Serious New Tools for Avid Walleye and Panfish Anglers
August 25, 2022
Widely recognized, respected and trusted on its significant merits, St. Croix’s vast Avid Series has earned its place as a preferred choice of experienced anglers seeking an optimal combination of premium materials, sensitivity, durability, technology and value in an American-crafted fishing rod. The Avid series is so significant, in fact, that it has been designated by St. Croix as a legacy series, meaning it’s highly unlikely to ever be retired.
This legacy of Avid continues today with the newest chapters in St. Croix’s made-in-the-USA angler-favorite Avid Series. Announced just two weeks ago at ICAST 2022, all-new Avid Series Panfish and Avid Series Walleye rods are available to anglers right now, delivering lighter, stronger, species-specific ergonomics and performance at a sweet, mid-level retail price range of $200-$250 backed by a 15-year warranty and St. Croix Superstar Service.
All-New Avid Series Walleye Rods Available Now
Avid now dots all the ‘eyes. All-new Avid Series Walleye rods for 2023 bring new levels of lightweight sensitivity, balance and extreme durability to the Avid name, combining with all-new walleye-centric ergonomics and specific lengths, powers and actions optimized to support all of today’s top walleye presentations and techniques – from jig and plastics, hair jigs and blade baits, to bait rigging, lipless cranks, jigging raps, crankbaits and more.
Avid Series Walleye rods start from brand new hybrid SCIII+ carbon fiber blanks – technology born from Avid that was enhanced and refined in last year’s landmark St. Croix Victory Series. Each Avid Series Walleye blank is crafted from a distinct combination of premium SCIII carbon and exotic SCVI carbon for even more lightweight, sensitive performance in support of its intended application. Meanwhile, proprietary IPC, ART, TRT and FRS technologies dramatically increase strength and durability while enhancing smoothness and heightening each specific action. The result? Walleye rods that support all the ways avid walleye anglers fish with uncompromising strength, balance and sensitivity.
All-new Avid Series Walleye rods consist of 17 technique-minded models (16 spinning and one casting) finished with painstakingly conceived and executed ergonomics that help walleye anglers fish longer with greater comfort and less effort so they can experience more success. Much of this anthropomorphic know-how was developed and implemented by angler request during last year’s Eyecon Series redesign. Spinning models feature one of six distinct, super-grade cork and composite cork handles; progressive, modified split-grip designs. Conceived to support ideal control while combatting angler fatigue, these ergonomic handles combine the best attributes of split- and full-grip designs and facilitate the placement of multiple fingers in front of the reel – particularly helpful in models like the ASWS71MF and ASWS71MMF designed for aggressive and potentially exhausting Jigging Rap and Rippin’ Rap presentations. The casting model (ASWC70MHM) – voted most likely to see rod-holder duty – features a contoured, full handle grip crafted from super-grade cork and durable composite cork. Durable nylon reel seats meld seamlessly with the handle on all models and feature a premium EVA-over-nylon locking nut for even more comfort and control.
Chosen to promote improved overall balance and worry-free performance with the widest variety of lines and leader configurations employed by walleye anglers, guide trains on all-new Avid Series Walleye rods are lightweight and rigid stainless steel with durable, stainless steel inserts.
Avid Series Walleye aesthetics are subtle yet progressive, showcasing the familiar Carbon Pearl finish of previous Avid Series rods with contemporary blue wraps and silver accents.
New St. Croix Avid Series Walleye Features
- Super high-modulus hybrid carbon fiber SCIII+ blanks matched with Fortified Resin System (FRS) technology for maximum power and strength with a significantly reduced blank weight
- Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) mandrel technology
- Taper Enhancement Technology (TET) blank design provides curved patterns for improved action with increased sensitivity
- Advanced Reinforcing TechnologyTM (ARTTM)
- Ultra durable, rigid stainless steel guides with stainless steel rings
- Ergonomic nylon reel seat with nylon/premium EVA locking nut
- Contoured super-grade cork handles customized per model
- Swimbait models (3) feature GRASP reel seat technology
- Modified split-grip super-grade cork handles with cork composite accents on spinning models
- Full-grip contoured super-grade cork handle with cork composite accents on casting model
- 15-year transferable warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service
- Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, U.S.A. for walleye anglers worldwide
- Retail price $200 to $250
New St. Croix Avid Series Walleye Models
- ASWS58HF – 5’8”, heavy power, fast action, spinning / Retail $200
- ASWS63MLXF – 6’3”, medium-light power, extra-fast action, spinning / Retail $200
- ASWS63MXF – 6’3”, medium power, extra-fast action, spinning / Retail $200
- ASWS66MLF – 6’6”, medium-light power, fast action, spinning / Retail $210
- ASWS66MF – 6’6”, medium power, fast action, spinning / Retail $210
- ASWS68MXF – 6’8”, medium power, extra-fast action, spinning / Retail $215
- ASWS70LXF – 7’0”, light power, extra-fast action, spinning / Retail $220
- ASWS70MLF – 7’0”, medium-light power, fast action, spinning / Retail $220
- ASWS70MM – 7’0”, medium power, moderate action, spinning / Retail $220
- ASWC70MHM – 7’0”, medium-heavy power, moderate action, casting / Retail $210
- ASWS71MMF – 7’1”, medium power, moderate-fast action, spinning / Retail $220
- ASWS71MF – 7’1”, medium power, fast action, spinning / Retail $220
- ASWS73MLXF – 7’3”, medium-light power, extra-fast action, spinning / Retail $225
- ASWS73MXF – 7’3”, medium power, extra-fast action, spinning / Retail $225
- ASWS76MLXF – 7’6”, medium-light power, extra-fast action, spinning / Retail $235
- ASWS76MLXF2 – 7’6”, medium-light power, extra-fast action, 2-piece, spinning / Retail $240
- ASWS80MLF2 – 8’0”, medium-light power, fast action, 2-piece, spinning / Retail $250
Serious walleye anglers rejoice. Technique minded, American made, exceptionally balanced, ergonomic, light, strong and sensitive – 17 all-new Avid Series Walleye rods featuring advanced new SCIII+ carbon blanks, top St. Croix technologies and premium componentry are available right now at St. Croix dealers worldwide and at stcroixrodfactorystore.com.
All-New Avid Series Panfish Rods Available Now
Crappies are crappin’, bluegills are buggin’ and perch are in peril. Why? St. Croix Rod of Park Falls, Wisconsin, USA, has leveraged all it knows, employed all its top technologies, and unleashed one of its fishiest materials to-date in the creation of nine all-new technique-driven panfish rods poised to give more anglers than ever the upper hand in the pursuit of panfish.
Avid Series Panfish rods begin with brand new hybrid SCIII+ carbon fiber blanks – technology born from Avid and enhanced and refined in last year’s landmark St. Croix Victory Series. Crafted from a distinct combination of premium SCIII carbon and exotic SCVI carbon, SCIII+ blanks are lighter and stronger than previous-generation SCIII equivalents. Strength, durability, sensitivity and smoothness are further enhanced by St. Croix’s proven IPC, ART, TRT and FRS technologies. Signature characteristics of SCIII+ include the combination of a soft tip and solid backbone, however, every individual Avid Series Panfish blank is custom-designed and crafted with varying amounts and locations of SCVI carbon to optimize performance in the intended applications, such as dock shooting, for example, with the 69MLXF model.
All-new Avid Series Panfish rods consist of nine technique-minded spinning models in angler-preferred lengths, powers and actions to support today’s evolving panfish presentations that demand fast, accurate, sensitive and forgiving tips, as well as a firm backbone. The pitch and swim, dipping, jigging and swimming microplastics, underspins, bobber rigging, micro-crankbaits, dock shooting and more; all are supported by Avid Series Panfish via advanced St. Croix design, vertical manufacturing, and precise and prideful handcraftsmanship on US soil. Models range from 6’ to 9’ in length with ultralight to medium-light powers and moderate-fast to extra-fast actions.
Inspired by today’s technique-specific bass and walleye rods, new Avid Series Panfish rods feature unique, uplocking nylon reel seats fully integrated with modified split-grip handle designs to promote balanced and effortless fishing. Designed to extend ideal control while combatting angler fatigue, these ergonomic handles combine super-grade cork with durable composite cork accents. A premium EVA-over-nylon locking nut completes the highly comfortable angler interface, becoming the lower part of the grip. Rest your pinkie there or slide it back to maintain direct contact with the highly sensitive blank.
Carefully selected to minimize tip weight while promoting worry-free performance with delicate monofilament, fluorocarbon and micro-braid lines, guide trains on all-new Avid Series Panfish rods are lightweight, rigid, Seaguide Delta TYG stainless steel frames with durable, stainless steel inserts. During testing with typical panfish lines, these unique, slightly triangular-shaped guides consistently delivered casting distances significantly greater than the same rods casting the same lines and lures with traditional round guides.
Avid Series Panfish aesthetics are subtle yet progressive, showcasing the familiar Carbon Pearl finish of previous Avid Series rods with contemporary blue wraps and silver accents.
New St. Croix Avid Series Panfish Features
- Super high-modulus hybrid carbon fiber SCIII+ blanks matched with Fortified Resin System (FRS) technology for maximum power and strength with significantly reduced blank weight
- Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) mandrel technology
- Taper Enhancement Technology (TET) blank design provides curved patterns for improved action with increased sensitivity
- Advanced Reinforcing TechnologyTM (ARTTM)
- Ultra durable, rigid, Seaguide Delta TYG stainless steel guides with stainless steel rings
- Ergonomic nylon reel seat with nylon/premium EVA locking nut
- Modified split-grip super-grade cork handles with cork composite accents
- 15-year transferable warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service
- Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, U.S.A. for panfish anglers worldwide
- Retail price $200 to $250
New St. Croix Avid Series Panfish Models
- ASPS60ULF – 6’0”, ultralight power, fast action, spinning / Retail $200
- ASPS64LF – 6’4”, light power, fast action, spinning / Retail $205
- ASPS69ULF – 6’9”, ultralight power, fast action, spinning / Retail $215
- ASPS69MLXF – 6’9”, medium-light power, extra-fast action, spinning / Retail $215
- ASPS70LXF – 7’0”, light power, extra-fast action, spinning / Retail $220
- ASPS70MLXF – 7’0”, medium-light power, extra-fast action, spinning / Retail $220
- ASPS73MLXF – 7’3”, medium-light power, extra-fast action, spinning / Retail $230
- ASPS80LMF2 – 8’0”, light power, moderate-fast action, 2-piece, spinning / Retail $240
- ASPS90LMF2 – 9’0”, light power, moderate-fast action, 2-piece, spinning / Retail $250
Providing passionate panfish anglers with an exciting new combination of St. Croix materials, technologies, ergonomics and premium componentry, all-new made-in-the-USA Avid Series Panfish rods are available right now at St. Croix dealers worldwide and at stcroixrodfactorystore.com.