St Croix or Fenwick?

[Anthony E]

I'm looking at buying a new rod this Spring & was thinking of purchasing a St Croix Premier or a Fenwick HMG. I would like to get some opinions from those of you that have used either or both. The best rods I currently have are Cabela's XML's. How would they compare to the Cabela's rods?

[Jimmy Jig]

Never had a St Croix, but I have two HMG's and they are no better than what you have. My FishEagle 11 is just as good if not better, its lighter weight also.

[slipperybob]

Cabela's XML blanks are Chinese copy of G.Loomis IMX blanks. So they're pretty rods, comparable to a St.Croix Avid rod. Yet, they're quite different in feel and balance.

[adempsey]

St. Croix Premier - made in USA
Fenwick HMG - made in China, owned by Pure Fishing (they own Berkley, Abu, Penn, Pflueger...etc..etc..)

That doesn't mean the Fenwick isn't a good rod. Tackletour gave it a good review.

I currently use St.Croix Premier rods and like them. Good value product.

[walleyejgr]

i use a 7' m/l st.croix premier and pflueger supreme xt and havent found a set up that performs better. st.croix premier is usa made. liked the older fenwicks. got another premier on its way for my trout set up it to will have a pflueger infusion 7625ss hung under it. not sure about the fenwick warrenty but the st.croix warrenty and customer service is top shelf. also with st.croix you can up grade you rods.

[KHedquist]

I would lean to the Fenwick, better sensitivity, I have used both.

[GBS]

I have both, and like both pretty equally. Never had to test it, but the guy who sold me on the Fenwick at Joe's sporting goods in St. Paul, MN. insisted that the overall lifetime warrenty service was superior. Buy either, I think both are great rods!

[I Walleye]

Support American products, most of us work here. I persoanlly use St. Croix products for that reason and have a couple of Premier rods but for my money, the Avid is a much better rod and worth the upgrade. Unless I was just looking for a crankbait rod I would consider the upgrade. Now if I HAD to stick to that $100 price tag I might make a different choice all together.

[Bill Krejca]

Originally Posted by adempsey

St. Croix Premier - made in USA
Fenwick HMG - made in China, owned by Pure Fishing (they own Berkley, Abu, Penn, Pflueger...etc..etc..)

That doesn't mean the Fenwick isn't a good rod. Tackletour gave it a good review.

I currently use St.Croix Premier rods and like them. Good value product.

I believe Loomis blanks are now made overseas, used to be made in USA.

Bill Krejca

[rps]

Look hard at the Falcon Low Rider and Cara series. Superior to the Fenwick IMO and comparable to the St. Croix Premier for less money.