Jason Mitchell/St. Croix Ice Rod Comparisons

[TMF89]

What's the difference between a 26" med/light perch rod, and a 24" mid/light panfish rod? And do you guys have any idea on the specs of a "24 inch spring bobber rod"? Thanks for your time guys, just trying to learn as much as possible about my options before I make a purchase.

I just edited this, I have a question for people who have used both Jason Mitchell Rods and St. Croix Avids, which do you prefer? I work at Gander Mountain, and have used our product search to determine that we have a few Avids left in the system, and am wondering if I should opt for those, or wait for our store to get more Jason Mitchells in.

[hanson]

I personally wouldn't buy the Croix rods.

[CSP88]

The avids are nice rods but the Jason Mitchell rods are better rods for the money. I would wait for your store to get more JM rods, you'll be glad you did.

Chad

[Jim Hudson]

The Premiers I am sure you are talking about? Am thinking the Avids, with the carbon handle, have been discontinued (were decent rods though).

Premiers are good for the money and will get the job done. But overall on the ML side of rods, the Perch 26L to me is more sensitive and balances a lot better over the 24" ML Premier from using both and at a price that is comparable. This rod is my go to, for perch of course and at times big smallies here on Chequamegon Bay when I need to downsize my offerings. Extremely senstive, in the trap series especially, with great strength to manuever even a 6lb smallie through the hole.

And for the Spring Bobber rod, that can be seen as the same specs of the 24" Panfish model, but with a spring. The spring allows you to dampen jig movements, swim some lures better, and of course detect even the lightest bites. Where the rod blank itself will allow quicker hooksets without the rod being too wimpy or flimsy like some other spring bobber models I have used. This rod blank stiffens quick on the set but still allows for enough forgiveness to fight bigger fish on light lines.

[slipperybob]

It might just be a feel for others...

I just got a few 28" St. Croix's UL, ML, and M. I thought that construction was terrible, many had badly set line guides. So off like somebody made them while sitting on the couch. I went through a whole bunch of them and picked out the ones with the most precision. Personally the 24" are less limber, comparing the 24" UL to 28" UL.

I felt that the Jason Mitchell rods had a little more weight. I was really impress with the feel of the rod bend in the Meat Stick.

However price got to me...St Croix Premiere were cheaper $20 vs $30 (meat stick was $20)...because I'm upgrading from some $5 ugly sticks, big difference to me.