These rods might seem retro.

And they are, of course.

But the fiberglass in St. Croix’s Legend Glass Rods, winner of the award for Best New Freshwater Rod at ICAST this summer, is not like the fiberglass in old rods.

ICAST is the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, the annual event known for introducing new fishing tackle.

These St. Croix rods , conventional rods made for fishing crank baits, are built with a “highly refined fiber (that) bears very little resemblance to glass of the past,” the company’s literature says.

The glass in the new rods is lighter, stronger and more precise, it says.

More on that in a moment.

First, why fish fiberglass, when graphite rods became the latest technology decades ago, after glass rods were?

Because this rod is better when a more forgiving rod is required, like when a bass, largemouth or smallmouth, slashes at a crank bait or other lure, the company says.

Ideally, a crank-bait rod has a soft enough tip to allow the fish to punch the bait but plenty of power to rip lures through weeds and drive home hooks, it says.

Once the fight is on, the moderate action is a great help in keeping the fish hooked, it says.

Why are the rods lighter and stronger?

Their built with Linear S-Glass.

S-Glass is stronger, or features a 25- to 30-percent increase in breaking strength, and is stiffer than E-Glass, a fiberglass manufacturer explained.

S-Glass is used when the greatest possible strength is required, while keeping weight to a minimum, the manufacturer said.

That all apparently helps the rods be light and strong.

Why more precise?

This is a little technical.

“The rodsmiths start with fine S-Glass fibers laid uni-directionally over (woven fiberglass),” St. Croix’s literature says.

That apparently is what’s meant by “Linear” S-Glass, and St. Croix says the linear quality makes casting more precise.

Four models will be available from a 6-foot 10-incher, for lighter crank baits, shorter casts and smaller waters, to a 7-foot 11-incher, for bigger crank baits, deeper fishing and bigger waters.

The rods, with attractive, honey-colored blanks, reminiscent of old glass rods, feature Fuji guides and reel seats and cork handles.

St. Croix's Legend Glass Rods are sort of old yet new, retro with the latest technology.

For details, visit St. Croix’s website.