Park Falls, WI (December 27, 2017) – Musky and walleye anglers take note. New for 2018, St. Croix Rod has updated its ever-popular Legend Tournament Musky and Walleye technique-specific rod fami with numerous technology and performance enhancements.
Don’t panic: The immediately recognizable blue rods that anglers have come to associate with serious musky and walleye fishing will remain the same. They’re still super light, powerful, packed with advanced components… winning aesthetics intact.
What anglers will discover are new reel seats, refined guide trains, and restyled, more-ergonomic cork handles.
Plus, all 2018 Legend Tournament Musky and Walleye models are supercharged with St. Croix’s trinity of advanced, proprietary rod-building processes, including Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) tooling for smooth actions, increased strength and greater sensitivity; Advanced Reinforcing Technology™ (ART™) for greatly increased strength without extra blank diameter or weight; and high-modulus/high-strain SCIV graphite with Fortified Resin System (FRS) for unparalleled strength and durability.
If that sounds complicated and scientific, it’s because it is. Just know that St. Croix’s latest and greatest technologies are now part of Legend Tournament Musky and Walleye.
Other enhancements include Fuji® K-Series tangle-free guides with Alconite® rings and Corrosion Control™ (CC™) matte finish frames, machined-aluminum wind check and trim pieces, Kigan hook-keeper, and two coats of Flex-Coat slow cure finish.
St. Croix Legend Tournament Musky
“We listened to feedback from a lot of hardcore musky and walleye anglers,” said Jesse Simpkins, Director of Marketing, St. Croix Rod. “They were already very satisfied with the performance of Legend Tournament Musky and Walleye, but we knew we could make the rod families even better. For starters, we upped the ergonomics in a big way.”
Nowhere is this more evident than in 2018 Musky Legend Tournament models.
“Musky fishing takes a big toll on many parts of the body. To that end, the most notable change is the PLS-style reel seat, which is designed to fish with all four fingers ahead of the trigger. Now the trigger rests on the side of your palm, not between the ring and pinky finger, where it will bruise and make your hand sore. Think of the angle your hand assumes when shaking hands with someone; that’s what it feels like. The angler will notice much less fatigue and cramping in the hand, especially those who palm the reel. Our new design will increase your time on the water,” said Rich Belanger, St. Croix Promotions Manager and bonafide musky-head.
Legend Tournament Walleye casting
In addition, foregrip diameter has been increased to help alleviate hand fatigue and the butt cork has been milled flat on the sides to rest easier between the arm and rib cage, allowing a more natural fit against the body, especially on the hook set.
“We’ve changed the guide train to incorporate Fuji’s new Corrosion Control (CC) matte finish, just another added feature to ensure rod quality for years to come,” added Belanger.
Walleye anglers will also find that all spinning and casting models are incredibly light, powerful, and sensitive. Thanks to the combination of IPC® and the low damping factor of cork, even the lightest of bites telegraph through the blank and handle like notes plucked on a vintage musical instrument. In a word: resonant.
Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, U.S.A., 2018 Legend Tournament Musky and Walleye rods also come with a 15-year transferable warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service.
With a well-earned reputation for leading the path to performance, these enhanced rods will continue to rule the water wherever musky and walleye roam.
