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

Imperial Fly: St. Croix doesn't leave anyone out when they design new rods for the year. As you can see on this page we have rods for all the other favorite species. Here St. Croix is re-introducing the Imperial Fly rods after three years of absence. This time with a completely new and improved rod series of 25 different models making use of new tooling, new actions, new fittings, and an attractive new Gloss Burgundy finish.

The new Gloss Burgundy Imperial Fly rod

Fly anglers will be able to choose fly rods that range from a 6', 2 wt., 2 piece light rod to a hefty 9', 10 wt. with a choice of 2 or 4 pieces. The Imperial fly rods are built with a blend of SC^IV graphite along with SC^II graphite giving these rods the proper action needed for proper casts, hooksets, and fish fighting action. The rods use aluminum-oxide stripper guides with black frames, hard chrome-plated guides, uplocking, machined aluminum reel seats with a rosewood insert on 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 weights, and uplocking, machined aluminum reel seats on 7 to 10 weights. The new rods also feature premium-grade cork handles and uses two costs of Flex Coat slow-cure finish.

Some models use a machined aluminum reel seat

What's nice about these rods is that the new reel seats have received some weight reduction from trimming unneeded aluminum. For example the 9', 5 wt, 4-pc weighs only 2.8 ounces, which is considered pretty light for a rod that only sells for $180.

Some of the Imperial Fly rods are four pieces

The Imperial fly rods come with a rugged rod case with carrying handle and divided polypropylene liner for ultimate protection. These awesome fly rods will carry St. Croix's lifetime limited warranty backed by their Superstar Service. All of these rods are handcrafted in N. America and will retail for $150 to $200.

Legend Surf: St. Croix surf rods have always been one of the best on the market but this year they are upping that ante with their latest and greatest, the Legend Surf series. This new series will have 9 rods and is built to out-cast and out-fish the competition, and according to St. Croix it will even beat out the custom rods. The Legend Surf rods are built on their high-modulus, high-strain SC^IV graphite blanks using St. Croix's Integrated Poly Curve (IPC) tooling technology and Advanced Reinforcing Technology (ART).

Introducing the Legend Surf which has a unique X-Grip handle developed at St. Croix

The two piece models feature slim-profile ferrules for a one piece action and feel. The blank color is a Belize Blue for the one piece models while the 2 piece models will have a Belize Blue/Satin Carbon finish.

The surf rods use slim profile ferrule system

The Legend Surf rods are outfitted with Fuji LC surf guides with Alconite rings that feature sloped frames, Fuji DPS reel seats and custom X-Grip handles, two coats of Flex Coat slow-cure finish, and of course it carries a lifetime limited warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service. The Legend Surf rods are manufactured in the USA and will have a retail price ranging from $330 to $450. Availability on these rods will be November 2008.

Introducing the new Copper Pearl colored Avid Inshore

Avid Inshore: Here's another whole new series for the saltwater inshore market. Introducing the St. Croix Avid Inshore series that contains 22 inshore spinning and casting rods. These rods gets the best employing the IPC tooling technology on their SC^III graphite blanks that is completed with a stunning Copper Pearl finish.

There are 22 rods in this new Avid Inshore series

Because these are specifically designed for the saltwater environment these rods make use of Alps Zirconium guides with 316 stainless steel frames. Fuji DPS reel seats with frosted silver hoods are outfitted on spinning models while the Fuji ECS or TCS reel seats with frosted silver hood are used on casting models.

ALPs Zirconium guides with 316 stainless steel frames are used

The Avid Inshore rods are handcrafted in the USA and have a lifetime limited warranty that's backed by St. Croix Superstar Service. The inshore rods will be available in October and will retail from $180 to $240.

The new Triumph Salmon and Steelhead rods are only $100

Triumph Salmon/Steelhead: With the US economy not in the greatest shape people are looking into more cost effective methods to stay on the water. That's where tackle such as the new Triumph Salmon and Steelhead series, 6 total, comes into play.

The new Triumph rods are built on St. Croix's SCII blanks using the tooling, materials and components normally found on premium sticks. These rods are matched with hard aluminum-oxide guides, Fuji DPS, ECS or TCS reel seats, and quality cork handles. The Satin-black salmon and steelhead rods are handcrafted in North America and receives a five year warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service. The rods will be available in October 2008 and will retail for only $100.

A nice handle for controlled battles with big fish

Legend Tournament Musky: St. Croix really knows how to make their customers happy. With the Legend Tournament Musky series they are offering the new rods in either the traditional one piece cork handle or a split grip handle style. The traditional handle rods will have model numbers starting with TM while the split grips will begin with LTM.

We can say that the most exciting model within this series of 8 (16 if you count traditional and split grip) is the new Sling Blade model. This 8'6" heavy power, fast action rod is made for tossing the big bones at the lunker Muskies on the lake.

Here's the Legend Tournament Musky series, the most exciting being the Sling Blade model for tossing big lures

The LT Musky rods are built using their most advanced technologies, ART and IPC, on high modulus, high strain SC^IV graphite blanks. The rods are outfitted with Fuji's Alconite Concept Guide System with chrome frames, a unique flanged SiC tip top, Fuji's TCS reel seats with a frosted silver hood, premium grade cork handles, and machined aluminum wind checks. The Legend Tournament Musky rods are handcrafted in Wisconsin, the heart of Musky country, and has a limited lifetime warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service. Like the other rods it will be available in October 2008 and will have a retail price of $280 to $340.

The LT Musky rods can be bought in either split grip or traditional whole cork handle