Loomis rods...

[Skillz]

Just a question for those who use 'em or know anything about 'em...

ARE LOOMIS RODS WORTH THE $$$?

I have a friend-of-a-friend who has one and said he really didn't like it. I played with it a little (on dry land) and thought the sensivity was awesome. I am thinking I might be able to buy it off him (he worked at Cabela's or something like that and got it dirt cheap anyways) and see for myself.

I use Fenwick rods myself. Fairly cheap, and decent (so I think) sensitivity. Any thoughts?

skz


Good Fishin'!!!!

[Otter]

I have top of the line GLoomis and St. Croix jigging rods and love them. I think they are worth every penny. If you like the rod and can get a GLoomis on the cheap, buy it!!!

[Homer]

Oh, boy, here we go. :-)

This discussion thread has gone on in the past, and gotten pretty heated. Here's my attempt to summarize the consensus opinions:

1) Loomis rods are very sensitive.
2) Loomis rods are very expensive.
3) Whether the extra sensitivity is worth the extra money is a question each angler has to decide for themself. How much value do you put on being able to feel a couple of extra bites?

How you plan to use the rod will determine how much it will help. There are some days vertical jigging that I will fish circles around my fishing partner until he breaks down and asks to use one of my Loomises. For a lot of trolling applications, the brand of rod won't make any difference. Live bait fishing falls somewhere in between.

If you're serious about fishing and you can afford it, my advice is go for it!

[jb]

Take a serious look at the St. Croix Legend Elite series.

[Peanut]

Homer - that's one he11 of a post! Succinct, objective, accurate.

It deserves an atta boy, and I'm pleased to be the one to give it.

derrek.

CANADIAN WALLEYE OPEN UP AND SAY "EH"!

[Hawgeye]

I have to agree with Peanut, great post!

I will chime in to say that I love my Loomis rods for Jigging. I also do not feel the benefit of expensive rods while bottom bouncing, or cranking. I use a middle of the road (Fenwick) for live bait rigging and I also have an IMX 7' Loomis that I use for Lindy rigging. I own 2 expensive jigging rods (St Croix and Loomis) and one expensive live bait rigging rod, (Loomis). I really am impressed with the St Croix Legend Elite and if I buy another high end jigging rod, I will try that. Not because I don't like my Loomis because I do love it, just would like to compare the St Croix...I think they are equally quality rods.

[ETT]

Take it fishing. Use it a couple hours or untill you catch a couple fish on it. Then go back to whatever you were using, and see if it's there or not.

My experience was, my other rod left like a wet noodle compared to the Loomis. Setting the hook was like slammin them in the screen door.

Let us know what you think.

[wwater]

I think that Homer did a great job of replying.

I own one Loomis, I own about 12 Fenwicks, and about a dozen other rods. There is no comparison, however the price sticker on the loomis rods has kept me from getting more.

If I were smart I would not own as many rods but would have just loomis.

[Tom (mich)]

Can't say it better than Homer and the others. I own probably 10 rods total - only two of which could be termed "premium", one of which is a Loomis. Both of these rods are used primarily for vertical jigging, where sensitivity and action can be the difference between a limit or fishless day. Personally, I see not benefit to spending big $$ on rods used for trolling applications or casting. Rigging/jigging = Loomis quality.

[MD musky]

I use SJR782 GLX Loomis rods for jigging and casting small to medium jigs. They are very sensitive and have just the right amount of power. I would buy another tomorrow (if I didnt already have 50 rods). The point that I want to make is that not all Loomis rod are created equal. In fact of the ten or so that I have held and fished with, I would say half were dogs. I ordered the 7' GLX to use for casting larger jigs and plastics. I was very dissappointed with the action the rod had so I sent it back. Make sure that you see and feel the rod before you buy it,and better yet, run some line through it and apply some pressure. Many Loomis blanks have a strange arc to them and whimpy action. This may be why your friend wants to get rid of it. You cant go wrong with the sjr782 or the equivilant 6'model.

[ntz4fshn]

I own three top end rods 2 Fenwick's 1-HMG 959, 1-HMX S59 and 1- GLoomis GL3-722. The GLoomis is by far the superior rod and I use it for pulling bottom-bouncers. Don't let them fool you when the say sensitivity doesn't make a difference when you live rig, because it does. My HMG would be more sensitive but Fenwick put paint on the blank to make it look pretty, I was disappointed in this rod. I love my HMX for jigging it is a great rod! I will be hard pressed to by anything but GLoomis when it comes to rods.

tightlines,
ntz4fshn

[TravisC]

I've got several Loomis rods ranging from the "entry level" GL2 up to the most pricey GLX and they are no doubt some of the finest rods I've ever handled. I suppose it depends on which model you're looking at as to whether or not it's worth the money. In my opinion the GL3 offers the best bang for your buck. A 6 to 6 1/2 foot med action spinning model will cost about $160 and is a heck of a rod. That same rod in the GLX model will cost twice as much and it's not twice the rod of a GL3. If the GLX were say, $200, then it would be worth looking at.

Recently I've gotten a few St. Croix rods and I'm EXTREMELY pleased. I've got two Premier spinning models, which cost around $75 each and one Avid spinning rod which is a bit more. I'm beginning to think that these rods are every bit as good as Loomis rods, but offer a heck of a lot more for the price. I think the $75 St. Croix Premier is just as good as the $160 Loomis GL3, but a tad bit heavier--yet still a VERY lightweight rod compared to everything else.

Either way, Loomis or St. Croix, you can't go wrong and you'll never look at Wal-Mart for another rod!

[rick]

I have got 2 G Loomis rods myself,GL3 6foot rods. Awsome for jigging
and casting, realy good sensitvity wise and good backbone when you get those big fish on. They are worth the money if you got the money to spend on them. you wont be disappointed.,..Im not

[Walleye Express]

skillz.
I chartered for 15 years for Salmon and Steelhead on the Pere Marquette and Big Manistee rivers out of my drift boat. I was about the 10th guy in the State to have a drift boat. I've used Fenwick, StCroix, Sage, Berkley, Daiwa and a few I forgot about. A close friend of mine built me 2 Medium action 8 1/2' G-Loomis in 94. Nothing, and I mean nothing, telegraphed through that rod tip what the lure was doing like the Loomis. And nothing had the mid-rod strength and flexability to bring both a 25 King and a 16 pound steelie (picture on request) to their knees. True story. I told a client one day on the Pere Marquette, while we were using Storm Pee-Wee Warts, (which leave about the slightest vibrating signature as you can get) that he should pull the plug in and remove the vegetation that was on it. He said, there isn't any weeds on that plug. I said looks like theres a blade of grass on it or something. Guess what was on the plug. A BLADE OF GRASS. ONE blade of grass. Spend the money, get the best. Capt: Dan. www.walleye-express.com

[iamwalleye1]

St. Croix Legend Elite series! I made the switch last year and love them!