St. Croix Elite or Loomis GLX

[Mr. Big Bucks]

Yes I know they are both overpriced, but I can afford it. Yes I know we have talked about them before. I would like to ask the people who own both of these rods, which one they prefer and why? I am looking at a spinning rod. Please, only respond if you own both, so I can hear your comparison. Thank You

[jigemup]

I work at Gander Mt. and have both of the style rods you are talking about. The St. Croix I feel is far superior for price and quality. The Loomis is a great stick, but it is a bit overpriced, has a cheaper reel seat, and most of all Loomis is now owned by Shimano- good or bad- I just think their warranty service is going to suffer. From what I've seen with dealing with each of these companies St. Croix is curteous and efficient about warranty service (4-6 days turnaround), while Loomis can take as long as 4-6 weeks. Your choice, but that is my feelings and made in the USA still keeps me buying their product.

Goodluck with your purchase- Jigemup

[REW]

Having used both - it is a nice choice to be having to make.
Both are outstanding rods.

One thing that is very significant about both blanks -- i.e. the action of the specific blank.

You need to be very careful about the specific action that you pick up for the particular application. I have found personally, that for applications - marked as medium by both companies -- are very similar to medium heavy by other kinds of rods and manufacturers.

i.e. it seems that both of these rods -- (depending on the model) tend to be on the stiff side. I suspect that is because of the very high quality resin and graphite that are used in both of these rod types.

If you were thinking about getting a medium action rod -- you might want to look very carefully at the medium light action rod. You might find that the medium light rod - fishes the same as the medium rod that you might be used to.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++
When the GLX blanks were first introduced a few years ago, there were numerous instances of shattered blanks. G Loomis even went so far as to issue an order to custom rod builders to overwrap the tip sections to minimize rod breakage. In the last year or so, it seems that that order has been lifted.

The Legend Elite from St. Croix doesn't seem to have the same element of fragility as the GLX. It also seems that on average, the Legend elite weighs a touch more than the GLX.

Since having owned and fished with both -
If I was buying a production rod -- I would go with the St. Croix. The St. Croix with its skeletal fugi reel seat, fuji concept silicon carbide guides and tip top -- is the ultimate in componentry.

The GLX has guides of a lesser quality - does not use the concept guide system (i.e. on average, the guides run larger), and I don't find the G. Loomis reel seat particularly comfortable.

However, if I were making the rod myself, and if I could select the components, so that I would use the same components on both rods; then I would go with the GLX. I simply like the feel of the GLX better, and the very tiny weight advantage - also goes to the GLX or an equal action rod basis.

Summary -
Production rods -- St. Croix
Custom rods - G. Loomis blank -- and selected FUJI components.

Either rod will catch you lots of fish, and give you a lot of pride to fish with.

Take care

REW

[Spinner]

I evaluated both rods last spring for a few months. It was my opinion that the Legend Elite was the better rod. Seemed to be a little more sensative as well as maintaining a stong "back-bone".

In regards to warranty/service, I can only speak of St. Croix. Outstanding (as mentioned above).

One more incentative for me...I found a brand new 7' Legend Elite on E-Bay for $200 (some sporting goods store in Michigan). That sealed the deal for me.

[ccarlson]

REW
I am thinking of building my own rod and am deciding between the legend elite or the loomis IMX. I would be using sic guides as you said. Which blank would you go with comparing the legend elite to the IMX? Was also considering the avid blank but the step up elite seems so reasonably priced in comparison to the loomis. (correct me if I'm wrong)

I have an IMX loomis pr8400 (factory built) I use for rigging and since it seems to 'max out' when you push it to the top rating of 1/2 ounce (3/8 is really the max I feel) was thinking of building this one one step heavier to accomodate deeper water rigging. I'd like to go 7' as that's what I have and I like the length. Looking at the new elite model out this year that is 7' and covers 3/16-5/8 ounce. I would use it for rigging with weights in the 1/2-5/8 range and also as a spare rod for lighter weight rigging. Plan to stop at thorns this weekend on the way to the expo to compare but your input would be appreciated.
Thanks for your input,
chuck carlson

[aurora]

i have a 6 ft loomis and a 6'3 st croix. i haven't fished with the st croix yet. i think the 6'3 st croix is a little bit lighter than the 6 ft loomis depending on what handle you get. i agree with other posts that the handle design on the st croix is better. i know loomis had made some changes to their handles this year and a rep at a sports show said there are a few more changes coming as well, it sounded like they were going to make the threaded ring more like the threaded ring of the st croix. if you decide you want a loomis you might want to wait for the new handle design. the 6'3 st croix has eight guides (tip included) which i sort of like. so when the ice goes out i'll know which one i'll like better but i think it will be the st croix if i had to guess. good luck.

[Chad]

I am haveing a 7' ML elite made for me right now for $140, the same size rod in an avid would have been $105. These rods will have fugi hardloys and fuji skeletal reel seat. It pays to go to your local custom rod crafter, sorry Loomis doesn't sell blanks any more to these guys I guess.

[Fin Addict]

I saw the Legend Elite in the stores last year and based on my in store evaluation I told my wife, wow!! Now that is a nice rod. So being the fine wife she is, she bought an ES60MLFCS for me for my birthday. I put a Shimano Stradic 2000 on it spooled w/ 6 lb. Fireline and used it the next day for vertical jigging on the St. Louis River. This was a very fine rod at the lower end of its weight rating but for jigs exceeding 1/4 oz. it lost it in my opinion. Very slow loagy feel for heavier baits.

I exchanged the rod for a Loomis GLX722 at a similar price and found the Loomis a far better performer when used w/ heavier baits.

If you use very light baits you will like the St. Croix. For heavier the Loomis is a better choice.

[Cowboy]

Truth is, making this kind of choice is kind of like choosing between fine wines... So, uh... which flavor do you like??
FYI, The Loomis GLX does currently come with Fuji's Titanium SIC guides and has a modified version of the Fuji Concept spacing on it... as far as I know...
Best bet is to check both out... and figure which will work best for you..
Good fishing!!

[common sense]

heck buy a walmart combo and lots of beer

[Mr. Big Bucks]

Thanks REW for a very informative reply. One thing I do disagree with you though. The St. Croix Elite is actually 1/2 oz. lighter than the G-Loomis GLX when comparing similar rods in a 6 1/2 ft. spinning rod. Thanks to you and everyone so far for all of your valued opinions.

[Ron]

And then you can buy your fish at Long John Silver's.

[Mr. Big Bucks]

Your name explains it all. I make enough money that sometimes I don't need to use any common sense. Good Luck with your Walmart combo.

[Jeremy(WI)]

If money is no big deal, go to Cabelas, Gander Mountain, or wherever and buy one of each, put the same reel and line on each, and then after field testing them, take the one back you liked the least. Myself, I can't tell any difference between the IMX and GLX, not in the water, so I have an IMX. I have a custom made Legend Elite, its in the boat doesn't get used much- if it would have cost me 300, it would have went back to meet its maker.

Cabelas has no problem with returned merchandise for any reason, I took a Loomis Walleye series jig pole back and told them it wasn't as good as my IMX, fact is- it wasn't

[Mr. Big Bucks]

Fin Addict, very interesting observation. One thing I did notice on the two rods you compared. Although they are both rated for 1/8 to 3/8 oz. lures, they were slightly different in another area. The Elite is rated for 4-10 lb. line and has a medium light power rating. The GLX 722 is rated for 6-12 lb. line and has a medium power rating. I know the differences are minute but I wonder if you would have had a medium power Elite rated for 6-12 lb. line and 3/16 to 5/8 oz. lures, if that would have been the right choice for you. Like you, I don't want the rod maxed out at 1/4 oz. jig, but I don't want it too heavy to fish a 1/8 oz. jig. Is it better to error on the heavy side or the light side? Any opinions?

[aurora]

another question for you fin addict. in your opinion would regular mono have taken some of the stress off of the elite?