St. Croix
St. Croix Premier
$155
Best Fishing Rods · head-to-head
St. Croix Premier vs Shimano SLX
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Shimano SLX is cheaper at $99.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
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Shimano
Shimano SLX
$99.99Cheaper
Which is better: the St. Croix Premier or Shimano SLX?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Shimano SLX is the cheaper at $99.99.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | St. Croix Premier | Shimano SLX |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $155 | $99.99 |
| Brand | St. Croix | Shimano |
| Released | — | — |
| Configuration | spinning | casting |
| Length (ft) | 5.5 | — |
| Pieces | 1 | 1 |
| Power | medium | medium-heavy |
| Action | fast | extra-fast |
| Lure weight (oz) | 1/4-5/8 | 1/4-3/4 |
| Line weight (lb) | 6-12 | 10-20 |
| Rod weight (oz) | — | — |
| Blank material | carbon-fiber | carbon-fiber |
| Guide material | aluminum-oxide | — |
| Handle material | cork | EVA |
Sources — St. Croix Premier: stcroixrods.com (verified 2026-07-13). Shimano SLX: fish.shimano.com (verified 2026-07-13).
What's the difference between the St. Croix Premier and Shimano SLX?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 11). Matching specs are omitted.
- Configuration: St. Croix Premier spinning vs Shimano SLX casting
- Power: St. Croix Premier medium vs Shimano SLX medium-heavy
- Action: St. Croix Premier fast vs Shimano SLX extra-fast
- Lure weight (oz): St. Croix Premier 1/4-5/8 vs Shimano SLX 1/4-3/4
- Line weight (lb): St. Croix Premier 6-12 vs Shimano SLX 10-20
- Handle material: St. Croix Premier cork vs Shimano SLX EVA