WHAT IS IT?
St. Croix Avid Trek Travel Rods
WHAT SETS IT APART?
Vacations, business trips, impromptu visits to waterfront property — lots of scenarios merit keeping a rod/reel setup handy, but space and travel logistics often make a multi-piece travel rod your best bet. St. Croix recently released a lineup of three-piece Avid Trek spinning and baitcasting rods that maintain sensitivity across their segments. The rod maker based in Park Falls, Wisc., accomplishes this by combining its proprietary Integrated Poly Curve (IPC) mandrel technology with premium, high-modulus SCIII carbon for the optimal blend of power and performance.
HOW DO I USE IT?
The Avid Trek Series includes six spinning models (6-6 to 7-6) and one 6-6 casting rod, each with a 15-year transferable warranty. All rods feature slim-profile ferrules, Sea Guide Hero Hi-Grade guides with slim zirconia rings and SS316 stainless gun smoke frames. Spinning models have Fuji DPS reel seats, while the casting model has a Fuji ECS reel seat — all with gun smoke hoods. A Sea Guide hook-keeper, select-grade cork handle and two coats of Flex Coat slow cure finish complete the package.
HOW MUCH?
$260-$290
MORE INFORMATION:
ANGLER’S INSIGHT:
First impressions are key and right out of the box St. Croix set the right tone with a sturdy case sporting a convenient handle. An oblong tube, as opposed to a round form, is a more sensible shape for efficiently storing the three pieces. Also, the top cap is smartly connected to the tube by a sturdy strap stitched to the outer material. Thoughtful touch: an “Easy Rod Insertion Sequence” outlining the correct order and position of each piece, appears on the lid’s interior.
