WHY should I get a St. Croix Avid casting rod over a Shimano Crucial casting rod? I went with the Shimano for my drop shot rod. But I was looking at the St. Croix site and they have a rod that looks like it will really fit the bill for what I want it to do. I am just EXTREMELY leary of buying a rod without having it in my hands first. If you guys could give me reasons, not just a "yeah you should" that would be great, thanks guys.

FB

I am just EXTREMELY leary of buying a rod without having it in my hands first.

You should be, IMO.  I wouldn't buy a finished rod sight unseen.  You really should find a retailer that carries them to hold / wiggle for yourself.  Is the avid the one with the hump in the grip?  I don't know, as I only use the blanks. (seems like I remember people saying there is a humped grip on those - another reason to hold it in your own hands.)

An educated consumer is rarely dissappointed.  

I called the three nearest dealers ( all over 40 miles away) this morning and none of them had the model i want in stock. they will order me one, but it takes me back to my original problem. and the model i want doesn't have the hump in it. I don't like those very much. they just feel weird.

also, has anyone used their round casting reels? on paper they look decent. any experiences?

bizzle ,, i havent used any of there round reels ... so i cant help ya there ... but i do hear alotta guys in these parts use them , and seem to like them ....

now the rods on the other hand are great i have 2 premieres 2 avids and 2 legends ..... LOVE EM ALL ... sure i like my legends more than my premieres but there is that price tag .... and my premieres really dont have any trouble doing there jobs eighter.... all around st croixs are nice sticks .... and i also wanted to mention the avid is a sweet rod,, yes it does have a bump in the cork ...  still the rod is one of my favorits croix makes  ;D hope this helps ya ...

There is absolutlely no reason why you SHOULD buy an avid over a crucial.  If you are leery about buying rods without holding them, and who can blame you; and the crucial is a familiar rod that you are happy with, then by all means you should buy the crucial.

If however, you are looking to step up then all I can say is that the avid is an excellent rod.  Ask reel mech about the avid blanks.

However be warned.  The handle shape of the avid is ergonomic.  Specifically it has a bulge in it.  Some people do not like this.  I don't, and have sanded down the hump.  But that's another story.  I'm just confirming that with the avid in particular, putting it in your hand matters more than with rods of a more typical handle design

According to their website, the 8' model that I am interested in does not have the hump. I would like to try their legend series, but for the money, I could have a rod that I would prefer. The avid and the crucial are the same price, more or less, but I want to try something different.

GO FOR IT >>> you wont be sorry // avids are sweet sticks ///  ;D

i just bought an avid rod online....i am extremely happy but i did have the same concern as you(not handling it before you buy)

i dont think you could possibly be dissapointed with this rod....st. croix makes a beautiful rod that feels great in your hand AND there made in the u.s.a.             this rod exceeded my expectations in many ways & i have no regrets on the choice

fyi:

i bought mine from reeds sporting goods since a few guys from the site recommended them

their price is right on & they ship for free

http://www.reedssports.com/main.taf?cat=1888

Well guys, I looked into it a little closer and the Avid isn't an option anymore. I was planning to throw a bait at the upper end if its weight spectrum, and apparently the rod is "over rated" as far as how much it can throw. I could go for the Legend Tournament, as that series has a rod that would fit. But at that price, it's more than I want to spend, and I would get something else for that kind of money. Thank you guys for your help, and I may very well look into the Avid series the next time I am hunting for a rod.

I don't know where you got the information that the avid is overrated, but although I do not own the specific model you are considering the avid series in general is definitly NOT overrated in its action or power (lure/line weight) designations.

It's your money dude.

I suspect you WANT the avid, but when it comes time to actually lay out the $$ you are going to go with something more familiar.

I can agree with this. I won't buy a new brand or line of rods without handling them first.

By the way speaking of the tournament bass series, you may have seen me post before that the TBC68MXF is my favorite fishing rod for topwaters and crankbaits.

It's a $200 rod, but I own top of the line GLoomis BCR GLX rods costing up to $350.

The Tournament Bass series by St. Croix is the best value in quality fishing rods.

I'm sure you appreciate my further complicating the matter for you.

No need to thank me

With some brands you can get away with buying before using. For example if you own a few GLoomis or other brand rods and are use to their ratings youll be safe buying based off their action/power ratings. I baught my 1st Loomis though without using one.. it was well worth the gamble. If your buying like that try to relate to people who seem to fish your style and get their opinions. If you have any doubts at all though thats your smarter side telling you dont do it.

Gee thanks avid! I got my info from a guy who has one and tried using the same bait that I want to. He says it just can't throw it worth a crap. You are right, I probably will go with something more familiar, or at least something that I can pick up and mess with.

Well, the Crucial is on its way. I WILL try an avid for my next casting rod.