New rod question????

[Dahitman44]

I have been thinking about getting one of these rods for some time and I have saved the money to do it this year, the question is should I?

A buddy of mine has two of them and swears by them and my bro-in-law likes his too. They have been broken many times and replaced by the company.

Just wondering if you guys think it is worth it?

I currently own three "Skeels" outfitter rods (the good ones)) and a St. Croix jigging rod that I really like.

This G-Loomis will be an exclusive rigging rod. Thining about a longer rod too -- in the 7-foot range.

Any thoughts?

I know this topic hits the forum every year, but is G-LOOMIS that much better for 3 times the money?

Love to hear your thoughts.

Hit

[Northlander]

I would say no they are not worth the extra money. There are lots of very good rods out there and for less money. Unless your very serious and fish daily and have some extra $ to burn I wouldnt buy a Loomis. Thats just me though.

There are some very nice custom rods you can have made for less than a lot of Loomis's.

[TrophyEyes]

Personally I wouldn't spend the money on a GLX, but I think the IMX is definately worth the money. I have two IMX's and love them. Remember that with G. Loomis you will really want a light rod with a fast or extra fast action. I say light, because Loomis runs a bit stiffer than other brands if you are compairing like models. A light Loomis is like a medium St. Croix IMO. There are a couple 7' and 7'6" models to look for. I am sure Rodmaker will tell you that the HSR 9000 7'6" ex-fast, mag light is the way to go. He convinced me of it, as I just bought one for my dad last weekend strickly for rigging.

[RiverBassGuy]

St. Croix Legend Tournament or a St. Croix Avid are the best quality rod for your money. I own a G-Loomis Walleye Series rod and it's NOT worth the extra $13O. The majority of our fishing is live bait rigging with lindys and a 7' rod is a great length. Don't waste your money! Last year Cabela's did "over the counter" trade ins on broken Loomis rods, but they don't anymore. To my knowledge, you have to send them in just like Croix, Kistler, All-star, etc. Good luck!

[Lotwfisher]

I love my loomis rods. I use the IMX and also got the megabass rod too. Can't say enough about them and I havent broke one yet. I had alot of trouble with the st.croix tournament rods last year breaking at the 2nd eye down. 3 of 4 rods I use and friends got broke, all in the same spot.

[Payday]

I bought a WRR8400S 7' last spring, paired it with a Stradic 2500 and I absolutely love it! Even more then my Avid/Symetre combo.

I too saved for a long time and feel that it is/was worth the extra money.

[Shorelunch]

I also saved my pennies last year and bought a G Loomis. I got the WJR742S Walleye Series. It's my absolute, hands-down, go to jigging rod.

I believe they have a lifetime warranty and costs $20 to replace the rod (covers shipping and handling).

[slipperybob]

 Originally Posted By: Dahitman44

I have been thinking about getting one of these rods for some time and I have saved the money to do it this year, the question is should I?

A buddy of mine has two of them and swears by them and my bro-in-law likes his too. They have been broken many times and replaced by the company.

Just wondering if you guys think it is worth it?

I currently own three "Skeels" outfitter rods (the good ones)) and a St. Croix jigging rod that I really like.

This G-Loomis will be an exclusive rigging rod. Thining about a longer rod too -- in the 7-foot range.

Any thoughts?

I know this topic hits the forum every year, but is G-LOOMIS that much better for 3 times the money?

Love to hear your thoughts.

Hit

I think you answered the question that burning in your mind. Exclusive rigging rod. Meaning you've got in mind for it to do something specific and you're probably looking for a finished rod vs a custom rod. Cheaper rods are good for multi-applications but do not excel for technique specific.

[Dahitman44]

Wow!!!!!

Great answers.

Anyone else have any info.

It is nice to hear what others are doing.

I love my St. Croix for jigging, but would like to look at a 7-footer for rigging.

Great options.

Anyone else?

[TrophyEyes]

If you don't want to spend $220, then I would look at the 7' or 7'2" Shimano Crucial's. I just bought a 7'2" version for Slip bobbers and rigging. I will use my 6'6" loomis primarily for rigging though. On the crucials I would go with a Medium, Fast or extra fast.

[250XB]

My first nice rods that I bought were St. Croix Avids, then I bought a Loomis GLX, I have not bought another St. Croix since I do not even like to use them.

[John Mickish]

IMX 721 is probably the best jigging rod made. You said you want a 7' rod so the 721 won't be for you (it's a 6" rod). While at Thorne Bros last night I did handle a GLX 721 with titanium guides and would say this rod weighs less than 4 ounces. Unbelievably light but that particular rod was in the 5 bill range.

To answer your question is a Loomis rod worth 3 times the money? Make sure you are comparing apples to apples. A Loomis rod is not 3 times the money when you are comparing the best any other reputable company puts out. IMO the answer is yes, and no. I own a IMX 721 and yes, that rod is worth the money but my mag bass GL2 isn't worth the money. The next rod I purchase will be a IMX HSR9000. Also IMO you can't go wrong with a ST. Croix in an Avid or better rod (I own a few of these too). This comes from a guy that isn't on anybody's pro staff or gets any deals that are better than anyone else. I pay for my stuff.

I will say that going from an Avid to a GLX is like going from an Impala to a BMW M3. The Avid is very nice but it's no GLX.

[Scoot]

Dahitman, keep in mind that not all Loomis rods are created equal- GL2, GL3, IMX, GLX- what specific rod are you thinking about getting? Compare a GL2 to a top end St. Croix- the top end rod will be nicer for sure. Anyway, I'm not sure about the details of your original question- what SPECIFIC Loomis rod are you thinking about getting?

Regardless of the details of your answer, I agree with Northlander. Ya just need to know EXACTLY what you're getting.

[rodmaker]

Hey there!! You beat me to it on the HSR 9000. The guys at Thorne Bros got me onto this blank when it first came out years ago.

I would have to say that it's in my top three rods for favorites.

I would spend the money for the IMX. I don't think you will be disappointed, especially if you are going to use them for rigging or jigging

[MW AL]

Sometimes when trying to save money and still get a quality product it doesn't hurt to get away from name brands. Do your homework and you will find comparable blanks out there that will perform the same but will save you dollars.

[rodmaker]

If you are going that route, check out the Cabela's line of rods from the fish eagle II, to the XML series.

[slipperybob]

The Cabela's XML rods are really good multi application rods. They've recently added some technique specific ones as well. They are pretty tough rods, warranted by Cabela's for 25 years, but I don't know if I can still find my receipt if after a year later. Anyway my XML rods have never broke on me. It's a really good alternative to a quality craftmanship rod.

[rodmaker]

If I remember correctly, I think they are equivalent to a GL3

[magnum mike]

What about Fenwick? I have owned Fenwick spinning and casting rods for 20+ years. I would put a Fenwick Techna up against Loomis or St. Croix and I own all of them. In the untimely event of a broken rod, I have taken Fenwicks to the dealer and swapped them for new ones EVERY time. I had a 2 pound snot rocket break my Loomis and it took 3 months and $20 to get the repaired rod back. As for Shimano rods, they have a decent fell and action but are heavy. Being almost exclusively a Shimano reel guy, my dealer talked me into the Crucial 2 years ago. It has seen daylight once and will be on EBay or Craig's List shortly.

[slipperybob]

Generally looking at rods...

Totally forgot about Fenwick, then again look at a Daiwa Steez, Lamiglass, Kistler and your eye's boogle. When assessing a rod for durability to withstand usage the Fenwick Techna AV is gonna be able to take more punishment than either a G.Loomis or St.Croix. That's a real good sell point and why I like Ugly Sticks for that. Personally for me, my smaller hands find the handles on the Fenwick's to be excessivly large, even in their light spinning rods. St. Croix's have a much better handle size to rod size in the spinning rods. Fenwick Techna rod blanks are quite small in diameter and very small compared to the Shimano Crucial rod blanks, making the Fenwick far superior to the Crucial line up. I do find the Crucial line up being plagued with quality craftmanship issues.

But if a person is looking Fuji SiC guides, top of the line G.Loomis and St. Croix's comes with it. Certain Shimano rods comes with it as well. I don't think Fenwick rods comes with Fuji SiC guides. Can someone confirm that?

Anyway, I just bought a St. Croix Avid (keeping price down) rod med 7'foot fast action for multi purpose. Not the lightest rod, nor the most responsive, but the cork is top notch, much better than all previous St. Croix rods - absolutely no fill in's. Only slight vibration in tip during casting. Might be because I've got it matched with a cheapo Shimano Coriollis reel. This reel is nothing but trouble but makes for a real good ice fishing reel. Good for 1/2 oz lures, sub par for 3/8 oz lure, forget about 1/4 oz lures. Next stop, which reel....

[Dahitman44]

Great stuff, guys keep it up.

Hit

[slipperybob]

Back to the Avid rod.

I'm surprised the weight of the rod alone is only 4.1 oz. The flex coating on the rod may look nice in the store but it scratches up very easily during transport to and from one fishing trip. Gonna give this rod another run this weekend.

[Dahitman44]

Question --

Many have said there is very little to no difference between the IMX and the GLX -- any thoughts on that?

I am starting to lean toward the IMX.

Am I being cheap or smart?

[Dahitman44]

Also --

What reel options would you consider if I go with the 7 foot IMX or avid?

Will I be happy with one of the Cabelas or Scheels reels or is that like putting bad tires on a new car?

[Dahitman44]

Hey guys --

I picked up the IMX today. Got the med action fast tip 6.6 inch rod. Almost got the 7 footer but it had a funny "clank" in it that I did not like. They had a very limited supply on hand of rods. Got a $50 Loomis sweatshirt for "free" too from their Sunday ad. They only had two in the store -- nice ad "while supplies last" -- maybe they will get more ...

Also -- they had the Cardinal 701 on sale for $50 plus $10 mail in rebate. Reg Price was $99.

I also had a $25 gift card that I forgot to use. Not so dumb, now i can go back and buy some more stuff I don"t need.

Thanks to everyone for their help.

Hit

[Deitz Dittrich]

please let me first say I know less about G-loomis than I do about the parent company Shimano which owns Loomis... But I do have a feel for rods...But do not consider myself an expert.

More expensive rods use usually a higher quality grade graphite.. EG IM8- IM9 ect... each company measures this differently, which makes us as a consumer less knowlegable as to what we are buying.

The higher the grade graphite(IM) the less product(IM) needs to be used to make the overall action of the rod. Which equate to thinner rods, and less weight and more sensitivity.

also more expensive rods often use better quality components. Which can also equate to more sensitivity, less weight, less friction, longer casts ect....

you really do get what you pay for in rods, yet look at what you get in a warrenty package.. that to me is key. I own all shimano now! And am happy every day about that!

[John Mickish]

You will love that rod, and I bet it will change the way you think about your fishing gear. Spool up your reel with 6 or 8 lb superbraid and you will be able to feel when you minnow takes a pee!

[Dahitman44]

I was thinking vanish but maybe I should think something else?

[slipperybob]

 Originally Posted By: Dahitman44

Question --

Many have said there is very little to no difference between the IMX and the GLX -- any thoughts on that?

I am starting to lean toward the IMX.

Am I being cheap or smart?

The GLX comes with Fuji SiC guides whereas the IMX comes with Fuji Alconite guides. Seems like you've made your decision, already.

[Dahitman44]

Bob -- yeah I did -- I posted that before I left to pick up the new rod.