Shikari rod blanks.

[Mattman]

I realize this is a long shot but....

I've read quite a few good reports about Shikari and I am thinking of trying one out this spring. I was wondering if anyone was familiar with these two rods and could give a comparison.

G. Loomis IMX SJ781
Shikari SHXi XSJ661

Both are 6'6" spin jig rods rated for 6-10 pound line and 1/16 - 5/16 ounce jigs.

I intend on using this rod for a heavy Crappie/light Walleye jig rod. I'm very familiar with Loomis' line-up but not at all familiar with Shikari's. I already have a GL3 SJ7500 and a GL3 SJ782. Both are great rods but I feel as though I have a gap. The 782 just doesn't "feel" the little jigs like the 00. And the 00 is a little too much on the noodle end for bigger fish. One of these two rods is exactly what I'm looking for. Is it worth trying the Shikari? If you've used both, which one did you like better? Thanks in advance for any input.



Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[Mattman]

Thanks for the link Keith.


Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[Dodge1]

You're welcome.

I’d suggest you go back to that site I mentioned and use the “Search the title for:” function and enter in Shikari. You’ll find lots of posts and Brad Tharp, who owns Everything Bass Inc. and Rick Forham, who owns Rich Forham Custom Rods, are both extremely knowledgeable rod builders. You might also want to see if REW, who posts on this board, can offer you any insight.

[Mattman]

I posted this question over at rodbuilding.org and got a few responses. Since this is going to be a Walleye rod I was hoping that a few of the guys here like REW and BobG2 and Kris K would have some knowledge of the blanks. I would like to hear from Rich. I've read his articles in Rod Maker and he is a very knowledgeable builder. So far it sounds as the the SHXi model Shikari's compare very favorably with the Loomis GLX. And Tom Kirkman feels as though Shikari's feel very much like the Loomis' of old. Which everyone wishes were still around.

http://www.rodbuilding.org/read.php?f=2&i=39910&t=39910


Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[Bob G2]

Actually, Matt, I was interested to hear what you found out. I saw the blanks on Mudhole.com. Seems to me that there has been a quiet explosion of new rod blank companies over the last few years, doesn't it. Besides Shikari, theres Rogue, Rainshadow, Five Rivers, Gatti, etc. Guess some at G. Loomis didn't like the way Shimano was doing things (at least that is the case with Rogue and Five Rivers).

[Mattman]

My thoughts exactly!

I don't know if you visit the rod building boards much but I really got interested in Shikari over a year ago. LOTS of rod builders were complaining about really crooked blanks coming from Loomis. Really crooked. I hadn't gotten any, but most of my Loomis stuff was from guys giving up their distributorships or out of date or discontinued models. I was really scared to buy a current Loomis. Most of the builders complaining were trying and sticking with Shikari. They felt that most any blank you wanted in a Loomis had an identical, if not better, match at Shikari. Length, line weight, lure weight, modulus... Well, I'm getting my resale license and am going to start building "legit" now. I did 27 rods last year. Two of the three wholesale distributors that I've gotten literature from carry Shikari. The pricing is pretty good. And I'd really like to try them out. Dodge1 sent me a good link to a bass site and there has been a lot of Shikari talk there. Seems as though the SHXi compares very favorably with the GLX, which isn't available to us builders anymore. And many of them prefer the Shikari over the Loomis.

I'm interested in Rouge too. I just got some literature from them too. I just gave it a brief glance (root canal work going on right now) but what I didn't like is it seemed as though their blank ratings covered such a wide range of lure weights for a single rod. And that, in my experience, means the rod isn't as sensitive. REW has said some positive things about them, so I'm not ruling them out. And with wholesale pricing I'm a little more apt to just try a blank.

And until I got this wholesale information I didn't realize how many blank manufacturers were out there. Lots of guys I haven't heard of even on the rod building boards. And I heard about a lot there.

I'll make sure I share any info I get. I'm pretty sure that I'll be getting that SHXi XSJ661 and I'll let you know what I think. And I'll give you a report after the opener. I usually fish opening weekend Saturday through Tuesday. Bemidji area. I'll hit a smaller lake on Saturday with no public access to avoid the crowds, Bemidji/Iriving, Blackduck and Red for Crappies. So, hopefully it'll get a real workout this year.



Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[Bob G2]

Thanks for the info Matt, I will have to check into them myself. Rainshadow is making a scene around these parts for steelhead. I have a 10 1/2 7 wt that is a real bruiser on steelies. I would say the Rx-7's in the Rainshadows are more akin to GL3 Loomis's, but at less than 1/2 the price. So far, I haven't heard any complaints on durability either. More selection to choose from, the better for us.
Good luck with the business.

[Bob G2]

Matt,

Just went to the mudhole website and saw they do not carry Shakiri's anymore. Do you know who has them? Thanks.

[Mattman]

Bingham http://www.angelfire.com/ks/bingham/

Versitex http://www.versitex.com/versitex/home.html

I think you can buy direct too. But you usually pay more.

That's all I can think of off hand. I remember that a few smaller outfits carry them too. Guys that custom build and sell. Richard's Rod & Reel, I think, is one.



Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[Bob G2]

Thanks for the links, Matt. I like the prices with Binghams.

[REW]

Matt,
Go for it. I expect that you will be well pleased with the Shikari blanks. I have built a few ronds on some of their blanks, and all of the customers have been well pleased.

I did see a mention of rainshadow blanks. I was looking for a couple of blanks of a specific type, and thought that the rain shadow blanks of that rating might fill the bill. The rods came out just fine, and I expect that they will be quite durable. However, I don't believe that I will be getting any more. I thought that the blanks were a bit on the "thick" side; compared to some of the other vendors.

At the same time that I picked up the rain shadow blanks I picked up some comparable blanks by Pac Bay. These blanks, seem to be just right. They built up very well, have excellent action, and the price was very reasonable. I will go with them again.

Over the winter, I also have picked up several of the Rogue blanks. Actually these were built up rods; that I picked up on E-bay - just to see how they looked. My opinion, is that I will buy more of their blanks - but none of their finished rods. The quality of their components are just fine, the blank appears to be top notch - but the workmanship of their rod building leave a lot to be desired. Perhaps, they will get better; but the examples of built up rods - didn't impress me too much.

As far as the shikarik blanks are concerned - be sure to know which of the blanks that you are getting; and have the rod blanks weighed before building the rods. I have seen that some of their blanks appeared to be on the heavy side. I don't know if it was just a couple of examples that I had received; or if it was more common throughout their entire line.

By the way, if you haven't built a rod on a diamond back blank, you are missing out on a real treat. For some of the heavier action blanks; I don't know of any better blanks out their with the smooth action and light weight of these blanks.

Take care
REW

[rodbuilder]

i have two shikaris that i built

i really like the blanks

i feel they compare to loomis blanks(the old ones, the real ones) not the new excuse for a blank

the ones i built were 76 lites not sure the modle number but they are alot like imx 9000's

as with any blank the guide choices like ti frames and smaller sizes make alot of difference

i will say this if shikari had a different name they would be alot more popular right now

[hawg]

i only own 1 loomis but i love it. 7 ft lgt. how old are the real ones you guys speak of. does shimano own loomis now? how long? i was really turning into a st croix fan but my personnal choice is loomis hands down, at least in the 7 footer. seems a lot lighter and thinner. you guys that build rods, am i right?

[REW]

Hawg,
You can get multiple qualities of Loomis blanks as well as St. Croix blanks.
I think that Matts concern is that in todays market - many of the blanks that were received from G Loomis for building - new rods were crooked. This may have been an anomoly, or it may be what is being made.

I think the question really is: what "really excellent blanks" are there on the market today? I think that Matt is pointing out that there are lots of different rod blanks being made today - some locally, some in the us, some imported etc.
There is quite a variety in quality, action, and durability. His question is to find an acceptable blank for his particular purpose.
I think that it is often a mistake to say that one manufacturer makes the best blanks in the world, or that this particular blank is so much better than another particular blank.
I believe that a better way to phrase the question is to ask what sort of blank works best for a given situation.

It makes no sense to use a 900 flyrod blank - for pulling crank baits. It also makes no sense to worry about the sensitivity of a blank that is used for down rigging. Different rods are made differently to do different things. It is impossible to have one rod, do all things well.

Within a given type of blank, there are certainly some blanks much better than others. Also, for some applications, it makes sense to pay more to get specific characteristis that can't be gotten in a blank that is made less expensivly.

Summary - first specify the type of rod that you need.
Then, determine what YOU need in this particular type of rod.
The, determine what you are willing to pay to get the match for these characteristics.
Finally, take the above questions and get the best match that you can; by the blanks, and rods that are on the market.

Just because it says Loomis - don't assume that it is the best rod for your needs.

Also, just because it says made in "xxx country" don't assume that it can't possibly meet your needs.

Figure out what you need; how much you are willing to pay - and then get the rod that best meets these questions.

Take care
REW

[Kris Kristufek]

There are some great comments in the above string. For the most part I agree with those comments as well. Certainly there is no one manufacturer that makes everything for every situation. One needs to do some research to find that perfect rod. Many factors enter into the ultimate decision prior to purchasing a fishing tool.

Custom Rod Builders have an uppper hand in helping make this selection as most of us have access to many different brands, models, lengths, action and powers in the blanks. Handles, grips, inserts, guides, and more make up something that is sensitive and makes the tool do what it should.

Design, function, price, guarantees, reputation and more are things to be considered in the purchase decision. This applies in the manufactured rods at the sport shop as well as to custom rods too.

There is a lot to be said here, and more likely will be discussed over time about what is "best", "better", "unbelieavable", etc.

Now, I am partial to G.Loomis. Have built hundreds of rods on these blanks and have had only one blank that was not acceptable. Old stock that may have been improperly stored is likely causing the so called crooked rod blanks. We purchase our materials from reliable distributors who likewise care about the finished product as well, and do not ship cosmetically defective material intentionally. Loomis about 3 years ago, established 5 national distributors to handle all of thier blank materials. Everyone must purchase from one or more of these distributors.

Shikari is a fine material, made in Tulsa, OK by excellent craftsmen. I do not have near as much experience with this rod blank as some, but what I do know is that it is fine stuff. It is heavier than some others, but they have some great actions, not availalbe elsewhere. Price is in the mid-range.

Rainshadow is one of, if not the most rapidly growing blank companies in the US. Batson Enterprises are exceedinly concerned about quality and will not ship or build anything that does not meet and exceed thier design criteria. The material is simply excellent, and getting better with each shipment. Recently we received a dozen blanks that are as crisp and light as anything I've seen. And the price is right. The big boys better watch out.... Rainshadow is lurking just under the rainbow!

St. Croix is another company that takes great pride in their material. Many blanks for various purposes. Mid range pricing. Several weights with action and powers in the same blank series. Price of course varies as the quality of material goes up. The new SV fly rod series is light years ahead of who ever was in first place. Simply world class material, that took 2 years to develop. This is not the Legend matierial in the spin and casting series however. A completly new scrim material ... way different.

Lamiglas is another company making great blanks. A fine selection of blanks to choose from, some not availalbe from any other source.

So, what is the best blank? There is no single answer. Personal preference plays into the equation. What would be neat is to be able to have all of these blanks in one place at one time and be able to feel and test them. Believe me, you will be confused at the end of the day! Been there... done that! It is not easy.

Kris Kristufek
LakeLady Custom Rods
www.lakeladyrods.com