St. Croix Premier Med action 32"

[jhawkes2]

I'm still hemming and hawing over what rod/reel combo that I want to get, so I thought I would ask around.

I'm considering the 32" St. Croix premier med action (32")... anyone have one of these?

If so, can they handle fishing a 1/2 to 3/4 oz jig?  I would be using this primarily as a laker rig and also wanted to know if there is enough "backbone" in this rod?

Also, for anyone that has bought the combo in this rod series... what is the quality of the reel?


Thanks for your help and happy new year!

[PWR BAIT]

I dont own one where can you buy them? do you have to buy them from st croix? can you buy just the rod or  does it have to be a combo?

[icejunky]

I have fished with all three St.Crois rods available the Premiere, the Avid and the Legen, if possible I would stay away from the premiere as it is lower quality then the others. I think they designed it as an entry level rod to get the lower price point in the stores. I have broken a few of them and decided to go up.

Depending on the size of the lakers in your area you may want to go to MH, it will give you that little extra when pulling big fish from deep water.....They are available on-line from most major retailers......Thorne Bros, Cabela's, Reeds, Fishusa...you name it they carry them. The reels are not so hot in the combo so stay with rod only if you can.

[billditrite]

i have the exact same rod and love it...surely plenty of backbone , yet sensitive to detect light biters...i have even used it with great success on crappies...the reel is another story...i am very dissapointed in the reel...drag is not the smoothest and needs constant tinkering to stay in sweet spot. i still use the rod regularly but the reel sits on a shelf in my garage

[Bean]

I have fished with all three St.Crois rods available the Premiere, the Avid and the Legen, if possible I would stay away from the premiere as it is lower quality then the others. I think they designed it as an entry level rod to get the lower price point in the stores. I have broken a few of them and decided to go up.

The only difference between the Avid and premier ice rods are the handles. The rod blanks are exactly the same. I guess the woven graphite handle of the avid costs 10 dollars more than cork.

[jhawkes2]

I have fished with all three St.Crois rods available the Premiere, the Avid and the Legen, if possible I would stay away from the premiere as it is lower quality then the others. I think they designed it as an entry level rod to get the lower price point in the stores. I have broken a few of them and decided to go up.

Depending on the size of the lakers in your area you may want to go to MH, it will give you that little extra when pulling big fish from deep water.....They are available on-line from most major retailers......Thorne Bros, Cabela's, Reeds, Fishusa...you name it they carry them. The reels are not so hot in the combo so stay with rod only if you can.

Thanks for the reply...usefull info... what is MH, though?

Jim

[jhawkes2]

Thanks for the reply...usefull info... what is MH, though?

Jim

Never mind... MH = Medium/Heavy... thought it was a brand...

[jhawkes2]

Anyone use Frabill or Fig Rig rods?

Thanks

[brown-time]

I've been using St. Croix for years and love my 32" Avids (M and MH) with the woven graphite handles, I think they make a difference on the feel.  That being said, my new Frabill Ultra(M) also had a woven handle, plus vibration discs.  It's the most senitive and well made period, IMO

[yooperdave]

the st. croix. rods are great, you cant go wrong usually, shen you purchase quality in the first p,lace

[LoneWolf]

I also have 1 28" Med St Croix Premier combo .. it was a gift. As billditrite said the the rod seems fine ... I've only used it twice .... but the reel is another story. The instant anti-reverse is nice, there's very little play in the reel but the drag is weak and not consistent.

[bowzog]

I've got one......no probs so far ......with rod or reel.

[mcully]

Are those St. Croix reels? I noticed the larger spinning reels being used by many of the walleye pros on television lately. I was wondering what people who use them thought. The reels I've noticed are a blue with silver spool and ST CROIX very visibly on the spool.

[fishnfool-3]

I just picked up 4 more Gander Mountain Guide Series ice rods on sale today. I own several G Loomis and St Croix soft water rods and a Legend ice rod. These Guide Series IM7 rods they are selling have just flat amazed me for the money. I ended up buying 4 more of the spinning rods this fall because of worrying that they wont be the same next year! They are very reasonably priced and will hang with any of the big boys I have in my arsenel or have tried.
Now the ice rods in the same IM7 series are the same deal. Amazing!!! And only $11.99 and that is not a misprint! They had them in the store today for 20% off and that makes them less than 10 bucks. You want a high tech rod for next to nothing? You need to try them to believe it.

[Kyle_]

i got a deal from a buddy on st.croix premier med action 28" and the reel isnt very good, however i paired up the rod with a quantum optix 10 and its my favourite rod and reel now forsure.  got the combo for less than most would pay for just the rod, so i still got a good deal 

[lotwfisher]

The rods are nice, and the reels make nice depth markers, or marker weights haha. I havent heard too many reports of the reels being of good quality.

Robin

[Skipper]

The St Croix reels I have sampled are some variety of dime store toy.

I love the St Croix rods with a Shimano on them.