PARK FALLS, WIS. (June 20, 2024) – Where, when, what, and how? Bass anglers are constantly making choices on the water. We win when our choices are good and we lose when our choices are bad, but we’re always choosing… and always learning.
That kind of bass-fishing knowledge is golden, but hard earned. You didn’t just read or hear about it. You tried it, experienced it, and discovered the results yourself – good or bad. Over time, increasing knowledge and experience leads to more and better choices on the water, but equipment plays a role, too. When anglers have the proper lures, rods, or other gear required to take advantage of a pattern, they have more options. Fall short in the knowledge or equipment departments, however, and others are catching fish while you are not.
New for 2025, the 36-rod BLACK BASS / BLACK BASS GLASS Series may be the most dutiful and workmanlike bass series ever conceived and crafted by St. Croix Rod. Expect universal appeal; these rods were designed and executed to appeal to bass anglers at all levels. Why? Because they kick open the doors to success and knowledge, solving problems with St. Croix technology, performance, and proven bass-specific lengths, powers, and actions. The foremost problem solved by BLACK BASS? Providing near universal access to high-quality fishing tools optimized for the job at hand.
“We’re in a Golden Age that’s fueled by the internet,” says St. Croix Brand Manager, Ryan Teach. “Because I’m not the only one with my particular outboard motor, I can troubleshoot any problem I may have, order a part, and – if I have the right tools – I can fix it myself… all 100% thanks to YouTube. It’s the same with bass fishing. In this Golden Age, I can watch how 20 different anglers shake a minnow, get the proper gear together, then try it myself. BLACK BASS was conceived as a complete and comprehensive toolkit to support any angler who wants to expand their experiences and improve their performance in pursuit of bass.”
As with any tool, buying cheap is short-sighted. It’s quality and value from a reputable brand that builds a popular following. “We selected our premium SCIII carbon for BLACK BASS blanks on the merits of its balance of high performance, exceptional durability, and value,” says Teach. From there, we added proven guide trains, conventional handle designs in split-grip configurations, and put emphasized attention on the design of the reel-seat nut – its lockdown ability and its aesthetics – to support satisfying fishing during long days on the water. These are rods that almost any angler will be able to afford and that every angler will enjoy fishing. That’s the secret sauce of BLACK BASS, plus, with 36 different technique-optimized models – including two BLACK BLASS GLASS reaction-bait models and six two-piece options – it’s the most comprehensive bass series we’ve ever released.”
St. Croix BLACK BASS / BLACK BASS GLASS Series Features
• 24 casting models and 12 spinning models, optimized for every high-performance bass presentation
• Advanced, high-modulus SCIII carbon fiber blanks for an optimal combination of lightweight sensitivity with exceptional durability
• Select BLACK BASS GLASS reaction-bait models feature super-premium 100% linear S-glass blanks
• Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) mandrel technology
• Lightweight stainless-steel guides with aluminum-oxide rings
• Progressive, split-grip premium EVA handles with cork rubber accents for exceptional angler comfort and durability
• Nylon reel seat with machined aluminum and stainless-steel locking nut
• 5-year warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service
• Designed in Park Falls, Wisconsin, U.S.A. and handcrafted in North America (Fresnillo, Mexico) for bass anglers worldwide
• Retail price $145 to $185
St. Croix BLACK BASS / BLACK BASS GLASS Series Casting Models
• RIC68MXF – 6’8”, medium power, extra-fast action, casting / Retail $145
• RIC68MXF2 – 6’8”, medium power, extra-fast action, 2-piece casting / Retail $175
• RIC70MHMF – 7’0”, medium-heavy power, moderate-fast action, casting / Retail $150
• RIC70HF – 7’0”, heavy power, fast action, casting / Retail $150
• RIC71MF – 7’1”, medium power, fast action, casting / Retail $150
• RIC71MF2 – 7’1”, medium power, fast action, 2-piece casting / Retail $180
• RIC71MHF – 7’1”, medium-heavy power, fast action, casting / Retail $150
• RIC71MHF2 – 7’1”, medium-heavy power, fast action, 2-piece casting / Retail $180
• RIC72MHM – 7’2”, medium-heavy power, moderate action, casting / Retail $155
• RIC72HM* – 7’2”, heavy power, moderate action, casting / Retail $160
• RIC73MHF – 7’3”, medium-heavy power, fast action, casting / Retail $165
• RIC73HMF – 7’3”, heavy power, moderate-fast action, casting / Retail $165
• RIC73HXF – 7’3”, heavy power, extra-fast action, casting / Retail $165
• RIC74MHM* – 7’4”, medium-heavy power, moderate action, casting / Retail $165
• RIC74HF – 7’4”, heavy power, fast action, casting / Retail $165
• RIC75MHF – 7’5”, medium-heavy power, fast action, casting / Retail $170
• RIC76MHMF – 7’6”, medium-heavy power, moderate-fast action, casting / Retail $170
• RIC76HMF – 7’6”, heavy power, moderate-fast action, casting / Retail $170
• RIC710HM – 7’10”, heavy power, moderate action, casting / Retail $180
• RIC710HMF – 7’10”, heavy power, moderate-fast action, casting / Retail $175
• RIC710HF – 7’10”, heavy power, fast action, casting / Retail $175
• RIC710XHM – 7’10”, extra-heavy power, moderate action, casting / Retail $180
• RIC710XHF – 7’10”, extra-heavy power, fast action, casting / Retail $180
• RIC710XXHF – 7’10”, extra-extra-heavy power, fast action, casting / Retail $185
* BLACK BASS GLASS reaction-bait models feature 100% Linear S-glass blanks
St. Croix BLACK BASS Series Spinning Models
• RIS68MXF – 6’8”, medium power, extra-fast action, spinning / Retail $145
• RIS68MXF2 – 6’8”, medium power, extra-fast action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $175
• RIS610MLXF – 6’10”, medium-light power, extra-fast action, spinning / Retail $150
• RIS71MF – 7’1”, medium power, fast action, spinning / Retail $150
• RIS71MF2 – 7’1”, medium power, fast action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $180
• RIS71MHF – 7’1”, medium-heavy power, fast action, spinning / Retail $155
• RIS71MHF2 – 7’1”, medium-heavy power, fast action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $185
• RIS73MLXF – 7’3”, medium-light power, extra-fast action, spinning / Retail $155
• RIS73MXF– 7’3”, medium power, extra-fast action, spinning / Retail $155
• RIS73MHF – 7’3”, medium-heavy power, fast action, spinning / Retail $160
• RIS710MLXF – 7’10”, medium-light power, extra-fast action, spinning / Retail $175
• RIS710MMF – 7’10”, medium power, moderate-fast action, spinning / Retail $175
All-new BLACK BASS Series rods will be available for purchase at St. Croix dealers worldwide and online at stcroixrods.com after December 1, 2024.