St. Croix Rods-Best Of Both Worlds

While out fishing on Lake Pepin with Mike Smith, owner of Hooked On Fishing in Rochester Mn., we started talking about one of our favorite topics-St. Croix Rods. We both use them and fell in love with their high quality and sensitity years ago. I use both the custom St. Croix Rods rods and the factory St. Croix rods and as most of you know I think they are the greatest. I asked Mike a question because I know several places make custom rods but the place I hear the most good positive feedback about is the rods made by Mike Fischer at Hooked On Fishing. I mean ”everything” I hear is always top notch work and sensitivity in these rods. I wanted to know why Mikes rods were talked about so much more. Mike explained it to me. He said that since he buys 100-200 St. Croix rod blanks at a time that instead of just being able to just order them and get what you get that both he and Mike Fischer get to hand pick their rod blanks so Mike picks out what he thinks is the best then his rod making geru Mike Fischer hand picks through those to get the very best of the best. Now, you tell me, where do you want your next custom St. Croix Rod made. And with custom wrap and everything just the way you want it and with the best sensitive St. Croix blank thats handed picked. Sounds great to me. Custom St. Croix Rods or the factory St. Croix Rods = Best Of Both Worlds. And now we all know the rest of the story.
Thanks, Bill

I will second that Bill,
If you are thinking of getting a new rod, this would be the place to go. I have been a huge fan of St. Croix rods, but the best part is that both Mikes will spend the time need to make sure that you get what you are looking for and not just something that they sale. It is as it says custom built rods, so you get to customize it. From my experience with these guys you get what you pay for and a whole lot more.
Aaron

I know of a similar builder in Marine on St. Croix which is north of Stillwater.

I posted pictures of my walnut handled Legend Elite on this site earlier this year. It’s a real treat to use. Custom rods are cool and from what I have found they can be cheaper than factory.

Does Mike have the avid “heavy” blank in stock (6’6″)?

I will contact him to find out . Thanks, Bill

Right now I don’t have a 6’6″ heavy, but do have a 6’0″.

Good Fishing,
Mike

Thanks,
It seems that the 6′ 6″ is very hard to find on the shelf. I would like to handle it before committing a $160.

Mike Smith

What is your cost for a guy looking to get into a custom 6’6″ St. Croix?

Hey James,

The cost is dependent on factors such as rod blank, components, handle, and whether you would want an artistic thread wrap. Most of our custom rods run between $75-$120.

HOF guarantees the rods, so if anything happens (even breaking it in a car door), we fix it.

Once we are able to get caught up on the current orders, you will start to see some of these rods for sale on IDA. We will also be selling our famous custom ice rods – much less cost than some of the other sweetheart type rods, but the same high quality.

I will work on getting some 6’6″ heavy rod blanks. Feel free to send me a PM with any questions.

Good Fishing,
Mike

Mike,
If you get them in, I would like to stop in and discuss a purchase on a custom.

I would check keiths rods out too. I know he builds St Croix and he also has another supplier he uses…

Very well built rods.

http://www.premiercustomrods.com

RIGGY!

I know you’ve been looking for that 6’6″ heavy for a long time. I have the 7′ model and if you get a chance, compare them both. I don’t know how adament you are with the 6’6″ length but I know I wouldn’t want mine any shorter in that strong of a blank. Just offering a comparison…… Are you going to be at the GTG at Everts this Saturday? I’ll bring it down so you can look over the 7′ model.

Fed Ex just dropped off two 8 foot fiberglass trollers for me. I got two 7 footers last month for my SG 17’s and love them.

These 8 footers will be used with my SG 27’s using lead core.

Hey Kid,
I have seen the seven, and it is quite the rock but a little to long for me. I am a 6×6 guy I have vacation up north this week otherwise I wouldn’t mind going over and sharing fish stories with fellow “croix casters”

Yeah, you’re not alone. Lots of guys like the 6×6 stuff, including me…… but ever since that 7′ Legend Elite and using 7×6 to 10×0 trolling rods, I’ve been noticing my 6×6 rods are getting left behind a lot! I’ve really taken to longer rods now that I have experience with them.

I got to fight a nice 10lb. class pike this spring on that 7′ Heavy Avid and boy oh boy oh BOY! Did that ever feel great! That stick felt so unforgiving when checking it out but getting a nice fish on the other end REALLY opened my eyes and I was instantly grateful for waterfowler selling it to me because I felt the exact reason I fell in love with a 7′ spinning rod. Same power down the blank but increased fish control! I’m not too tall so some may argue that I should use something smaller but I’ve really taken to longer rods once I started getting quality fish on them. It truly has gotten harder to step back. The closest I seem to come is a 6×9 Loomis I use quite often. Different than a Croix, but still very nice.

As a side note chuckle, I used a 5×0 UL a couple of weeks back panfishing and it seemed SOOOOO odd to have a pole that short that I thought I’d be useless with it! Fortunately, I did fine, but my casts seemed worthless compared to what I was used to. I often use a 7×6 UL Lamiglas custom I bought a few years ago so it was quite a change to get accustomed to! Good reminder though …….. that even though it’s not my preference, “different” can catch fish just as well!

Hope to catch up with you someday and swap those stories!