G Loomis IMX - Fragile?

[Seabass77]

I've been doing a little research on the G loomis SJR782S 6'6" and
I have heard more than once that G Loomis rods a more fragile than other equivilant rods (i.e. St. croix) and that they are more prone to break.

Is this true? I am looking for a rod to cast jigs and alse serve as a multi-purpose rod. I am also considering the St. Croix avid 6'6" medium.

[Mattman]

I don't feel that Loomis is any more brittle than anyone else. I've got both Loomis and St. Croix high end models and haven't had either break. None of my customers has brought back a broken rod.

The higher up in a rod line you go, the more brittle a rod is in relation to it's lower model brothers. More sensitivity is achieved by getting a higher percentage of graphite into the blank. (among other things) This makes the blank more rigid and more sensitive. The trade off is durability. Because it's more rigid it's also more prone to damage.

I would say that between the two, IMX and Avid, the IMX will be more brittle. I think a closer comparison would be the GL3 and Avid as I think they are much closer in graphite composition. And there I think it is a wash. If you were to compare the IMX to a St. Croix I guess you'd have to use the Legend Elite. Even though I think the LE is a higher end rod than the IMX. And I truely believe that the Legend Elite is the most durable of the high end rods.

The 782 is a good jig rod. I've got one. The Avid M is slightly higher in it's lure rating. I would think about what weights you jig the most and then pick a rod, regardless of it's M or ML ratings, that places your most used jig weights inside its lure ratings. That is where the true rating is. I've found both Loomis and St. Croix to be quite accurate on their lure ratings. If it says 1/8 - 3/8, that's what it'll fish.



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

Matt Davis

[SL Parker]

Hi Seabass;

I think it is a difficult comparison because the two rods are made from different materials in different ways. A rod made from IMX material will be stiffer than rods made from IM7 or IM6 and the IM7/IM6 may cast better depending on how it's built, however it may not be as sensitive. This doesn't mean that rods made of IM6 & IM7 aren't any good, just different. I've had several Avid rods and did not like them mainly due to the long butt section on the handle and as a result, took them back and got the Loumis. However, I do like the action in the 6'-6" and 7'-0" Avid series rods.

Good luck,

SL Parker

[REW]

In general the IMX is not a particularly fragile rod.
As with any high quality rod, which has thinner walls, you have to exercise reasonable care.

However, when the GLX rods first came out, there WAS a problem with tips breaking. As a matter of fact, for the first couple of years, GLoomis would not warrenty their GLX blanks if the rod builder had not double wrapped the tip section. This was a case of a bit too thin walls.

However, after the first couple of years, they changed the design of the rods a bit to eliminate this problem.

Having said that - as you go higher in "price" typically higher graphite composite, the modulus of strength goes up. This allows the rod manufacturer to get equal or better strength, by using thinner wall thickness. This is why the "higer priced" rods are lighter. Less, but stronger material, makes for a lighter rod.

However, these thinner rods cannot be abused, or they will break.

NEVER< NEVER< NEVER< use a rod, to pull a snagged line free.

Put the rod down, and grab the line with a gloved hand and pull the snag free, or break the line.

If you use the rod, to rip and tear at the snag, it is quite likely that you will not free the snag, but you WILL break the rod.

This is rod abuse, and if the rod breaks under this circumstance, the fault is really yours, and NOT the fault of the rod manufacturer.

If you want a rod that doesn't break, go to a Cabella's whipping stick, or an ugly stick, or some other rod, that is nearly all fiberglass. Rather heavy, but very very tough and durable.
You can walk on them, pull a car out of the mud and they will keep on working. Of course they aren't too sensitive, and very heavy, but very durable.

Take care
REW

[REW]

p.s.
You mention either the IMX or one of the St. Croix avid or elite rods as possible rods for your choices.

Before you make a final choice - look over a few other rods.

In past years, when you wanted an excellent rod, these were two of the rods of choice.

However, in recent years; there are now many very excellent rods on the market. Some at the same or more expensive price, and some that are relatively inexpensive.

Shop around a bit, and get a feel for what is out there. Some of the rods that aren't too expensive might really suprise you.

--
I think that if you fish with a few different rods, you might find that the thing that we call sensitivity is perhaps overrated.
You will gets lots of discussion on this subject, so the only thing that I can say, is to fish with a couple of dozen different rods.
It is the ON THE WATER fishing experience that really tells the tail.

It is really tough to determine if one rod is better than another in a store.

The on the water experience, and the fish in the live well tell the story.

No fish in the live well with one rod, and fish in the livewell with a different rod is the real teller of the story.

Good luck in your shopping.

Take care
REW

[Otter]

I own GLX 722 and 721 rods, which are supposedly far more fragile than an IMX. Both of these jigging rods have landed a lot of big walleyes, northerns and muskies for me. Set your drag properly on a good reel and don't step on it and you should be fine. Also, as REW stated, don't use the rod to free a snag - pull on the line by hand (with a glove or wrapped around something so you don't get a line cut).
PS: In the GLX price range, I like both the GLX and Legend Elite rods. ( I also own a Legend Elite in addition to the two GLoomis GLX rods). In the IMX price range, I like the St. Croix Avids better, but that's just a personal preference. Both are great sticks, and I think you would be happy with either.
PPS: If you buy the St. Croix, you will be supporting someone in Wisconsin who makes something other than beer or cheese. :P

[DuckCrusher]

One thing I did when I made the decision to spend the extra money on loomis.....buy rod socks. I got cabellas and BPS and they run 4-5 bucks each. They do a great job protecting your rod from nicks which will weaken them. They also keep lines from tangling when in the rod box and in transit. I usually keep mine in the socks until I'm at the lake. As soon as I'm done for the day, I put the sock back on it and put it in stowage. It's done a great job for me. I know others that have found the IMX to be quite fragile. I've not had problems when using the socks.

[Starfish]

Judging by the way my SJR 782 IMX has held up, I would say it's pretty tough. The first time I used it-- about six years ago-- on the first cast it landed a steelhead on a walleye jig. Since then it's landed plenty of walleyes and even a few sturgeon. I'm pretty tough on rods-- I only recently got centerline rod lockers when I upgraded to a Tundra-- and it's never flinched.

[Loomis guy]

I have IMX rods that get tons of use, over 100 days a year on the water! I have Loomis rods that are over 10 years old that are still perfect! You need to care for these rods, they are not the old Ulgy Sticks! Keep them off the floor of the boat and put them in rod sock and they last forever. You will not break a good rod if used right, nicks are where a good rod breaks these are caused from misuse or poor handeling.I have ony broken 2 loomis's one I stepped on in the boat the other I shut in the Motel door!
Loomis makes great rods, they make models for everything! Why do you think every other company trys to copy their models? I still think they are the best rods on the market today!

[Seabass]

Thanks for the information folks. I own a few avids and techna AV's. It sounds as if I take care of the IMX as I take care of the croix's, I won't have a problem.

Thanks again for the help.

[Seabass]

Thanks for the information folks. I own a few avids and techna AV's. It sounds as if I take care of the IMX as I take care of the croix's, I won't have a problem.

Thanks again for the help.

[senorgoogle]

g loomis sucks and yes they are fragile i bought a $300 rod first time out i snapped it on a hook set so fragile?; nah they just suck also i was gonna send it back but they wanted $80 more bucks. if you wasnt it send my shipping and handling and its yours it is a 7 ft ml walleye rod

[loomis guy]

Which one is it a 8400? I'll let you pull down on anyone one of the 30 Loomis rods I own, I'll bet you a new one that you cant break one!

[Mattman]

What reason did they give for the $80?





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

Matt Davis

[Tripper]

I've been using IMX rods for years and never had one break, and that includes my 15'IMX for steelhead. I've recently switched to St. Croix Avid's for 3 reasons. They're cheaper, they're plenty sensitive, and most importantly for me I love their handles. They just feel right in my hand. Much nicer than Loomis in my opinion.

[Chuckles]

Ditto to what other said about rod socks. I have broken a loomis but it was in the back of the truck and a five gallon bucker full of minnows tipped over on it when I had to hit the brakes quickly. It was promptly replaced nonetheless. They aren't perfect but loomis and st. croix sure do help with the learning curve - and the catching curve - when you're used to inexpensive rods. Chuckles

[Burr]

Senorgoogle - if I read right, and you are offerring your broken Loomis to me for shipping and handling - send me an email, I will take you up on that offer. The check is ready to mail!

High mod graphite fragile - in a way yes, it is more fragile than some other materials. But then I have landed 9 - 25+ lb catfish with a GLX 6' light spinning outfit in 25 degree weather, all within 30 minutes. Not a problem with mine. You can bet I was a little nervous with the bend those cats put in a light, short spinning outfit. I was very careful to position the rod correctly, but not a problem was had.

[Trooler]

He is trolling you.
Pay no mind.

[Fa]

I don't want to start anything here, but I disagree that Loomis is the best rod on the market. Yes, they are nice and they've done well for themselves. The GLX at its time was pushing the envelope. However, that rod has not changed in years other than to fix there breakage problems. Other companies have stepped it up a notch. St. Croix for example has invested in tons of engineering in the last 5 years. There rods have come along ways. There IPC tooling and ART technology you read about is for real. Those Legend Elites are awesome and you have not heard any problems with them. I know of people who have been through both facilities and were by far more impressed with St. Croix. There using equipment that the others didn't have. I'm assuming by your call name that you are a Loomis fanatic, but I think you may be looking through a small window. Open the big one.

[Mattman]

I'd have to agree with you. Loomis has remained fairly static in the industry while others have really picked up the pace.

Quite honestly I think that the Shimano buy out changed things too much at Loomis.

As a custom rod builder I've also noticed quite a few builders swear off Loomis last year due to terrible quality control. I personally did not receive any bad product but know of others that were receiving terribly crooked blanks one after the other. Loomis would take them back but shipping charges really add up quickly when it takes two or three or four rod blanks to find a straight one. Recently rumors have surfaced that the IMX has been changed and no longer is made from all carbon and that they are now using fiberglass scrim. I have yet to verify that, or really debunk it either. If it's true, it's a terrible move for Loomis. The GLX is not available to custom builders any longer.

Loomis really changed the rod world many years ago. I hope very much that they make similar moves in the future. But for right now, I'll rate a number of manufacturers at or above Loomis' level of performance, quality, and price. Shikari, Rogue, St. Croix...



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

Matt Davis

[Chuckles]

I would agree wholeheartedly with Mattman. As a builder I have seen Loomis blanks that I would not want for my rod since the Shimano buyout - crooked tips. And the whole GLX thing is a shame or a sham. I love the Legend elite blanks. I know that when Gary Loomis left Lamiglass and started his company it was because they wouldn't upgrade with the ideas he had. He moved on and created the industry leader but I fear that time is past now. Without Gary's leadership Loomis has become static. Unless they get the ball rolling they will fade from the limelight. There are many great companies out there. That said the Loomis blanks are still exceptinal - even with being stagnant. Other companies are climbing the ladder and who knows where the next leader will come from. St. Croix also has their blanks reasonably priced and I'm guessing are working on the market share of the top end blanks and rods. I will be building a Rogue for my wife this spring and haven't played with one of their blanks yet but I'll keep you posted what my thoughts are when I get it. Chuckles