About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the fishing rod, which I purchased with my own money in May of 2020.

My take

I believe the St. Croix Mojo Inshore Spinning Rod is one of the best investments one can add to their gear to up their fishing game because of its lightweight and durable build and construction. I recommend this to any occasional and avid anglers looking for a well-rounded fishing rod that can be used in multiple applications in saltwater fishing.

About this rod

• Model: 2021 St. Croix Mojo Inshore Spinning Rod JIS76HF
• Rod Length: 7’6”
• Rod Power: Heavy
• Rod Action: Fast
• Rod Pieces: 1 piece
• Rod Material (graphite, fiberglass, bamboo): Graphite

About me

• Preferred fishing style(s): Jigging, live bait, inshore saltwater, offshore, nearshore, casting, bottom fishing.
• Experience: 22 years of fishing

Test conditions

• When I bought this: May 2020
• Reel Paired with Rod: Daiwa Saltist 4000
• Line Paired Rod: 20lb Power Pro Slick V2
• Days tested: 363
• Waters I’ve used it on: Saltwater
• Species targeted with rod: Redfish, speckled trout, Spanish mackerel, tarpon, snook, dogfish, bluefish, Atlantic bonito, false albacore

How it performs

What I was looking for

I was looking for a new fishing rod for casting out live bait for some bigger fish. I had issues trying to cast them out on my other inshore setups because the rods themselves were too light on power. I was looking for a rod that was one piece with heavier power, fast action, and a rod between 7-8 feet long.

Why I chose this gear

I decided to purchase this rod because I had used plenty of St. Croix saltwater rods, and they had proven to be great. They were lightweight, strong, and durable and performed exceptionally well. I had compared this rod to a few other brands, such as Tsunami and Shimano, and found that this rod was a better fit compared to the other options on the market at the time. I found that the other companies did not have the same qualities, such as the rod power and action in the same combination.

What I love about it

• Quality: Carbon construction has hand-wrapped guides with top-of-the-line guides. This rod was built specifically for saltwater and to last because of its higher quality parts, such as the guides, reel seat, and the carbon blank it was constructed over. The feel is comfortable and fits perfectly in the hands without any awkward feeling, and it is super lightweight, which limits fatigue over time.
• Durability: This rod features slim aluminum oxide guides that provide a smooth and outstanding look to the rod. They are strong and able to fight any fish and withstand the elements, whether on or off the water. I have not had any issues with the guides, and the rod is still in peak condition, even after a few years of use.
• Versatility: I find this reel to be very durable and easily applied to many applications. I have taken it offshore to throw topwater baits for some mahi-mahi and smaller-sized tuna and had no issues. I also find that other sizes and specifications of the series can easily be taken inshore and to freshwater with great effects that help the angler with casting and retrieval quickly and proficiently. This rod can be easily applied to other fishing situations without issues.
• Application: The best test I can say was taking it offshore around the six-mile mark. I was using this bait to cast out some stick baits and fast retrieve them. I ended up hooking into a king mackerel, and the rod had easily withstood the fight. The rod helped slow the fish down and bring it in the way I wanted because of its power. The water was a little choppy, with a few waves about 3-4 feet tall and a split of 4-5 seconds. The rod withstood casting accurately and retrieved the line with ease.
• Performance:
  • Ease of casting: Extremely easy with little to no effort.
  • Recover rate: Fast and smooth.
  • Power: The rod power I chose is Heavy. I find that this rod is easy to use and has a smooth and efficient performance. I believe this rod is capable of multiple species because of its versatility in fighting and casting in various situations.
  • Action: I love the action of this rod. The fast action allows me to feel each and every hit to my bait, and it helps me differentiate when my live baits are swimming compared to when they are being taken so I can set the hook.
  • Line speed: The guides on this rod are smaller but heavy-duty, which allows for a fast and accurate cast and retrieval. The line goes through the guides with ease and allows for easy retrieval. Having the smaller guides but having more of them allows for a further distance in each cast.
  • Ideal casting distance: 50-100 yards at max effort.
  • Accuracy: In short distances, I can place my baits exactly where I want to. In longer distances, I can land them either accurately or within the vicinity of where I wish them to be.
• Feel: The rod feels exactly as described by St. Croix. It is smooth and light, with a great feeling in the hand. I find it comfortable and balanced with the Daiwa Saltist I had. It is great casting because of its smaller guides. I can accurately place my baits in each and every place I want them.
• Literal Weight: 10oz. The rod weight is about 8.6oz, and with the added weight of lures comes to 10oz, but with the reel, it is just over 1lb.
• Length: I chose the 7’6” length. I prefer a longer rod because it helps me control my baits and the direction of the fish I catch.
• Sensitivity: The fast action tip allows for a high amount of sensitivity in helping with detecting fish. It is a distinctive movement in the rod, and the feel of each fish is known.
• Build: USA-built, strong aluminum oxide guides.
• Aesthetics: Teal color finish with a metallic look in the sunlight. The finish is durable and lasts long, even after being thrown around.
• Warranty: Five years.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Grip: The cork grip can break apart over time if exposed to a lot of water and sunlight, but if taken care of, the grip can last a long time. The full cork grip helps keep ahold of the rod when it is in my hands, and if someone wishes, they could shape the cork to their hands.

Favorite moment with this gear

My favorite moment was in 2021 when I went on a fishing trip offshore and ended up next to a seaweed bed about 18 miles out of Morehead City, NC. We found a massive school of mahi-mahi, and I dropped in a live bait with this rod. I ended up hooking into a 30-40lb mahi-mahi that took me for a fun battle. I was going back and forth on the boat chasing this fish for about 1 hour and 15 minutes before I ended up flipping it over the side.

Value for the money vs. other options

For the money, the reel is a great addition to any loadout for any angler. Compared to other options in its class, such as the Daiwa TD SOL Inshore Rod, it definitely outperforms it and holds up better over time. I also found that this rod is lighter and more sensitive to fish biting.

Final verdict

This rod is worth every dime spent on it. It is a versatile and quality built rod that will last a long time.