St. Croix Rods

[JohnnySaxatilis]

Originally Posted by Mike P

You don't want to know how many Super Surfs that I've seen blow up over the last 3 seasons

Does this mean watever you use is eventually gunna fail, it just depends on how you use it and what conditions you use it in, and hopefully you luck out on a single product? After reading ya'll's testimonials this seems to be more of the case

Im obviously in the market to get another 2 piece. Is it really worth your money to blow 400 $ on a high end surf rod if the mojo or something of the like is going to hold up just as well?

Should i just get another premier surf layin around in hopes that it'll last another year? Im freakin poor by the way lol. I appreciate your input mike! Thanks

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by JohnnySaxatilis

Does this mean watever you use is eventually gunna fail, it just depends on how you use it and what conditions you use it in, and hopefully you luck out on a single product? After reading ya'll's testimonials this seems to be more of the case

Im obviously in the market to get another 2 piece. Is it really worth your money to blow 400 $ on a high end surf rod if the mojo or something of the like is going to hold up just as well?

Should i just get another premier surf layin around in hopes that it'll last another year? Im freakin poor by the way lol. I appreciate your input mike! Thanks

All I can tell you is my own experience, and that of my partner.

I've been using the 2-6 rated Mojo almost exclusively all this season in the Canal. Hundreds of fish, into the low 30 pound range, more 20 lb. or better than I can remember accurately, and thousand of casts with 3 oz plugs, and 2, 3 and 4 oz lead, either bucktails or heads with Sluggo-type plastics. No issues whatsoever with my rod. The reel seat is solid, and even that little plastic piece that holds the foregrip in place hasn't come loose, as it has on almost every other Mojo that I've seen. It also had two nasty encounters with the rocks when I dropped it--the blank is scratched about 2/3 of the way up. I didn't buy it originally to replace either my 1322 as my primary plugging rod, or my 1209 as my primary jigging rod. I bought it for those night or mornings when I didn't have my bike and didn't feel like taking two rods along to fish only an hour or two before or after work, and wanted a rod that could throw either plugs or lead. But I was so pleased with its performance that it's been the only rod that I've used from June onwards.

My partner originally bought the lighter 3/4-4 oz rated one, and it snapped in the same general area as the Super Surfs--just above the ferrule (the rod splits 70% tip section and 30% butt section). This was around mid-June. Red Top arranged to trade a comparably priced rod with CMS to get him the heavier 2-6 oz model, as CMS was the only shop in the area that had any 10-1/2' Mojos in stock, and all 3 were the heavier rated model. He's used the rod probably even more heavily than I have since getting it, with at least as amany fish on it, and it's been fine. It's the only rod he's used, and after 40 years of fishing conventional, he's told me that he can never go back. He likes it so much that he's thinking of getting another one as a back-up for next year, before the prices go up.

I have seen no reason to try to upgrade to a Legend. St Croix would credit me the purchase price of the Mojo to trade up, but I have no reason to think that it would be worth it. The Mojo is everything I want for a Canal rod.

[JohnnySaxatilis]

Originally Posted by Mike P

All I can tell you is my own experience, and that of my partner.
I have seen no reason to try to upgrade to a Legend. St Croix would credit me the purchase price of the Mojo to trade up, but I have no reason to think that it would be worth it. The Mojo is everything I want for a Canal rod.

thanks, sounds like its a good stick

[Frankiesurf]

I have a Premier Surf. Zero problems that weren't my own fault in the three years I have been abusing it.

That said, my next rod will be a Lami GSB. Most likely the 132 1 M based on a few of my buddies use and abuse of these things with no problems.

[Mike P]

The GSBs have a well-deserved reputation for durability. But they are a 30 year old design. Nothing wrong with standing the test of time, though. But where I fish, I need something with a firmer butt to midshaft section.

The 132 1M is still the standard rod for Long Island, though. I fished there for many years with one.

[TTGG]

Hey Mike , I just finished wrapping a XRA 126 MH for fishing the canal.
Is this one of the many Arra's you own?
If so what are you thoughts on this blank....

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by TTGG

Hey Mike , I just finished wrapping a XRA 126 MH for fishing the canal.
Is this one of the many Arra's you own?
If so what are you thoughts on this blank....

I have two. Both conventionals. I tried selling one at a flea market on the Canal at the end of July--no takers. Almost all of the Canal guys now use spinning exclusively.

It's a very parabolic rod, and IMO it has less mid-shaft strength than my 10' 1205. I use the 1205 now as the only conventional that I jig with, in the few spots where I still use conventional due to the easier ability to drop line to stay in bottom contact. I'm thinking of putting my level wind Saltist on it and using it as my Sebille rod.

The probelm that I have with the 126 1MH, at least as a conventional, is that it's as "bouncy" as a glass rod, both on the cast and when a bass does a head shake. I don't like that feel when fighting a fish. I may have it re-wrapped as a spinning rod. The 1205 as a medium/fast rod is much crisper to fish with, and it can throw 5 oz as well as the 126. I never throw more than 5 oz, and rarely even throw that much. Most tides, I'm fishing 3 oz most of the tide, and only step up to 4 on the very fast moon tides.