Shimano=St Croix???

[albacized]

While I was at Dick's Sporting Goods in Framingham last night (after reading a thread in the freshwater folder), an employee noticed I was looking over the St Croix rods and told me that Shimano makes St Croix rods (or was it the other way around???). In any regard, I had never heard about that connection. Can someone confirm this?

[teflon_jones]

I'll leave it up to St Croix themselves to answer. Direct from their website FAQ section:

Does St. Croix build its own rods and reels?
We build our own premium blanks and using the finest components available in the world. We also have rods, reels, and accessories produced to our exact specifications from companies located around the world. Here is the country of origin for our primary products.

Legend Elite, Legend Ultra, Legend Tournament, Avid, Premier, Tidemaster, Wild River - USA
Reign, Triumph, Premier Ice Rods - China
Legend Fly Reels - England
Avid Bait Casting Reels - Japan
Avid & Premier Reels (Except Model 750) - Thailand
Premier Spinning Reel Model 750 - China
Premier Fly Reels - China

*********************************
Notice that they say "carefully handcraft most St. Croix rods in our Wisconsin northwoods location" which does leave the possibility that some of the rods or their components could be built by Shimano.

[DAQ]

I believe Shimano owns Loomis but I don't think they own St. Croix. As a matter of fact Daiwa makes reels for St. Croix.

D

[teflon_jones]

I believe Shimano owns Loomis but I don't think they own St. Croix. As a matter of fact Daiwa makes reels for St. Croix.

D
I bought a St Croix spinning reel a couple of years ago and whoever makes it is very good. It was $150 and has been worth every penny. Perfect drag with infinite adjustment, never tangles, minimizes line twist, casts a mile, what else can I say... always works perfectly in every respect.

[masssalt]

Shimano owns Loomis.

Not a lot of training for retail fishing shop employees, I would guess....