Rage:
This season there was a big gap
between the Avid and
the Mojo Bass Series
rods. The
popular Mojo Bass
continues to grow in
popularity
but there was just
something missing in
the line... this is where the
new Rage rods come
into play.
A neoprene skin
handle on the Rage
series
The Rage rod isn't a
low end rod
at all, instead it
makes use of some
interesting new
materials. The Rage
utilizes a more
sensitive,
high-modulus SC III
blank compared to Mojo's SC II. Also,
the new St Croix rod
uses their IPC
technology when
manufacturing this
new Rage series.
Showing the core and
neoprene skin
Precision machined
core wrapped in the
skin
St Croix took a
slightly different
approach with this
micro-guided rod by
downsizing the
stripper guide, but
not reducing it to
the micro size,
thereby allowing for
improved line flow.
The Rage rods
feature Pac Bay
Minima
stainless-steel ring
micro guides that
provide a 20-30%
weight savings over
ceramic guides, and
will not crack,
break or groove even
with braided line.
The Pac Bay Minima
reel seats deliver
maximum blank
exposure with a
weight savings of
10-20% on the
spinning models and
30% on the casting
rods.
Reduced size guides
are used but not
micro guides
To top it all off
the Rage rods get a
unique handle with a
neoprene grip
material and a
precision machined
core material for
improved comfort and
sensitivity without
adding extra weight
to the overall rod.
The Rage series
consists of 12
casting and 5
spinning models with
prices ranging from
$150-$170, and each
rod
includes a 5 year
limited warranty and
the entire series will be available
this August.
An example of a Rage
series spinning rod
Legend Tournament
Bass: The
technique specific
Legend Tournament
Bass rods have been
redefined to make
them even better.
This new lineup, 18
casting and 7
spinning, are built
on completely
re-engineered
mandrels designed
with St Croix’s
proprietary
Integrated Poly
Curve (IPC) tooling
technology. The
blanks combine
high-modulus/high-strain
SCIV graphite with
NSi (Nano Silica)
resin – a
proprietary Matrix
Resin from 3M that
significantly
increases strength
and durability with
no change to the
weight. The new rods
are further
strengthened with
Advanced Reinforcing
Technology™ (ART).
The Improved Legend
Tournament Bass
“The re-engineered
Legend Tournament
Bass rods represent
the state-of-the-art
in spinning and
casting rod design,”
explained Jeff
Schluter, St.
Croix’s vice
president of
marketing and sales.
“We’ve improved our
very popular series
by increasing the
quality while
maintaining a
similar price. The
blanks are newly
designed and feature
innovative
3M™ Matrix Resin
which we call NSi
for a 30% increase
in strength. In
addition, guides are
updated to Fuji® K
Series Tangle-Free
with Alconite® rings
in smaller sizes to
reduce tip mass and
we’ve added Fuji’s
new SK2™ split reel
seat for the
ultimate in
lightweight and
sensitivity. The
result is a series
on the cutting edge
in regards to smooth
casting power,
lightweight balance,
extreme sensitivity,
rugged durability
and striking
appearance.”
Fuji K series
tangle-free guide
frames with Alconite
rings
The newly redesigned
rods also feature
the new Fuji SK2
reel seat
Legend Tournament
Bass rods also
feature
split-grip/super-grade
cork handles,
machined-aluminum
winding checks and trim
pieces, and
Flex-Coat slow cure
thread finish. These
technique
specific rods will
come backed with St Croix's
lifetime limited
warranty. They will
retail for $230 - $270
and be available August
2011.
The new spinning reel
seat from Fuji
Panfish: St
Croix has developed
a complete line of
high-performance
ultra-light and
light-powered
spinning rods
designed
specifically for
fishing crappie,
bluegill and other
small game fish
species. The new
collection,
appropriately named
the Panfish Series,
includes two design
platforms from which
to choose. The first
consists of 5
spinning rods up to
7' in ultra-light
and light powers
with precise, crisp
actions. The second
features 4 spinning
rods from 8'-11'
with light powers
and moderate-fast
actions.
A new series of
Panfish rods
Specifications made
for fun fishing
These premium rods
feature blanks built
with a combination
of SCII graphite and
high-modulus/high-strain
SCVI graphite for
optimal weight,
sensitivity and
balance. Outfitted
with Pac Bay Minima
guides that provide
greater sensitivity
and a 20-30% weight
savings over ceramic
guides, the new
Panfish Series come
with premium-grade
cork handles and Pac
Bay Minima reel
seats for improved
sensitivity and
comfort. The Panfish
Series retails from
$100-$180 and
available this
September.
Pac Bay Minima reel
seat with custom
insert for improved
sensitivity and
comfort
Conclusion:
Leave it to St.
Croix to once
consistently deliver
exciting new
offerings. This year
they introduced new
rods based on new processes,
materials, and all
with unique yet
familiar St. Croix
characteristics. The Rage
Series looks like a
great workhorse
series rod that
features a sensitive
and responsive blank
along with the IPC
tooling technology.
The redefined Legend
Tournament Bass rods
now have
reduced guides
instead of micros,
still giving anglers
plenty of the benefits without
some of the sacrifices.
It was also great to
see the company
specifically address
Panfish applications
with a specific
series designed for
finesse fishing for
these small yet
aggressive fish.
