St. Croix Rod to introduce all-new GXR Lite and GXR Walleye Combos with SEVIIN Reels at ICAST 2025
PARK FALLS, WIS. (June 26, 2025) – The launch of GXR Bass at ICAST 2024 was a win for St. Croix Rod, SEVIIN reels, and for St. Croix retailers. The precision-matched bass-specific series pairing high-performance St. Croix rods with reliable SEVIIN reels was voted Best Rod & Reel Combo in the ICAST 2024 New-Product Showcase. More importantly though, the launch was a win for anglers who gained access to new choices in premium, technique-optimized tournament-quality bass-fishing systems at a retail price that make them easy to own.
“GXR Bass was a big step for us,” says Ryan Teach, St. Croix Vice President of Innovation. “It was the first and only time St. Croix has offered its rods paired with SEVIIN reels at retail. Nearly one year later, the reviews from anglers speak for themselves. Bass anglers at all levels love them, and many of our retail partners have re-ordered multiple times.”
Today, St. Croix Rod announces a significant expansion of its GXR family of species- and technique-optimized combos with GXR Lite and GXR Walleye – both combining premium St. Croix performance with smooth and worry-free SEVIIN Reels reliability.
“These five light and ultra-light power one- and two-piece GXR Lite Combos are going to please a lot of anglers,” says Teach. “Like GXR Bass, these high-performance combos are precision matched, extremely well-balanced, and optimized for intended techniques right off the dealer’s rack… in this case, a full range of light-line panfish and trout applications.”
What does precision-matched mean? “Even with premium combos, anglers are often faced with the reality of a rod that doesn’t match the performance of the reel, or more often, a reel that doesn’t balance or perform to the level of the rod,” says Robert Woods, SEVIIN Reels Product Manager. “In addition to hallmark SEVIIN reliability, these 2000-size GXR reels feature premium performance evidenced by their high-quality materials and design, smooth and lightweight operation, outstanding line management, and premium carbon fiber drag stacks.”
GXR Lite rods are crafted from St. Croix’s popular SCII carbon with FRS for increased strength with reduced weight. “We finished these strong and sensitive light and ultra-light blanks with a proven, angler-favorite combination of premium-grade split-grip cork handles, ultra-reliable nylon reel seats, and lightweight stainless-steel guides,” Teach says. “GXR rods deliver crisp actions, lightweight and balanced handling, smooth power, and quality componentry and craftsmanship – everything an angler expects from a St. Croix rod.”
The synergies between St. Croix Rod and SEVIIN Reels carried forward in all GXR Combos results in anglers getting both no-compromise performance and exceptional value.
St. Croix GXR Lite Combo Models
- GXRS60ULF-C / MICRO – 6’0”, ultra-light power, fast action spinning combo / Retail $200
- GXRS60ULF2-C / MICRO 2 – 6’0”, ultra-light power, fast action, 2-piece spinning combo / Retail $210
- GXRS64LF2-C / MID 2 – 6’4”, light power, fast action, 2-piece spinning combo / Retail $205
- GXRS69ULF-C / MICRO MAX – 6’9”, ultra-light power, fast action spinning combo / Retail $205
- GXRS70LXF-C / MID MAX – 7’0”, light power, extra-fast action spinning combo / Retail $210
St. Croix GXR Lite Combo Features
- Five (5) precision-matched high-performance one- and two-piece spinning combos optimized for light and ultra-light freshwater presentations
- Premium SCII carbon fiber blanks with FRS (Fortified Resin System) for increased flexural strength with reduced weight
- Lightweight, black stainless-steel guides with aluminum-oxide rings for reliable performance with all line types
- Traditional split-grip premium-grade cork handles with premium EVA accents
- Nylon reel seat with black stainless-steel hood and nylon and stainless-steel locking nut
- 5-year rod warranty backed by St. Croix
- 2000-size SEVIIN GXR spinning reels feature 8+1 bearings, lightweight and rigid composite bodies and rotors, ported braid-ready aluminum spools, high-performance carbon fiber + stainless-steel drag stacks, premium EVA paddle, and versatile 6.2:1 gearing
- 1-year reel warranty backed by SEVIIN
- Designed in Park Falls, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
- Retail price $200 to $210
“We couldn’t be any more excited for anglers to get their hands on these all-new GXR Walleye Combos,” says Jesse Simpkins, St. Croix Vice President of Marketing. “GXR Bass proved that a carefully curated selection of premium, technique-optimized St. Croix and SEVIIN combos would be supported by anglers in the marketplace. GXR Walleye follows this formula with five of the most versatile lengths, powers, and actions utilized by walleye anglers at all levels. These medium-light and medium power, fast and extra-fast action spinning combos support everything from vertical jigging and snap jigging to pitching and rigging.”
One- and two-piece GXR Walleye rods are crafted from SCII carbon with FRS for added strength without excess weight. Like other GXR combos, GXR Walleye rods get lightweight and trouble-free Stainless-steel guides and worry-free nylon reel seats. Based on angler preference, GXR Walleye models are finished with premium-grade cork full-grip handles.
All GXR Walleye Combos receive 3000-size SEVIIN GXR reels for optimal line management in all techniques. Ported aluminum spools are braid-ready, and reel operation is supported by a premium 8+1 bearing system and a silky-smooth carbon washer drag stack. Rigid and lightweight reel bodies and rotors are crafted from a carbon-polymer composite.
St. Croix GXR Walleye Combo Models
- GXRS63MXF-C / VERTICAL JIG – 6’3”, medium power, extra-fast action spinning combo / Retail $205
- GXRS66MLF-C / JIG-N-RIG – 6’6”, medium-light power, fast action spinning combo / Retail $210
- GXRS66MF2-C / BIG WATER 2 – 6’6”, medium power, fast action, 2-piece spinning combo / Retail $215
- GXRS68MXF-C / SNAP JIG – 6’8”, medium power, extra-fast action spinning combo / Retail $210
- GXRS70MLF-C / RIGGIN’ – 7’0”, medium-light power, fast action spinning combo / Retail $210
St. Croix GXR Walleye Combo Features
- Five (5) precision-matched high-performance one- and two-piece spinning combos optimized for popular walleye presentations
- Premium SCII carbon fiber blanks with FRS (Fortified Resin System) for increased flexural strength with reduced weight
- Lightweight, black stainless-steel guides with aluminum-oxide rings for reliable performance with all line types
- Traditional full-grip premium-grade cork handles with premium EVA accents
- Nylon reel seat with black stainless-steel hood and nylon and stainless-steel locking nut
- 5-year rod warranty backed by St. Croix
- 3000-size SEVIIN GXR spinning reels feature 8+1 bearings, lightweight and rigid composite bodies and rotors, ported braid-ready aluminum spools, high-performance carbon fiber + stainless-steel drag stacks, premium EVA paddle, and versatile 6.2:1 gearing
- 1-year reel warranty backed by SEVIIN
- Designed in Park Falls, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
- Retail price $205 to $210
GXR Lite and GXR Walleye Combos are engineered and crafted for all anglers, delivering balanced and elevated performance, worry-free St. Croix craftsmanship, and SEVIIN reliability… right off the rack. Species-focused GXR Lite and GXR Walleye Combos will be available for purchase at St. Croix dealers worldwide and online at stcroixrods.com on or about August 1, 2025.
See them both in the St. Croix booth (#2223) at ICAST 2025. See GXR Lite in the Rod and Reel Combo category of the ICAST 2025 New Product Showcase.
About St. Croix Rod
Headquartered in Park Falls, Wisconsin, St. Croix has been proudly crafting the “Best Rods on Earth” for over 75 years. Combining state-of-the-art manufacturing processes with skilled craftsmanship, St. Croix is the only major producer to still build rods entirely from design through manufacturing. The company remains family-owned and operates duplicate manufacturing facilities in Park Falls and Fresnillo, Mexico. With popular trademarked series such as Legend®, Avid®, Premier®, Imperial®, Triumph® and Mojo, St. Croix is revered by all types of anglers from around the world. The St. Croix Family of Brands includes St. Croix Rod, SEVIIN Reels, St. Croix Fly, and Rod Geeks.
