The St. Croix Mojo Inshore spinning rod is an extremely lightweight and well-built graphite rod that is designed specifically for saltwater inshore fishing. From the time you pick this rod up, you know that you have something special in your hands.
St. Croix Mojo Inshore Spinning Rods are re-engineered and customized for the demands of inshore fishing. These rods were built for inshore saltwater fishing conditions and will hold up and provide superior performance to the inshore angler.
- Premium quality SCIII carbon
- Integrated Poly Curve mandrel technology
- Sea Guide Hero Hi-Grade guides with slim aluminum oxide rings and SS316 stainless gun smoke frames
While this is still what I would call an affordable rod (under $150), it is not cheap. However, it is very apparent when you look at the quality build and components that St. Croix has used in this rod that it is built to last.
The rod blank is made of premium quality SCII graphite. The guides are Baston Forecast aluminum oxide with 316 stainless steel to reduce the chance of corrosion. These are coupled with a Fuji reel seat and a premium-grade cork handle (split on the spinning series) all backed by a 5-year manufacturer warranty.
I personally fish the St. Croix Mojo in a 7′ Medium Light Fast and I love this rod. I am able to place the lure or bait almost exactly where I want it each time as the action is so awesome on this rod. I find the rod to be extremely well-balanced and light.
I grew up fishing for trout with a fly rod so I like to battle the fish, not just haul it in for the sake of catching it. I find this to be more sporting.
Features
As I mentioned earlier the St. Croix Mojo is not only a great looking rod that performs well, but it is also comprised of top-of-the-line components and is a 100% handmade rod. Let’s take a look.
Premium quality SCII graphite blank
The Mojo Inshore spinning rod starts out with a premium quality SCII graphite rod bank. What we mean by premium is the amount of the graphite modulus that is found in the blank.
The graphite modulus basically describes the stiffness-to-weight ratio of the graphite used to make the blank. Typically, the higher the modulus, the lighter and more sensitive the rod. The reason is that it requires less material because the higher-modulus graphite is stiffer.
Batson Forecast hard aluminum-oxide guides
The Batson Forecast hard aluminum-oxide guides are made with 316 stainless-steel frames, which dramatically improve the overall corrosion resistance when compared to standard 304 stainless-steel frames.
Fuji DPS reel seat
The St. Croix Mojo inshore rod uses standard Fuji DPS reel seats known for their quality and durability. A quality reel seat means that you will be transferring the feel of the fish you are trying to hook or are fighting into the handle of the rod without any slop, resulting in increased sensitivity.
Split-grip/premium-grade cork handle
I have always been a fan of the split grip handle as I just feel that the rod is better balanced. St. Croix uses a premium-grade cork without any flaws that are not only beautiful to look at but also are not going to flake and fall apart after years of use. A good cork handle always allows you to feel the fight better and I think offers a much better grip when the handle is wet.
Flex Coat slow cure finish
Once all of the components have been assembled, St. Croix brings it all together and finishes the rod off with two layers of the Flex Coat slow-cure finish.
Flex Coat is an epoxy finish used to seal the rod wraps to a point where you cannot see the wrapping material. This provides for a clean look and a long lifespan.
Features at a Glance
- Premium-quality SCII graphite.
- The specialized inshore saltwater series was designed and built for superior performance.
- Batson Forecast hard aluminum-oxide guides
- Fuji DPS reel seat/black hoods on spinning models.
- Split-grip/premium-grade cork handle.
- Two coats of Flex Coat slow-cure finish.
- 5-year warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service.
The Mojo Inshore Spinning reel offers three different handles.
Field Test
I have a Mojo Inshore in a 7′ Medium Light Fast which is the 6-14 model and it is a great all-around rod! It is sensitive for jigging and has a good feel on the retrieve. I find the rod to be sensitive but have enough backbone to muscle in a big fish such as a large red or snook.
Currently, I have the Mojo paired with a Penn Battle II 3000. But, I feel that it is a bit heavy so I will be replacing it shortly with a Shimano Stradic FX in the 2500 series. The weight difference between the two reels is 4 oz. or 1/3 of the total weight so I am sure that the whole rig will fish quite a bit better with the lighter Shimano reel.
As for action, I love the way the Mojo performs. There is enough backbone to get my lure or soft bait to the target with extreme accuracy. I have noticed a difference when I am casting up under the mangroves or a dock.
I can flick the lure and get it right where I want it. Once I am engaged with a fish, I love how the rod handles the load. This is a lightweight setup but that is what I like best for fish that are under 10 lbs.
Pros
- Handmade rod
- Premium graphite blank
- Fuji components
- Aluminum oxide guides
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Really don’t have any
Alternatives
If you want to spend a few dollars less and the split handle is something that is not important to you, then I can recommend that you check out the Star Stellar Lite series of rods which start at around $100, carry a lifetime warranty and are also made here in the USA.
Star Stellar Lite rods are constructed with powerful, responsive and durable IM-6 graphite. Fast, flexible tips with hook-setting strength to spare, Fuji guides and graphite reel seats, plus a limited lifetime warranty are the hallmarks of Stellar Lite rods.
If you have a few more dollars to spend, I recommend that you check out the G Loomis E6X rod which is an excellent rod. The price point starts out at $179 and for me fishes very much like the big brother, the G Loomis NRX which is a a $600+ rod.
The G-Loomis E6X Inshore Saltwater Casting Rods deliver top level performance at an outstanding value. The newly re-designed E6X Inshore Series rods feature a new, sleek, buffblank finish, full-cork fore and rear grips, and new streamlined spinning reel seat that upholds the G. Loomis legacy. 14 models - three casting and 11 spinning.
In Conclusion
The St. Croix Mojo is my go to rod for about 80% of my fishing here in the SW Florida flats. I like that I can catch smaller fish such as a 12″ spotted trout and enjoy the fight.
But when I hook into a jack or a redfish in the 10-15 lbs range, I can still fight the fish and land it without feeling like I am stressing my equipment. Previous to the St. Croix Mojo, I had been fishing the Star Stellar Lite which is still a fine rod, but I like the action and the weight of the St Croix Mojo better.
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Jack
Saturday 25th of May 2019
Great review. Can this rod handle casting 1/2oz hair raisers or 3/8 to 1/2 swimbait with a shad head? I own other st croix rods in the premier and avid line and they tend to fish one power higher then their rating. For example a ML has the power and action of a M.
Salted Angler
Monday 27th of May 2019
I fish the 7" MLF model # MIS70MLF as one of my primary inshore rods for trout and reds and throw swimbaits and jerk bait all day with no issues. I love this rod for the price you can't go wrong.