St. Croix Rage Rod 2024
Catt reply :
I'm looking @ the 7'11" Heavy MF for punching, my question is about the neoprene skin handle?
What ya think bout it 
roadwarrior reply :
Maybe Big O will respond. He carries a lot of rods on his boat, but they are all the same!
flyfisher reply :
I used them all of last season and liked them. They provide good grip and feel nice in the hand. I was worried they would get hot from laying out on the kayak but no worries there either. All in all a pretty good price for a rod that is the same blank as the Avid.
MarkH024 reply :
I have 2 Rage Rods. All around, I love the rod and the grips. I find them to be very comfortable to fish with. I was using the 7'1 MH/F for a jig/pitching rod last season. It was good to use around light cover and docks but not in heavier stuff. I have a Dobyns 766c coming for my new flip and punch stick. I'm going to use that Rage rod for jigs or lighter pitching or possibly a dedicated swim jig rod.
I also have the 6'10" ML/XF Rage spinning rod as a drop shot rod paired with a Ci4 2500. Super light and great to fish with. It is very sensitive too. No complaints from me from the 2 that I own. Buy with confidence.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
These are a nice alternative to cork and EVA. Good cork is expensive if you can even get it. As a result we're not only seeing more (and in some cases better) EVA, but alternatives like these neoprene skins. I'm getting into carbon fiber skinned grips for custom builds and they are attractive, light and comfortable but not a lot cheaper than cork due to the labor involved.
Got1Fishing reply :
I'm very interested in these rods, I went to my local Gander and held one; I was also curious about the handle. They grip feels great! I would purchase several of these rods, except the fact that they only have a 5 year warranty and I like rods with lifetime warranty. Which sucks, because I have to spend more money lol
NEjitterbugger reply :
I have been looking in to them... I'm going to get one this spring...
MarkH024 reply :
On 11/16/2013 at 3:57 AM, BigSCruz33 said:I'm very interested in these rods, I went to my local Gander and held one; I was also curious about the handle. They grip feels great! I would purchase several of these rods, except the fact that they only have a 5 year warranty and I like rods with lifetime warranty. Which sucks, because I have to spend more money lol
Unless you have a pretty regular habit of snapping rods, I wouldn't be too concerned. You could always look into the LE models if you want life warranty. Now your dollar amount just doubled in spending.
I've fished St. Croix rods exclusively for the past 10 years. I finally broke one, (6'6" Triumph and my first Croix ever owned) this year trying to swing a fish in like stupid idiot. Entirely my fault. Even their low end rods are tough as nails as long as treated with appropriate care.
Got1Fishing reply :
On 11/16/2013 at 4:09 AM, MarkH024 said:Unless you have a pretty regular habit of snapping rods, I wouldn't be too concerned. You could always look into the LE models if you want life warranty. Now your dollar amount just doubled in spending.
I've fished St. Croix rods exclusively for the past 10 years. I finally broke one, (6'6" Triumph and my first Croix ever owned) this year trying to swing a fish in like stupid idiot. Entirely my fault. Even their low end rods are tough as nails as long as treated with appropriate care.
I don't doubt what you're saying! I'm a huge St. Croix fan, and my college team is sponsored by them (makes me drool 
). I have been a fan of them, before they sponsored out team. I have a LTB and a Premier and plan to add more by the end of the year. I guess it just comes down to the insecurity of knowing that eventually they won't be under warranty. 
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
Any defect in the blank would show itself upon the first couple uses. Any failure after that is due to mishandling/accident/error etc. Extended warranties on rods is marketing and a type of insurance policy that everyone pays for and some use. The idea of the Rage line is to provide a quality rod at a lower price point, hence the SCIII blank with foreign labor, alternative grips and shorter "warranty". Still a good deal for an off the rack rod,
flyfisher reply :
Other than my fly rods I don't think i have kept a conventional rod for 5 years and even if I did, I am not sure that length of a warranty would come into play.
kschultz76 reply :
On 11/16/2013 at 3:57 AM, BigSCruz33 said:I'm very interested in these rods, I went to my local Gander and held one; I was also curious about the handle. They grip feels great! I would purchase several of these rods, except the fact that they only have a 5 year warranty and I like rods with lifetime warranty. Which sucks, because I have to spend more money lol
As DVT said the lifetime warranty is more about covering you for accidents with the Gold Star service plan. That being said if its that important to your for not much more money you can get the Avid series which is the same blank materials/construction but made in the USA with full cork grips, different guide train, and lifetime warranty. The Avids are great rods at their price.
Catt reply :
I hate EVA handles, don't why but I've never liked em. Don't really care for a split handle!
Does Avid come in 7'11" H MF?
MarkH024 reply :
7'10 Heavy/Moderate Fast is biggest in the Avid Casting line. It has a telescopic handle though.. next one down is a 7'6" MH/ Mod Fast.
BassinLou reply :
I have the 7 ft 4 inch. H with micro guides. The handle is fine for me. It's the proximity of the guides up at the top of the reel, which braid loves to wrap around while pitching.
MarkH024 reply :
On 11/16/2013 at 5:53 AM, BassinLou said:I have the 7 ft 4 inch. H with micro guides. The handle is fine for me. It's the proximity of the guides up at the top of the reel, which braid loves to wrap around while pitching.
This is exactly why I am moving away from this rod as a primary heavy pitching/punch/flip rod. You absolutely nailed it on the head. With that said, I still love the rod and everything about it...just not for that application.
BassinLou reply :
On 11/16/2013 at 5:55 AM, MarkH024 said:This is exactly why I am moving away from this rod as a primary heavy pitching/punch/flip rod. You absolutely nailed it on the head. With that said, I still love the rod and everything about it...just not for that application.
This rod is primarily, my frogging rod. I started to pitch with it, and the wrapping was getting ridiculous. So, it will remain frogging rod.
kschultz76 reply :
Looks like the Avid doesn't come in that length, you could check out the LTB but price will be a fair bit higher.
Catt reply :
No telescopic handles
tomustang reply :
On 11/16/2013 at 5:32 AM, Catt said:I hate EVA handles, don't why but I've never liked em. Don't really care for a split handle!
Does Avid come in 7'11" H MF?
It's not eva or a split handle, why are you switching your interest to a avid?
I'm not a fan of eva, but I like the neoprene rage handle
Catt reply :
On 11/16/2013 at 12:47 PM, tomustang said:It's not eva or a split handle, why are you switching your interest to a avid?
I'm not a fan of eva, but I like the neoprene rage handle
Huh???
DVT explaned handle types,
I said, hate EVA
kschultz said Avid all cork
I ask Avid come in size?
Kschultz yes telescopic
I said NO tele
Now we here & not I aint change
Virtuoso reply :
On 11/15/2013 at 9:58 PM, Catt said:I'm looking @ the 7'11" Heavy MF for punching, my question is about the neoprene skin handle?
What ya think bout it
Just don't bring a lady friend with you. That black neoprene sends the wrong message. Unless your into that kind of thing.
On a serious note. It is good for sweaty hands. Bad for cold weather. It hardens and is difficult to grip.
Capt.Bob reply :
It is all personal, I love cork on my rods and won't change, I would give up the 5" in a heart beat and go with the Avid! I have several reasons and have had 2 Rage Rod's, for one day it confirmed all those reasons.
1) for 50+ years I have used cork rod handles even on my cheap cheap rods as a kid growing up, so I am as used to cork on a rod as I am having hands on both arms. The Avid has very nice cork, as DVT said, an expensive option, which is like leather versus vinyl for your car seats.
2)The rage uses a two piece handle and is when palming the reel is very uncomfortable, where as the Avid has a FULL CORK HANDLE,,,,,, very comfortable and with exposed blank and contoured reel mount hands down more comfortable for me.
3) Both are SCIII blank's, but from the 2 Rage Rods I witnessed, the quality from the American Made blank that has been made by the folk's in Park Falls for decades has been far better than the newly imported blanks coming from foreign build by newly trained workers,,,,,,the upside is cheaper cost, and 5 year warranty instead of Lifetime.
4) I won't settle for the loss of the Gold Star service plan and even though the upgrade program is being temporarily suspended you can upgrade when a broken rod is involved! This is fabulous, as I just upgraded an Avid to an Legend Elite when I broke the Avid over yanking on a snag, totally my fault but I ended up paying $110.00 for my mistake and walking away with a brand new Legend Elite spinning rod,,,,,the Avid was about 7 years old and used for river Small Mouth fishing, it had been horsed out of bottom snags for it's whole life,,,,,,thank God for Lifetime warranties!!
5) At the cost of $170.00 dollars for the imported model alone and coming with a 5 year warranty, the choice of having an American built rod made by Americans for decades and having a LIFETIME WARRANTY,,,,,, thru the GOLD STAR SERVICE PLAN,,,,,I'll gladly pay an extra $50.00 dollars and give up 6" for the MH MF rod over the import with less than a full handle grip and loss of cork,,,,,,,but that may not suite some,,,,why they offer the rage model for those that are willing to give up a few luxuries and still have a good blank.
WRB reply :
One reason some rod makers may offer Neoprene is Hypalon is no longer available from DuPont. The problem Neoprene could have is poor UV performance, exposure to sunlight.
High quality cork is getting rare, so rod makers are trying alternative handle materials.
Tom
Catt reply :
Thanks for the input Bob but when pulling 7# plus bass out of matted Hydrilla that's 15' tall I aint giving up 6" of leverage.
The Legend Series has split grips which I do not like.
I want some thing for punching heavy lures in heavy cover, no EVA, & no split grap.
kschultz76 reply :
On 11/16/2013 at 8:16 PM, Catt said:Huh???
DVT explaned handle types,
I said, hate EVA
kschultz said Avid all cork
I ask Avid come in size?
Kschultz yes telescopic
I said NO tele
Now we here & not I aint change
Actually I didn't mention the telescopic rod. If you want an Avid to get the Gold Service plan for lifetime you'll have to settle for a shorter rod. That or step up to the LTB or Elite.
If you're willing to for go the lifetime plan then you can stick with the Rage since you like the handle.
If you want to know more check out St Croix's website, it's all there. Good luck.
iabass8 reply :
have you looked at this rod yet? they seem to have a strong following.
http://www.kistlerrods.com/p/fishing-rod/c-klx-gpsg/FHKLXGPSG76XH.html
Capt.Bob reply :
On 11/17/2013 at 12:44 AM, Catt said:Thanks for the input Bob but when pulling 7# plus bass out of matted Hydrilla that's 15' tall I aint giving up 6" of leverage.
The Legend Series has split grips which I do not like.
I want some thing for punching heavy lures in heavy cover, no EVA, & no split grap.
You are referring to the Legend EXTREME,,,,, which is split grip and does come in the length you are wanting,,,,but a bit more than a $50.00 upgrade at $410.00. The Legend ELITE,,,,, I referred to is one piece of quality, "Super Grade" cork, this is my preferred rod from St. Croix. but does not The Extreme you are making reference to,,,which is primarily the same blank with that handle ("I can't handle",,, pun intended but meant),,, can be adapted to a personal and extreme quality for around $50.00 from a quality rod smith that knows his stuff,,,including precision internal balancing at that price, and a rod becomes YOU! whatever your fit length, diameter, contour or whatever for pure perfection, but These rods were purchased in the bargain room at 60% off,,,,making the $50.00 upgrade a purely spectacular bargain!!! You maintain the factory warranty, and have it your way!!! Here are two I had done and notice this was the pre neo day's, and uses a one piece reel mount, the newer ones have a 2 piece reel mount which I personally would not have either. Here is what you can end up with at minimal cost, the smaller contoured grip in the rear with the Lew's Team Pro, is the 6'10" MXF and the fuller handle model in front wearing a Lew's Team Gold is the 7'2" MHM,,,,,both rods are precision balanced and super sensitive!
But at any rate I was referring to the 7'6" Avid that is also MH not H,,, If you prefer the one piece handle and cork,,,,there are plenty of quality rod smiths that can convert the Rage to whatever you desire, and at $50.00 with pin point internal precision balancing it is a steel!!!! have it your way and don't break the bank,,,but 5 years is still all you get??
You might want to check out the Tide Master series if you can accept the 5 year warranty, the 8' H Fast is a reel power house but gains leverage with a little faster action, the Avid can be had in a salt water INSHORE SERIES there is an 8' model which is a leverage beast for overpowering anything in heavy cover, and with American built and full cork, W/ Lifetime warranty, and at only $80.00 dollars more, could be in line with what you wanting???? Check out the AIC80HF, it is a fast action but rated for 3/4 to 3 OZ lures, and 14-40# line with 1" extra leverage could be worth looking at,,,,,then there is always the Custom route, build one on the blank of your choice, if you want the 7'11" Rage blank you can build it for about the same price as the factory rod from most experienced rod builders, ( we have more than one in our community) capable of pleasing most anyone and reasonable!! Good Luck however you decide to go!!!
WRB reply :
I don't want to hijack this thread, however Dobny's DX795 Flip is the gold standard out west up in the delta.
Catt reply :
Ok Bob what am I missing?
St. Croix website only shows 7' under Legend Elite Series!
Capt.Bob reply :
On 11/17/2013 at 12:16 AM, Capt.Bob said:It is all personal, I love cork on my rods and won't change, I would give up the 5" in a heart beat and go with the Avid! I have several reasons and have had 2 Rage Rod's, for one day it confirmed all those reasons.
The first line my first statement, that is where I specified the shorter rod with full cork and being the Avid series. The Legend Series would not be an option for you since the price is no where close to the Rage, and was only mentioned as the benefits of Lifetime warranties, but if you don't like the handle on the rage, my second post shows you what I did after steeling 2 excellent Extreme rods to get the handle I wanted on them, and how cheap you could do the same thing with the Rage rod if you want it and want to have a one piece handle on it but the new extreme and rage series you would be stuck with the 2 piece reel seat, or it would requier removal of all the guides to change the seat, not cost affective, and how a custom comes into the mix if you really want that blank and one piece handle,,,,AND reel seat..
Then I recommended another Avid, in an offshore model if you want the leverage, 8' which is 1" longer, but has a 2" longer handle, which can also be advantages horsing big fish out of thick cover, with a SCIII Blank Made in the USA and Lifetime warranted for $80.00 more than the Rage.I think the Model AIC80HF is an excelent substitute for what you are wanting it for at a great price for the extra warranty and high grade full cork handle, you can see it here It is a fast action instead of moderate fast which is very close, would be rated for the line and lures you would be using and has the one piece cork. check em out here and Good Luck with whatever you choose to do,,, http://www.stcroixrods.com/product/avid-series-inshore
The comment on the Legend Elite was only about how the lifetime warranty on my Avid series which allowed me to upgrade to a better lifetime rod after abusing a rod for 8 years, the 5 year rods don't allow that possibility.
Catt reply :
Now we are getting to the rod I'm looking for
I was curious about the Rage handle only because no one near here sells them, so I could not put my hands on one.
Two shops sell the St. Croix Avid Series Inshore, I kept looking in bass section, couldn't see the forest for the trees.
Brian Needham reply :
On 11/17/2013 at 2:52 AM, WRB said:I don't want to hijack this thread, however Dobny's DX795 Flip is the gold standard out west up in the delta.
I was going to say the same rod or the 805 flip/punch in the champion line.
pure quality Catt, 8 foot, stout and has cork.
call and talk to Gary or Richard.
You know what you want and they will tell you what fits with no BS.
tomustang reply :
The HF might be too stout, when I checked out the inshores (tidemaster/avids) they seemed a step heavier, look at the AI80MHF first
Got1Fishing reply :
On 11/16/2013 at 5:12 AM, kschultz76 said:As DVT said the lifetime warranty is more about covering you for accidents with the Gold Star service plan. That being said if its that important to your for not much more money you can get the Avid series which is the same blank materials/construction but made in the USA with full cork grips, different guide train, and lifetime warranty. The Avids are great rods at their price.
I plan on getting the Avid series rods instead of the Rage series, thanks for the input.
Virtuoso reply :
Swell!
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