Any thoughts on St. Croix Premier Ice Combos?

[DE82]

Maybe looking to grab one or two of these for this year, hows the reels? Do they freeze or get hard to reel in the cold? Do the rods break? I've read A LOT recently about St.Croix rods breaking on fish first or second time use, I'm sure just bad blanks but I'd rather not have that happen to me. I would be looking at a ML or UL action, thanks for any input - Bryon

[Michael Wagner]

Bryon, you know it`s not the rod it`s the "Ficious" jigs that catch the fish, You could use a coat hanger and twine with a "glow bug eye" and still catch fish. :evil::lol::evil: Mike

[DE82]

Yep Mike, just broke a coupld last season so I'd like to pick up a couple rods this season, the catch being the top guide has to fit my spring bobber -Bryon

[RumRunner]

The reels are garbage..The rods are GREAT, they just have a habit of breaking. The spring bobbers are all the same diameter so you can go with a stouter rod and put a more sensitive bobber in there. They ultra lights break like spaghetti..I went through 3 of them before i wisened up

[DE82]

The spring bobbers I use insert into the rod and can be removed, no shrink wrap at all - Bryon

[GFHFG]

Used them all season. Worked great. My son broke one in the truck door I sent it in and they sent me a new one.

[Icecreep]

Try the Avid series. There made in Park Falls, not China.

[Fishbone]

Try the Avid series. There made in Park Falls, not China.

Not yet.

[jigworm]

Been using them for a few years and have not broken one yet. I would upgrade the reel to a Tica, Diawa or something similar.

[wolverines]

I've got 3 of the rods and I like them a lot, but I would get the rod by itself and add your own reel...the drag isn't that great.

[DE82]

Try the Avid series. There made in Park Falls, not China.They don't have an avid ice fishing rod http://www.stcroixrods.com/rods/default.asp?catid=4 and besides all that I'm all for keeping jobs in the US but your going to be buying from china one way or another, rather it's your auger, line, shanty or tip ups. Companies continue to out source, nothing we can really do about that, even St.Croix in time I believe will all be made in china



Thanks for the input so far guys, keep it coming - Bryon

[N M Mechanical]

been using mine for three years I did change the reel but no breaks I bought mine for the spring bobber.

[Bagman]

Bought one at Gander Mt. and the cork broke at the bottom of the reel (the blank didn't run the length of the handle). They wouldn't return and said it had to be sent back to St. Croix. They wanted 10 bucks to ship and return. The rod cost me 20 bucks. So I passed on that and used the shorter handle until the tip broke.

I really like my Avid rods and wish they still made those although I like that the Legends have reel seats. Just can't see spending 50 bones on that right now. Maybe at the end of season clearence.

[William H Bonney]

I have 8 of these combo's. PIR32M's and PIR28M's depending on if I'm in the big or small shanty. I have some UL and L's too but their, too "light". With a good spring bobber you'll be hard pressed to find a better rod. Surprisingly enough,, the reels are actually good. No freeze up's and I've yet to break one( rod either). As for the rods breaking,,, they don't. Unless you flat out ABUSE IT, slam it in a door, or it was abused in the store before you bought it. Believe me,, you won't be disappointed.