St. Croix Avid 8ft Medium-Light Spinning Rod vs St. Croix Triumph 7ft Medium-Light Spinning Rod
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right gear for your needs.
St. Croix
$234
St. Croix
$114
Verdict
It's a Tie
The St. Croix Avid 8ft Medium-Light Spinning Rod and St. Croix Triumph 7ft Medium-Light Spinning Rod are evenly matched — your choice depends on which features matter most to you.
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | St. Croix Avid 8ft Medium-Light Spinning Rod | St. Croix Triumph 7ft Medium-Light Spinning Rod |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Spinning Rod | Spinning Rod |
| Length | 8 ft | 7 ft |
| Power | Medium-Light | Medium-Light |
| Action | Fast | Fast |
| Line Rating | 4–10 lb lb | 4–10 lb lb |
| Lure Rating | 1/8–1/2 oz oz | 1/8–3/8 oz oz |
| Material | SCIII+ Graphite | SCII Graphite |
| Weight | 3.1 oz | 3.4 oz |
| Price | $234 | $114 |
| Rating | 4.8/10 | 4.7/10 |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Pros & Cons
St. Croix Avid 8ft Medium-Light Spinning Rod
Pros
- SCIII+ graphite is noticeably more sensitive than the Triumph
- Extra foot of length means better trolling spread separation
- Paul uses this as his outside rod for maximum coverage
- Improved Fuji guides handle braid-to-fluoro leader smoothly
- Slim profile reduces wind resistance on open reservoir days
Cons
- Twice the price of the Triumph — hard to justify 4 of these
- Longer blank needs careful storage in smaller boat setups
St. Croix Triumph 7ft Medium-Light Spinning Rod
Pros
- SCII graphite blanks give excellent sensitivity at this price
- Fast action handles both trolling and jigging
- Lightweight at 3.4oz — comfortable for long days on the water
- Fuji reel seat locks securely, no rattle
- Paul runs 3 of these in his trolling spread
Cons
- Not as sensitive as higher-end St. Croix lines
- Cork grips can show wear after a season of heavy use
Our Verdicts
St. Croix Avid 8ft Medium-Light Spinning Rod
Paul's 'reach' rod — the one 8-footer he runs on the outside of his spread. The SCIII+ graphite makes a real difference in sensitivity when trolling 80ft down. Worth the upgrade for your primary rod.
St. Croix Triumph 7ft Medium-Light Spinning Rod
The backbone of Paul's trolling setup. At $110, it's the best rod in this price range for Colorado reservoir trout — and having 3 of the same rod makes swapping rigs fast on the water.