St Croix Fishing Rods – The Best Mid Price Walleye Fishing Rods

There are number of walleye fishing presentations, such as jigging, bottom bouncing, live bait rigging and pulling crank baits that anglers use to catch fish. While it is possible to fish all these presentations with just one fishing rod, many walleye anglers including myself will utilize specific rods for each style of presentation. Doing so gives us more feel and lure control as changes to rod length, power and action help us with our fishing presentation.

If you walk into your local sporting goods store or tackle shop, you will find fishing rods ranging in price from less than $15 to in excess of $500. As you look at all the rods and price tags, you will find the St Croix Eyecon series of fishing rods. As these rods have a retail price ranging between $145 and $165, I would classify them as a mid-point series of the best walleye rods and my top pick as the best mid-price walleye rods.

Product Breakdown and where to buy:

The Eyecon rods have always been good fishing rods. However, in 2022, St. Croix Rod made them even better by incorporating changes to make the rods lighter, more durable and more finely balanced than previous versions of the Eyecons. These new rods feature premium-quality SCII carbon with Fortified Resin System (FRS) for unparalleled strength and durability. FSR is St. Croix new rod manufacturing technology. This process combines a fortified super resin with new computer operated curing ovens that provide improved temperature and time management through all stages of the curing cycle. FRS prevents micro buckling by keeping the carbon fibers in proper alignment. Blanks manufactured using this advanced manufacturing protocol test out consistently to be 33% stronger than those built with standard resins and curing methods.

For rugged durability, these rods use SeaGuide® Aluminum Oxide guides with black frames, Atlas Performance stainless (SS304) guides and a black PVD coated tip top, Sea Guide® IPSA reel seat with thread-covering nut and black hood on spinning models and SeaGuide® TCS reel seat with black hood on the casting rods.

Walk into a tackle shop and you will see a large number of fishing rods for sale making it tough to decide on what you need.

tackle-shop — Walk into a tackle shop and you will see a large number of fishing rods for sale making it tough to decide on what you need.

All rods in the series are emerald green in color, have a Kigan hook-keeper and are a technique specific walleye series designed for superior performance utilizing custom handle configurations unique to various models. The majority of the rods are one piece fishing rods; however, some models are available as two-piece fishing rods.

Each model utilizes a modified split grip handle that comes in 5 different handle lengths to help optimize comfort with the intended fishing technique. The modified split grip handles take the best features of split grips and full-cork handles and marries them into a hybrid design that optimizes comfort and performance on each specific model. All models are well balanced, comfortable to hold and the overall handle length and foregrip are perfectly positioned for various types of fishing presentations. This allows anglers to fish comfortably all day long and not get tired or sloppy while doing so.

These fishing rods are hand crafted at the St Croix’s factory in Fresnillo Mexico which is essentially identical to their factory in Park Falls, Wisconsin. All rods in this series come with a 5-year warranty.

There are a number of fishing rods in the Eyecon Series, so I have not been able to use all of them……yet. However, based on the models I’ve used, I must say these rods are fantastic. To help you on your rod selection, I will break down the key features of each rod in the series.

Vertical Jig – EYS63MLXF

The Vertical Jig is a 6’3’ spinning rods are designed to be used for vertically jigging light weight jigs in the 1/16-to-3/8-ounce range in shallow water, under calm conditions and limited current. These rods have medium light power for presenting light jigs on 4-to-8-pound test line. They have extra fast tips allowing anglers to feel their jigs and detect light bites while transitioning quickly to a strong backbone for solid hook sets and great fish fishing power. The shorter length makes it easy to control these rods while fishing vertically.

Mid Vertical Jig – EYS63MLXF – $155 on FishUSA.com

These spinning rods are designed to be fished with commonly used 1/8-to-1/2-ounce jigs in a walleye chop or in moderate wind or current conditions. Their medium power is optimal for using commonly used jigs and fighting walleye using 6-to-10-pound fishing line. Similar to the Vertical Jig rods, these rods have extra fast tips allowing anglers to feel their jigs and detect light bites while transitioning quickly to a strong backbone for solid hook sets and great fish fishing power. These rods are 6’3” making them easy to control while fishing vertically.

Eycon rods feature SeaGuide® Aluminum Oxide guides with black frames.

Heavy Metal – EYS58HF – $155 on FishUSA.com

The Heavy Metal spinning rods are designed for vertical jigging in deep water and/or heavy current while using heavier jigs up to 1 ounce. These rods are 5’8” long and are heavy power. The combination of rod length and power allows anglers to control heavy jigs under tougher conditions. These rods have fast tips to allow anglers to present heavy jigs in deep water/current while maintaining forgiveness a bit further into the top portion of the rod than the Vertical and Mid Vertical Models which is helpful for hooking and fighting the biggest of walleye. These rods are well suited to use with braided line, monofilament or fluorocarbon line in 8-to-17-pound test.

Jig-N-Rig – EYSMLF

There are situations where you can anchor up and fish vertically for walleye as well as pitch jigs. The Jig-N-Rig spinning rods are designed just for these situations as you can vertically jig or pitch jigs in 1/4-to-3/8-ounce range using these rods. At 6’6”, these rods are slightly longer than the jigging models allowing anglers to be able to pitch jigs while still maintaining excellent control while fishing vertically. The medium-light power of these rods is perfect using mid-sized jigs with 4-to-10-pound fishing line. The fast tip action on these rods works well to detect bites and provides some give when fishing with no-stretch lines or light leaders.

Each St Croix Eyecon rod comes with a five year warranty.

Big Water – EYS66MF – $145 on FishUSA.com

Designed for the walleye angler who wants a versatile medium power rod that excels in vertical jigging and pitching of 1/4-to-5/8-ounce jigs. The Big Water Spinning Rods measures 6’6”is perfect for pitching jigs while still short enough to maintain excellent control in vertical presentations. Their medium power is optimal for presenting popular, standard-range jig sizes and fighting walleyes on 6-12-pound line. They feature a versatile, fast tip for excellent combination of bite detection and forgiveness for fighting fish on no-stretch lines and light leaders.

The Eyecon rods feature a modified split handle grip.

Snap Jig – EYS68MXF – $155 on FishUSA.com

The Snap Jig spinning rods are designed for standard pitching and snap-jigging presentations with 3/16-to-5/8-ounce snap-jig heads. These rods are also a great choice when fishing heavier hair jigs and jerk baits and measure 6’8” long. They are medium power for maximum performance with 3/16 to 5/8 lures and 6–12-pound fishing line. Their extra-fast tip aids in imparting quick, short lure movements that quickly recovers to the straight position when snap-jigging or fishing a jerk bait to help detect slack-line bites.

The Eyecon rods feel so comfortable in hand and are well balanced.

Finesse – EYSS70LF – $155 on FishUSA.com

The Finesse spinning rods are designed for light-line finesse presentations such as drop shotting and 1/8 to 3/8-ounce hair jigs. At 7”0” it is and ideal length for pitching drop shot rigs while offering adequate length for distance-casting light jigs. Their light power is ideal for maximum performance with light lures on 4-8-pound line. Their fast tips provide an excellent combination of bite detection and forgiveness for fighting fish on no-stretch lines and light leaders.

The handle lengths on the Eyecon rods come in different lengths are made to match your fishing style.

Riggin’ – EYS70MLF and EYS70MLF2 – $165 on FishUSA.com

The Riggin’ model spinning rods are available in both 1- and 2-piece rods. At 7’0” long, they are ideal for pitching drop shot rigs while still offering adequate length for distance casting of 1/8 to 3/8-ounce hair jigs. These medium-light power rods work well for presenting smaller lures and fighting walleyes on 4-10-pound line. Their versatile, fast tip is an excellent combination of bite detection and forgiveness for fighting fish on no-stretch lines and light leaders.

I find these St Croix Rods super sensitive when vertically jigging.

Bounce-N-Troll – EYC70MHM – $145 on FishUSA.com

The Bounce-N-Troll casting rods are designed for pulling 1/2 to 3-ounce bottom bouncers and spinner rigs and all other trolling presentations with planer boards. The 7′ length of these rods help keep rod tips high and/or separated when these rods are placed in rod holders. The medium power is strong enough to troll bottom bouncers up to 3 ounces and the soft, moderate action of the medium action protects line when a fish hits while the rod is already under load. The medium action also dampens the effects of a heavy bottom bouncer or planer board between the fish and the angler during the fight.

The Bounce-N-Troll is a prefect rod for pulling bottom bouncers.

Jig-N-Rap Eys71MF – $155 on FishUSA.com

The Jig-N-Rag spinning rods are designed for fishing 3/16-to-5/8-ounce (size #3, #5, or #7) Jigging Rap-style baits and blade baits. These 7’1” rods are an ideal length for lifting or snap-jigging Jigging Raps and blade baits and “walking” them back down to the bottom. Their medium power design allows for optimal lure presentation using 6-to-20-pound fishing line. Their moderate fast actions are great for slack-line bite detection and forgiveness for fighting fish on no-stretch lines and light leaders.

These rods are tough enough to battle even the biggest of walleye.

Rip-N-Rap – EYS71MF – $155 on FishUSA.com

The Rip-N-Rap spinning rods are designed for fishing 5/16 to 7/8-ounce (size #5, #6, and #7) Rippin’ Rap-style lipless crankbaits. At 7’1” they are perfect for ripping lures all day long. Their medium power design handles these bigger lures and fishing line from 6 to 20 pounds very well. Their fast actions are perfect for presenting heavier lures in deep water and maintain forgiveness to fight big fish in deep water while using braided line.

Ripping has become a favourite walleye presentation and the Rip-N-Rap rod allows you to fish this presentation all day long.

Slip-N-Rig – EYS776MLXF and EYS776MLX2 – $155 on FishUSA.com

The Slip-N-Rig spinning models are available in both 1- and 2-piece rods. They are designed for live bait rigging, but can also be used for long rang casting of 1/8 to 3/8 jigs and drop shotting. At 7’6”, they provide generous length for the execution of sweeping hook sets when fishing live bait rigs and excellent distance casting with light jigs. Their extra-fast tips are ideal for detecting light bites, while transitioning quickly to strong backbone for hook setting and fighting power.

Drift-N-Float – EYS80MLF2 – $165 on FishUSA.com

The Drift_N-Float spinning rods are designed for fishing with floats also known as slip bobbers. The rods are 8’ long which is great for lob-casting bobber and the execution of the sweeping hooksets necessary when float fishing. Their medium-light power is optimum for fighting walleyes on 4-10-pound line and their fast tip for immediate access to the rod’s power while maintaining the necessary forgiveness to fight big fish in deep water on zero-stretch line.

Conclusion

As you can see, the Eyecon series of rods come in a number of different styles to meet a variety of fishing presentations. While these rods have been designed with walleye anglers in mind, they can most definitely be used when targeting other species of fish using these presentations. I suggest you give one a try for your favorite fishing presentations……but be aware once you buy one, it will lead to you wanting more for all your other styles of fishing.