St. Croix Avid 8ft 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
$234
Thomas
$6
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | St. Croix Avid 8ft Medium-Light Spinning Rod | Thomas Buoyant Spoon 1/4oz Trout Lure |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Spinning Rod | Trolling Spoon |
| Length | 8 ft | 0 ft |
| Power | Medium-Light | |
| Action | Fast | |
| Line Rating | 4–10 lb lb | lb |
| Lure Rating | 1/8–1/2 oz oz | 1/4 oz oz |
| Material | SCIII+ Graphite | Brass/Chrome |
| Weight | 3.1 oz | 0.25 oz |
| Price | $234 | $6 |
| Rating | 4.8/10 | 4.9/10 |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Pros & Cons
St. Croix Avid 8ft Medium-Light Spinning Rod
Pros
- SCIII+ graphite is noticeably more sensitive than the Triumph
- Extra foot of length means better trolling spread separation
- Paul uses this as his outside rod for maximum coverage
- Improved Fuji guides handle braid-to-fluoro leader smoothly
- Slim profile reduces wind resistance on open reservoir days
Cons
- Twice the price of the Triumph — hard to justify 4 of these
- Longer blank needs careful storage in smaller boat setups
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 Avid 8ft Medium-Light Spinning Rod
Paul's 'reach' rod — the one 8-footer he runs on the outside of his spread. The SCIII+ graphite makes a real difference in sensitivity when trolling 80ft down. Worth the upgrade for your primary rod.
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.
More Comparisons
St. Croix Avid 8ft Medium-Light Spinning Rod vs St. Croix Triumph 7ft Medium-Light Spinning RodSt. Croix Triumph 7ft Medium-Light Spinning Rod vs Thomas Buoyant Spoon 1/4oz Trout LureAcme Kastmaster 1/4oz Gold Spoon vs St. Croix Avid 8ft Medium-Light Spinning RodAcme Kastmaster 1/4oz Gold Spoon vs Thomas Buoyant Spoon 1/4oz Trout LureRapala Countdown 1/4oz Rainbow Trout Minnow vs St. Croix Avid 8ft Medium-Light Spinning RodRapala Countdown 1/4oz Rainbow Trout Minnow vs Thomas Buoyant Spoon 1/4oz Trout LureRapala X-Rap Jerkbait XR10 vs St. Croix Avid 8ft Medium-Light Spinning RodRapala X-Rap Jerkbait XR10 vs Thomas Buoyant Spoon 1/4oz Trout Lure