st croix avid or gander titanium?

im looking at using this rod to cast jigs on the river and possibly for verticle jigging. what are your thoughts on both rods quality? how does the gander series compare to the st croix?
thanks steve

I use all gander rods in my boat, i think they are a good rod for the price, but I am also not a big time die hard walleye fisherman, so someone will chime in here soon, I have used mine for jigging, did all right.

shane

I have not used the Gander Titanium, but I do have a St. Croix Avid that time and time again I keep coming back to. I fish with other rods in my boat and then I pick up the Avid and nothing compares to it (though i don’t have a any of the other higher end st. croix models)

The st. Criox rods are the best walleye jigging rods I have ever used. There handle fits unbelievably into your hand, I have a legend Elite 6’6″ ml Extra fast action that is my pride and joy for jigging, also you get a lifetime warranty which i have used more than once when mishaps happen. Just my two cents. I am sure both rods are great.

Never used the Gander rod. But I have used the Avid a few times for pitching jigs. The Avid 6’8″ is an AWESOME rod for pitching jigs (ringworms and k-grubs). So is the 6’6″ ML for the lighter jigs, such as hair. Both will work great too, for P4 vertical jigging.

I also have a custom HOF rod that is SC V graphite this is phenomenal! 6’8″. Just an AWESOME rod!

In the same breath of air though, I have a Berkley 7′, IM7 rod, that I bought at WalMart for $50. It honestly works “just about” as good. It is light weight, decent balance, good feel, good sensitivity.

Another great rod is the Shimano Clarus for $60 in the 6’6″ M action. AWESOME rod for the money, with a life-time, over the counter warranty.

Point being, you don’t have to drop $180 for a fishing rod to pitch jigs. Look for the quality traits that I listed above. Also, I recommend looking at warranty too!

If the pocket book allows the Avid, I would go for it. That 6’8″ rod almost appears it was made for the application.

But if not, it isn’t needed!

I use the shimano’s alot. I think the clarus is discontinued or maybe its the compre. one or the other. I have some clarus and some copre’s and I love them. $60-90 per rod with an over the counter warranty

I own both a 6’6″ avid & a 7′ tournment series, I can’t tell difference between the two. The only thing I’ll say is when you brake one it is nice to go over to your local gander mountian & just exchange it, I know that from experance. just my .02

the reason i ask is that yes i would save about 50.00 bucks. the gander series also has a lifetime over the counter warranty. for pitching and jigging is there a big difference between a fast tip and extra fast? i have been using a gl-2 with fast tip and have never used a extra fast.

I don’t know about the Gander’s but I have a St Croix 6’8″ medium extra fast Avid that I’m in love with. It has enough backbone to set the hook on a long cast and a soft enough tip to cast a 1/8 oz jig.

John

The Avid 68MXF or the tournament series rod in the same length/action are my weapons of chioce for pitching jigs. I like a slightly shorter rod for vertical applications, like the avid 63MXF.

If you’re a pool 4 junkie like a lot of us are, stop by Everts and ask Dean for a St Croix loaner for the day. Try both for yourself…it may make your choice a lot easier if you can try before you buy. The only danger…you may want both!

Dean at Everts has the best program going for guys on the fence about a particular rod. He allows ANYONE that wants to try a new St. Croix on the water to do so for the day. No obligations. You can shake a rod in the store. Put a reel in the seat and try to get a feel for the balance… but nothing counts like actually putting the rod through the paces on the water fishing the way you fish.

Dean Marshall – Everts Resort
email – [email protected]

And the 6′ 8″ Avid is a great rod for mono and jigs 3/16th or heavier.

i will have to check one out next time i am on pool 4.

Here is another vote for the mxf68 Avid or Tournament walleye series by St.Croix. They really are second to none when it comes to pitching jigs. Like others have said it is almost like they built these rods specifically for the application of jig fishing.

You can also vertical jig with them without a problem. I prefer a shorter rod for going vertical but that is really a personal preference. As far as comparing them to the Gander rods I am not really sure. Other than picking them up in the store I have not used them. I cannot bring myself to buy anything other than St.Croixs they are just that good.

Gary,
I agree on the Clarus. They are awesome rods for the $$.
They hav re-vamped both the Clarus and Compre and both are being manufactured. A little known fact is Shimano purchased G Loomis. I think it brought a wealth of knowledge to their rod building. Shimano Crucial is one heck of a rod for a little less than an Avid. I have both and hard to tell which one I like better. The Clarus isn’t that far behind.

Use st croix blanks as well for jigging and nothing better ahnds down!!

Sounds like we need some input on the Gander Titanium. You should buy one and report on it. There are some good buys out there once you find them. Other than name brand. I know of a local river guide who uses nothing but off brand rods in his boat and they are very nice. Good value I would say.

I run St. Croix graphite in my vessel, the customer service on them is world class, break a tip just bring it in to Capras and they send it directly to St. Croix and square things away. (granted you bought it there?) I have had really good expieriences with Avid series blanks and believe they are the best crankbait, jiggin, and snellin’ rods $ can buy. Handle one and feel the unmatched balance and sensitivity. Good luck in your quest.

No experience with the gander rods here as well but I love my 6’6″ medium fast action St.Croix Avids. I have the 6’8″ medium extra fast Avids as well but the 6’6″ Avid is a very versatile rod in my boat. It works good for light jigs and is a nice crank casting rod as well

I love my avids. If going with the Titanium, you may want to talk to the guys at Gander. A friend of mine manages one of the stores in the twin cities area and said they were going to drop one of the gander series and I am pretty sure he said it was the Titanium series. It would be hard to get a replacement then.

Here’s another choice. Limit Creek 6’9″ extra fast tip. They are made by well known St Croix guide and you can get them from Jimmy’s Bait. Cost is $70. Excellent rod right up there with the Avids.

I use the St. Croix Avid 6.6 med fast tip for casting and jigging. Great rods. Love em. They come factory built or custom from HOF.

Thanks, Bill

I have a couple of the Limit Creek rods and they are top notch also. So many rods, so little time.

I thought I heard that Ganders rods are made by St.Croix I may have heard wrong….