10" med-heavy action baitcaster,very fast tip 6 to 8" , lots of backbone.It might be light version crankbait rod ,I use this rod 90% of the time looking at buying 2 or 3 more combos before this season.In canada, not alot of selctions,must go to bps or cabela's just to feel what's out there.Checked out that site looks good ,but like to feel before I buy.Any idea's on small to med-size baitcast reel w/flippin button in the thumb bar and or a jiggin rod 6' or shorter .PLease let me know, heading states side soon for u.s. licsence.Always on the detriot river let me know if you need anything info,etc. GOOD LUck & GOOD FISHIN

[AquaMan]

Most of my baitcasting rods are St.Croix, but I have had these for a few years and have not added any new ones. They are mated with Quamtum Pro reels that have the flippin' button on them. Very handy when trolling for trout and such.

All my walleye rods are spinning and are mated with Shimano Spirex 2000RB. A mix of St. Croix and FigRig. Since my first FigRig, I have not bought anything else. They have a new line up this year that is incredible and for, the money, they are better then most rods I have seen. Sensitivity beyond imagination. The key is the fiber optic line running tip to butt inside a high modulus graphite blank. Its amazing!

I encourage anyone looking for a new rod to check out the new lineup of rods that Kevin has put together.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

.·´¯° --- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[EricCO]

Fig Rig's customer service is top notch as well! They were shipping me a Fiber Pro rod and UPS broke it, so Kevin is upgrading me to a Fiber Max! I can't wait to use it.

[Seagull]

Bass Pro in Gurnee has them on sale for $99.00 from regular price of $160.00.