First let me say "I have been fishing for decades" and if you have ever used one of these, you would instantly know the rod is perfect for small pan fish species and will haul in slabs of 2+lbs if need be. A chunky .75 lb fish is no match for these rods if fished as intended. Almost any modern rod with the newly designed carbon high modulus systems is subject to crack if high sticked or bounced around snapping snags and whipping against another object like a tree limb. These rods are not Ugly Sticks and are refined tools to better catch finicky types with out bulling them in the boat or on shore. If you haven't fished a St. Croix rod in decades then you surely know ZERO about these improved systems with precise feel, bend, strength, recover, speed, and glide. They will impress a person who truly enjoys fishing and not hung up on made in America. After all, G. Loomis sold out to Shimano, a Japanese company and nobody poo poos either in quality or consistency of great innovation and products. St Croix designed these with months of expert advice and input from the panfish angler community. Changes were made over dozens of prototypes and designs. Refined yet subtle changes were made to these rods in order to offer all Anglers a real value at an affordable price. You will not find a single rod comparable to this series. They are exceptional and I own 3 of them. If Tackle Direct has these in inventory, the do buy if needed or wanted. At the most recent St. Croix customer appreciation day event (June 2020), St. Croix sold out of these rods in the first two days of the weekend. I have been wanting a Panfish casting but all they offer is a 5'-6" UL. When the make a ML or even L in 6 foot, talk to me. I'm all ears. So for now, enjoy the spinning rod of your best Crappie experience. And tell the man who gave p on St. Croix decades ago, he's full of bait and no fish!

It is very fun using ultralight tackle to fish bobbers for Crappie. I like the rod a lot for that purpose.

I have been buying st.croix rods and reels for decades, and these rods are a huge failure. These rods are made in Mexico where the ratio of american workers to mexican workers is 10:450 sad...just...sad. I can't believe st.croix sold out of the US market. And if your looking for the made in Mexico label, well its not on the rod, its a very tiny sticker they placed on the bottom of the handle, for shame st.croix.... I bought this pole and the craftsmanship was very poor, materials POOR and the overall durability weak... Do not buy this rod!!! go with an American made Glommis.