St Croix Rods 2024
ChrisWi reply :
I now own three St. Croix rods, two Mojo bass and a premier, both series have treated me amazing and the sensitivity is great, but is it worth the money to get an Avid or LTB?
Darren. reply :
A lot will say absolutely yes.
Since you have enjoyed Croix, I'd say no harm at all
in upgrading to an Avid.
Personally, though, I've got one Avid, but I find my
BPS Carbonlites are pretty much equal IN MY HANDS
sensitivty-wise.
tomustang reply :
You won't know until you try one, no matter how many praise them. Sensitivity is close but the LT is better.
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
Premier is good, Avid is great, LTB is greater, Legend Elite is greatest.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
The Avid and up are where St Croix really shines.
GANGGREEN reply :
I tried a friend's Avid the other day and I liked it but didn't like it $200 worth. I think that my $100 Fenwick HMG feels similar, if not maybe even a little better in my hands so personally, I doubt that I'll get an Avid series even though I'm looking to upgrade several of my outfits. Just my two cents, I know that they're very popular and guys that own them seem to love them.
FishTank reply :
I always think of the St. Croix Avid as the best bang for the buck rod. Also based on the rods I have fished and owned, I think Avid is where St. Croix line up begins when it comes to sensitivity. I have fished the Premier and Triumph and the Avid is big step up in overall quality as well.
adam32 reply :
Avids are definitely worth the money. I have a stockpile of them just in case st. Croix decides to change them. I wouldn't buy a premier or MOJO, and I've owned both.
Scott F reply :
The St. Croix store in Park Falls, WI had a basket full of new Avid baitcast rods with minor cosmetic blemishes for $60 each last week.
Turkey sandwich reply :
The SCIII blank (Avid, Avid X, and Rage rods) is a huge step up. I still like my Premier and have fished Mojos that are good rods, but after buying a Rage, I really noticed a huge difference in sensitivity. The blank is really, really good.
PersicoTrotaVA reply :
I have 2 mojo rods, one glass cranking rod and the 'spinnerbait' casting rod. I love them both. I had a mojo spinning rod but I broke it and I decided not to buy another. I like the Powell Diesels, less money, same sensitivity, if not better, for less money. I have wanted to try a LTB rod but I can't justify spending that kind of money on one and I probably won't have that kind of money to spend until next year.
Rangerphil reply :
I love my LTB. I got it in the spinning model for dropshots. When I buy a new rod again it will be a LTB. Now saying that if you like the less expensive rods then stick with those and spend the money elsewhere!
flyfisher reply :
A few less dollars gets you the same blank in their rage series and has more of a split grip design. I have three rage rods and they are great rods. I personally am not a fan of cork grips and especially not full ones so that is why i checked out the rage.
xxmurrxx reply :
I have never used the Mojo's or Rage series but had premiers and avids, and one LTB I'd say yes.
I found the avid a lot better than the premier, and the LTB was my fav. rod pretty expensive for me though if $ in that price range was not an issue I'd go with the LTB.
S Hovanec reply :
I think there is a bigger difference going from a Premier to an Avid than going from an Avid to a LTB. LTB to LE or LX is pretty much unmeasurable. basically, pick what color blank or guides or grip you want and go with that series. there is that little difference between them.
On 10/16/2014 at 8:08 PM, flyfisher said:A few less dollars gets you the same blank in their rage series and has more of a split grip design.
Just because the Rage is rolled with the same graphite does not mean it's the same blank as the Avid. I have compared Rage rods to equivalent SCIII blanks and while they may share the mandrel design, SCIII graphite and the St. Croix name, they are NOT the same blank. Even if they were the same blank, the Avid would be worth the extra $50 to not have to deal with those Minima guides!
Mike L reply :
On 10/16/2014 at 9:53 AM, Scott F said:The St. Croix store in Park Falls, WI had a basket full of new Avid baitcast rods with minor cosmetic blemishes for $60 each last week.
Man If I would have known you were there, I would have paid you for your time, gas and bought you lunch to pick me up one while you were there! 
Mike
J Francho reply :
The jump from an SCIII to SCIV blank is not quite as dramatic as the jump from an SCII. I have a dozen Avids, four or five LTBs, and love them all.
flyfisher reply :
On 10/16/2014 at 8:55 PM, S Hovanec said:I think there is a bigger difference going from a Premier to an Avid than going from an Avid to a LTB. LTB to LE or LX is pretty much unmeasurable. basically, pick what color blank or guides or grip you want and go with that series. there is that little difference between them.
Just because the Rage is rolled with the same graphite does not mean it's the same blank as the Avid. I have compared Rage rods to equivalent SCIII blanks and while they may share the mandrel design, SCIII graphite and the St. Croix name, they are NOT the same blank. Even if they were the same blank, the Avid would be worth the extra $50 to not have to deal with those Minima guides!
When i bought mine i checked out the Avids and Rage side by side and didn't notice an difference. Ad after fishing with Avids previously and then the rage rods for over a year now i can't say the Avids are any better but much of that may have to do with the grips and my preference. Sensitivity is about the same to me and both are a big time jump up from the mojo or premier blanks. s far as the guides go, i haven't had any issues.
Mike L reply :
On 10/16/2014 at 10:42 PM, J Francho said:The jump from an SCIII to SCIV blank is not quite as dramatic as the jump from an SCII. I have a dozen Avids, four or five LTBs, and love them all.
Mr. Franco
All things being equal, which one would you say is the more sensitive in your hands?
Mike
J Francho reply :
SCIV. I'm not sure I fish better with that extra bit of sensitivity - the Avids are plenty sensitive.
Mike L reply :
Thanks
aavery2 reply :
I find the LTB to be the "sweet spot" in the St.Croix line-up. The rod that took me by surprise was the Rage, I have found them for 99 dollars, and they are a very nice rod for that price.
Alonerankin2 reply :
When the Mexican plant first opened, the blanks were made in WI. then trucked down, within a short time, the blanks were then rolled in Mexico.
I first bought a avid in 99 or 2000.. I don't believe the rage is the same blank, something is different, that said, it's still a good rod. I have one rage @ 7'11" heavy w/ minimas . I like the rod just fine. USA Avids are also guide wrapped by the community in WI.. It's been that way for decades.
I have also used the LTB when it first released, wasn't any better than a avid, unless it was a recoil rod, IMO LTB is a better build now though, (components)
BassinLou reply :
On 10/16/2014 at 2:58 AM, ChrisWi said:I now own three St. Croix rods, two Mojo bass and a premier, both series have treated me amazing and the sensitivity is great, but is it worth the money to get an Avid or LTB?
Um...... yeah. If the $$ is there I highly recommend those two rods.
ChrisWi reply :
Being only 15, and getting all the money myself it takes a LONG time to save up, it's tough spending that much money when I could get almost two rods for the price of one. The biggest problem with getting one is I'll want to replace my whole line up with them!On 10/16/2014 at 10:42 PM, J Francho said:The jump from an SCIII to SCIV blank is not quite as dramatic as the jump from an SCII. I have a dozen Avids, four or five LTBs, and love them all.
roadwarrior reply :
On 10/17/2014 at 2:47 AM, ChrisWi said:Being only 15, and getting all the money myself it takes a LONG time to save up, it's tough spending that much money when I could get almost two rods for the price of one. The biggest problem with getting one is I'll want to replace my whole line up with them!
One GREAT rod is better than three "okay" rods. Rome wasn't built in a day, collections take time to accumulate.
One of my Avids (AVS66MLF) is 12 years old. My first GLX (MBR844C) is at least 10 years old. I will probably keep
these rods in the line-up for the rest of my life. I feel the same way about some brand new Pinnacles that wer just
acquired over the past couple of years. Be patient, grasshopper...
tomustang reply :
On 10/17/2014 at 2:47 AM, ChrisWi said:Being only 15, and getting all the money myself it takes a LONG time to save up, it's tough spending that much money when I could get almost two rods for the price of one. The biggest problem with getting one is I'll want to replace my whole line up with them!
An Avid or LT would stay in your rod rotation for a very long time, I have several lesser models/brands that just sit in the corner taking up space whereas the avid/lt are still being used as secondary rigs after I've upgraded
J Francho reply :
My Avid topwater/jerkbait rod, and AC62MXF (notice the lack of a "V" in the model number, which denotes it's a pre IPC blank) is almost 15 years old. One of my favorites.
adam32 reply :
On 10/16/2014 at 8:55 PM, S Hovanec said:Just because the Rage is rolled with the same graphite does not mean it's the same blank as the Avid. I have compared Rage rods to equivalent SCIII blanks and while they may share the mandrel design, SCIII graphite and the St. Croix name, they are NOT the same blank. Even if they were the same blank, the Avid would be worth the extra $50 to not have to deal with those Minima guides!
I agree. The rage rods have terrible build quality imo. Lot's of sloppy epoxy and crooked guides. The avids just feel so much more sensitve and balanced. Plus they have Fuji alconite guides.
aavery2 reply :
On 10/16/2014 at 8:55 PM, S Hovanec said:I think there is a bigger difference going from a Premier to an Avid than going from an Avid to a LTB. LTB to LE or LX is pretty much unmeasurable. basically, pick what color blank or guides or grip you want and go with that series. there is that little difference between them.
Just because the Rage is rolled with the same graphite does not mean it's the same blank as the Avid. I have compared Rage rods to equivalent SCIII blanks and while they may share the mandrel design, SCIII graphite and the St. Croix name, they are NOT the same blank. Even if they were the same blank, the Avid would be worth the extra $50 to not have to deal with those Minima guides!
So is it just your opinion that they are not the same blank, or do you actually have something to substantiate your comment?
Jrob78 reply :
From the rod building side of things, there is no distinction between the Rage and Avid blanks. The SCIII comes in Fuchsia and Carbon Pearl. I don't own a SCIII and I don't know if the Rage and Avid have the same color blank but they don't sell anything that would make me think there is any difference.
Whereas the SCV's come in Gloss Blue/Green Flip and Gloss Forest Green Pearl. The Legend Elite is Forest and the Extreme is Blue/Green. Even in those blanks, I don't believe that there is any difference besides color.
tomustang reply :
On 10/17/2014 at 11:50 AM, Jrob78 said:Whereas the SCV's come in Gloss Blue/Green Flip and Gloss Forest Green Pearl. The Legend Elite is Forest and the Extreme is Blue/Green. Even in those blanks, I don't believe that there is any difference besides color.
Besides the Xtreme having the TET design
Jrob78 reply :
On 10/17/2014 at 12:15 PM, tomustang said:Besides the Xtreme having the TET design
You're right. I never noticed that before. I guess that's partly how they justify the added cost.
tomustang reply :
Week long handle to make too 
S Hovanec reply :
On 10/17/2014 at 9:28 AM, aavery2 said:So is it just your opinion that they are not the same blank, or do you actually have something to substantiate your comment?
All I have to back me up is the experience I got by comparing like models of Rage and SCIII blanks.
What i do know is: Avids are rolled in WI, Rages are rolled in Mexico.
Just my opinion, but the build quality of the south of the border rods is less than stellar.
ChrisWi reply :
I agree completely, if I get an Avid, would it be better to get an Avid X right away, you guys have me convinced!On 10/17/2014 at 3:38 AM, roadwarrior said:One GREAT rod is better than three "okay" rods. Rome wasn't built in a day, collections take time to accumulate.
One of my Avids (AVS66MLF) is 12 years old. My first GLX (MBR844C) is at least 10 years old. I will probably keep
these rods in the line-up for the rest of my life. I feel the same way about some brand new Pinnacles that wer just
acquired over the past couple of years. Be patient, grasshopper...
J Francho reply :
Do you like split grips or full cork?
aavery2 reply :
On 10/17/2014 at 9:17 PM, S Hovanec said:All I have to back me up is the experience I got by comparing like models of Rage and SCIII blanks.
What i do know is: Avids are rolled in WI, Rages are rolled in Mexico.
Just my opinion, but the build quality of the south of the border rods is less than stellar.
Thanks, in use I find the Rage just a tad more sensitive, I think it has to do with the lighter guides, they also seem to help with the tip heaviness that some of the Avid rods have. I don't think they are at the same level of build quality, but truthfully I have not had any problems with the couple I own. They seem overpriced at 150 - 175, but when you can get them for around 99 they become a good deal.
ChrisWi reply :
I lean towards full cork but, not too big of a fan of the rather large fore grip on the AvidOn 10/17/2014 at 10:43 PM, J Francho said:Do you like split grips or full cork?
J Francho reply :
You might want to handle them - it's not really larger than many foregrips. The skinny section behind the reel seat on the rear grip makes it, and the "bump" behind seem bigger, when they're pretty close to other full grip rods. An exception would be Loomis, their foregrips are pretty skinny.
You have to have it in your hand, side by side with other brands to get what I'm talking about. It's one of those pick what you like things.
ChrisWi reply :
I've held the rods before, I prefer no fore grip but like the one on my premier.On 10/18/2014 at 2:56 AM, J Francho said:You might want to handle them - it's not really larger than many foregrips. The skinny section behind the reel seat on the rear grip makes it, and the "bump" behind seem bigger, when they're pretty close to other full grip rods. An exception would be Loomis, their foregrips are pretty skinny.
You have to have it in your hand, side by side with other brands to get what I'm talking about. It's one of those pick what you like things.
J Francho reply :
You might prefer the X then. My hands are never up there, so I don't care how it's made. I suppose the rod would be lighter without. I do prefer a full rear grip for moving baits though, and I don't like tiny knobs on the butt for split grips.
You'll figure out what you like. And really, you get used to what you think may not like.
desmobob reply :
There may be one advantage to full-cork grips that I haven't seen mentioned: floatation. I knocked my St.Croix Premier/Lew's Tournament Pro rig into the water one day and it was floating when I grabbed it (within a second or so). I honestly don't know if the full cork grip will really float that rig because I don't want to dunk the reel again to find out, but I believe it was doing the job.
Anyone have any experience with this?
Tight lines,
Bob
Jrob78 reply :
On 10/18/2014 at 6:13 AM, desmobob said:There may be one advantage to full-cork grips that I haven't seen mentioned: floatation. I knocked my St.Croix Premier/Lew's Tournament Pro rig into the water one day and it was floating when I grabbed it (within a second or so). I honestly don't know if the full cork grip will really float that rig because I don't want to dunk the reel again to find out, but I believe it was doing the job.
Anyone have any experience with this?
Tight lines,
Bob
I had a kayaking accident last year and lost 4 combos in the lake. The only one that didn't sink to the bottom was the one with a full cork grip and foregrip.
desmobob reply :
On 10/18/2014 at 6:13 AM, desmobob said:There may be one advantage to full-cork grips that I haven't seen mentioned: floatation. I knocked my St.Croix Premier/Lew's Tournament Pro rig into the water one day and it was floating when I grabbed it (within a second or so). I honestly don't know if the full cork grip will really float that rig because I don't want to dunk the reel again to find out, but I believe it was doing the job.
Anyone have any experience with this?
Tight lines,
Bob
On 10/18/2014 at 6:19 AM, Jrob78 said:I had a kayaking accident last year and lost 4 combos in the lake. The only one that didn't sink to the bottom was the one with a full cork grip and foregrip.
So it's true... very interesting!
My next rod will be a full-cork grip Avid. :-)
Tight lines,
Bob
Jrob78 reply :
On 10/18/2014 at 6:36 AM, desmobob said:So it's true... very interesting!
My next rod will be a full-cork grip Avid. :-)
Tight lines,
Bob
It was definitely true on that day!
curtis9 reply :
I have an avid 7 crankbait rod that slipped out of my hands on a cast. It was floating a few feet from the boat.
Mike2841 reply :
On 10/18/2014 at 2:31 AM, ChrisWi said:I lean towards full cork but, not too big of a fan of the rather large fore grip on the Avid
The foregrip is actually my favorite part of the avid handle, I find myself holding the rod above the reel using the fore grip the majority of the time I ise it, different strokes I guess
J Francho reply :
My avid/sol combos float.
Capt.Bob reply :
The Avid like has been said is where St. Croix rods start, the LTB is very good, but the Legend Elite and Legend Extreme are what made me believe they really are "THE BEST RODS IN THE WORLD"!!! 
Not many rod's I haven't fished, but St. Croix will be all I invest in anymore, they have proven themselves the last 20 years to me to be the best. If you like that Premier, which I think is the best St. Croix you say you have tried,,,,, you will be much more delighted in an Avid, an you may not be ready for a LEGEND,,,, 
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