St Croix Avid vs. Premier

[Cajun_in_GA]

Guys, The premiers are 80 bucks cheaper than the Avids. Is the Avid worth the extra coin? What it the big difference between them.

I'm looking at this rod

Premier PS70ULF2 7' UL Fast 2 2 - 6 1/32 - 3/16 2.8 2 $ 100

Avid - 180

[deathb4disco]

The Avids have better components and are lighter. I think they're worth the price differential. The Premiers are nice, too, though.

[skiptomylu]

I have had a Avid for quite a few years now and just love it. It's a 7' spinning rod. I can use it for a lot of things and has held up really well. I don't know anything about the other one, but like d4D said it has better materials and a big thing for me it the weight and that makes a big difference for me.

[Cajun_in_GA]

Did a little more research

Avid - 2.6OZ
Premier - 2.8OZ

Premier Specs
* Premium-quality SCII graphite.
* Outstanding strength, sensitivity and hook-setting power.
* Finely tuned actions and tapers for superior performance.
* Batson Forecast® hard aluminum-oxide guides with double-plated black chrome frames.
* Fuji® DPS reel seat/frosted silver hoods.
* Premium-grade cork handle.
* Two coats of Flex Coat slow-cure finish.
* 5-year warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service.
* Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, U.S.A.


Avid Specs
* Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) tooling technology.
* Premium, high-modulus SCIII graphite.
* Superb sensitivity, extreme strength and durability, incredibly light and an outstanding value.
* Specialized, technique-specific and species-specific designs.
* Slim-profile ferrules.
* Fuji® Alconite® Concept Guide System with black frames.
* Fuji® SKM reel seat/gunsmoke hoods.
* Select-grade cork handle.
* Two coats of Flex Coat slow-cure finish.
* Lifetime limited warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service.
* Designed and handcrafted in the Park Falls, U.S.A.

So indeed the Avid is of higher quality and does have a lifetime vs. 5 year warranty.

[Don G]

Both are nice rods. For a little more money you can buy 2 Premiers for the price of 1 Avid...Your choice..

One thing I would look at..I like the L rod instead of the UL...Especially on the 7' rods..

[Mike Andrews]

I don't have an Avid (yet!) but I do fish a 7' ML Premier and a 7.5' Legend Tournament which is the next step up from the Avid and costs 2.5x what the Premier does. For the $$ I think the Premier is the better buy. Having said that my next St Croix is going to be a 7' ML Avid.

Skip's right too about the versatility, both mine have caught crappie, bass, sand bass, and catfish. Not necessarily on purpose but they've done it..

[fished-out]

I've got both; they don't fish that differently. I was lucky, got both on sale with the Avid just under $100 at a Gander Mtn closeout and the Premiers from Reeds when they were running a sale where I got 4 of them for $40 each! Wish I'd gotten more.

[PanMan_VA]

I have a Premier, Avid, and a Legend Elite. I would say the best bang for the buck is the Avid.

[GRIZZ]

Both are nice rods. For a little more money you can buy 2 Premiers for the price of 1 Avid...Your choice..

One thing I would look at..I like the L rod instead of the UL...Especially on the 7' rods..

I agree with Don. I find the light as opposed to UL to be a better blank for crappies. Further casting, better hook sets. UL's are really designed for small trout and small pans. Crappies tend to be larger and sometimes require more tackle like bobbers and weights.

As far as the choice between Premiere and Avid. They are both good rods with very small differences in weight, stiffness, and diameter. You should go get them both in your hands and see what suits you better. I like the $100 price point for rods, but with care one of these rods can last you 10 years or more, so what difference is $80? Unfortunately, they don't make 7 ft light in either models, only 6'6".

[c1bigocarp]

I have the 7' premier that you are looking at. It took some getting used to as it is very "whippy" You might find you are better served with a light action in this length. I can, however, cast a 1/32 a long ways with 4 lb test. I got mine on ebay for $90 shipping and all.