Introducing the new Rift Salt

new Rift Salt © St. Croix Rods

Whether popping or cranking for roaming pelagics or working schools vertically, presenting big hardware for powerful saltwater behemoths is hard work.

Angling stamina can wear down to the point where presentations become sloppy and less effective, or - even worse - to the point where fishing days end prematurely.

Encompassing 16 distinct boat models (Rift Salt) and 12 jigging models (Rift Jig), all-new St. Croix Rift Series rods are offered as a direct response to nearshore saltwater anglers demanding thinner and lighter rods with uncompromising strength and durability. New Rift rods make it easier to earn more success with less physical effort over every inch of water saltwater anglers roam.

new Rift Salt - photo © St. Croix Rods

New Rift Salt rods consist of 16 thin and powerful conventional and spinning models that form a comprehensive, stand-up toolkit for nearshore anglers casting for strong-willed fish on 15-to-120-pound line. Ranging from 6'6" to 7'10" in length with medium-light through heavy power and fast or moderate-fast parabolic actions, the expansive Rift Salt lineup covers the gamut from pitching swimming crabs to permit, cobia or tarpon to presenting large poppers and metal-lip swimmers to tuna, AJs or cow stripers. Materials, ergonomics and St. Croix technologies combine in Rift Salt to minimize fatigue and maximize fun.

new Rift Salt - photo © St. Croix Rods

Specifically engineered to help mitigate the physical stresses associated with vertical techniques, new, strong and slim Rift Jig rods are conceived as an extension of the angler's body. Consisting of 12 conventional and spinning models from 5'6" to 6'6" in length with moderate, parabolic actions and medium through extra-extra heavy powers, Rift Jig rods are tip tuned and beefed-up in the butt, each optimized for battling fish in specific weight classes. Designed to bend where they should and never where they shouldn't, the result is a jig rod that works harder than the angler, delivering fun fishability without compromise to maximum lifting power and durability.

Each Gunmetal Grey Rift model starts with premium SCIII carbon fiber for unparalleled flexural strength and uncompromising durability matched with St. Croix's Fortified Resin System (FRS) technology to further increase strength without adding weight. Blanks are handcrafted on St. Croix's Integrated Poly Curve (IPC) mandrels, which produce one continuous taper without the transition points that can compromise strength and action. Pattern layups on each Rift model are laser cut using Taper Enhancement Technology (TET), which produces optimally curved patterns that ultimately provide anglers with heightened actions and increased sensitivity. The results are incredibly powerful and durable rods that are made thinner, lighter in the hands, and with crisper actions.

New Rift Salt - photo © St. Croix Rods

A better strong and lightweight lever, Rift is completed with ergonomics and componentry that further enhance the angling experience. Proven, lightweight K-style guide platforms are corrosion resistant, durable and trouble free. Where Rift interfaces with the angler, premium and slim EVA handles are engineered and contoured for comfort, while remaining stalwart against the hazards of offshore boat duty. Ergonomic reel seats with double locking nuts provide worry-free and rock-solid security, while non-marring rubber gimbles hold Rift rods securely in stand-up belts and rod holders.

New St. Croix Rift - photo © St. Croix Rods

New St. Croix Rift features

• 28 lightweight and durable Rift Salt (Boat) and Rift Jig models - conventional and spinning - that support high-performance angling in any near-shore saltwater application
• SCIII carbon fiber for unparalleled flexural strength and durability, matched with Fortified Resin System (FRS) technology reducing weight
• Advanced Reinforcing Technology™ (ART™)
• Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) mandrel technology
• Taper Enhancement Technology (TET) blank design provides curved patterns for improved action with increased sensitivity
• K-style stainless-steel guides with Alconite rings
• Nylon reel seats with double locking nuts
• Rift Salt models feature contoured premium-grade full EVA handles
• Rift Jig models feature contoured premium-grade modified split-grip EVA handles
• Non-marring rubber gimbals
• 5-year transferable warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service
• Designed in Park Falls, U.S.A. and handcrafted in North America (Fresnillo, Mexico)
• Retail price: $290-$350 USD

New St. Croix Rift Salt Models - photo © St. Croix Rods

New St. Croix Rift Salt Models

• Rift Salt RIFSC66MHF - 6'6", medium-heavy power, fast action, conventional / Retail $300
• Rift Salt RIFSC66HF - 6'6", heavy power, fast action, conventional / Retail $300
• Rift Salt RIFSC70MF - 7', medium power, fast action, conventional / Retail $300
• Rift Salt RIFSS70MF - 7', medium power, fast action, spinning / Retail $300
• Rift Salt RIFSC70MHF - 7', medium-heavy power, fast action, conventional / Retail $310
• Rift Salt RIFSS70MHF - 7', medium-heavy power, fast action, spinning / Retail $305
• Rift Salt RIFSC70HF - 7', heavy power, fast action, conventional / Retail $310
• Rift Salt RIFSS73MLMF - 7'3", medium-light power, moderate-fast action, spinning / Retail $305
• Rift Salt RIFSC73MMF - 7'3", medium power, moderate-fast action, conventional / Retail $320
• Rift Salt RIFSS73MMF - 7'3", medium power, moderate-fast action, spinning / Retail $310
• Rift Salt RIFSC73MHMF -7'3", medium-heavy power, moderate-fast action, conventional / Retail $320
• Rift Salt RIFSS73MHMF - 7'3", medium-heavy power, moderate-fast action, spinning / Retail $315
• Rift Salt RIFSS76MF - 7'6", medium power, fast action, spinning / Retail $330
• Rift Salt RIFSS710MHMF - 7'10", medium-heavy power, moderate-fast action, spinning / Retail $340
• Rift Salt RIFSS710MHF - 7'10", medium-heavy power, fast action, spinning / Retail $345
• Rift Salt RIFSS710HMF - 7'10", heavy power, moderate-fast action, spinning / Retail $350

New St. Croix Rift Jig Models - photo © St. Croix Rods

New St. Croix Rift Jig Models

• Rift Jig RIFCJ56XXH - 5'6", extra-extra-heavy power, 200-lb. fish, conventional / Retail $320
• Rift Jig RIFSJ56XXH - 5'6", extra-extra heavy power, 200-lb. fish, spinning / Retail $310
• Rift Jig RIFCJ58XH - 5'8", extra-heavy power, 150-lb. fish, conventional / Retail $315
• Rift Jig RIFSJ58XH - 5'8", extra-heavy power, 150-lb. fish, spinning / Retail $310
• Rift Jig RIFCJ58H - 5'8", heavy power, 100-lb. fish, conventional / Retail $310
• Rift Jig RIFSJ58H - 5'8", heavy power, 100-lb. fish, spinning / Retail $305
• Rift Jig RIFCJ60MH - 6', medium-heavy power, 50-lb. fish, conventional / Retail $310
• Rift Jig RIFSJ60MH - 6', medium-heavy power, 50-lb. fish, spinning / Retail $305
• Rift Jig RIFCJ66MH - 6'6", medium-heavy power, 50-lb. fish, conventional / Retail $320
• Rift Jig RIFSJ66MH - 6'6", medium-heavy power, 50-lb. fish, spinning / Retail $305
• Rift Jig RIFCJ66M - 6'6", medium power, 35-lb. fish, conventional / Retail $295
• Rift Jig RIFSJ66M - 6'6", medium power, 35-lb fish, spinning / Retail $290

Variety is the spice of life for adventurous anglers exploring vast and diverse saltwater fisheries. Light in the hand but huge on power, all-new St. Croix Rift Salt and Rift Jig rods answer the call with the thinner, lighter, powerful and durable performance today's nearshore anglers demand. And with 28 models to choose from, there's a new Rift rod precisely handcrafted to target any nearshore fish in any presentation. They'll be available for purchase at St. Croix dealers worldwide and online at stcroixrods.com this fall.

See them in the St. Croix booth #3024 at ICAST 2022 and in the Saltwater Rod category of the 2022 ICAST New Product Showcase.