SCIII St. Croix blanks

[Rosy410]

Does anyone have input on these blanks, I was wanting an 8ft 3 weight. They offer a lifetime warranty. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

[PMike]

I have several Avid rods, a 2 weight, 2 - 4 weights, and a 6 weight. They are each great rods. The flex is moderate IMHO, and is quite easy to cast. I am not sure what you are asking, but overall the rods are great.

God Bless,
Mike

[GonetoSeed]

rosy410 - as pmike points out, the SCIII blanks are used in the Avid series factory rods. This makes it possible to try one out and make a hands-on decision.

I have built 3 flyrods, including an 8' 3wt 2pc, and several spinning and casting rods using SCIII blanks. imo, they are one of the best mid-priced blank series on the market in terms of quality - straightness, ferrule fit, finish. And, as you point out, they have the St Croix backing in warranty and service. I think St Croix is one of the most custom builder friendly of the name-brand manufacturers.

I think the decision depends on if you will like the characteristics of the finished rod. My experience with the 3 wt is that it has a mod/fast action. On the new Common Cents System used by some builders, it has an Action Angle usually measured in the mid to high 60s. For comparison, an AA of around 60 would be considered slow (for example, most Orvis Far & Fines measure 60 or just below) and an AA of >70 would be fast (e.g., Sage XPs typically measure between 70 & 75). I also found that their suggested line rating fits the distances I most often cast around here. I spooled a GPX 3DT and liked how it cast.

But again, these are just relative numbers and doesn't describe how one would feel to you. The best advice would be to see if you can find an 8' 3wt Avid (you didn't say how many pieces, the number of pieces can sometimes influence action) and cast it.

One point about this factory to custom comparison. I used SF ceramics (Fuji Alconites) and, imo, with these, it shoots line noticeably better than the factory wire guides. But then I have a bias for ceramics.

[Rosy410]

Thanks for the advice especially on the ceramics. It's a two piece blank. I think I'll try out the Advice series before I buy the blank