St. Croix Rods

[Kris Kristufek]

Just returned from the Rod Guild Get-Together at the St. Croix Factory. Wow... do those guys know how to roll out the red carpet.

St. Croix has come up with some new technology for 2010 with IPC-Plus. They will be cutting the pre-peg material to match the IPC mandrills and using some additional highly proprietary scrim material creating what will be the strongest material in the industry. Can't wait to get ahold of this stuff and put it to the test.

The quality control testing in the factory is beyond expectation. Nothing goes beyond testing to be certain it meets the design specs.

A new shorter SIV bull dog factory rod that I saw introduced at ICAST in July will fill a void. The other new factory rod is over the top for the gals in your boat. A purple spin rod with a handle inlay of faux abalone veneer insert. Way cool. Have been plying with the real shell stuff and find it very interesting in handles. Will have some done for the sportshow season. Not easy stuff to work with.

St. Croix is going to be a tough competitor to deal with, truly a world class rod company that I'm proud to call friends.

[rodmaker]

This IPC Plus you were talking bout. (rod blanks ??). Is this above the legend Elite blanks they sell now???. Any idea or info on blanks (spinning) that will be available???

Thanks

[Kris Kristufek]

IPC Plus is a technology, not a new product as such. Think this technology will be implemented in the entire St. Croix line shortly. The benefits will include lighter and stronger rods.

St. Croix is really the industry leader with technology, beyond the "cutting edge".

[rodmaker]

I know that I'm happy with my legend Elite 7 ft ML I build 3 yrs ago.(Extended the handle to make it 7'10").

I'll have to go to their web site.

[kenais]

While St. Croix does make fine rods/blanks so do many others. In my opinion they have been more about full spread glossies, buzz words, split grips and painted blanks than true game changing technology the past few years. Don’t get me wrong I do like their blanks and they are hugely popular, especially here in northern WI. We are lucky to have so many USA made blanks available from competing manufactures. I’m looking forward to the production release of the Northfork Composites blanks, no paint, no gimmicks, no production rods (just for the custom builders).

[CHM]

Serious? SC was late in the game to offer split grips. IPC is certainly way more than a buzz word. Who else has made any changes in blank technology? And with Northfork Composites you can look forward to twice the price.

Granted, I wish I could buy SCIV & SCV blanks without the paint, but you would be hard pressed to find a blank better than an SCV at anything close to that price.

With a bottle of Citrus Strip and a pair of rubber gloves you can have a bare graphite blank.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Chuck

[kenais]

My point was that there is more than one player in rod blanks and to imply that SC makes the worlds greatest blanks ever is a bit of a reach. There are other high quality options at the SC5 level which is great for everyone. Not bashing SC in any way - great company, great people and I am proud to have them in located in northern WI.

SC was late to split grip game but nearly every rod in the full spectrum of colors sported them at ICAST this year. To be honest I was underwhelmed with their offerings this year.

The pricing I've seen so far puts the Nothfork IM graphite between the SC3 and 4. The SM being a little less costly than SC3. The HM being way more than SC5. I think the IM hits the cost/value sweet spot and can't wait to build on one.