Hey guys,

I recently cast a friend's St. Croix Legend Ultra 9' 5 weight 2 piece rod and really liked the feel. I am currently casting a Sage Fli 9' 4 wt 4 piece rod and want to try something a little faster.

Does anyone know of a blank that would cast similar to the St. Croix that would be less expensive than buying the blank from S.C.?? It will be my first rod building experience and think it would be a cool way to try something new.

Thanks!!
Mike

I have an older St Croix Legand Ultra. I think they have changed something about it sense I bought mine....different material or something....not sure.
Mine is a 9' 5 wt 2 pc as well.
I like the rod very much...somewhat fast but not too.
It is a fine allround 5 wt...I fish it alot.
I heard St Croix reverse engineered the Loomis IMX in designing the first SCLU's not sure if that is true but mine does cast very close to a IMX.
I could not recommend a blank that is close the the LU but I have mailed a money order to Hook and Hackle, took the 20% discount they say is not offered on St Croix and they shipped it.
I don't know if that works everytime or if they (H&H) have changed policies sense they have changed owners but it may be worth a try.

hey SC and Bucko


what they changed is that they added "IPC" tech. it was introduced in the elite and is now in their top 3 models (new avid as well). I'm not sure if when they added this they changed the taper or not, but if you want to an st croix look on ebay they might have one

I have looked around and am sure I can find one that wouldn't be too expensive. I was kind of hoping to make a project out of a rod that I like and see how it turns out... and save a few dollars in the process. Thanks for the advice. If I find anything I will let everyone know.

Thanks,
Mike

hey mike, just ran across your post. have i got a rod for YOU!!! ;-) ok, admittingly, i have never cast any st croix, but you owe it to yourself to check out dan craft's blanks. i have his Signature V 8'-4" 4 weight 3pc which is the cat's meow among many many rod builders. come on up the road and let's meet, i'm off monday :-) much cheaper i imagine than the st croix (what's the cost by the way?) and although some might call the Sig V a fast rod, it would be more accurate to say it has a fast recovery rate. it's very light and has become my go-to rod around here. what's your target species and water for this new rod build of yours??

eric
fresno, ca.