OT - fishing rods

St. Croix makes great rods. I've got 4 fly rods that are Avids or Legends, 8 or 10 avid bass rods and 6 legend tournament musky rods. They are all great, and for the money they are an awesome value.

I've not fished the pan fish rods but I do know that all of the St. Croix rods I have fished have been solid performers

I had a St Croix and got rid of it for a Fenwick river runner. Wanted something with a little more backbone. The fenwick makes a great multi purpose ultra light. Great for Crappie and Small Mouth fishing. 

http://www.mudhole.com/Brandon-Lester-S721-60-Crappie-Spinning-Rod-Kit?utm_source=articlelink&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=mudhole&utm_term=in-fisherman&utm_content=customcrappierods

I bought a Big Green Egg not a Charbroil Kamado.  Would you say there is a difference between an egg and Charbroil?  Most on this site would say there is no comparison I would agree.  

Regarding fishing rods, no difference. I fish almost daily, for sure 4 times a week in the summer.  I fish for leisure, competitively and for income from time to time when I guide.  I have done so for the greater portion of my 48 years.  Grew up on a lake and started fishing alone wading lakes in Minnesota at the age of 7-8, have fished professionally in national tournaments.  In the hands of a skilled angler or Cook, the tools carry value average joe's may not appreciate.

I actually have well over 40 St Croix Rods.  My opinion, educated as it is, could span various manufacturers: G Loomis, St Croix, Dobyns, Megabass, Edge, etc..... Take your pick they and some others not mentioned are fantastic tools.  

For the record, I would never, ever, support a mass produced product.  I like to support our economy.  A St Croix rod is touched by no fewer than 40 pairs of hands prior to shipping.  Northern Wisconsin resident craftspeople build a great product and offer warranties and replacement policies that should not be over looked.

The benefits of lighter and more sensitive are most appreciated when you fish a lot and learn the benefits each offers.  Lightweight not only lends to the rods overall ability to transmit vibrations, it is very beneficial when you fish 8-10 hours a day, it reduces fatigue.  I will add however that a high end rod is only one component to an effective high performance fishing tool. Line and reel also contribute.  The components on the rod are also very critical, Fuji, manufactures the finest guides and reel seats for freshwater fishing rods.  St Croix only uses the best components.  Custom Rod lengths and Flex profiles are customized to particular fishing applications. 

This is getting long, I could go on and on just like many of you could expound on the benefits of an Egg over a low end product.  Bottom line is, if you are a leisure fisherman that gets out a few times a year, mass produced rods will suffice.  If you have an appreciation for craftsmanship and high performance products, and want to be the most effective fisherman you can, no comparison can be made between and Ugly stick and even the lowest St Croix model rod.  None.

You will never regret a St Croix rod purchase.

Between an egg and a charbroil yes, but an egg and a joe, no not really.

I've been happy with my St. Croix bass rods, I have a few for crankbaits and topwater and they have been great. No help with the crappie rods though.