Othello: "I've been a dyed-in-the-wool St. Croix guy ever since my dad and I visited their factory 40 years ago, but I'm intrigued. I've seen Boley's endorsements, too, so I'm curious as to whether there will be enough positive feedback to push me over the edge while the sale is on."
I'm a St. Croix fan as well - love their Avid X spinning rods.
Used the 7-0 2pc MLF spinning rod with the new Pflueger Supreme XT 30X, and it was a stellar pairing. Also used the 7-0 2pc ULF spinning rod with a Pflueger President 20X spinning reel, and that was also outstanding.
Wasn't sure what I was expecting, but didn't think these set-ups would be better than the Avid X Spinning rods. The fit and finish is top notch, with a beautiful emerald green paint.
The sensitivity - I could feel every little twitch from a teeny tiny gill to 2lb largies on both the MLF and the ULF. Even used a plopper last weekend, and there was plenty of backbone on the MLF to get a good hookset on a solid hit. ...in fact, I'd say the 2B MLF might sit somewhere between the Avid X ML and MLF in terms of feel and power. ...I prefer the look and feel of the cork handles of the 2B spinning rods over the Avid X spinning rods. The Avid X spinning rods are outstanding, so it says a LOT about the 2B spinning rods.
I always have three set-ups in my canoe. The new sticks will be: Avid X ML, 2B MLF, 2B ULF for every fishing trip going forward.
I know St. Croix just announced a new Avid Walleye series (these will be priced around $225-$275), Avid Panfish series (priced from $200-$250), and a new Legend Tournament Walleye series (these will likely be priced from $290-$330). These will all be released in 2023.
The 2B rods are a better steal than I originally thought, and so glad I jumped on these. If the 2B genesis rods were 100% made in the USA, they'd be priced from $250-$275. ...and they're only $110 with this sale....and they easily cover panfish, walleye, smallies/largies, steelhead, big lakers, big browns, and big pike.