A fusion between tradition and next generation design with the new St. Croix rods
 

St. Croix Rods: St. Croix is one of the manufacturers we always look forward to visiting at ICAST. Though the booth has been the same for a few years they always seem to have new and exciting rods to show off. This year they are introducing not only new series of rods targeting specific groups of anglers but have done some redesigning to their top of the line Legend Elite series, bringing back the traditional look that many have come to love over the years and making use of their new SC^VI graphite material.

Jeff Schluter, VP of Marketing at St. Croix Rods shows us the new rods

SC^VI graphite: Before we get into the exciting new rods, let's introduce St. Croix's latest and greatest in blank material. The SC^VI graphite blank material isn't actually new and have been used in some of their top of the line rods for a couple of years now but it was a kept secret. This year they are publicly releasing this information and it was the right time to as they introduce some very exciting new series of rods that make use of this material.

SC^VI graphite is a 62,000,000 modulus, high strain graphite fiber used only as a compliment to other graphite material(s). Because of its high modulus count and process to create it we have a very expenisve material here and alone the SC^IV graphite is too high in modulus to be used as the primary material. But when blended with other blank material it adds benefits that give the rods some incredible performance attributes.

Introducing the redesigned Legend Elite with a more traditional look

Legend Elite: The Legend Elite, St. Croix's top of the line spinning and casting rods gets a makeover for 2009. Not only will it look more traditional but will make use of a new graphite material developed by St. Croix. The top portion of the rod will be built using their high-modulus, high-strain SC^V graphite blanks with carbon-matte scrim but will feature their new super high-modulus SC^VI graphite in the lower section. This not only reduces weight but also strengthens the lower portion for added power.

The most noticeable change about the Legend Elite if you compare the 2008 and 2009 models is the new subtle Forest Green Pearl blank color. St. Croix has taken the Legend Elite to the more traditional appearance that many loved before the change to the brown blank, though the 2008 pattern were welcomed by many enthusiasts.

The blank will be finished with a Forest Green Pearl blank color

The 25 rods in the Legend Elite series will utilize the Fuji SiC Concept Guide System with titanium-coated frames, Fuji VSS reel seats with a frosted silver hood on spinning models and Fuji ACS reel seats with a frosted silver hood on casting models. The rods will also get the handsome machined-aluminum wind checks and a high quality cork handle. And like before these rods will be built using St. Croix's advanced IPC and ART technologies.

Fuji ACS or VSS reel seats are used

The Legend Elite series are still all handcrafted in the USA and includes a lifetime limited warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service. The rods will retail from $300 to $350. You can expect to see these new Forest Green Pearl Legend Elites at your local retailer or your favorite online store in October 2008.

Here's the complete new series of high performing rods at an incredible price... the Mojo Bass

Mojo Bass: Mojo whaaat? Mojo Bass... this is St. Croix's new series of quality yet affordable series bass rods. According to Jeff Schluter, St. Croix's Vice President of Sales and Marketing, the Mojo Bass rods are developed for the younger, aspiring bass anglers that are thinking of turning professional one day. Sold for only $90 to $120 a piece any angler will be able to fill their rod lockers like a pro angler.

The Mojo Bass series have 12 technique specific rods that's built from St. Croix's SC^II graphite with a hot Black Cherry Metallic finish. These rods are matched with Batson Forecast hard aluminum-oxide guides with double-plated black chrome frames, Fuji ECS reel seats and a black hood on casting models and Fuji DPS reel seats with black hoods on spinning models, and features split-grip handles with premium cork.

Exposed blank through reel seat

You might expect these affordable rods to be made offshore, but that's not true. The entire Mojo Bass series rods are handcrafted in North America and carries a 5 year warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service. These rods feel amazing as we handled them here at ICAST and will surely gain a bunch of users. Anglers will be able to get their hands on the Mojo Bass rods in October 2008.

The rods all have a split rear grip

Legend Xtreme: It seems like every angler is looking for lighter gear but of course without the sacrifice of performance and durability. Well, here's St. Croix's answer by introducing the new Legend Xtreme series, and our initial grasp of one of the rods just dropped our jaws. Forget about the component specs for now, we immediately wanted to know how much these rods weigh as Jeff takes out the catalog and goes over the weights us with.

We were incredibly excited to see the new Legend Xtreme series

The Legend Xtreme bass and walleye rods are lightweight but they are designed with plenty of reserve power and are rugged enough to stand up to the rigors of tournament fishing thanks to the way these Xtreme rods were built. The foundation for the new Legend Xtreme series is a high-modulus, high strain SC^V graphite blank with a carbon-matte scrim. The lower blank is different having the new super high-modulus SC^VI graphite material. This produces a rod with the top portion that's lightweight and extremely sensitive while the lower section has reduced weight with added strength. Not only that but the Xtreme rods employ St. Croix's advanced IPC and ART rod building technologies.

Recoil guides are used on the Legend Xtreme

Moving onto the components the Legend Xtreme uses REC Recoil guides, Fuji SiC tip-tops with titanium-coated frame, and Fuji ACS reel seats with a frosted silver hood on casting models and Fuji VSS reel seats with a frosted silver hood on spinning models, machined-aluminum wind checks, split-grip handle with high quality cork, and two coats of Flex Coat slow-cure finish, and has an exciting Blue/Green Flip blank finish. The Legend Xtreme gets the best having a lifetime limited warranty that's backed by St. Croix Superstar Service. Like the other rods, the Legend Xtreme will be available in October and will retail from $340 to $400.

These rods have an attractive Blue/Green Flip color