Expansive lineup of Tidemaster® Series spinning, casting and travel rods deliver St. Croix performance and extreme durability in any inshore fishing situation

 

Inshore angling is an exciting affair offering opportunities to target multiple species. Hit the right tide and the action can become explosive. And because the game takes place in shallow water, the visual aspect of inshore angling only increases the excitement; it’s almost like hunting.

 

Sight-fishing is a common way to target almost any inshore species. But even when water conditions aren’t favorable for direct spotting, other visual clues come into play. Fleeing baitfish, surface feeding and bird activity can all help pinpoint gamefish targets, be they snook, tarpon, redfish, sea trout, or anything else that swims. Inshore anglers need to be ready to deliver an accurate cast with the proper bait at any given moment. That means having the right tools rigged and ready to go.

 

Serious inshore anglers looking for a rod they can depend on day after day and year after year need look no further than the St. Croix Tidemaster Inshore Series of one-piece spinning, casting and three-piece travel rods. St. Croix’s largest and most popular saltwater lineup, Tidemaster is handcrafted in the USA and includes 47 different models for any inshore target or situation. Read what to the pros – anglers whose livelihoods are on the line whenever a big fish rises to the occasion – have to say about performance of St. Croix Tidemaster rods.

 

“I probably own 15 Tidemaster rods,” says Capt. Justin Carter, a St. Croix pro-staffer and charter skipper for Redfin Charters out of Charleston, South Carolina. “I’m on the water daily targeting anything that swims and St. Croix’s Tidemaster rods are my true workhorses. This series offers a wide range of rods with high-quality SCII carbon blanks and premium-grade cork handles,” Carter explains. “From the 8’ heavy power, fast action (TIS80HF) rod I like for tarpon and cobia right down through the 7’ light power, moderate action (TIS70LM) I love for seatrout, the Tidemaster Series covers all the bases. They’re really durable and hold up well to the rigors of guide use. They also come at a good price and include a 5-year warranty, so you won’t second guess yourself when you look at the bank statement at the end of the month.”

 

Indeed, Carter uses the entire spectrum of Tidemaster rods, although he goes to battle most often with the spinning sticks. He’ll use a 7’ medium-heavy power, fast action (TIS70MHF) model when targeting redfish with Carolina rigs and a 7’6” medium-light power, fast action (TIS76MLF) choice for tossing many artificials. “I really like how these rods are sensitive enough to feel the bites, yet strong enough to put the brakes on fish of trophy proportions,” he states.

 

Recently, Carter had his dad down for a visit. “He doesn’t get away from work much, so I really wanted to put him on some big ones,” the skipper recalls. “We set up on some big jack crevalle and I had him casting a mile with that 7’ medium-heavy spinning rod so we wouldn’t spook the school. What a blast it was to see him connect with a 35-pounder! That Tidemaster let him work a big popper perfectly, then brought that beast to the boat for release in less than ten minutes. That’s pretty impressive for an angler who has never fought a fish that big. That rod was the conduit that gave us a perfect moment.”

 

Ask Carter to pick a favorite Tidemaster® and he’ll opt for a 7’ medium-light power, fast action (TIS70MLF) stick for throwing light plastics and jigs, but he also has a special place in his heart for the 7’6” medium power, moderate action (TIS76MM) model. “It’s a great jerkbait rod,” he emphasizes, “because it doesn’t recoil back too quickly. You really want a rod that doesn’t load up so sharply when throwing jerkbaits so you won’t rip the lure out of the fish’s mouth.”

 

Captain Tom Rowland, co-host of the popular outdoors television series Saltwater Experience, and a charter skipper out of Hawks Cay Resort on Florida’s Duck Key, is another fan of the Tidemaster Series for inshore applications. Like Carter, he appreciates the unique combination of durability, sensitivity and power in this family of rods.

 

“A lot of our fishing here in the Florida Keys is done in very windy conditions,” notes Rowland. “Cold fronts roll through here every week during the winter with 20- to 25-knot breezes. We don’t let that stop us, so we need rods that can deliver anything we’re throwing to whatever we’re chasing. The Tidemaster Series is terrific because it includes so many rod varieties and they are all so versatile. We can target bonefish, permit or tarpon with lighter gear when the weather is nice and toss bigger surface plugs to tempt 20-pound barracuda when the seas get snotty.”

 

Of course, Rowland will match specific rods to specific tasks as necessary, but one thing he really likes about the entire Tidemaster Series is that each rod can pull double-duty.

 

“When you head out in a big boat, you can bring along as many rods as you need,” Rowland says, “but hit the flats in a 17-footer and you may only have room for four or five. When that’s the case, we might bring a pair of lighter rods and a pair of heavier ones because we know the Tidemaster Series is up to the task. On the lighter end, we could be tossing crabs for bones and permit on a ¼- to ½-ounce jighead – or even on a plain hook. At the opposite end of the spectrum, we’ll throw a big tube lure for ‘cuda. We can actually throw either on a 7-foot, medium-heavy power, fast action Tidemaster stick (TIS70MHF). That’s just great range.”

 

Rowland agrees with Carter that the St. Croix Tidemaster® Series of inshore saltwater rods are also exceptionally consistent and durable. “I really like the components,” he continued, “the guides are robust, the cork handle is premium grade, and you can put these rods in the hands of customers day after day with great results and virtually no wear and tear. They hold up incredibly well and really are something special.”

 

1. CROIX TIDEMASTER® INSHORE SPINNING ROD MODELS

• 6’6” medium power, fast action (TIS66MF)
• 6’6” medium power, moderate action (TIS66MM)
• 6’6” medium-heavy power, fast action (TIS66MHF)
• 6’6” medium-heavy power, moderate action (TIS66MHM)
• 6’6” heavy power, fast action (TIS66HF)
• 6’6” heavy power, moderate action (TIS66HM)
• 7’0” light power, moderate action (TIS70LM)
• 7’0” medium-light power, fast action (TIS70MLF)
• 7’0” medium power, fast action (TIS70MF)
• 7’0” medium power, moderate action (TIS70MM)
• 7’0” medium-heavy power, fast action (TIS70MHF)
• 7’0” medium-heavy power, moderate action (TIS70MHM)
• 7’0” heavy power, moderate action (TIS70HM)
• 7’0” heavy power, fast action (TIS70HF)
• 7’6” light power, moderate action (TIS76LM)
• 7’6” medium-light power, fast action (TIS76MLF)
• 7’6” medium power, fast action (TIS76MF)
• 7’6” medium power, moderate action (TIS76MM)
• 7’6” medium-heavy power, fast action (TIS76MHF)
• 7’6” heavy power, fast action (TIS76HF)
• 8’0” medium-light power, fast action (TIS80MLF)
• 8’0” medium-power, fast action (TIS80MF)
• 8’0” medium-heavy power, fast action (TIS80MHF)
• 8’0” heavy power, fast action (TIS80HF)

1. CROIX TIDEMASTER® INSHORE CASTING ROD MODELS

• 6’6” medium-heavy power, fast action (TIC66MHF)
• 6’6” heavy power, fast action (TIC66HF)
• 7’0” light power, moderate action (TIC70LM)
• 7’0” medium-light power, fast action (TIC70MLF)
• 7’0” medium power, fast action (TIC70MF)
• 7’0” medium power, moderate action (TIC70MM)
• 7’0” medium-heavy power, fast action (TIC70MHF)
• 7’0” heavy power, fast action (TIC70HF)
• 7’6” medium power, fast action (TIC76MF)
• 7’6” medium-heavy power, fast action (TIC76MHF)
• 7’6” heavy power, fast action (TIC76HF)
• 8’0” medium-heavy power, fast action (TIC80MHF)
• 8’0” heavy power, fast action (TIC80HF)

1. CROIX TIDEMASTER® INSHORE TRAVEL ROD MODELS

• 7’0” medium-light power, fast action (TIS70MLF3)
• 7’0” medium power, fast action (TIS70MF3)
• 7’0” medium-heavy power, fast action (TIS70MHF3)
• 7’6” medium power, fast action (TIS76MF3)
• 7’6” medium-heavy, fast action (TIS76MHF3)
• 7’6” heavy power, fast action (TIS76HF3)
• 7’0” medium power, fast action (TIC70MF3)
• 7’0” medium-heavy power, fast action (TIC70MHF3)
• 7’6” medium-heavy, fast action (TIC76MHF3)
• 7’6” heavy power, fast action (TIC76HF3)

 

Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, U.S.A., all Tidemaster Inshore rods feature premium quality SCII carbon, premium-grade cork handles and hard aluminum-oxide guides with corrosion-resistant black frames. Built for long casts, lightweight sensitivity, exceptional power and unsurpassed durability, these specialized inshore saltwater rods deliver superior performance. Spinning models – 30 in total, including six travel rods – range from 6’ to 8’ in length and have Fuji® DPS reel seats. Casting models – 17 in total, including four travel rods – range from 6’6” to 8’ in length and feature Fuji® ECS or TCS reel seats. All real seats feature stealthy gunsmoke hoods. All Tidemaster models carry a 5-year warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service. Retail prices range from $150 to $280.