This is an in-depth review of the St. Croix Triumph Surf 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 Triumph Surf Spinning Rod
- Available Lengths: 7 to 10.5 feet
- Rod Material: SCII Carbon
- Guides: Aluminum Oxide
- Warranty: 5 Year
- What we like: Great balance of features and value. Excellent for travel.
- What we don’t: Limited options (rod power and length)
- Rating: 4.8 / 5
St. Croix’s Triumph Surf Rod is our overall top surf fishing rod choice for good reason. It nails that perfect mix of features and value that we’re always looking for in fishing equipment. This really is a premium rod at a manageable price point.
The Triumph Surf comes in the below versions:
| Model | Length | Power | Action | Line Wt (lb) | Lure Wt (oz) | Pieces |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSF70M | 7′ | M | Mod. Fast | 8-17 | 1/2 – 2 | 1 |
| TSF80M2 | 8′ | M | Mod. Fast | 8-17 | 1/2 – 3 | 2 |
| TSF90M2 | 9′ | M | Mod. Fast | 8-20 | 1/2 – 2 1/2 | 2 |
| TSF90M4 | 9′ | M | Mod. Fast | 8-20 | 1/2 – 2 1/2 | 4 |
| TSF100M2 | 10′ | M | Mod. Fast | 8-20 | 3/4 – 4 | 2 |
| TSF100M4 | 10′ | M | Mod. Fast | 8-20 | 3/4 – 4 | 4 |
| TSF106MH2 | 10’6″ | MH | Mod. Fast | 10-25 | 2 – 6 | 2 |
The 4 piece versions are marketed as ‘travel’ and come with a high quality, 3 foot travel case that makes transporting the rod a breeze.
For our review we tested the 10 foot, 4 piece travel version of the Triumph Surf line. To see how out stacks up to the competition, check out our article on the best surf fishing rods.
Table of Contents
Triumph Surf Performance
Balance and Feel
The medium power / moderate-fast action for this rod is a perfect choice for an all-around surf fishing pole. It is a delight to cast for live bait rigs, spoons, jigs, and topwater lures.
We felt with the 10′ version, we could cast a mile. The power and action of this rod makes it easy for even beginners to cast long distances which can be critical for success surf fishing. Casting distance is important while surf fishing to get to the first or second sand bar parallel to the shore and corresponding gut which fish patrol.
The 70/30 split cork tape handle feels grippy even with wet hands. Overall, this pole is a pleasure to fish with.
Construction Quality
The Triumph Surf blank is made from St. Croix’s SCII mid-modulus graphite fiber which is lightweight, durable, and sensitive. The rod guides are made from aluminum-oxide. The handle is cork-tape 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 Triumph Surf 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 (rinse with freshwater after every trip!). 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.
If instead you’re looking for the best surf fishing rod money can buy, check out the St. Croix Legend Surf Rod on our best surf rods review. The Legend Surf has every bell and whistle available including, Integrated Poly Curve (IPC), Advanced Reinforcing Technology (ART), and SCIV graphite high-modulus high-strain fibers.
Versatility
This rod is a great jack of all trades surf fishing rod. It’s great for soaking bait or casting jigs, plugs, and spoons for redfish, flounder, black drum, striped bass, pompano, or speckled trout.
As mentioned, the medium power mixed with moderate-fast action makes for a great surf rod for beginners and experts alike.
Our only wish is, we want more options! A 10′ M/mod-fast surf rod is a perfect bread and butter rod, but we’d love the option for a heavy power rod or get into the 12-15′ range. If I was targeting big sharks at the beach or really needed every inch of casting distance, this might not be my first choice due to the limited options.
Portability
A key factor we look for with lengthy surf fishing rods is portability. The standard Triumph Surf Rod comes as two pieces. St. Croix also offers the rod in a 4 piece travel variation for the 9 and 10 foot versions.
Surf fishing trips tend to be equipment intensive. Every time I go to the beach, I feel like the truck is completely filled with coolers, beach carts, bait buckets, chairs, spare clothes, and tackle boxes.
My normal fishing poles are an awkward length where I either have to lay them diagonally through the cab (intruding on the passenger seat) or diagonally across the bed of the truck (which makes me nervous that a stray cooler may slide and snap my rods in two). In an ironic twist, my longest fishing pole (my 10′ Triumph Surf), is the easiest to transport of all my rods.
The travel case St. Croix included with this pole is 36″ long, hard sided, and includes padding to keep the rod protected. It will fit in the smallest vehicles and gives great peace of mind while traveling. The travel version of this rod is a DELIGHT to transport.
The two piece version is also easy to transport, just not as easy as the four piece. The two piece is roughly 5 feet length broken down, which should comfortably fit in most vehicles.
What We Like
- Great performance for a reasonable price
- St. Croix 5 year warranty & customer service
- 4 Piece travel is a delight to transport. Travel case is good quality.
What We Don’t
- Limited options. Would like to see varying power and/or longer versions.
Triumph Surf Conclusion
St. Croix’s Triumph Surf Spinning Rod is a perfect balance of value and performance. It’s lightweight, strong, and versatile and a great pick for surf anglers. The 4 piece, 10′ travel version is especially noteworthy with it’s quality travel case.
Check out our articles for great reels to pair with these rods:
- Best Surf Fishing Reels
- Best Saltwater Baitcasting Reels
- Best Saltwater Spinning Reels
- Best Conventional Reels
Check out our related rod articles:
- Best Surf Fishing Rods
- Best Surf Fishing Rod & Reel Combos
- Best Saltwater Fishing Rods
- Best Inshore Fishing Rods
- Best Pier Fishing Rods
Now that you know what surf rod you need, make sure you have the other necessary knowledge for your next surf fishing trip!
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
