PARK FALLS, Wis. (August 7, 2023) – Experienced inshore anglers seeking best-in-category performance among American-made mid-priced fishing rods have looked to St. Croix’s vast Avid Series Inshore lineup for well over a decade. Fact is, when an angler is standing on the deck holding an immediately identifiable Seafoam Green Metallic rod, everyone knows they’re casting an ideal combination of American-crafted performance and value.
Today, the bar has been raised, as St. Croix Rod – handcrafters of the Best Rods on Earth for 75 years – announces availability of the improved and re-engineered Avid Inshore Series for 2024.
Each of 23 distinct Avid Series Inshore models for 2024 now starts from an all-new SCIII+ blank, precision engineered and crafted from a distinct combination of premium SCIII carbon and exotic SCVI carbon. Meanwhile, St. Croix’s proprietary Advanced Reinforcing Technology (ART) and Taper Enhancement Technology (TET) are now used in conjunction with existing IPC and FRS technologies to dramatically increase strength and durability while enhancing smoothness and heightening each specific action. The result? Avid Series Inshore rods that are lighter, crisper, even more sensitive, and better balanced in the hand, while supporting all the diverse ways inshore anglers fish.
“None of the things that anglers already love about Avid Inshore have changed,” says St. Croix Brand Manager, Ryan Teach. “We’ve retained the iconic Seafoam Green Metallic color, the lightweight and worry-free stainless-steel and Alconite guide trains, and the full cork handles,” he says. “Though we’ve updated the reel seats and redesigned those full-cork grips for improved balance and ergonomics, while also moving to a more durable agglomerated cork material. We’ve also revisited and updated the assortment’s lengths, powers, and actions to better support popular and emerging inshore techniques and presentations. While the number of Avid Inshore models holds steady at 23 – six conventional models and 17 spinning models – We’ve diversified our SKU offering to include new choices for heavier applications,” Teach says, referencing the addition of a pair of extra-heavy power, moderate-fast action models in both casting (ASIC79XHMF) and spinning (ASIS79XHMF). “These 79XHMF models – which are also offered in some of our other inshore series – are quickly becoming some of our best-selling tarpon rods, and we’ve also added a new 6’ medium power, fast action spinning rod (ASIS60MF) which answers the call of anglers fishing the hot trend of snap jigging,” Teach adds. “We’ve also gone to two different reel seats within the series. Medium-heavy and heavy power models use a different reel seat that better accommodates the larger reels typically used with those powers.”
Of course, the next-generation Avid Inshore for 2024 is still handcrafted on U.S. soil in Park Falls, Wisconsin, with a 15-year warranty. Overall, the series exemplifies St. Croix’s continued commitment to giving anglers the upper hand in inshore fishing presentations worldwide.
Angler Insights
Captain Tanya Dowdy started Reel Chica Charters in Charleston, South Carolina as a means to pursue her passion for getting more women involved in the sport of fishing. She’s a member of the St. Croix Pro Staff, as well as the company’s advisory Product Development Field Testing Team.
While varied inshore angling opportunities abound throughout the Charleston area, day in and day out, Dowdy makes a living feeding 2.75” to 4” jig and soft-plastic combinations to the area’s abundant redfish.
“A 7’ spinning rod is the standard for a lot of inshore anglers targeting reds with soft plastics – here and elsewhere,” Dowdy says. “But stepping up to a longer 7’3” rod is all upside, and the four 7’3” models in the new Avid Inshore Series – ASIS73LF, ASIS73MLF, ASIS73MF, and ASIS73MHF – give me everything I need throughout a season chasing redfish.”
Dowdy says she prefers the light and medium-light power 7’3” Avids for most of her personal fishing. “These two rods pair ideally with the 8 and 10-pound braid and Z-Man Jerk ShadZ, 3” TRD MinnowZ, and Jerk ShrimpZ I’m frequently throwing. These new Avid Inshore rods are noticeably lighter than the previous generation with profound sensitivity. Redfish usually hammer the bait but with these rods it’s easy to detect when they’re less aggressive, or when speckled trout are acting finicky. These are also great flounder rods.”
Dowdy says she often moves up to the medium power AVIS73MF during charters or when fishing docks. “It’s nice to give some extra power to my clients, especially when fishing around docks or other structure. The 73MF is rated for 8-17-pound line and I’ll often move up to this rod if I need to throw a larger lure up to ¾ ounce. It has max sensitivity with backbone,” she says. “There’s no concern about pulling a 30+ inch red out from beneath a dock with this rod.”
When the biggest bull reds of the season prowl Charleston’s jetties, Dowdy says the medium-heavy-power ASIS73MHF is an ideal tool. “I can step up to 20-pound braid on this rod and know my clients have everything they need to beat a strong-willed bull red,” she says. “The SCIII+ carbon blanks are incredibly light for their strength and power, and the new extended agglomerated cork handles provide comfort and balance. It’s a big-fish rod that’s a joy to fish with all day.”
Dowdy dives deeper into new Avid Inshore’s ergonomics. “I love the new handle design and material. From my standpoint as a guide, I appreciate how much more durable the handles are, but my anglers almost always notice and comment on how good they feel in their hand. I love that St. Croix kept the same Avid Inshore color, too. It just adds to all the appeal this series already has. And the fact that they are USA-made is always a plus for me.”
Further north, Captain Robbie Radlof of Waterman Charters guides clients out of Barnegat Township, New Jersey for striped bass, tuna, and other species. The 7’6” heavy power, moderate-fast action conventional and spinning models in the new Avid Inshore Series are a couple of his favorites.
“St. Croix has never had a 7’6” moderate-fast action, heavy power rod in any of its inshore lineups, so these rods really meet a niche for soft-plastic swimbaits,” Radlof says. “The fish are less aggressive in the spring, and that means lighter takes. The more moderate action on these rods is just the ticket for better hooksets. These are great rods for schoolie bass up to 25 pounds or so, and I’d say that the spinning model (AIS76HMF) is perfect inshore rod our Northeast fishery… even for 30-to-40-pound tuna. The more moderate action increases hookup and landing percentages with all anglers, regardless of their experience level. It’s just a very forgiving rod that flat-out gets it done and is a pleasure to fish with.”
Radlof chimes in on another unique offering in the New Avid Series Inshore lineup. “Snap jigging is becoming incredibly popular and is one of the most exciting ways you’ll ever catch a striped bass… or almost anything else,” he says. “The 6’ medium power, fast action spinning rod in the new Avid Inshore assortment is the perfect tool and so much fun to fish, both for stripers and fluke. You need the lightest lead head/plastic combo or bucktail you can get away with, and this special rod handles anything from 3/8 to a full ounce.” Radlof says he hovers right over fish he marks on his electronics, then drops down the offering. “You’re snap jigging right on the fish and creating a totally slack line, so unless you jig and the fish is just there, the bites can be really subtle. These new SCIII+ blanks are so light, sensitive, and responsive; you can often sense the bite between snaps. And the ASIS60MF has so much power for its size and weight. We’ve landed fish up to 25 pounds with it with zero issues.”
Radlof gets a few months off during the winter and spring, at which time his favorite game is chasing tarpon in Florida. He says the new Avid Inshore 7’9” extra-heavy power, moderate-fast action spinning rod (ASIS79XHMS) is an incredible tool for feeding live swimming crabs to the biggest tarpon. “This length, power, and action has been one of my all-around favorites at home for cow stripers – whether I’m fishing them with a 9” Musky Mania Doc walking topwater, a big bucktail jig, or a swimming shad,” he says. “And it’s equally versatile with multiple presentations to tarpon. The new Avid Inshore versions (ASIS79XHMS and ASIC79XHMF) have tons of power to set the hook and steer big fish but are just so light in the hand and sensitive.”
Back down in Charleston, Captain Justin Carter of Redfin Charters shares Dowdy’s affinity for the ASIS73MLF, but also shows focused excitement for the ASIS70MXF and the ASIC70MF models.
“I’ve had these rods in my hands for about a year mow, helping St. Croix’s product team make sure everything is right before they go to market,” Carter says. “We’re at that point now, and as much as anglers loved Avid Inshore before, they’re going to love the new versions even more. SCIII+ carbon allows St. Croix to make these rods lighter and better balanced, but anglers are also going to notice heightened sensitivity and more refined actions as well, especially in the lighter powered models, which have a lot more backbone now. The biggest thing for me though – aside from those serious improvements – is the new agglomerated cork handles. These handles have held up incredibly well during testing – looking and feeling brand new after well over a year of hard use. Regular cork grips feel great when new but tend to harden over time and no matter how well you take care of them, eventually develop cracks and voids. I also really like the new guide trains and spacing on these new Avid Inshores. In my experience, I’m seeing about 10% greater casting distance and they are quieter than the old guides.”
Carter gives the ASIS70MXF 7’ medium power, extra-fast action spinning rod the nod when fishing for redfish around structure. “This is also a great rod or pitching under mangroves for snook down in Florida,” he says. “You need a lighter more sensitive rod with a soft tip to accurately pitch light baits under and around cover, but the problem is getting the fish out once they eat. This rod has the ideal combination of tip and backbone for larger snook or redfish – lightweight accuracy with the power to turn fish and pull them away from pilings, mangroves, or oysters.”
The AIS73MLF 7’3” medium-light power, fast action Avid Inshore spinning rod is Carter’s choice for speckled trout, flounder and open-water or shallow-grass-flat redfish. “It’s slightly longer for more casting distance with good accuracy,” he says. “It’s ideal for 1/8-ounce up to maybe 5/16-ounce jigs, light jerkbaits, swimbaits and other finesse presentations, plus it’s got incredible backbone for a medium-light power rod… that’s what the new SCIII+ material gives you. This is also a great all-around cold-water rod for making subtle presentations and feeling tentative bites. It’ll easily handle open-water reds up to 30”, and really absorbs head shakes from flounder and big trout.”
Carter says he loves the ASIC70MF 7’ medium power, fast action casting model for throwing heavier stickbaits and topwaters. “It seems to have a bit more power and backbone than the corresponding spinning model and has a great snap off the tip for casting and animating lures,” he says. “It’s really well balanced and feels great in the hand. Running a little lighter line, I can throw ¼ to ½-ounce lures. I also love it for live-baiting mullet for flounder because it’s got plenty of power to get big flounder up in 30-40 feet of water quickly to keep them away from the sharks.”
New St. Croix Avid Series Inshore 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 Alconite rings
• Ergonomic nylon reel seat with locking nuts on all models
• Super-durable full-grip contoured agglomerated cork handles on all models
• 15-year transferable warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service
• Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, Wisconsin, U.S.A. for inshore anglers worldwide
• Retail price $240 to $320
New St. Croix Avid Series Inshore Conventional Models
• ASIC70MLM – 7’0”, medium-light power, moderate action, casting / Retail $250
• ASIC70MF – 7’0”, medium power, fast action, casting / Retail $260
• ASIC70MHF – 7’0”, medium-heavy power, fast action, casting / Retail $280
• ASIC76MLM – 7’6”, medium-light power, moderate action, casting / Retail $280
• ASIC76HMF – 7’6”, heavy power, moderate-fast action, casting / Retail $310
• ASIC79XHMF – 7’9”, extra-heavy power, moderate-fast action, casting / Retail $320
New St. Croix Avid Series Inshore Spinning Models
• ASIS60MF – 6’0”, medium power, fast action, spinning / Retail $240
• ASIS70MF – 7’0”, medium power, fast action, spinning / Retail $270
• ASIS70MXF – 7’0”, medium power, extra-fast action, spinning / Retail $270
• ASIS70MHF – 7’0”, medium-heavy power, fast action, spinning / Retail $280
• ASIS70HMF – 7’0”, heavy power, moderate-fast action, spinning / Retail $290
• ASIS73LF – 7’3”, light power, fast action, spinning / Retail $270
• ASIS73MLF – 7’3”, medium-light power, fast action, spinning / Retail $275
• ASIS73MF – 7’3”, medium power, fast action, spinning / Retail $280
• ASIS73MHF – 7’3”, medium-heavy power, fast action, spinning / Retail $285
• ASIS76MF – 7’6”, medium power, fast action, spinning / Retail $280
• ASIS76MHF – 7’6”, medium-heavy power, fast action, spinning / Retail $290
• ASIS76HF – 7’6”, heavy power, fast action, spinning / Retail $310
• ASIS76HMF – 7’6”, heavy power, moderate-fast action, spinning / Retail $310
• ASIS79XHMF – 7’9”, extra-heavy power, moderate-fast action, spinning / Retail $320
• ASIS711MHF – 7’11”, medium-heavy power, fast action, spinning / Retail $300
• ASIS711HMF – 7’11”, heavy power, moderate-fast action, spinning / Retail $310
• ASIS711HF – 7’11”, heavy power, fast action, spinning / Retail $320
New Avid Inshore rods are available for purchase at St. Croix dealers worldwide and online at stcroixrods.com right now.