CTFishTalk.com: Product Review - St. Croix Premier 6'6" UL Rod - Connecticut Bait, Tackle, Rods and Reels etc… ( CT Bait, Tackle, Rods and Reels etc… ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

sevnseat · Site Admin Joined: 02 May 2007 Posts: 569

I thought I'd try my hand at a product review on my newest rod for river fishing, the St Croix Premier 6'6" Ultralight 1 piece rod! I currently have it paired with a Penn 4200SS UL Reel (another story) So, here goes:

Features:
-Graphite Construction
-Batson Forecast hard Aluminum-oxide guides
-Fuji Reel Seat
-Cork Handle (Supposedly "premium" according to the website. Its cork.)

Pros:
1)The Long 6'6" allows for good reach over, around and about logs, stumps and other things on the river
2)Rod has great backbone for fighting fish, and might be the best fast action UL I've used to date
3)Great casting ability, I can really throw light baits a great distance with this rod.
4)The flexability of this rod is amazing and trumps almost anything I've used up until this point

Cons:
1) It's LONG! I didn't want a two piece ultralight setup so I deal with this, its a pain navigating through brush and borderline dangerous packed in the back of my WRX, it's damn near the length of the trunk + the whole passenger cabin.
2)its a locking ring design for the reel seat. Most poles are, I know, its just personally annoying to me as the lock ring will come a little loose all the time
3)Did I mention how freakin LONG this thing is?!

Cost: about $80 dollars

When my 10 dollar eagle claw ultralight broke a few weeks ago I decided it was time to step up to a big boy ultralight pole, as my fishing has diverted me down to the river. I chose the pole based on reccomendations from a smallmouth forum i frequent. In retrospect, I would have bought a smaller one by quite a bit, and will if I have to replace this one, probably something in the 5'6" range would better suit the tight quarters that I work in. The length does come in handy when fighting a fish though, as I have found it very easy to drag a smallie around rocks and stumps and other things that I would get tangled on. Just reach my arm out and pull, allowing me to change the angle I'm pulling the fish in at quite dramatically.
The Pole has proven itself tough already, handling 3 pound plus smallies with ease and sheer delight. I have to admit, I'm not the easiest person on rod tips either (especially when they're out so far in front of you) The guides are strong and resiliant to the inevitable jamming-them-into-something. Its a joy to cast small rubber worms with, and when you put a small surface lure (such as a baby torpedo), you can really wing it!
All in all, in the short time I have had this rod it has served me very well, handling almost anything that I have thrown at it. I will say, and this is obvious, I did try lake fishing for largemouth with it, once. The setup is completely ineffiecient for that as the rod lacks the power to drag a largie that's buried itself in the weeds.

Kinda forgot the overall review (Duh!):

I give it 4 stars outta 5. It fits the bill very nicely and is a solid piece of equipment. It's my own fault, but its just too damn long for me to give it five. so personal pref., might be a 5 star to someone else!
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Golf Bravo Romeo - Where there's always a crosswind, but nobody will tell you.

Bass Addict · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 10:20 am Post subject:

st croix makes nice rods - I have a 6'6" bait caster and I love it.

I always prefer 1 piece rods over 2 piece as well.
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If you can't catch a fish you can always catch a buzz.

ploplopfizzfizz · Joined: 31 May 2007 Posts: 475 Location: Branford

I have had had a medium action St.Croix 7" 1 piece for about 15 years.
I used this rod for plugging and have caught tons of fish on it ,finally after years of use one of the eyes is loose.I have gotten my money`s worth from this rod.It was 55 dollars when i bought it and averages out to about 4 bucks a year and hundreds of Bass and Bluefish.
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