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| Just wondering why eveybody likes St. Croix so much. I have own two. Their handle is wide in diameter - that is my main problem with them- Also you can't get one over 8' can you. By the end of next year all my rods will be over 8' but one 8' for jerkbaits/ walk the dog's. Have any of you thrown anything else or does everybody just like them? How many people throw a rod over 8'? I think that their walleye/ bass rods aren't so bad. |
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Posts: 2024
| Actually, I like the long baseball bat style handles on the Premiers. The Avids are too short for me.
I also throw Fenwicks and Fig Rigs. I like my St. Croix's and Fig Rigs about the same. |
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Jake,
I too agree with you on the handles being to big and bulky! I am looking at the Fig Rig rods, love the handles and the great sensitivity they possess. Plus they are much better priced compared to the Avid series. These rods are backed with great warranties but that I do not know to much of offhand. But I think the Fig Rig Rods are definitely something to look into!
Edited by Merckid 2/19/2006 1:11 AM
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Posts: 578
Location: Sheboygan Falls, WI | .
Edited by C_Nelson 6/7/2008 8:06 AM
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | I'm one of the idiots that likes st. croix (and i have thrown the others), but i don't throw anything over 7'6" and i like the big handles, but i've got big hands ... i've fished and beat the crap out of them for 8 years and never had a single issue. the one spinning rod i had an issue with was replaced without question by some pretty nice people over in park falls.
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Posts: 64
Location: Genoa City, WI | I agree with what Chuck was talking about and Shimano's longest is 8' also but we do have thinner handles. Now about the only thing I'd mention is that if you do any altering to the St. Croix Rod, you void their warranty.
Rob |
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| Because of Rich Bellanger. He's just so dreamy!!!
Ty |
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Posts: 32959
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Ty,
You are very weird sometimes....  |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | thanks Steve ... couldn't have edited it better myself |
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Posts: 2112
Location: The Sportsman, home, or out on the water | My wife has very small hands, and still likes the handles on Premires. St. Croix is a great product, and when needed, there customer service is awesome. Both times I've walked into the factory store with a rod that needed attention, they were more than happy to take care of me right away. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | I also love the St. Croixs, Never had a single problem with one. I do also own a G.Loomis, and love that one as well. I am a big fan of the handles as well. All about personal preference.
Mike |
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Posts: 578
Location: Sheboygan Falls, WI | The St. Croix customer service has gotten much better in the store ever since that guy that went to Shimano left. 
Gotchya Rob!!
Don't rip on me guys. I just have to pick on Rob. Ya know, friends do that. LOL
Chuck
Edited by C_Nelson 2/19/2006 12:06 PM
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Posts: 2361
| Actually I think the larger handles are preferrable and would be comfortable after some use. Fishing rod handles, like tennis racket handles, should fill the hand imo. I think the fact that the company is central to Musky Fishing Territory, and service, are probably 2 reasons they like the company. In my case I have currently rods from 4 manufacturers and have owned rods from 6 manufacturers. I find the St Croix rods to be very durable. I have given them a beating including stepping on them more than 1 time, and they are fine. I personally prefer blanks that are a shade lighter weight, and like the action and balance of my Fenwicks more than the St Croix, but have no reservations about the St Croix.
As for handles, I picked up a cheap pair of new Shimano Compre rods last fall, and they have a distinctly smaller diameter handle on them. I do not like them as much as the others, though they are fine to use(I am not all that picky). I think that you will find, and others will find at some time, with the smaller diameter handles, that they will twist in your grip and it may cause a problem when it happens. This is the reason tennis racket handles are chosen to fill the grip and I imagine the same is true for rods. You will also note with smaller diameter handles that the larger reels usually used in musky fishing tend to be a little more awkward and as a result less secure on these rods. I would think that a lower profile or smaller reel would improve the smaller diameter handle setup if you desired that to be your main rod.
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Posts: 295
Location: mad chain | I like the fact that are built here in Wisconsin and the service is second to none. I like the bigger handle. I do fish a bunch of different rod's, they each have there own advantages. I try not to be set in my way's with any fishing equipment, I use what ever work's best for me.
Leif- |
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Posts: 64
Location: Genoa City, WI | Oh...ouch....ouch...ouch....
Not to worry Chuck... it will be served up!
Rob |
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Posts: 56
| Jake,
I was using the All Star Big Game Series since 1999, then they quit making them a couple a years ago. They offered an 8' 6" at the time. Got pretty use to that length. It sure took a lot of the work out of muskie fishing. You may wish to check out the newer brand of Tica Rods. They are new for this year and they offer an 8' 6". It even telescopes down in order to fit it in most rod lockers. I was a little nervous at first about this feature however...I was able to fish the prototypes of these rods all last season up on Mille Lacs and caught some huge fish on them with no failure! Not only that they are the lightest rods I have ever used. Not to mention they sell for only about $90! Not bad huh?
As for those that know me also know that I would not promote a product that I didn't believe in. I fished them as hard as I could and never had a problem. There is an ad for them with all of their models in the current Musky Hunter. Bacically they have two actions (heavy and xheavy) for all different lenghts. They also use all Fuji guides and reel seats. Don't think that you can touch them, reguardless of price.
Hope that gives you another option. If you or anyone has any questions on them feel free to ask me.
Thanks,
Lee Tauchen |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | Not a huge fan of St. Croix....
I think they are to heavy, and I have broken 2 of them and when I send them the rods, they wanted to charge me $80-90 per rod to get them replaced.
I would also agree with Lee. The Tica rods are very nice, light and are also priced right. Great rods for sure.
When looking for a rod I would look at Keith with Professional Edge or the Tica rods. |
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Posts: 91
| They are built in the heart of Esox country, reasonably priced, outstanding customer service, ( unless your from Indiana), and they work. |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | Don't forget they're American made. Most all of the other brands get their blanks from China. |
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Posts: 364
Location: in the white boat | Guess I'm the only GLoomis loyalist on here. Been using them 3 years now, and until I have a reason to change I'll stick with them. Used St Croix for years, but just wasn't happy with them anymore for a number of reasons.
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Posts: 4266
| Quality
Selection
USA made
Customer service- I've broken a couple and never had a problem. Especially not an $80 or $90 one.
Heavy? Wouldn't know that I'd call them heavy. I use rod balancers on all of my rods anyway.
Why do I use St Croix? For all of the reasons listed above, and the fact that I'm loyal to the people who take good care of me.
Beav |
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Posts: 2091
Location: Stevens Point, WI | I have had very good luck with my Premiers over the years, and have had no problems with their customer service. |
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Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | G-Loomis all the way.
I have used almost every other rod at one time or another. The G-Loomis can be compared to any of the top rods. I have 8 of them and now it's all I will use.
I have 2 old GL 2's that I have been running as sucker rods and big bait trolling rods for 10 years. The just hold up to everything I put them through. Extreme cold weather sucker fishing will break most rods under these conditions. Not the G-Loomis.
Customer satisfaction, quality, and fast service if needed. Very light, dependable and powerfull.
I have never heard anything bad about G-Loomis from anyone. You get what you pay for. Not that you can't get a good rod for cheaper. Just my choice for the same reasons as Beav, they take great care of me.
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Posts: 355
Location: Wausau, Wisconsin | Personal preference is everything. ALL of the companies build great rods that have been the tools that help people fullfill their dreams. I have owned rods from several, several companies and am confident that if there was a "piece of junk" rod company out there, they wouldn't be in business. If you like what you have, keep throwing it. It is not recommended that you base your rod purchase based off of whether or not someone has broke one or two rods. From working in the retail end of the industry for 8 years I can assure you that return rates amongst major manufactures is is almost identical. If it wasn't that way, you'd see retailers only carrying one or two brands and its just not that way. I would base your choice off of what feels best to you. Handle design, weight, action are all things that you choose, not what black and white facts tell you. While warranties look the same on paper, I suggest asking people you know and trust their experiences with the companies customer service.
St. Croix has been part of Wisconsin's heritage for a long time. The company has helped support the town of Park Falls for many years and while I doubt it cost jobs to the people of Park Falls, I must add I found it a sad day last week when I saw the newest series of St. Croix rods with "Made In China" stickers on it. If you are going to purchase a Croix and you love the American made heritage, then purchase a Premier, Avid or Tournament.
I've done my best to answer your question without bias and with honesty so I won't throw a "shout out" to my rod sponsor, but I will tell you...I love my fishing rods.
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| I had a bad experirnce with st croix the sold ceranmic guides years back that were know to be faulty when the rod broke one of the first times out they wanted 25 dollars ,and me to pay for one way shipping.I got it fixed by my house for half the price.I personally thought the rods were heavy,one thing I guess I admired is they are a union shop that takes care of their workers,maybe that is their problem thou.Webby |
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | Why do I like St. Croix?
Quality Rods and Reels.
Reasonable Prices.
Awesome Customer Service.
US Made.
And I won't go as far as Ty did, buy Rich is a great guy to deal with!
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| I would have to agree... i have had better customer service with St. Croix than any other company that I can think of. Those new premiers are pretty sweet too! Just got the 8' that i am going to be trying this year, can't wait to give it a try. St croix is simply the best :-). |
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| My St. Croix Premiers are older than GOD and still hold up amazingly well. My St. Croix Avid AC 300 reel is my favorite of all brands. For the price they are top notch. I have many brands of rods and reels and St. Croix has been nothing but excellent |
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Posts: 1185
Location: Wishin I Was Fishin' | Rich at St. Croix has been very good to the C & R Musky Club over the years.
They are the best bang for the buck in my opinion.
The premier line has come a long way in last five years.
Can't blame them for tighting up there warranty policies. When the rod is not lifetime waranty and the price is low, how do you expect them to do any different. If that is an issue you should spend the extra coin on an Avid.
I think keeping your money state side means a whole bunch too. |
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| Keep yer eye on the guides regarding the Tica rods; not sure as to the ones made w/in the past yr or so, but some of the previous ones had this issue, albeit the rods used were the 9>12 footers... |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | Sponge,
What are you compensating for by using a 9' rod?
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Posts: 32959
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Sponger is catching Rocks with that 9' rod. I'm not sure what one uses for bait to catch Rocks, but I guess it's probably heavy. |
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Location: Chippewa Falls, WI | I know 1st hand the Engineering that goes into every rod they make.
Im the consultant in Northern/central & western WI for a Engineering firm selling,
Solidworks, the leading 3D Cad Software and I work with Engineering Dept up at St. Croix.
These guys know how to Engineer/manurfacture the best rods in the world!
There are many companies that make good rods now days,
but if you learn and know the reasearch/engineering that goes into a single rod.
You will know and understand why St.Croix is the leader in the industry for making the best quality Rod!
Dustin Carlson
Applied Engineering Technology
[email protected] |
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| Let's just say it's a mental thing SDAWG and leave 'er at that! I can see now me attempts at a serious post are for naught...anyhoos Stever you are correct to a degree; Spongette signed up for a piece of the rock, and hand delivered it to the back of me head, where it still reposes in state...on a TAD more serious note, I do like the lightness of the Ticas, but have seen eyes pop and tips break on large fish in the beach break, or peeps attempting to horse in a biter or large ray, but these rods were some of the first, so who can tell? I still have the 8' Trillium Xtra Heavy I got from you a few yrs ago that'll cast a brick through a 'crete bunker that I now use for neighborhood discipline; it's light and will cast forever...matter of fact, I threw it 'bout an hr ago and the line is going out on the reel... |
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Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | Sponge,
How accurately can you cast those bricks? Can you hit someone riding a bike like that steak hit Napolean Dynamite? Can you drop the alpha dog in a feral pack causing the others to flee? Do you have an abnormally large thumb to slow the brick's flight as it nears it target? This interests me.
Kevin
Can flying bricks fit into the plan?
Edited by MuskyHopeful 2/21/2006 9:10 AM
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| To maintain post integrity, let me say that I once had a St croix 7'6" jerk bait rod and loved it...traded it to Mauser a few yrs ago, and if I'm correct, that same rod is now resting at the bottom of Cave Run Lake.  I also remember a dude named Ben Duhr(sp?) that used to fish Cape Hatteras on occasion that St Croix sponsored; peeps using those rods loved them...
A brick can be cast accurately, but I'd advise one to begin their venture using an old southern recipe, the "alley biscuit", which in essence is one half of a normal size brick; not to be confused w/ the "cat head biscuit", which you can actually eat...(the term comes from the size of the finished bread piece.) During a feeding frenzy involving neighbor/dog groupings etc, accuracy is not as important as being able to maintain composure during the actual cast; the bouncing brick will have at least partial effect upon landing and retrieval. If unable to control, use spinning gear so as not to break off from excitement. I guess in a way one might gander that we've taken the saying "casting stones" to a different level, and I can see were one would think that. Perhaps the video "Tricks w/ Bricks" would aid in helping peeps to better understanding this new sport... |
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| So I guess it's ok to alter shimano and still have the warranty valid? |
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Posts: 1270
| WFO, Have you been to other rod making plants? I would bet that most all of them use technology like you speak of, not just St. Croix |
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Why does everybody like St. Croix so much?