St. Croix rods

Alright, I know many staff persons, let alone, many members are fond and bias of St. Croix rods.

I need to know what their warranty policy is.

I have two St. Croixs. Both are Premier.

The first one (and one of my favorites) is a 7′, M Trigger, that I use for bottom bouncing. Great rod, but the tip came loose. No problem, I fixed it. Not an issue.

I also have a 7′ ML spinning that I use for rigs. This too, is a premier. I have about as much sensitivity with this rod, as I do with an ugly stick. I have IM6 bass pro spinning rods (6’M & 6’6″ML) that has 2 times the sensitivity as this rod. These IM6 rods are cheap ($40).

ALSO, the last 1′ section of the rod doesn’t seem to be manufactured correctly. The last 1 foot section doesn’t have a balanced bend in the tip. The first 6″ will not bend, but the following 6″ bends perfect. Also, the tip came loose on this one. I had to re-glue it too.

Now, as far as the tips, I take great care of my gear and don’t have any other broken or loose eyelets on any of my other rods (about 20 of them, from cheap to G-Loomis).

I bought the rod 1 year ago and don’t have the receipt.

Is there anyway I can return this to St. Croix in exchange for a new one? Right now, I think this rod would do better as a radio antenna than it would for catching walleyes……..

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated!

Premere Rods have a 2 year warranty. You shouldn’t need a reciept as long as you sent in the warranty card.

Jon J.

Well

This will be a lesson to learn…………I honestly never have bothered to send in the warranty cards before, which gives you an answer to your question Jon……

Gary,

I had a similar problem with the tip top of a premier rod. Didn’t have a receipt – no warranty card (I got the rod as a gift). I called the customer service # at St Croix, they said no problem, send them the rod and a check for postage. About 2 weeks later a new rod arrived at my doorstep.

St Croix prides themselves on customer service. Give them a call, and see what they say. Sorry, I don’t have the numeber with me, but I’m sure its on their website.

Thanks for the info!

Maybe I’ll try to upgrade to an Avid……..

We will see what happens!

Gary, Did you contact St. Croix before you posted? I’m not clear???

Never mind Gary. I read it again and it looks like you did not contact them. Right? Please let us know how this turns out. Thanks! Wade

I just emailed them. Let’s see what happens. I asked if I could trade for for a replacement.

Thanks all for the imput. It just kind of puts a guy over the edge, when you buy something “decent” and it is worse than my 9 year old daughtor’s ultra light rhino rod that she uses for float fishing bluegills………

I’ve yet to hear about St. Croix turning down a warranty request. Even for rods clearly outside ofthe warranty period. Do let us know how this turns out for you Gary or if you find yourself in need of assistance to get the outcome you’re looking for, let me know and I’ll do what I can to help.

Thanks James!

I’ll keep all posted. If St. Croix pulls through, you will hear me bragg!

I have 5 St Croix premiers, and I beat up on them pretty bad. I have not had any problems thus far-they are from 2 months to 6 years old.

As far as the sensativity of the the 7′ ML spinning rod-I own that one and find it VERY sensative. I am currently running Fireline-which makes a huge difference, but even when I was running mono I was very pleased w/ it.

Current Premier Stock:
6′ MH Casting
7′ ML Casting
7′ ML Spinning
6 1/2′ ML Spinning
6′ ML Spinning

Yea, I hear you Dave. I have friends with the Premier and they all love em. I think I got a bum stick.

I also have that 7′ M baitcaster that I love for bottom bouncing on LOTW. It is my go to rod, because of the X-fast tip, I can avoid lots of rocky snags and feel every little tick.

Thanks!

Gary, St. Croix takes great pride in their products and service. Sometimes we find a lemon in any product. My first new car a 1972 Chevy Nova I had to add a quart of oil at 400 miles, replace a cracked spark plug at 817 miles. I had all kinds of electical problems with it and the motor was shot at 76,000 miles. Back to St. Croix, let us know how your sitsuation turns out as they do back their products very well. Thanks, Bill

Gary: I had a similar situation last fall. I had a 7-foot medium light avid that needed the tip replaced. I don’t believe I registered for the warranty. I e-mailed their customer service group. The next day I had a message from them saying the parts and instructions were in the mail. Got the package a couple days later. No questions asked. The rod is as good as new.

My situation sounds a little different than yours (more than just the rod tip). But it was a good experience – nice to see a company stand behind their product and not hide behind a “loophole.”

Update:

I’m in email contact with the service center. I explained the problem and waiting for them to get back to me.

I will let all know how it turns out….

Thanks all for the advice!

Well;

I just got off the phone with them.

In discussing the problem with them (specically the rod tip action), the rep told me that could be expected out of the premier rods, since that is how they do perform because of the fast tip. I explained to him that it doesn’t have a smooth or even taper to the bend, and his overall comment was again, that is a Premeir rod.

I also discussed with him on the sensitivity of the rod and told him that I have two IM6 rods that have twice the sensitivity. He said that IM6 is a better, more expensive graphite than what is used in the premier and the IM6 will have more sensitivity than a premier. He said to compare an IM6 graphite rod to St. Croix’s models, you would have to compare to an AVID rod.

He told me to send it in and he would evaluate and let me know what they could do.

Right now, I’m a bit baffled. I think what I’m going to do, is stop in at Gander Mountain and compare the bend characteristics of one of their 7’MLSF Premier rods, via running line through it and see if I’m just having higher expectations of these rods, than what they do offer.

However, I pose this question.
Why would I buy a Premier rod @ $80 or $85, when I can buy a Bass Pro Rod in IM6 Graphite for $30, IM7 for $40, and IM8 for $60?? According to their rep, they are better rods. And to back his statement, I do have 2 of the Bass Pro Rods that are IM6 and they do perform better????

His response almost seemed like: “since I bought a cheaper brand of St. Croix, that is what you are going to get. It isn’t an Avid……..”

Tell you what Gary. Since I brag up St. Croix rods so much I’ll make you a deal. Send the rod to them. If they don’t do anything I’ll remburse [sp]you for the shipping charges. I don’t need a receipt showing what it cost you to send it to them for the postage and packaging of the rod. I’ll just take your word for it. If that happens then let James look at it and if theres something wrong with it in his mind I’ll also pay you $10.00 for your trouble. Fair enough? Thanks, Bill

I have 2 premier, 1 fiberglass and 6 avids- i would agree the avids are better but the premier out-performs any other rod ive owned including team daiwa, bps, cabelas, falcon (low rider. Avids are a big step up in quality in my mind from premier, but also avids blow most other brands ive fished out of the water (i have not used loomis though). I dont know if you got a lemon, and the dude you talked to sounds nothing like the customer service i have received. FYI- I have no sponsor afffiliation with st croix, but love the rods and its all I use.

Hey Dad that nova wasn’t a lemon your problem was its a CHEVY
hey what does nova mean in Jap again I believe its NO-GO
should tell ya something

Thats in Chineese Son. But my 1972 Chevy Chevelle and my 1966 Chevy Impala were great cars. Same for my 1995 Chevy Geo. Same with St. Croix rods whether they are factory or custom built and I know you believe in their blanks as you have a bunch of the custom St. Croix rods made by Mike at Hooked On Fishing. Thats why I made my offer to Gary as I believe in their products and service. I don’t push a product unless I really like it. And I love St. Croix rods both factory and custom made.

Bill is right about standing behind St.Croix. I have 5 St.Croix’s and I also have Loomis brand rods. The avid are the best for sensitivity for my rig fishing on Mille Lacs. Hook has an elite that he just thinks ….its a dream fishing with it!

I think from what I know of St.Croix, they will make it right for you Gary.

check out Hooks product review on the St.Croix elite fishing rod: St.Croix product review

I have nothing but great things to say about St. Croix rods since I made the switch from Loomis. They are great rods and the customer service is excellent. I will be honest, I do not buy premier rods, but the Avids and Elites are excellent rods

With all rods and the different classes they come in, you will see differences in them. Composite materials they use to make the different classes of rods, create different pressure points, and flexibility/sensitivity scenarios. Pick up an Avid rod at Gander….Try a medium action with a fast tip. If there was a definition in the dictionary of a fast tip, it would say “See the St. Croix Avid!” I strongly suggest going into Gander, ot any other St. Croix dealer, and try each style of rod. My idea of what I like in a jigging or pitching rod may be different than yours. I will tell you though, I had a co-angler break a rod tip on one of my St. croix trolling rods. I contacted St. Croix, and they had a section of rod sent to me in time for my next tournament! These folks are awesome. If you send your rod into them, I am sure you will be taken care of. Without a doubt!
Tuck

No Va is Spanish for “no go”. I dont know about Chinese. Nissan Sentras needed to be renamed in Mexico too, they are called Izuras or something. Sentra means “it sits” in Spanish.

Bill, Thanks for the offer!!! I’m not conerned about the shipping and handing, I just want a “good” rod for lindy rigging. That is what I specifically bought the rod for. Instead of the shipping cost Bill, I’ll take Ringworms and Super Doos instead!!!

Everyone else too, thanks for your advice and support! That is what makes this site so great.

I’m going to do two things.
1: I’m going into Gander Mountain, since it if on my way home and check out other Premiers, just in case, I don’t have my head up my “bleep”.
2: I have a guide trip scheduled with James on the river towards the end of the month. I’m going to have him look at the rod too and have him give me his opinion (Uh-oh! ).
Then at that point, I will send it into St. Croix.

What is truely throwing me off, making me think that this rod is defective, is the vast amount of other people who love their premiers, with their opinions making them much higher than other rods. Yet, I have other (cheaper) rods that have better sensitivity and action than this one.

Again, thanks everyone!

Quote:

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Hey Dad that nova wasn’t a lemon your problem was its a CHEVY hey what does nova mean in Jap again I believe its NO-GO

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Spanish: No va = “Doesn’t go”

It was a marketing nightmare for GM, as half the world hablan.

Hey!

Rip all you want on them old chevs. But, coming from an old motor head that built chev big blocks for drag racing, I’ll take on any ford (of any type) and any silly old mopar (no power).

Old chevy’s ROCK!!!!!!!

I found that St.Croix has a better handle than Loomis. I like the Premier series for bobber fishing and the Avid for all other applications and Muskie fishing. I agree the customer service is excellent. Not too many rods out there that are 100% American made either.

I wouldn’t discount the Fenwick HMG series. I have found these rods, balanced, sensitive, fit well in your had, with very good customer service.

Yes Derek, the exception is in bobber fishing……..a big buggy whip as some call them, work the best with a hook set with a bobber. Shallow water……and you don’t want to pull the lips off old golden eye’s. I use a old two piece Diawa glass/composite rod for my bobber rig!

Derek………you going after some more perch action this month on Mille Lacs?