This is an in-depth review of the St. Croix Premier fishing rod covering everything from performance to build quality and price point. Read on to see what what we like and what we don’t!
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
St. Croix Premier Fishing Rods
- Available Lengths: 4’6″ to 8’6″
- Rod Material: SCII Carbon
- Guides: Kigan Master Hand 3D guides w/aluminum oxide rings
- Warranty: 5 year
- What we like: Unbeatable value. Wide rod selection for almost all freshwater applications
- What we don’t: We ran out of space in our boat for more!
- Rating: 4.8 / 5
St. Croix’s Premier Spinning and Casting Rod line is one of our top rated fishing rod lines for good reason. It nails that perfect mix of quality and value that we’re always looking for in fishing equipment.
St. Croix Premier Spinning Rod Options Table
The St. Croix Premier Spinning Rod comes in the below versions:
| Model | Length | Power | Action | Line Wt (lb) | Pieces |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS46ULM | 4’6″ | Ultralight | Moderate | 2-6 | 1 |
| PS50ULM | 5′ | Ultralight | Moderate | 2-6 | 1 |
| PS56ULF2 | 5’6″ | Ultralight | Fast | 2-6 | 2 |
| PS56LF | 5’6″ | Light | Fast | 4-8 | 1 |
| PS56MF | 5’6″ | Medium | Fast | 6-12 | 1 |
| PS60ULF | 6′ | Ultralight | Fast | 2-6 | 1 |
| PS60ULF2 | 6′ | Ultralight | Fast | 2-6 | 2 |
| PS60LF | 6′ | Light | Fast | 4-8 | 1 |
| PS60MLF | 6′ | Medium-Light | Fast | 4-10 | 1 |
| PS60MLF2 | 6′ | Medium-Light | Fast | 4-10 | 2 |
| PS60MF | 6′ | Medium | Fast | 6-12 | 1 |
| PS60MF2 | 6′ | Medium | Fast | 6-12 | 2 |
| PS60MHF | 6′ | Medium-Heavy | Fast | 8-14 | 1 |
| PS66ULF | 6’6″ | Ultralight | Fast | 2-6 | 1 |
| PS66ULF2 | 6’6″ | Ultralight | Fast | 2-6 | 2 |
| PS66LF | 6’6″ | Light | Fast | 4-8 | 1 |
| PS66LF2 | 6’6″ | Light | Fast | 4-8 | 2 |
| PS66MLF | 6’6″ | Medium-Light | Fast | 4-10 | 1 |
| PS66MLF2 | 6’6″ | Medium-Light | Fast | 4-10 | 2 |
| PS66MF | 6’6″ | Medium | Fast | 6-12 | 1 |
| PS66MF2 | 6’6″ | Medium | Fast | 6-12 | 2 |
| PS66MHF | 6’6″ | Medium-Heavy | Fast | 8-14 | 1 |
| PS66MHF2 | 6’6″ | Medium-Heavy | Fast | 8-14 | 2 |
| PS70ULF2 | 7′ | Ultralight | Fast | 2-6 | 2 |
| PS70MLF | 7′ | Medium-Light | Fast | 4-10 | 1 |
| PS70MLF2 | 7′ | Medium-Light | Fast | 4-10 | 2 |
| PS70MF | 7′ | Medium | Fast | 6-12 | 1 |
| PS70MF2 | 7′ | Medium | Fast | 6-12 | 2 |
| PS70MHF | 7′ | Medium-Heavy | Fast | 8-14 | 1 |
| PS70HF | 7′ | Heavy | Fast | 10-20 | 1 |
| PS70HF2 | 7′ | Heavy | Fast | 10-20 | 2 |
| PS70XHF | 7′ | Extra-Heavy | Fast | 12-25 | 1 |
| PS76MLF | 7’6″ | Medium-Light | Fast | 4-10 | 1 |
| PS76MLF2 | 7’6″ | Medium-Light | Fast | 4-10 | 2 |
| PS76MF | 7’6″ | Medium | Fast | 6-12 | 1 |
| PS76MF2 | 7’6″ | Medium | Fast | 6-12 | 2 |
| PS86LM2 | 8’6″ | Light | Moderate | 4-8 | 2 |
St. Croix Premier Casting Rod Options Table
The St. Croix Premier Casting Rod comes in the below versions:
| Model | Length | Power | Action | Line Wt (lb) | Lure Wt. (oz) | Rod Wt. (oz) | Pieces |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC56MF | 5’6″ | Medium | Fast | 8-14 | 1/4 – 5/8 | 3.7 | 1 |
| PC60MF | 6′ | Medium | Fast | 10-17 | 1/4 – 3/4 | 3.9 | 1 |
| PC60MHF | 6′ | Medium-Heavy | Fast | 10-20 | 3/8 – 1 | 4.2 | 1 |
| PC66MF | 6’6″ | Medium | Fast | 10-17 | 1/4 – 3/4 | 4.4 | 1 |
| PC66MF2 | 6’6″ | Medium | Fast | 10-17 | 1/4 – 3/4 | 4.2 | 2 |
| PC66MHF | 6’6″ | Medium-Heavy | Fast | 10-20 | 3/8 – 1 | 4.7 | 1 |
| PC66MHF2 | 6’6″ | Medium-Heavy | Fast | 10-20 | 3/8 – 1 | 4.7 | 2 |
| PC70MLF | 7′ | Medium-Light | Fast | 8-14 | 3/16 – 5/8 | 4.7 | 1 |
| PC70MF | 7′ | Medium | Fast | 10-17 | 1/4 – 3/4 | 4.7 | 1 |
| PC70MHF | 7′ | Medium-Heavy | Fast | 10-20 | 3/8 – 1 | 5.3 | 1 |
| PC70HF | 7′ | Heavy | Fast | 12-25 | 1/2 – 1-1/2 | 6.2 | 1 |
| PC70HF2 | 7′ | Heavy | Fast | 12-25 | 1/2 – 1-1/2 | 5.8 | 2 |
For our review we tested both casting and spinning versions of this rod for walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and panfish in Wisconsin. We’ve caught nearly everything freshwater Midwest United States fishing has to offer with this rod.
Table of Contents
St. Croix Premier Rod Line Performance
Versatility
It is important to highlight versatility for St. Croix’s Premier rods. There are a whopping 49 versions of this rod (37 spinning and 12 casting) at the time of writing this article. This rod has options for nearly every freshwater fishing application on the planet.
The light and ultralight spinning rod options make for perfect panfish and walleye catching rigs with jigs or slip bobbers. Bump up to medium power for heavier techniques and targeting larger fish.
The Premier line is also great for use as a all-around bass fishing rod with the casting versions. We’re particular to the 7′ Medium Power, Fast action for general largemouth or smallmouth bass fishing. Get out your lipless crankbaits and catch some bass!
Also, we love that the spinning rod is offered with heavy power options that are perfect for bass fishing with topwater frogs for people that are not comfortable with casting reels.
Check out our article on the best bass fishing rods for our thoughts on the best rods for each fishing technique. We love the Premier as a general bass rod, but do note that the casting version maxes out at 7′ and a few bass techniques like flipping and pitching are better with 7’6″ to 8′ rods.
Balance and Feel
All versions of this rod share a few common traits. These rods are lightweight, super sensitive, and a delight to fish with. I swear these rods are so sensitive you can feel every nook and cranny that your bait touches when reeling in.
Construction Quality
The Premier blank is made from St. Croix’s SCII mid-modulus graphite fiber which is lightweight, durable, and sensitive. The rod guides are made with aluminum-oxide inserts. The handle is full cork and feels great. While these aren’t St. Croix’s highest end materials, they are the perfect balance of quality at a moderate price.
The Fuji (DPS for spinning and ECS, TCS, or PSS for casting) reel seats are smooth, sturdy, and functional.
The Premier is plenty strong and lightweight amongst its competitors.
This isn’t a gold plated fishing rod at a gold plated fishing rod price. This is a high-quality, performance fishing rod that does what it needs to do.
These materials should last almost forever with proper care. If on the off chance you run into a problem, St. Croix includes a 5 year warranty for this rod line. Our experience with St. Croix’s customer service and warranty has been excellent and we think the warranty gives great peace of mind.
Portability
All anglers should consider how they transport their equipment before making a purchase. The full length rods should fit in most boats and vehicles. St. Croix offers split, 2-piece rods for many of the lengths which can help with transportation difficulties.
We like keeping a 2-piece rod under the backseat on the off chance we spot a good fishing location!
What We Like
- Excellent performance for a reasonable price
- St. Croix 5 year warranty & customer service
- 49 variations! Options for nearly every freshwater fishing application
- Heavy power spinning version perfect for bass fishing applications for anglers uncomfortable with baitcaster reels
- Handcrafted in Park Falls, Wisconsin
What We Don’t
- Casting versions top out at 7′. Would like 7’6″ or 8′ for bass flipping, pitching, and distance casting.
Premier Spinning & Casting Rod Conclusion
St. Croix’s Premier Spinning and Casting Rods are a perfect balance of value and performance. These rods are lightweight, strong, super sensitive, and versatile and a great pick for almost all freshwater applications. Grab a lighter version of the rod for walleye or panfish and heavier if targeting bass.
This really is a bread and butter rod line. While there are higher end rods on the market, you will struggle to match the value proposition of the Premier.
Check out our articles for great reels to pair with these rods:
Check out our related rod articles:
- Best Walleye Rods
- Best Ultralight Fishing Rods
- Best Musky Rods
- Best Pike Rods
- Best Bass Fishing Rods
- Best Bass Spinning Rods
- Best Frog Fishing Rods
- Best Flipping and Pitching Fishing Rods
Written By: Andrew Juran
Andrew is a seasoned angler with over 25 years of experience fishing across the United States. He has caught hundreds of fish using various techniques and mentored many in the art of fishing. An advocate for sustainable fishing, Andrew is an active member of the Coastal Conservation Association, an organization committed to marine conservation.
For frequent fishing tips, behind-the-scenes looks, and real-time catches, connect with Andrew on Instagram
