Quick background: I’ve been using a 7ft 7inch G Loomis Bucara conventional trigger stick rod purchased in 2004 and put into offshore kayak use in 2018. It’s a super light rod with a lot of backbone, sensitive tip and a fat cork foregrip that brought up heavy sharks and target fish. I liked the length for getting around the bow of my 14ft kayak, and for trolling from the front, keeping the line out of my rudder. I didn’t have any complaints at all but started looking for a backup rod in case the Bucara needed repair.

Offshore kayak fishing is pretty rough on rods so I was looking for a graphite – fiberglass composite that I didn’t have to baby, was close to the 7ft 7inch length, had a comfortable foregrip, medium fast forgiving tip and a light mass to match the compact Avet SX Raptor reel.

I looked at what the name brand rod makers had to offer and the closest match was a St Croix Mojo Salt Conventional rod that debuted in 2018. I reached out to St Croix through their website, asking if they would consider selling their 7ft 6inch Medium Heavy, Medium Fast conventional rod rated for 40 – 65lb braid and weighing only 12.3 oz, at a reduced price if I would properly review it. Instead, big wave surfer, canoe and paddleboard paddler, well respected Costa Del Mar and FCS Fins marketing rep, and all around nice guy Keoni Watson contacted me. Keoni, who also reps for St Croix, managed to convince the marketing team that I would be able to provide a fair evaluation of their rod in the adverse Hawaiian offshore conditions if they sent me one.

Beyond grateful, I received the rod yesterday. The Mojo Salt Conventional boat rod is resplendent in purple like the G Loomis Bucara, but different in many ways.

The foregrip is much longer, comprising of EVA foam instead of cork.

The guide eyes and supporting structure are much larger and stronger.

The butt cap can be removed, revealing a gimbal butt. The tip is a more forgiving medium-fast taper.

G Loomis opted to keep the Bucara as light as possible, using less fiberglass fibers, smaller guides and cork on the fore and aft grip. In 2004, the Bucara retailed for $250 which is $380 in today’s dollars (I got it for $200 on sale). The Mojo Salt Conventional sells for $240, even less than the Bucara did 18 years ago.

The Bucara was really meant to be held all day, casting big baits and lures, or bottom fishing. The Mojo Salt is a much more versatile, durable boat rod yet still light and at a very good price point. Here’s what St Croix says about this beauty.

I can’t wait to see how the Mojo Salt + Avet SX Raptor feels on a big fish.