St. Croix Triumph 7ft Medium-Light Spinning Rod vs Thomas Buoyant Spoon 1/4oz Trout Lure
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right gear for your needs.

St. Croix
$114

Thomas
$6
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | St. Croix Triumph 7ft Medium-Light Spinning Rod | Thomas Buoyant Spoon 1/4oz Trout Lure |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Spinning Rod | Trolling Spoon |
| Length | 7 ft | 0 ft |
| Power | Medium-Light | |
| Action | Fast | |
| Line Rating | 4–10 lb lb | lb |
| Lure Rating | 1/8–3/8 oz oz | 1/4 oz oz |
| Material | SCII Graphite | Brass/Chrome |
| Weight | 3.4 oz | 0.25 oz |
| Price | $114 | $6 |
| Rating | 4.7/10 | 4.9/10 |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Pros & Cons
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
Thomas Buoyant Spoon 1/4oz Trout Lure
Pros
- Paul's #1 confidence lure — the one he throws when nothing else is working
- Wobble action is irresistible to reservoir rainbows and browns
- Gold/silver finishes read well in South Park's clear water
- Floats when stationary — stays out of weeds at slow trolling speeds
- Under $7 each — you can afford to lose one to a big fish
Cons
- Treble hook needs replacing after a season of heavy use
- Chrome finish can spook fish in ultra-clear water on bright days
Our Verdicts
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.
Thomas Buoyant Spoon 1/4oz Trout Lure
This is the lure. Gold at Spinney, silver at Eleven Mile, 1.5–2.0mph trolling speed — Paul has caught more trophy trout on this spoon than everything else combined. Buy a handful in different finishes.
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