Loomis live bait rod recommendation?

[Homer]

I'm looking for a high-end walleye rod that will be used for backtrolling light Lindy rigs and casting live bait and a split shot. Loomis recommends their PR8400S/WRR8400S as their rigging rod, but I've played with one at Cabelas and it seems too stiff for me. Plus, with the extra fast action, I can see problems with nightcrawlers flying off while I'm casting. The best action I've found is in their SR843-2 rod, although this model only comes in the GL3 blank and I was hoping for something better. Can someone provide a recommendation to best meet my needs? Thanks.

[Mike1410]

I tried the walleye jig rods and was very disappointed. They were just dead as a doornail. JMHO However, I love their SR, SJR, MBR, and CR rods and use them exclusively for bass. Where sensitivity is important I would go with the IMX

[Chad C.]

I'm not sure what length you're looking for, but check out the
HSR9000 it's in their Hot Shot rod series.
I have this rod in the GLX series. It's a very nice rod but I think I may have liked a 7ft rod better, I tend to use my 7ml st. croix more.
Their are a lot of nice rods out their, so take your time you have a couple months to look.

[Capt. Doug Schreiber]

If you are looking for a LIGHT lindy rigging rod try the PR 842 for heavier rigging ( over 1/2 oz. ) the HSR 9000 can't be beat. The GLX is unreal, but the IMX does a get job too. Good Luck Doug

[FROGMAN]

I have to second the opinion on the HSR9000 spinning rods! Very sensitive tips, and plenty of backbone to get the job done when it's time to set the hook. As for the other post on the Walleye series, I've found the WJR741S to be a great rod, and usually use a pair of those for vertical jigging applications.
Tight Lines

Keith Segar
NPAA #260

[Homer]

I agree on the WJR741S. I got one as a gift last year and liked it so well for vetrical jigging that I bought a second one to match it.

[REW]

The comments about the HSR9000 - being too heavy action - for split shotting and light lindy rigging are right on!! I have had a couple of these rods, and still use them for running spinners behind bottom bouncers, but have found them too stiff for light lindy rigging.

I am speaking of either the IMX or GLX - hsr 9000.

However, if you go down to the GL2 - the hsr 9000 has a much softer action, and is really much better suited for light lindy rigging. I have found that using this rod, is really much more productive in catching both numbers and sizes of fish with this less expensive Gl2 rod.

If you want to go with an IMX - the PR842 -s a wonderful rod.

+++++++++++++

I have found that over the years, that for lindy rigging, the "sensitivity" of the rod is much less important - than the action of the rod.

i.e. - it seems that the optimum lindy rig rod, for light baits, and split shotting is a very light tip, medium mid section, and a bit heavier butt section. Also, it seems that a "moderate" action rods works much better for this application - than a "fast" or "extra fast" action.

The other advantage of the "moderate" action rod, is that if you want to do some casting with live bait - either in the form of a split shot, or even with a jig - the "moderate" action rod, allows you to cast much further - with less danger of flipping off your bait, or damaging your bait. This is caused by the slower loading of the tip, and by allowing the bait to accelerate more slowely, and thus be much easier on the bait.

++++++++++
If you want to consider a different brand rod - you might consider nearly any of the "trout" or "steel head" rods by St. Croix - or even the "spinning" rods by Loomis.

The "spinning" rods by Loomis - typically have a lighter action in the butt area, and a more moderate action - compared to the hsr 9000
or even the popping rods.

Take a look at the "wild river" rods by St. Croix. These rods are basicaly all trout or steel head rods, that have a more moderate actions and are really outstanding - when it comes to split shotting or light lindy rigging.

+++++++++++++
Again, check out some of the other brands and even some of the importers - every now and then, you can pick a rod - any brand - that has just the right feel, balance, and action for this application.

_________
The action that I look for are:
a. Light weight
b. 7-8 feet in length
c. No heavier than medium light action - perhaps a light action rod
for some brands would be correct.
d. Moderate action -- i.e. most of the flex in the upper 1/2 of the rod, as compared to a fast upper 1/3, or extra fast - upper 1/4 of the rod for most of the flex.
e. Light action tip -- i.e. much of lindy rigging is "tip watching". For that, you need a tip, that will respond to the light bites of an "eye" just sucking on the bait, and allow you to drop the rod tip or feed line, as the case might merit.
f. A medium action mid and butt section, that is needed to get the fish to the boat.
g. Balance - if you can't get it in the factory version, add a balancing butt - to insure that the rod is perfectly balanced - for hours of fatigue free enjoyment on the water.

Summary -
For the optimum light action jig rod - it doesn't have to be an expensive rod - just a rod, with the right characteristics.

As I said at the beginning of the post - the GL2 - g loomis, is in reality, a much better light rigging rod, than the IMX or GLX - blank, simply because the GL2 rod has a "better match" for the type fishing you are doing.

For other purposess, again, the IMX or GLX - really excel. Just match the rod to the application.

Take care

REW

[Dan]

REW:I have been told that the 9000 in the IMX is a stiffer blank than the GLX. Is this something that you would aggree with? Thank you for your input.

[Homer]

Thanks a ton, REW, you've really nailed it. I was incorrectly assuming that the higher-grade blanks, which added a world of sensitivity to my vertical jigging, would provide equal benefit in a live bait rod. Your answer explains why I liked the action of the SR843-2 (which is in their trout/panfish series, and only available in GL3) better than the IMX rods.

Thanks again.

[REW]

NO,
Basically, the more expensive the graphite - and blank, the stiffer the graphite and lighter the blank is.

i.e. the gl2 is heavier and softer than the gl3. The IMX is lighter and stiffer than the gl3, and the glx is lighter and stiffer than the IMX>

Match the action to the application and you will be happy.

Don't be so concerned with particular blank numbers . Find the particular blank that works for your particular fishing application, and use and enjoyt that particular rod.

Take care

REW

[Eyecon]

I personally like the IMX series the best. My all time favorite live bait rod is without a doubt the IMX 8400 7 footer. In a 7 1/2 footer I like the 902, again the IMX series. I don't often fish anything shorter than 7 foot, when I do,I like the IMX 721. Fishing with the same model of rod but in GL2,GL3 and IMX series, you will notice a significant difference in there actions and feel. I used to have access to Loomis demo rods and I think I pretty much tryed them all. Hope this helps.

[eek]

I have both a SJR 902 IMX and a HSR 9000 GLX, haven't had either long, but as far as I can tell the SJR 902 is a much slower, more forgiving rod, it seems to load up and release energy much more slowly then the HSR does. It also flexes much further down towards the handle then the HSR does, seems to be much softer, but still has that extraordinary IMX/GLX feel to it. I really love them both, but I would think the SJR is the better rigging rod for live bait. The HSR would seem to be better for heavier rigging and works a mean jig as well.