St. Croix Tidemaster spinning rods

[CharlieP]

Hello everyone. I was wonddering if anyone here has any experience or input with the St. Croix Tidemaster series spinning rods. I have an opportunity to spend some time with a friend on his boat this summer and he fishes mostly with bait and plugs. When in Rome, right? Most of the fishing will be inshore and the quarry will be stripers and blues. Any input on a matched reel? Gesh, I feel like I am starting over.

Thanks,

Charlie

[PeteV]

I have one matched with a finnor real and its a nice little rig. Great for swimmers, Jigs, some poppers and sluggos. Its a good stick. my Loomis surf series is my stick of choice in the surf ...but I like the Tide master as my quick little boat rod.

[David Churbuck]

moving this to the tackle forum

[Too Fly]

They're a great rod. I've got one, one piece and a three piece travel rod, 8-17 lb., fast action. I put a couple Tica Taurus TP's on them. A Penn SS 45/5500 or comparable sized Shimano reel would match nicely with the Tidemaster. It's a great rod for rubber, plugs or metal...probably a little light for chunking.

[tibro]

I have two St Croix Tidemasters a 7'6" spinning rod and a 8' casting rod. I was never a big fan of store bought rods but I wouldnt trade those two rods for anything. They are sensitive, strong, and very light. I dont think the high priced loomis etc. rods hold a candle to them. IMHO you cant go wrong with a St Croix Tidemaster rod. tibro:cool:

[Too Fly]

The Ben Doerr and Doerr Elite rods are great surf rods too.

[GBurns]

I have a 7'6" Tidemaster as well as a 7' St. Croix Ben Doerr model. I like the Ben Doerr. The Tidemaster is a little light for my liking. It is suitable for only the lightest of lures.

I have the Doerr matched up with a Fin Nor 8 and have nothing but great things to say about the combo.

[daveb]

The Tidemaster is one of the best rod buys around. I have a couple. Go for the 7' if you are fishing from a boat, anything longer just gets in the way. A SS 44 or 4500 is a good match for a great outfit under $200. Along the same lines St.Croix Ben Doer 7' is an equally good rod for about the same $. Take a look at both.

[CharlieP]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their responses. I am going to pick one up and match it with a penn 450 ss. Good fishing and let me know if I can ever return the favor.

Charlie

[FlyonWall9]

Although I don't fish St. Croix made ruds i do fish with custom outfits with St. Croix blans. They are some of the best I have used. My two cents would tell you to use VanStaal reels. I have a couple 200s and they are unreal. That is if you can fish a manual bail. I have used Penn, old Mitchell (green) and Fins but have found these reels to be the smoothest. I jig snapper, grouper, sight cast white marlin, dauphin, cobia and smoker kings. Sure they are a ton of money but go check out what you pay for. Fish with one on your next outting and you will be hooked.

[Too Fly]

For the longest time I debated getting a Van Staal reel and finally decided last year not to. A guy on East Beach, Chappy(M.V.) let me try his out and it was nice to say the least. However the low tolerances between the spool and rotor cup made for some nasty grinding sand noises, which have to be cleared by Van Staal I'm told. It was also a bit heavy for a surf casting reel. The dude told me it was a gift and that he would've gone for a Shimano had he had the option. Hope his gift(reel) givers don't read this...

[FlyonWall9]

My exp. with the VanStaal reels have been nothing but pleasurable. I do still fish with my Penn's and Mitchell's but they aren't the first reel I grab when I see a big Cob come up in the wake. I don't however, fish with a 400 buck reel from a beach but I do have one of the smaller ones that I trout and fish for reds from 3, 4ft waters. I can see your point under sandy conditions. I also fish Shimano Baitrunners and like them as well. All of the above are my second choice. I think if you fished these reels from a boat you would have a different outlook but that isn't the style fishing you do. You were lucky enough to try a buds reel before you went out and blew 350-550 on a reel that would have to be sent back often.

Try one from a boat and you will fall in love. They have a drag and antireverse unlike any I have fished. Means alot to me when I am jigging for snapper or grouper and need positive hooksets. Its much like anything else. You find what suits your needs, what may make one person very happy may not suit you as much as a good ole Snoopy reel and rod combo.

TIGHT LINES
SCOTT

[Too Fly]

I see your point. Last year on Chappy was beach buggy fishing along the shoreline. I'm a new boat owner and am beginning to get accustomed to boat fishing, so sand should not be much of an issue.

I did come real close to picking up a couple Shimano Stellas, but brokedown and decided to go with the cheaper Tica Taurus TPs. I'm pretty happy except that the Stella would've been a water-proof reel...from what I'm told. As soon as these TPs go, I'll probably look at the Van Staal again, but I'd probably lean toward the Stella.

I've spent a considerable amount of money on Abels, Tibors and a Charlton reel(9 in all). However, spending 4-600 on a spinning reel seemed outrageous to me.

How does that Snoopy rod and reel combo fish? Is it worth the investment? ;)

[AlderBrookFarm]

Don't knock those Snoopy combo's. When our kids were 3-5 they all had one. Out fishing with daddy and one of them starts the usual screaming when they've got a fish 'cept this time there was big fish daddy! Daddy poo poo'd the kid until he saw the rod bend over. Needless to say daddy immediately confiscated the rod, ooops, I mean came to the rescue, and landed a really nice smallmouth bass.

[FlyonWall9]

HEY GIVE THAT THING BACK TO YOUR KIDS. Kinda reminds me of Grumpy Old Men when that old duck reel would kick butt.

Well, cant we all afford one of the Snoopy reels to see the reel get blown up by something really large. I'm thinking of 2lb test and seeing what can be down with a tuna. After all isn't that why they put a reverse gear on a boat motor.

On the thought of the TICA reels. I see where they are now sold at Boaters World but at my store around the corner they say they aren't yet out. Funny enough being the company has been in buis for like 35 years. Don't you just love those sales people who fish for answers. Let me know how you like it on your first big hookup. My lighter setup I use Shimano Corsair with 20lb line, I was looking for something between it and my TLD20's, sure would be nice if Shimano still made the TLD10.

[Too Fly]

I landed all of my fish yesterday on the fly, 32-34"er, 16 1/2 lbs. or so(was my biggest weighed)

My brother and friend both used the Tica Taurus TP's and no problems to date(32-34" fish). The TP looks like the Terminator of spinning reels. I believe they are mainly in black now, but can still be found(Ebay) in anodized aluminum with the super shiny metallic finish.

They each...hell we EACH landed more than 30 fish yesterday on some serious surface action.

I'm still on a high from yesterday. :D

The TP's are spinning reels by the way.

Paul

[FlyonWall9]

SOUNDS like a fun day. Cant wait til my boat is up and going again. Kinda tired of the inshore action. But you know what they say a TL (tight line) is better than none. Go to the stories section to hear my latest.

Scott