Thread: New St Croix.

Out of my price range , but some of the features will show up in a lower priced rod made in their sister plant in Mexico in the a few years . That’s when I’ll pick one up . Probably be a Mojo Elite Panfish Series .
I want them to build a Travel rod into their Trout Series . Maybe a 4 pc 6’ . Or I’d even take a 3 pc 5’ 6” . Gillchaser.

Originally Posted by gillchaser999

Out of my price range , but some of the features will show up in a lower priced rod made in their sister plant in Mexico in the a few years . That’s when I’ll pick one up . Probably be a Mojo Elite Panfish Series .
I want them to build a Travel rod into their Trout Series . Maybe a 4 pc 6’ . Or I’d even take a 3 pc 5’ 6� . Gillchaser.

Yeah it’s high. Just the set of guides on that rod sells for between 100-130 bucks...depending on how many. I’m going to check them out. Curious to know how they came to a decision to build a high end panfish rod. Wondering if other USA rod companies will build one to compete with it.

Regards


Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

Curious to know how they came to a decision to build a high end panfish rod. Wondering if other USA rod companies will build one to compete with it.

My guess would be as the population in the U.S.A. is aging that there are many anglers that although still fishing are going the sit down route and chasing species that are a lot of fun but less physical exertion due to physical limitations of being older for quite a few.

Also many of these very anglers are also the ones that have the disposable incomes to actually spend the higher dollars on things for their hobby as well so for the rod company a win and for the consumer a win because much of the higher end improvements will to an extent work its way down to the less expesive lines within the brand as well.

If you had of ask me a dozen years ago if I would be putting sun umbrellas on my boat and sitting down to be able to go fishing and enjoy it my answer then would be a lot different than it is today.

Last year St.Croix made some high end blanks for the European market. Finished rods sell for $800 +. The guy who builds custom rods for me over the years got some of the extra blanks from this run and talked me into one. They were 8.5 foot one piece blanks and he cut mine down to 7'9" for me so it would fit in my truck. It's a light action rod with a light tip with plenty of backbone. First trip out in January with ice still on the lake and caught two bass over 6lbs. with 4lb test using a black hair jig. Next trip produced my biggest bass at just under 10 lbs. I couldn't believe how sensitive this rod was. Wanted a twin just like it but all he had left was a blank that was ultralight so had him make me a 7.5 footer. This rod is an absolute dream panfish rod and has handled channel cats up to 4 lbs. easily on 2 lb. test. I think they are using some of this technology with these new rods. If they are they have raised the bar. Just purchased my first Majorcraft rod today and can't wait to get it to compare them.

Originally Posted by JUNGLEJIMJIGS

Last year St.Croix made some high end blanks for the European market. Finished rods sell for $800 +. The guy who builds custom rods for me over the years got some of the extra blanks from this run and talked me into one. They were 8.5 foot one piece blanks and he cut mine down to 7'9" for me so it would fit in my truck. It's a light action rod with a light tip with plenty of backbone. First trip out in January with ice still on the lake and caught two bass over 6lbs. with 4lb test using a black hair jig. Next trip produced my biggest bass at just under 10 lbs. I couldn't believe how sensitive this rod was. Wanted a twin just like it but all he had left was a blank that was ultralight so had him make me a 7.5 footer. This rod is an absolute dream panfish rod and has handled channel cats up to 4 lbs. easily on 2 lb. test. I think they are using some of this technology with these new rods. If they are they have raised the bar. Just purchased my first Majorcraft rod today and can't wait to get it to compare them.

Which Major Craft did you get?

Regards


Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Got a Crostage 7'3" ultralight rated for 1-5 lb. Will use it with 2-3 lb. test. You and Ledhed got me fired up about these JDM rods and had to get one to start. Lower end but plenty of room to go up. Any suggestions on other rods including who to buy from in the future would be helpful. I bought it off ebay so not sure how good of a deal I got. I was impatient and wanted to get one in my hands to make comparisons.

Originally Posted by JUNGLEJIMJIGS

Got a Crostage 7'3" ultralight rated for 1-5 lb. Will use it with 2-3 lb. test. You and Ledhed got me fired up about these JDM rods and had to get one to start. Lower end but plenty of room to go up. Any suggestions on other rods including who to buy from in the future would be helpful. I bought it off ebay so not sure how good of a deal I got. I was impatient and wanted to get one in my hands to make comparisons.

I think you will like it. As you say it is a lower end out of Japan but would not be considered low end here. I don’t know if you have watched any of my videos about JDM rods. They can give you some ideas about actions...bending curves and so on. I research JDM rods everyday. Finessefishing.com has some great info also....as well as Sonny. I can give you a lot of recommendations but would need to know what you will use the rod for....specie and so forth and of course your budget. There are a lot of fantastic rods in the 140 dollar range delivered. Be glad to help you anyway I can.

Regards


Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

I do quite a bit of research before buying. There are so many different models and styles of JDM rods that it certainly can seem overwhelming. Watched a couple of your videos and they do help. In my 60's now so increased sensitivity is a must. I wish I could go to Cabela's or Bass Pro to check them out but that's not possible right now. Without having the opportunity to put one in my hands I probably would put my budget at under $200. Mine cost a little more than the St. Croix panfish series, I have a 6'9" one for comparison that I think is to stiff to be an ultralight. I really like longer rods for panfish in the 6.5-7.5 foot range.