PARK FALLS, WI – Esox lucius – the Northern pike – is found in fresh waters throughout the Northern Hemisphere in addition to the brackish waters of the Baltic Sea. One of the top freshwater predator species pursued by anglers globally, pike reach proportions in Europe and Asia similar to or even larger than those of the North American muskellunge. Specimens approaching 150 cm (59 in) long and weighing over 28 kg (63 lbs.) have been recorded.
Pike presentations are as varied as the habitats the species occupies and the forage it hunts. Largely piscivores, pike eagerly devour fish-imitating hard and soft baits in a range of sizes – including those mimicking their own species – but aren’t afraid to wrap their formidable teeth around anything else that looks like a meal, including mammals, birds and reptiles. As a result, pike anglers need rods capable of casting a wide variety of lures targeting different parts of the water column. Because pike are generally ambush predators, the diverse structures they set up on often require precision casting. Once the cast is made, rods must offer ample backbone to drive large hooks home and keep powerful pike in place – away from structure.
Furthering the mission to provide all anglers with the Best Rods on Earth® in any situation, St. Croix Rod announces immediate availability of the all-new Legend Tournament Pike Series – six technique-specific casting rods purpose-engineered and handcrafted with St. Croix’s top technologies, very latest materials and task-specific componentry and ergonomics to deliver uncompromising performance in the pursuit of pike to elite anglers worldwide.
All-New Legend Tournament Pike
New Legend Tournament Pike Series rods build upon St. Croix’s 74-year history of combining proprietary materials, technologies and uncompromising workmanship, as well as its significant experience and capabilities in the design and manufacture of powerful, high-performance rods for large, freshwater predators. They feature next-generation hybrid SCIV+ carbon fiber blanks and incorporate St. Croix’s top technologies and premium components.
St. Croix Brand Manager, Ryan Teach, says the Legend Tournament Pike project has been six years in the making, emphasizing that these are pike rods, not musky rods. “Given St. Croix’s reputation and expertise in the musky realm, It’d be easy for anglers to assume that the new Legend Tournament Pike Series consists of rebranded musky rods simply done in metric units instead imperial units but nothing could be further from the truth,” Teach says. “We want anglers to know and clearly understand that these rods were developed in partnership with dedicated pike anglers, not musky anglers. Yes, some of our musky, saltwater, and even bass swimbait expertise and technologies were applicable, but there are key differences in the lures, tackle, and the fish themselves – not to mention the specific preferences of pike anglers. We talked to these anglers and leveraged their specific knowledge and on-the-water experience. Over the course of several years, we developed prototype rods, put them into these experts’ hands, listened to what they had to say about them and made continual adjustments, improvements and refinements. The result is an internationally focused pike series crafted for the specific needs of international pike anglers.”
SCIV+ Carbon
Lightweight rods that don’t sacrifice power mean pike anglers can make more casts, fish longer with less fatigue, stay in the zone longer and earn more success. Legend Tournament Pike rods are built on technique-optimized SCIV+ blanks, which are a hybrid of SCIV and SCVI carbon materials. In itself, SCIV is a high-modulus high-strain carbon fiber material producing extremely light and sensitive rods. SCVI is an exotic, super-high modulus high-strain carbon fiber material that adds power with minimal weight. The two materials are combined in varying proportions and locations in each specific Legend Tournament Pike model to optimize performance in its intended technique.
Integrated Poly Curve (IPC)
Legend Tournament Pike’s IPC blanks are rolled on mandrels with one continuous taper. This elimination of transition points means more uniform wall thicknesses from tip to butt and, ultimately, rods with smoother actions, increased strength and greater sensitivity – all of significant benefit to pike anglers.
Advanced Reinforcing Technology (ART)
Strength and durability are paramount in a pike rod. Legend Tournament Pike rods feature ART – an exotic carbon fiber material that adds a magnitude 10X of strength with virtually no increase in blank diameter or weight. ART significantly improves hoop strength and prevents it from deforming or “ovaling” under the severe loads that occur when casting heavy lures and delivering powerful hook sets.
Fortified Resin System (FRS)
Like other large, powerful fish, pike will expose and exploit any weak link in tackle. Legend Tournament Pike rods feature a fortified super resin combined with state-of-the-art computer-operated curing ovens that manage all stages of the critical curing cycle. This keeps carbon fibers in proper alignment and prevents microbuckling that can otherwise create weak spots.
New St. Croix Legend Tournament Pike Features
• Next-generation hybrid CARBON FIBER SCIV+ blanks
• Fortified Resin System (FRS) technology
• Advanced Reinforcing TechnologyTM (ARTTM)
• Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) mandrel technology
• Tangle-free stainless-steel guides with Alconite® rings
• Comfort reel seat with precision-machined aluminum locking nut
• Split-grip super-grade cork handles customized per model
• 15-year transferable warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service
• Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, U.S.A. for pike anglers worldwide
• Retail price $340 to $430 USD
New St. Croix Legend Tournament Pike Models
• COVER SNIPER / LTPC213HF – 2.13M (7’), heavy power, fast action, 15-55GR (14-25LB) / Retail $340 USD
• CLASSIC JERK / LTPC213XHXF – 2.13M (7’), extra-heavy power, extra-fast action, 40-110GR (14-30LB) / Retail $350 USD
• VERSATILE SPECIAL / LTPC216MHF – 2.16M (7’1”), medium-heavy power, fast action, 15-40GR (12-20LB) / Retail $360 USD
• SLOP-N-TAIL / LTPC223HF – 2.23M (7’4”), heavy power, fast action, 20-80GR (14-25LB) / Retail $370 USD
• SWIMBAIT SPECIAL / LTPC238XHF – 2.38M (7’10”), heavy power, extra-fast action, 40-140GR (30-65LB) / Retail $380 USD
• MAGNUM SWIMBAIT / LTPC259XXHFT – 2.59M (8’6”), extra-extra-heavy power, fast action, 100-300GR (40-80LB) / Retail $430 USD
Designed and precision crafted for optimal performance in every category that helps give pike anglers the upper hand on the water, new Legend Tournament Pike rods are light, crisp and comfortable in the hand, accurate, uncompromisingly strong and durable, and offered in six technique-specific models to cover any pike presentation with authority. They’re lovingly handcrafted in Park Falls, Wisconsin, USA with a 15-year transferrable warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service and are available to anglers at St. Croix dealers worldwide and online at stcroixrods.com right now.
About St. Croix Rod
Headquartered in Park Falls, Wisconsin, St. Croix has been proudly producing the “Best Rods on Earth” for nearly 75 years. Combining state-of-the-art manufacturing processes with skilled craftsmanship, St. Croix is the only major producer to still build rods entirely from design through manufacturing. The company remains family-owned and operates duplicate manufacturing facilities in Park Falls and Fresnillo, Mexico. With popular trademarked series such as Legend®, Legend Xtreme®, Victory Avid®, Premier®, RIFT, Imperial®, Triumph® and Mojo, St. Croix is revered by all types of anglers from around the world.
