Starfire X
Technique-specific Great Lakes freshwater trolling series, downriggers, planer boards, divers, bottom bouncers, lead core
The Eagle Claw Starfire X is a Great Lakes and freshwater trolling series, an updated version of the classic Starfire line introduced in 1978, redesigned with input from trolling specialists Mark and Jake Romanack. It is explicitly technique-specific: different models within the lineup are built for different trolling rigs (downriggers, planer boards, bottom bouncers, diver rigs, and lead core/copper wire), and mixing them up would underserve each technique. All models are trolling rods designed to be fished in rod holders or held during a slow retrieve.
Construction uses composite (fiberglass/graphite) blanks on most models, with pure glass on downrigger models for forgiving tip action that releases cleanly from downrigger clips without false releases. Planer board and bottom bouncer models use composite for a balance of sensitivity and durability. The diver/lead-core 9' and 10' models feature heavy-duty stainless guides rated for copper wire. The 9' diver model incorporates a telescopic design, an industry-first per Eagle Claw.
X-Wrap EVA grips and no-spin foregrips are consistent across the series. Nine models span 6' to 10'. The 6' model is a short transom rod for back-of-boat applications; 7'6"–8'6" covers planer board and downrigger use; the 9'–10' models handle diver and lead-core rigs. Spinning models, all are conventional/trolling format is absent. Action designations (Moderate Fast, Moderate) vary by technique slot.
Shaded band: the spread of the lineup's 9 models, as percentile rank among same-type rods. Solid line = series median · dashed ring = catalog median.
- Models
- 9 trolling
- Length
- 6'–10' 1.83–3.05 m
- Power
- M–H 3 classes
- Action
- MF–M
- List price
- $39.99–$64.99
Rods in this series
9 models| Save | Model | Length | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFXL6HM2 | 6' | H | $39.99 | |
| SFX400-76 | 7'6" | — | $39.99 | |
| SFXP76MHMFT | 7'6" | MH | $54.99 | |
| SFXD8MM2 | 8' | M | $39.99 | |
| SFX400A-86 | 8'6" | — | $39.99 | |
| SFXP86MMFT | 8'6" | M | $64.99 | |
| SFXB86MMFT | 8'6" | M | $59.99 | |
| SFXDL9MHMST | 9' | MH | $54.99 | |
| SFX403-10 | 10' | — | $49.99 |
Model notes
4 of 9 modelsShort 6' transom rod in H power, designed for fishing directly off the back of the boat. Heavier power handles large diving plugs or spoons trolled close to the transom.
Pure fiberglass downrigger model. Glass construction provides the forgiving tip needed to load into a downrigger clip and release cleanly on a strike without sounding a false alarm.
9-foot diver/lead-core model with a telescopic design, the first such design in the Starfire line. Moderate action suits absorbing diver surge. Heavy-duty guides rated for copper wire and lead core.
Longest rod in the series. 10-foot length increases rod separation for spread management when running multiple diver rods or lead-core segments, reducing tangling during turns.