St Croix Rods

[turn_in_poachers]

I have a 7 ft med power premier st croix casting rod that I use for pitchin and jigging. Ive noticed that for a rod thats rated medium power, there sure is a thick backbone to it. These rods could pass for heavy's anywhere else. Ive had no problems with it so far. Hauls bass out of weeds with no problem. Im just curious if this is too small of a rod for heavy cover? I notice people use atleast med-heavy to heavy for pitchin in thick cover. Wondering if I should upgrade or not.

[Dan Wood]

That sounds like a nice rod and it should work just fine for you. Next rod you buy, you may want to look at going to the Med/Hvy.

I use Mediums for moderate cover, but the majority of rods for bassin that I use are Med-Hvy, this includes many St.Croixs. That extra back-bone is nice to have to get a solid hookset and to get the fish headed in the right direction RIGHT NOW in heavy cover. I also like the Xtra Fast action that St. Croix offers for even more back-bone. It takes a lot more of a set than you may think to set a large hook firmly in the upper lip of a big bass. I know a lot of guys go heavier even. I seldom use a Hvy. rod, if I could only use one rod for bass it would definitely be the Med/Hvy.

[BigMike]

In my opinion I would use your current rod as a crankbait, a light (1/4-3/8oz) spinnerbait or a plastics (tubes, senkos, worms) rod. I only say that because I have a 7 foot medium casting rod and used to use it all the time and for every situation (mainly because I didn't have the $$ while in college to drop on more rods) and it worked ok for an all around rod for average size bass, but when you hook a bigger bass (18 or more inches) especially in the thick stuff, you are going to have a real tough time getting those hawgs out on a med weight rod without loosing fish or your lures!

If you have the means, I would highly suggest a 6'6'' or 7'0'' med.heavy rod. I personally would go with a 6'6'' foot one for the heavier/thicker cover - the shorter rod is usually just a tad stiffer. If you fish the really thick stuff (milfoil bays, thick pads,etc.) you may opt for two rods and get both a med.heavy & heavy/flippin. A med.heavy is the most versatile weight rod out there and pretty much a must have for any bass fisherman! It's great for just about everything but weightless baits and even then...

Good luck!

[Dan Wood]

Actually scratch that... I was thinking they were Med./Hvy, but most of my Croix rods are Medium action. The 6'8" Med. power XF action Avids are sweet and the XF action gives it a lot more back bone with a little flex in the tip for play. These are very close to the same as all of my Med/Hvy rods of other brands. I only have a couple other med. rods and they have noticeably less back-bone that I don't care much for. Your right on the action being heavier for the rating, especially on the XF action Croix rods (all my rods are the XF). I fish everything and everywhere with those rods with no problems at all. You should be good with that rod. The longer rods help give you some leverage as well. I don't buy anything anymore under 6.5'. Most are the 6'8" - 7'. The 6'8" XF is a great flip'n stick too, the lighter rod helps me more than it hurts me it seems.. I'm more accurate and less tired at the end of the day with it, and don't feel I have ever lost a fish because the rod wasn't stiff enough with these.

[Chris Haley]

If you want the same action in a thinner rod move up to the Avid series. The premeir is the bargin class St Croix, still a fine rod but not as many modules graphite. I use a 7'6" hvy action for flipping heavy cover. Not that much give, but lets the bass know whos boss here right away.

[turn_in_poachers]

Thanks for the input guys. Like I said, Ive had no problems with it so far. I have my 6'6 IMX that I use for heavy spinnerbaits and other stuff. And thats a med-heavy. That can haul anything (see first muskie pics) =) Cost is not an issue when Im buying fishing gear. I know the Avids have a higher rated graphite, but Im not a big fan of the cork handle where the palm grips it. It bulges out and feels unsettling in the hand. The Legend Elite's are the same way. Thats why I prefer the Premiere's. I am thinking about getting a med heavy rod, but then again, that leads to a new reel, and new line, and new EVERYTHING. And everybody knows how that can get out of hand. Thanks guys.

[BigMike]

Well you said that money wasn't the issue for the rod, then just apply the difference between premier & avid series and put it towards your new reel... or you can look at it this way - an opportunity for you to get new gear vs. a burden to get new gear . I think I might have used that sales approach a time or two when trying to sell my wife on why I need another pole... LOL

Go with what feels the best - you'll be using it for a while! I always mix between quality, price & feel when I get new rods.

[turn_in_poachers]

The PO is already naggin me about my poles. I dont think I want to give her another reason to. And I only have 3! Most of the time Im shore fishing, so pitchin and flippin doesnt really feel right. But I still use it now and then. I think I will get a new setup. Ill be like,:
"But honey, BigMike from fishingminnesota.com said that when opportunity knocks, open the door."