St. Croix MOJO Trigon Users

[Spankey]

I am a St. Croix fan. Majority of my fishing is done with one series or another of them. I don’t have many complaints about them. I’ve only had one break over what seems to be forever since starting to fish with them. Was taken care of by SC. Broke while fishing and with a fish on. Didn’t fall prey to a door or window. 
I recent picked up one of these MOJO Trigons at the shop. It did feel good, liked tip speed, liked the matte finish of the blank. But for the most part all that doesn’t mean that much. I didn’t have a reel on it that I would be using and I’m certainly not truly fishing it on the shop floor. 
The newer style grip felt comfortable enough. Not sure if the new shape was really all that noticeable even though I was trying to feel a difference. 
For you guys who fish this newer seat and handle, are you satisfied with this design? What you thought it would be? Better than you thought? Or just another handle. 
I’m already fishing those blanks. I feel that is not too much of a concern. 
Thanks, good fishing. 

[Rockhopper]

As I recently said, they ruined an otherwise perfect line of rods.

 

The reel seats suck, the handles suck.  The only benefit to the new series is they added a few key missing rod ratings to the line up (crankbaits).

[Spankey]

1 hour ago, Rockhopper said:

As I recently said, they ruined an otherwise perfect line of rods.

 

The reel seats suck, the handles suck.  The only benefit to the new series is they added a few key missing rod ratings to the line up (crankbaits).

I see they have a spinning rod that’s Medium Moderate action. Shad Raps, smaller Strike Kings, Bomber and Rebel stuff should work well with it. 
I should go back and put my reel on it. Shop won’t have a problem with it. If it’s a cheap feeling fit. That series is a dud. 
Have a couple of rods rattling around in my head for next season. 
Guys at the shop don’t have St. Croix on the hit parade right now. A lot of rods breaking. I’ll listen to what they have to say but I don’t have that issue going on. A broken rod is a broken rod as far as not being able to fish with it. But did it break in a window, door, high sticking, mishandled snag I don’t know. 
I’ve been fishing them since the early 80’s. They have discontinued and changed things with the Premiere Series and Avid Series that I was not crazy about. Avid X was a good series. At least for me they are fine. 
Most likely, like any other manufacturer, management has been restructured with a bunch of new ideas. 

[MN Fisher]

20 minutes ago, Spankey said:

Most likely, like any other manufacturer, management has been restructured with a bunch of new ideas.

Some ideas, like that wonky Trigon handle, should have ended up in the circular file. I've checked them out at my local Fleet Farm (ya, they carry them) and I hated how it felt.

 

They should have kept the original Mojo line and created a new line with these....things.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I wish they left the mojos alone.  The whole trigon handle thing is gimmicky IMO and unbecoming of a company like SC.  That style handle isn't anything new either.  The japanese were pushing them a decade ago for jigging and popping rods.  They feel in hand, but after fight a stout fish for a while your hand aches because of the contact areas.  What really got me about the new mojos was the reel seats, which are all big clunky looking plastic. 

Traditionally SC was very slow to new trends.  Mojo was actually the first line to be designed with and use a split grip handle, years after they became popular.  I think that may be a reason why they experimented with the new look and ergonomics on the mojo line.  What made mojo great was its lighter weight in comparison to other SC lines and its low price.  Now they're pushing 200$ from starting at just over 100$ when they debuted. 

I think blackbass was essentially designed to replace mojo.  It has the right PP and full lineup of actions to do it.  I would rather SC concentrate on fewer lines than to flood the market with options. 

The inshore mojos were even more popular than the mojo bass.  It took some time, but they just about perfected the mojo surf and inshore, those rods were tough as nails.  They replaced them with an absolutely beautiful new model, very similar the Avid inshore.  As soon as they hit the market people hated them.  The numbers that were breaking was insane and even the replacements months later were breaking as well.  I've talked to guys on their 3rd replacement that are so disgusted they wont entertain SC at all anymore after paying 40$ per replacement.   SC chalks it up to a bad batch of blanks, must have been a huge batch because the issue still hasn't completely been resolved.  Even if they were to perfect mojo inshore again, the reputation that was once great, has been all but ruined. 

I hope SC can get it together.  As one of the major rod companies that still builds them domestically, I'll always root for them, but they aren't the first or second rods I look at anymore. 

[Rockhopper]

The last gen mojo's were great.  Such a great rod for the money.  I have more than several. Since they decided to change them, I went ahead and bought one backup of my favorite rod in the line since I know I will never be able to get it again.  The 7' MHMF "spinnerbait" model.  That was one of the best rods on the market for me across any brand or line.  I have it stored in a rod tube for future use when my other starts showing its age or breaks.

 

Regarding the change to the new mojo's, I assume it was also cost driven for them to cheapen manufacturing costs with the cheap reel seats.  I would much rather them have just increased the price of the line as it was, and add in a couple four of the missing blanks in the series.  I would gladly pay $180-200 for the old mojo's if manufacturing cost was the issue.

 

My one and only gripe for the previous gen, is a couple of my favorite rods in the series came with the 9" handle length.  I am a big dude with long arms.  I prefer the 10" length at the minimum.  The 7' MF "plastics" model is an example.  Such a great rod, but that is one of the few in the line with the 9" grip. Should have been 10" like the spinnerbait model for personal preference.

[Glenn]

I have both baitcasting and spinning Trigon rods, and have used them quite a bit.  I like them.  I don't notice the handle too much, but I do notice my hands aren't tired at the end of the day. Ergonomics work that way.

 

If I had one complaint, it would be they are a bit heavier than other St. Croix lines like the Victory series.

 

[gim]

12 minutes ago, Rockhopper said:

The 7' MHMF "spinnerbait" model.  That was one of the best rods on the market for me across any brand or line.

I bought that specific rod in March 2022 and it has seen extensive use in my boat the past 2 seasons.

 

Can I ask what kind and pound test line do you use with yours?

[Rockhopper]

8 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I bought that specific rod in March 2022 and it has seen extensive use in my boat the past 2 seasons.

It is by far my most used rod I own. It's even in my profile pic. 😀

8 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Can I ask what kind and pound test line do you use with yours?

I have a Curado 151 MGL HG on it with 15lb P-line floroclear. Great inexpensive line.  I will never comprehend why it gets so much hate online.  Low memory, casts well, doesn't break.

[MN Fisher]

If you're looking for some round-handle Mojos - St Croix Factory Store still has a number of lengths/powers/actions in stock for $125.

 

Sorry - the 7' MHMF isn't one they have....

[Spankey]

On the spinning rods of a few series they have lengthen the forend cork considerably. To the point you have to teach yourself how to fish with them if you are use to having your pointing finger on the blank. Victory, Bass X and these MOJO’s.

When I retired three of my work buddies bought me a Victory Spinning Rod and Shimano reel for my way out the door. At first I had a heck of a time with that longer cork forend. To the point I almost took it back and exchanged it. At first I would have exchanged it for an Ugly Stik (no disrespect to Ugly Stik). But I didn’t I kept it and got use to fishing it with a slightly different grip compared to my other rods. I added another Victory Rods and they have become one of my favorites to fish. 

[Rockhopper]

14 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

If you're looking for some round-handle Mojos - St Croix Factory Store still has a number of lengths/powers/actions in stock for $125.

 

Sorry - the 7' MHMF isn't one they have....

That's where I got my second one

[Spankey]

The Black Bass Series will be worth check out also. More conventional grip style.

Generally it all works out for me because it takes me forever to pull the trigger to buy something. Never was an impulse buyer and pretty much would never buy a rod or reel untouched first. Rods and reels a great winter projects to pick up. 

[Eric 26]

Forgive me in advance if this comes across as offensive but great googly-moogly is it really that bad that a fishing rod company tried something outside of the conventional thinking while still offering a heck of a lot of the conventional reel seats and handles in the rest of the lineup. Jeez so what if they took a swing and missed with a certain amount of people, they didn’t stop building the rest of the rods that a lot of people seem to like and even if they did 🤔 move on as last I checked at least on Tackle Warehouses page there are 65 different casting rod brands, if you can’t find one you like then people really aren’t trying. I don’t know maybe it’s just the fact that I’ve tried and failed at a few different careers in my 55 years of living but jeez none of my swings and misses killed me but instead have given me a new path and a past to reflect on what did and didn’t work out which in my humble opinion changes are what pushes all of us forward including the fishing industry.

[Rockhopper]

Being innovative with new products vs reinventing and ruining an awesome existing product for no reason are two completely different things. Yes, imho, it is that bad when you wreck a great product already on the market. Mojo was probably one of the best selling bass rod lines they had. The line up was great. The build was great. The price was great. I'd bet good money that the majority of people bass fishing who are purchasing SC rods are buying bass x and mojo rods due to price point. And I'm not just talking about the keyboard heroes you hear about on the internet. That's a small percentage of people actually buying their products. The rods now are just...meh.  Going from awesome to meh is not good business. 🤪

[MN Fisher]

3 hours ago, Rockhopper said:

I'd bet good money that the majority of people bass fishing who are purchasing SC rods are buying bass x and mojo rods due to price point.

My St. Croix lineup is 1/2 Victory (used or on deep discount) and 1/2 Mojo Bass (pre-Trigon)

[Texas Flood]

I like the Trigon handle for fishing bottom contact baits. I wish the trigger was longer and I’ve had to use wood glue because the bottom handle started to rip open.

[Brian11719]

The previous 6'10 ml xf mojo was one of my favorite rods of all time. One of the things I liked the most about the old mojo spinning rods was the handle. You could use that rod regardless of whether you like to hold the rod above or below the reel, but with the new design on the spinning rods it seems like they've excluded the group of people that prefer to hold the rod below the reel seat. I also really like the blank on the mojo rods (a lot more than the one on the premier / bass x line).

 

In terms of the handle design I actually like it and would consider the casting version, but the spinning rods are off the table for me currently and for all the different spinning rod lines they've got I wish they had a few more options that weren't geared specifically towards anglers that keep their hand above the reel.

 

[Hulkster]

the one thing that that they have gone to on a number of their rod series is the SeaGuide reel seats and compared to Fuji reel seats they are awful IMO. 

 

 

[MiceNReets]

4 hours ago, Hulkster said:

the one thing that that they have gone to on a number of their rod series is the SeaGuide reel seats and compared to Fuji reel seats they are awful IMO. 

 

 

bah…. Just something to secure the Reels to the rod… reel seats are just reel seats… 

 

[F14A-B]

On 9/20/2024 at 9:31 PM, Eric 26 said:

Forgive me in advance if this comes across as offensive but great googly-moogly is it really that bad that a fishing rod company tried something outside of the conventional thinking while still offering a heck of a lot of the conventional reel seats and handles in the rest of the lineup. Jeez so what if they took a swing and missed with a certain amount of people, they didn’t stop building the rest of the rods that a lot of people seem to like and even if they did 🤔 move on as last I checked at least on Tackle Warehouses page there are 65 different casting rod brands, if you can’t find one you like then people really aren’t trying. I don’t know maybe it’s just the fact that I’ve tried and failed at a few different careers in my 55 years of living but jeez none of my swings and misses killed me but instead have given me a new path and a past to reflect on what did and didn’t work out which in my humble opinion changes are what pushes all of us forward including the fishing industry.

Exactly why most of the time I simply won’t trash talk a rod or reel company. 
While I do believe information should be passed around, as in warranty issues or mechanical failure trends etc. I just think so much is just a personal bias anyway. The market will sort it out. You take the RAGE rod from years ago, I loved that handle on the casting model. The blanks were garbage, the guides were pac bay minimas but would deform my Yozuri hybrid line as in heat melt, but that handle was gold to me. SC had a black eye over that series for awhile. 
(rod breakages were very high)

[Brian11719]

1 hour ago, F14A-B said:

I just think so much is just a personal bias anyway. The market will sort it out.

^ Completely agree. On one hand I wish they would have spun up a different rod line rather than doing what they did with the mojo line, but on the other hand I can't fault them too much and admire the fact that they are willing to try out new stuff. Their 6'10 mlxf, 7'4 hf and 7'3 mhf rods (to name a few off the top of my head) are still some of the best I've owned and while I don't always agree with every decision they make, I still think they are a good company. The Physyx line also has a couple of casting models that feel completely different than anything else I could compare them to and if I had more money and space in my garage I'd own a couple of those as well. 

[gim]

On 9/21/2024 at 11:18 AM, Rockhopper said:

I'd bet good money that the majority of people bass fishing who are purchasing SC rods are buying bass x and mojo rods due to price point.

I’ve owned premier longer than any others. But I like the mojo (both bass and muskie versions) based on the quality vs price point. I’ve also got one bass x which is ok.

 

I personally like the tournament series the best but they do cost more.

 

I’ve never had an issue with any of their warranties, but I haven’t had to address a problem with their rods in years either.

 

 

[Eric 26]

I will also add that I’m not a fan boy myself but by the same token a fan nonetheless of St. Croix maybe due to the fact they are a Midwest located company. I will say as far as the Sea Guide reel seat and guides vs Fuji I have zero issues with that decision as several of my cheapest and conversely favorite rods (non St. Croix) have both and have been trouble free for the past many years. I had the opportunity (again probably due to the proximity) to speak with a St. Croix representative this past spring at the BPS spring sale and shared my thoughts/displeasure with the Sea Guide handle on the panfish series which I only considered due to a recommendation from a friend on this site and the representative spent time to explain why they used that particular combination of reel seat and guides ultimately leading me to purchase the rod vs another BPS panfish elite series rod that I’ve shared my love of on this site as well. With that said I’ll probably always be someone who much like many others on here will continue to seek out the best bang for my buck regardless of which company produces “that” and I’m currently trying to keep the tackle monkey at bay from purchasing a Dobyns rod that I’ve recently viewed on ALF due to an earlier post on this very site😬

[Bigbox99]

I get that the new space ship grips are goofy looking but let's not pretend that the last model wasn't a weird looking stick.  Those overly tapered and bulbus rear grip always looked off to me.  Combine the grips with the exposed seat threads and the whole build struck me as low effort. I heat shrunk my Mojo's entire handle because it was so weird.  Maybe I'm just a sucker for winding checks and squared off split grips but the Victory is a handsome rod.