Loomis Walleye rods

[Jim S.]

Hi all, just curious if anyone out there can give me feedback on the line of walleye rods by G. Loomis specifically the jig rods. I presently use an SJR721 for jigging but am considering the new 742 walleye jig rod...I'm looking for something with a bit more backbone than the 721 and feel that the SJR722 is just too stiff for my purposes (usually 1/4 oz. and less and 50/50 6lb./8lb. line. Any Loomis users out there? Thanks, JS

[Jon'eye']

I recently purchased a SJR722 jigging rod from Reed's over the Internet. I was really worried when I got it, like you said it was pretty stiff for jigging.

I have caught quite a few walleye's this Spring on it using light jigs. The bottom was sandy so I could'nt feel too much, the walleye were just picking the jig/minnow up lightly and I could feel it perfectly. When fighting the fish the rod really un-stiffens also.

After using this rod, and catching fish on it, I would never give it up!

Good Fishing!

Jon'eye'

[Starfish]

I bought an SJR 782 last fall and at first I was afraid it might be a little stiff. But I did some jigging with 6 lb test and it was PERFECT. I even did some perch-jerking with it during the winter, just to break it in, and I'd have no qualms recommending it. That being said, I've also heard great things about the WJR 742...

[ETT]

I used to answer these type posts as "Loomis Pro Staffer", which I have been for 13 years. The SJR722GLX or IMX feel very stiff unloaded, but they soften up nicely under a load. If you go on to the GL3 it will feel a little softer, but be slightly less sensative. The SJR782s are some of my personal favorite rods. Very versatile rods for spinners, small cranks, ring worms, etc. in ponds. Plenty of guts (power in the lower half of the blank) to deal with large fish. The 742 walleye rod is quite similar to the SJR 722 of similar price. If you have never tried a 6-1/2' rod you may be surprised as to what you get with it. The only real good reason to stay away from longer rods is the fact that they do catch more air on windy days. Hope this helps. Good luck, and as Gary Loomis would say, "Tight lines".