St. Croix Classic Cat Series

[Big Cat Dad]

I would just like to share with everyone my email discussion with St. Croix about their Classic Cat Fishing Rod Series that was discontinued a couple of years ago.

Quote:

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Hello,

I am writing in concern about the St. Croix "Classic Cat" rod that was

discontinued over two years ago. I am an avid catfish angler and it is

by far and away my favorite species of fish. When I learned of the

"classic cat" discontinuation I was upset because this was the best

catfish rod to ever hit the market. I have searched endlessly to find a

few that are still left over in the market and I have yet to have any

luck. Contacting over 100 businesses and dealers is quite taxing. In

the mean time while I was contacting these businesses I was able to chat

with many dealers and many had the same questions. They said things such

as "I don't know why they quit making that model, I have had so many

inquiries since they quit making that rod." I have heard from your

company and have actually fished with your Musky model but it is not

near as catfish specific or the action and length that I'm looking for.

I am writing to plea with you to bring back the "Classic Cat" or a rod

that is catfish specific and marketed toward the catfish angler. Since

the discontinuation of this rod I have yet to find another company or

rod to even come close to matching this product. If this is not where

this email should have been sent, could you please forward it to the

proper recipient.

Thank You,

A concerned customer, Brady Flaten

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St. Croix Response on 6/1/05-

Quote:

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Dear Brady,

Thanks for your support of St. Croix's Classic Cat series. We dropped

the series because the sales were slow. Perhaps it was a product ahead

of its time. No doubt they were the best engineered and designed catfish

rods available. They were also rather expensive when compared to all

other catfish rods even though we kept our margin low to help hold the

retail price down. Knowledgeable cat fishermen recognized the quality.

The most popular model by far was the 8' heavy power casting rod. Many

were buying this model for musky fishing with suckers or trolling big

baits. Last year we reintroduced this 8' heavy power blank into our

Premier series, model PGM80HM. The only difference compared to the

Classic Cat CC80H in a slightly longer fore grip (5" instead of 4").

Other than that modification it is identical.

Thanks again for your concern. Maybe someday we'll again market a full

line of catfish rods. Your input helps drive these decisions.

Sincerely,

Jeff Schluter

V.P. - Sales & Marketing

St. Croix Rod

Ph: 715-762-3226 ext. 102

Web:

www.stcroixrods.com

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I feel that is a very genuine response from St. Croix and I really miss that line of rods. If anyone has any comment please join me in getting St. Croix to market to the cat fisherman again!

Brady

[fiskyknut]

B-C-D, I hear ya man. Just too many cattin folks that don't wanna spend the beans on top quality cattin rods for good old St Croix to keep em on the shelves. I'm gonna try and post a link to a thread from awhile back, you'll see my thoughts/opinion on the Classic Cat series in my post there.

<a href="www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=229458&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=all&vc=1" target="_blank">Kitties vs Big Cats</a>

Yepper I like them! A fellow made me an offer too good to be true on that 8 foot heavy and I had to jump on it as I never really used that beastmaster of a setup up here on these lil Channel Cats outta the Red.

fiskyknut

Oh well, Guess I can't get 'er done right!!! A search on this Catfishfish forum for that title {Kitties vs. Big Cats} would lead you there, it's an old topic, July/Aug '03.

[honky kong]

i have the 7'6" classic cat rod. got it on clearance at scheel's a few years back for $100. it was my first st. croix rod and i am glad i threw down the extra cash, it is truly a sweet rod. i also wish that they still made em. i would definately get one or two more if they were around.

[Guest]

I can still get the rod blanks. The heavir of the 2 is rated 15-60# and the lighter of the 2 is 10-20#. The blanks are a midnight blue in color.

Do these sound like the same blanks? They are what is currently listed from St Croix for their catfish blanks.

[Cooter]

Don't be afraid to buy a 'musky' rod for cats - like the response said, pretty much same rod, different marketing.

[Big Cat Dad]

It does seem about the same....but one thing I don't like about the Musky Series is the fact that they don't telescope down. It's kind of a pain to carry a 7'6'-8' rod around (1 piece). Plus....I just wish they said Cat Classic on the rod