Reel for St. Croix Rod

I’ve got a 6-3 St. Croix Avid, medium action. Can of you St. Croix dudes recommend a quality reel that balances well with that rod? Thanks.

Dirk,

Lots of choices. But for what its worth, I highly recommend considering Finn Nor reels. I have a couple Finnites and I love them. I know James has raved about the Fin Nor Ahabs for quite some time. And he uses them on the same rod your talking about. I use mine on the 6’6″ avid medium. I wish I had a dozen more combos like that.

Steve Hougom – FTR Webstaff

Love my Avids! I fish Shimano Stradic 2000 with mine and have been very pleased.You won’t go wrong with the combo hougie recommended either. Matter of personal preference. Keep it vertical.

Edited by greatplains on 10/26/01 08:40 PM.

I have a 2000 Shimano Symetry on that exact rod. Works well although it looks a little large. I would consider the 1000 size.

Mike

I had the priviledge of using those Ahabs when I fished with James this last summer and I thought they were pretty good. However, Gander had some Fin-Nor models on sale and I didn’t like any of them, one model being an Ahab. I think they changed the handle design to a “quick-release” for transport and storage but the construction was terrible. Instead of a nice tight anti-reverse, you got the sensation the handle was going to break! It was a “loose” feeling and took away any vision of confidence!

I haven’t tried everything out there but I’d have to say that the Shimano’s are hard to beat. I have a little Sedona 1000 RB and it’s the smoothest reeling reel I’ve ever touched. The rear drag construction also lends to a slightly lighter rod tip but is a bit inferior to other models and bail closure can be a little clunky. But man is it smoooooth!

Have tried upper line Pinnacle and Tica but I’m not sold on them being the best available product either………….I see room for improvement from those brands.

My 2 cents of self discovery. Have a good one and keep ’em tuggin’!

Hey Dirk,

No matter what reel you put on the rod, do yourself a favor and try this little trick..Start with a stack of about $3.00 worth of quarters and use masking tape to tape them in-line with the end of your rod handle..Grab your rod where you would normally hold it while fishing and check for balance..Add or subtract quarters until the rod balances perfectly in your hand-not tip or butt heavy..What I do to finish this off is wrap them tightly with electrical tape so they won’t come loose..You will find that you can cast or jig all day with less fatigue and you’ll always have change on hand for a phone call or a burger on the way home..Try it!!You’ll like it!!

Tight Lines,

buzzer IA

Stillakid is dead right about the cheaper Fin-nors… they’re cheap. The only models I really like, no LOVE, are the Fin-Nor Ahab Light 1000’s. They cost around $90-100 depending on where you find them. That model is indestructable. Smooth. A delight to fish with. Fin-Nor did try and come out with some cheaper models and I did pick up a couple. They’re horrible. I’ll be sending them back shortly to get my hard earned money back.

James Holst

Moving Waters Guide Service

http://www.movingwaters.net

All I know is the FIN-NOR reels I have cost me around 50 bucks at Gander, and I use these reels alot and I love them.

One is a FIN-ITE 401 and the other is a FIN-ITE 402 and they are both about identical. The handles on these are better than the ones that are on the Ahabs Ive used. It appears these are no longer made. Too bad. Here is a link to the Fin-Nor website. Warning: Its a site that is heavily developed around Macromedia Flash!

Fin-Nor International Web Site

Steve Hougom – FTR Webstaff

I’ve got to agree with the kid. I have a couple of the Shimano Sedona 1000’s and love them. Two seasons now and no problems. Smooth a silk drag, excellent anti reverse, light as a feather. Can’t go wrong for $39. when they are on sale.

I do want to check out those Fin-Nors….they are on the list!!

J.

Hey Dirk,

I love talking about this stuff so, here is my $.02 worth. I personally run the shimano symetres. I am very happy with the reels. The others mentioned are great also. How I choose the size of the reel, 1000 vs. 2000 ect… What pound test of line do you like to run?? If you don’t use anything over 6lb test, the 1000 series is perfect for that rod. You can run 8 on the 1000’s but not quite enough line for my liking, personal preference. Enjoy the shopping!!!

Dirk,

I’m agreeing with the Kid and suggesting the Sedonas. I own 2- 6′ 6″ St Croix Premiers and have the Shimanos on both of them. I like the larger line capacity of the 2000’s however.

I`m still using Daiwa SS series reels that I got when I was a Daiwa rep back in the late 70`s. Still using the prototypes as a matter of fact. For casting presentations I love ’em…..for vertical, they suck (no infinate anti-reverse). For my vertical jigging/rigging sticks, I like Quantums. They’re not too pricy and have served me well.

Beav

Hey Dirk I also use ST. Croix and diawa jigging rods but the best reels I have ever used is the Quantum energy they quit making them so I switched to the quantum energy metals and there even better. and fairly cheep let us know what reel you decide on.

Nate

Spend the cash and buy a Shimano Stradic. I have 4 of them and all of them have been beat around in the rod locker, stepped on by my kids, and dropped in the sand, yet still perform flawless.Your choice of course, FISH ON!!!!