From humble beginnings to industry leadership, St. Croix Rods has carved a legacy of innovation in the world of fishing. For over seven decades, this company has consistently pushed the boundaries of fishing rod technology, crafting tools that anglers rely on for peak performance and unforgettable experiences on the water. Let’s explore the milestones that define the remarkable journey of St. Croix Rods.
First Multi-Section Bamboo Fishing Pole Innovation
1948: The Genesis of Multi-Section Bamboo
The spark of innovation ignited in 1948 with a practical problem: transporting cumbersome, single-piece fishing poles. Brothers Bob and Bill Johnson, driven by angler needs, devised the first multi-section bamboo fishing pole. This ingenious solution not only simplified rod transport but also laid the foundation for a company destined for industry prominence. This first product signaled the start of St. Croix Rods’ commitment to solving real-world angling challenges through clever design.
Fiberglass Rods Revolutionize Fishing
1955: Embracing Fiberglass Technology
The mid-1950s ushered in the age of fiberglass, a material celebrated for its lightness and flexibility. St. Croix Rods swiftly recognized the potential of fiberglass, becoming early pioneers in its application to fishing rods. They rapidly developed a diverse range of fiberglass models tailored to specific fish species and fishing environments. Within a single year, St. Croix boasted an impressive 24 models dedicated solely to salmon and steelhead fishing, demonstrating their commitment to specialized angling needs.
1956: Travel Rods: Fishing on the Go
Transportation remained a key concern for anglers. St. Croix tackled this head-on with the introduction of Whip-Out and Flip-Out travel rods. These innovative multi-section, telescopic rods could extend to an impressive 20 feet, yet collapsed for easy storage and travel. These rods remained popular for forty years, showcasing St. Croix’s ability to create enduring and practical solutions. For fly fishing enthusiasts, the 978-3 collapsible rod offered a blend of quality and convenience, disassembling into three sections and including a travel tube, making high-performance fly fishing more accessible at just $15.
1957: The Dawn of Ultra-Light Rods
The St. Croix 8100-L, though perhaps not widely remembered today, holds a significant place in history as the progenitor of St. Croix’s celebrated Ultra-Light rod series. Offered in four lengths and featuring a Tennessee handle, these rods were remarkably light for their time. Weight ranged from a mere 2 1/4 oz. for the 48” model to 3 1/2 oz. for the 78” version, a testament to innovative fiberglass technology in the 1950s and St. Croix’s dedication to refining rod sensitivity and finesse.
1961: Triple Fiber Content for Enhanced Performance
St. Croix pushed material science further with the introduction of triple fiber content in their Imperial “XL” line. By blending ultra-thin glass cloth with superior phenolic resins and nylon elastomer, they achieved a new level of rod performance. This innovation resulted in the first full-length (6’) spinning rod to weigh under two ounces, demonstrating St. Croix’s commitment to lightweight yet powerful designs.
Gordon Schluter Era Begins at St. Croix Rods
1965: The Schluter Era: A New Chapter
Despite early successes, St. Croix faced financial headwinds in the mid-1960s. Local business leader Gordon Schluter, an entrepreneur from Park Falls (where St. Croix is based), stepped in to invest in the company. Gordon Schluter’s leadership marked a turning point, initiating a period of brand revitalization and business resurgence for St. Croix Rods, securing its future as a leading rod manufacturer.
1979: Fearless Ferrules-s: Streamlining Rod Design
Focusing on engineering advancements and manufacturing efficiency, St. Croix introduced the Ferrule-s (pronounced “ferrule-less”) fit. This design offered a more robust rod assembly, minimized corrosion potential in metal components, and ultimately enhanced rod performance. This innovation reflected St. Croix’s dedication to continuous improvement in both design and manufacturing processes.
1983: The All-Graphite Revolution
St. Croix achieved another engineering milestone with the introduction of the Imperial Graphite, their first all-graphite rod. This breakthrough was pivotal, paving the way for the extensive range of graphite rods that now dominate St. Croix’s product lineup. This move to graphite solidified St. Croix’s position at the forefront of fishing rod technology.
1991: Custom Surf Rods for Performance Casting
Collaborating with surf fishing legend Ben Doerr, St. Croix developed a dedicated series of high-performance surf rods. The Ben Doerr Surf System was engineered for maximum casting distance and accuracy, featuring specialized graphite blanks and cork tape handles. It quickly gained a national following among surf anglers, further expanding St. Croix’s reach into specialized fishing markets.
IPC Tooling Technology Innovation in Rod Manufacturing
2000: IPC® Tooling Technology: Seamless Rod Action
St. Croix engineers continued their relentless pursuit of innovation with the introduction of Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) tooling technology in mandrel design. IPC® technology eliminates transitional points within the rod blank, resulting in smoother rod actions, increased strength, and heightened sensitivity. This manufacturing advancement underscored St. Croix’s commitment to precision engineering.
ART Technology for 10x Rod Strength Increase
2005: ART™: 10x Strength Enhancement
Advanced Reinforcing Technology™ (ART™) marked another significant innovation from St. Croix engineers. This exotic carbon fiber material dramatically increased rod blank strength – by 10 times – without increasing blank diameter or weight, preventing ovaling and enhancing durability. ART™ technology showcased St. Croix’s mastery of advanced materials in rod construction.
Mojo Bass Rods Inspire More Anglers
2008: Finding the Mojo: Inspiring Anglers
St. Croix expanded its focus beyond pure performance to inspire and engage a broader range of anglers. The launch of the Mojo Bass series created a new category of high-performance, high-value bass rods. Mojo Bass quickly became St. Croix’s most successful product launch, demonstrating their ability to connect with anglers on both a performance and value level.
FRS and TET Technologies Advance Rod Blank Design
2013: FRS & TET: Refining Blank Technology
St. Croix introduced Fortified Resin System (FRS) and Taper Enhancement Technology (TET), further refining their rod blank technology. These advancements solidified St. Croix’s reputation for producing some of the most advanced and highest-performing rod blanks available, always pushing the boundaries of material science and design.
St. Croix Rods Wins Multiple Best in Show Awards
2017: Award-Winning Excellence at iCAST
St. Croix’s dedication to excellence is consistently recognized at the iCAST industry show, where their products have garnered numerous awards. These accolades include:
- 2012: Legend Xtreme (Best Freshwater Rod), Legend Inshore (Best Saltwater Rod)
- 2013: Legend Xtreme Inshore (Best Saltwater Rod)
- 2015: Re-designed Avid Inshore (Best Saltwater Rod), Mojo Bass Fly (Best Fly Rod)
- 2016: Legend Glass (Best Freshwater Rod)
- 2017: Re-designed Legend Glass (Best Freshwater Rod), Legend Tournament Inshore (Best Saltwater Rod)
These awards underscore St. Croix Rods’ unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and providing anglers with the very best fishing tools. From its humble beginnings crafting bamboo rods to its current status as an award-winning industry leader, St. Croix Rods continues to write its history with each new innovation, solidifying its place in the hearts and hands of anglers worldwide.
