gloomis versus others

[snowball]

What is the attraction to the Gloomis rods? Quality? workman ship?
I was out shopping and looked at some new rods, until i thought my eyes were going crazy- 250 bones for a baitcast rod? Im not cheap, but that seems a bit steap--
last rod i bought, i paid 80 bones for and it's working fine-- so im curious as to why these are poplular and spendy-- sensitive? power?

[norms gone fishing too]

250 you were looking at the midrange rods they run up to about 450 for th ti 2000 lamaglass and the feel of the rod is out of this world

norm

[bob-n-jig]

loomis......name....money...... :shocked:

[kevray]

quality rules, you can find a rod for every occation (something all of us fishermen need..another rod), and you will never have to buy another one...break it...return it...get a new one...no questions asked. Once you have fished with one you will never go back.

[Thumper]

Originally posted by kevray:
....break it...return it...get a new one...no questions asked. Once you have fished with one you will never go back. <font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">I guess I disagree. That same guarantee is available on most of the less expensive rods, though not on the really spendy ones from Loomis, Lamiglass, etc. The guarantee is actually better as you go lower in price.

If I was exclusively a drift fisherman I would pop for at least a mid-price rod (say $150), but probably not for a really high-end stick. Since I mainly boondog and bobber fish I can get away with a less-expensive rod.

Can you really catch 6 times as many fish on your $400 GLoomis as I can on my $65 North River? I wonder.........

[zueth]

The reason why I and many other fisherman choose G-Loomis rods is because they are made with exceptional quality and they are so sensitive that they work great for drift fishing and any other type of fishing you might be doing.

Believe me when you drift fish with a North river and G-Loomis there is a extreeme difference between the two.

Just my 2-cents.

Zueth :cheers:

[Artwo]

For drift fishing I choose a higher end rod for the sensitivity, but for my boat rods I choose the lesser exspensive rods to keep down on the cost. I also would rather spend a little more on the reel than the rod. When you allow newbies to use your equipment like I do often (I take allot of poeple who don't normally get to go out) I would prefer to only loose a little than allot if broken or dropped.

JK

[FastAction]

I think 80% of it has to do with the "Bandwagon" thing and the up holding NW angler image..... But americas top Mechanics choose Snap-on and Mac over craftsman... HMMMMMM, :grin: But where I grew up.. we called people like that " The Damn Seattle fisherman"..... Seems to be the trend these days.. Oh yeah the other 20% has to do with the fact that it really is a quality product.... But as for me, it don't matter what rod I use, I still catch fish.. I am still wating for the Snoopy steelhead challenge to prove it!

[Master Baiter]

Many folks will probably disagree but ever since Loomis went over seas, the quality and workmanship is not the same! I would not pay full retail price for an IMX. I used to be Loomis all the way but having had the originals and been forced to trade to the new ones, I have noticed a difference and go with Lamiglas for a retail purchase. Loomis has also reworked or discontinued some great models such as the MBR941 which seems to be no longer available for some stupid reason!

Just my $.02,

MB

[Bob Barthlow]

Master Baiter, Loomis moved the MBR 941c to the HSR 941c and WR 941c, same great rod...just not a Magnum Bass Rod anymore. :wink:

[ 02-27-2003, 05:06 PM: Message edited by: Rapid Robert ]

[KingFisher85]

Master Baiter, I'm with you on that
Loomis did move over seas.
People have told me loomis is the American rod, ha, not even made in America.
Who really makes loomis rods now days? I believe they start with an "S"

kevray, I fished one, I went back to Lamiglas. I will say I do like how light weight there rods are :smile: but that is all.

[Jettin' Fool]

Make your own or have BOE make one for you. Rainshadow blanks are of high quality and great performance for 1/2 the price and it will be custom made to your preferance. I think Rainshadow is comming out with 51 million modulus grafhite for there Salmon blanks soon. Will make a sweet sensitive rod for the money. Ask around....Rainshadow is definately the way to go unless you have money to burn.

Fool :cool:

[Wannabe]

I believe I read it on here once before and now that I have tried one I believe it. That is the Lamiglas Titanium. I truely believe you can almost tell the color and size of the rocks you fish over. A very very sensitive rod. Also very light and strong. I believe their worth the money...especially when you really want to feel and understand every bite.
&lt;)))&gt;&lt;

[TH]

I tend to agree.. for the most part. The higher end blanks/rods are very nice to fish! But $400+ fora rod.. wow.. that's a bunch!

I think there are some much better options out on the market! Rainshadow is by far the best in my opinion.. great blanks, very reasonable.

[luguando]

I bought 2 Rogue rods and I like them both. I think I paid around $150 for them. Great craftsmanship and lifetime warranty. I compared them side by side to similar Loomis rods and I liked the Rogue rods better. As nice as they are I think I'm just as happy fishing with my North River and Berkley rods (for boat use). I like to have good equipment but I also need to watch the budget. I would rather spend more on a higher grade reel and keep the rods in the moderate price zone. If you need a rod with great feel (drift fishing, flyfishing, etc.) then you a high end rod is worth the investment.

I personally don't think the Loomis rods are worth the money. Sure, they are nice rods but you are paying for the label.

[Master Baiter]

Rapid Robert, thanks for the heads up! I checked that out, could not find it in the HSR line but did find it in the WTR. It still has the handle that I like. Anyone know how this blank compares to GL2 or GL3?

MB

[ 02-27-2003, 09:25 PM: Message edited by: Master Baiter ]

[Bambine]

When I first started steelheading a few years back I bought a Berkly IM7. Last year I "upgraded" to an IMX blank that a guy wrapped for me in Idaho. I also have a G Loomis 5 wt Fly Rod that is great. In the last year both have snapped, the IMX twice! My brother and dad also snapped their IMX blank last year. I don't think we are harder on the equipment than anyone else, perhaps the rods aren't what they used to be. I went to Woodland yesterday to pick up a new rod under warranty and had to pay 50% of the retail price to get the factory rod. So now I am into the IMX for almost $500!! Also the receptionist said they still made the rods there? The Berkley IM7 is a $70 rod with great feel and warranty. Take it from a guy who has spent way to much money on Loomis expecting consistent quality-stay away until they get it together. The IMX has great feel but they seem to be very fragile, not much help when you have a 20 lb + on line. There are lots of rods on the market that are a fraction of the price with the same warranty. Try the IM7 and put the rest into your reel.

[BladeRunner]

hmmm

Yes Shimano did indeed purchase G.Loomis a few years ago. However, I do believe that most of the rods are still made in Woodland, and a few Shimano rods are made there now as well. In fact, they still offer tours of the factory.

Gary is also still involved in the company and was in their booth at the sportsmans show.

I could be wrong about this but does anyone KNOW differently?

[willametteriveroutlaw]

Bambine, IMX's are fragile because they are extremely high modolus. Loomis had to go to the pay exchange system from what I understand because w/ the high numbers of there rods out there and their lifetime warranty, it was beginning to cost them alot of money.
My personal opinion, wanna buy a GL2, get a berkley IM7 instead, Want to buy a GL3, Get a Rogue instead. Want to buy an IMX, Get it there ain't much that compares. But put it together right and and "baby it" If you throw it in the back of your truck and bang it around, it creates small stress cracks in the rod and they snap under pressure.

[fishmore1]

Gloomis rods are super sensitive I own quite a few But the berkley air IM7 catch fish to LOL its not the rod IT'S the fisherman or fisherwoman :grin:

[glowball]

I always thought that guys paid the extra money for the warranty, but if you have to pay again what good is the warranty. I know a guy that worked at the shop right after the changeover and he said to steer clear of the loomis rods. Also I know of a prettty popular fishing store that use to make a loomis rod for someone on a weekly basis who won't even think about it due to the high number of those rods breaking and coming back. Don't waste your money. Go with Lamiglass or a St.Croix. The rainshadow rods are talked about alot but I've never held one myself. (might try one though)

[rola76]

I've fished and own Loomis, Lamiglas, Rogue, Fenwick, St. Croix, and many others. In my opinion, sensitivity and feeling is extremely important, especially when drift fishing and plugging.

If I had to rate my rods, I'd definitely rate Loomis first, then Rogue or St. Croix, and then probably Lamiglas and Fenwick. I haven't fished with a Titanium, but I'm certain they're top notch.

I too agree that this is somewhat of a status thing, especially for new fishermen with more $$ than they know what to do with. But on the contrary, I believe that a lot of seasoned guys love the rods for quality.

[The Fishing Geek]

You see, that right there is the reason why there aren't the numbers of fish now that there were a hundred years ago. They didn't have $400 mega-modules fancy-pants graphitanium fishing rods. Back then they had to string cat gut to willow branches, as noodlin' salmon and steelhead was a short-lived experiment, as was the guy who tried it.

[Great White Sturgeon Hunter]

Another can of worms opened here. I've used gloomis for years, They are a great rod! I use a IMX 8 1/2 ft for just about everything. But they have gone down hill, since the big move overseas, and the big contracts with Cabelas. Some one mentioned the Rainshadow Blank. I believe that the guy that started the Rainshawdow Blanks use to work for Gloomis. Any way Rainshawdow is the way to go. I have access to the whole line of rainshawdow blanks and any other type of blank some is looking for, just let me know what your looking for.

[Bob Barthlow]

Bladerunner, your correct, G.Loomis is still building rods in Woodland.

MasterBaiter, WTR 941c compares to GL2

[Billfisher]

Rola is on track, though I'd place equal stock in Loomis, St. Croix, and Lamiglass, with Fenwick trailing close behind. I've only fished Muskies with the lone Rogue (steelhead) rod I've got, so I can't adequately compare them. For sure, the rogue's cast-ablity is something to write home about! Anyway, you'll know a good rod when it's in your hands. Sometimes they cost $400, and sometimes only $80. Seems to me that more should go into the fisherman and how they fish. THAT determines what kind/brand of rod works best.

Good luck all!

[BladeRunner]

The Berkley IM7 rods are identical to the Lamiglass IM7 rods. They are both made in the same factory, I think the Lamiglass factory.

-BR

[Fishin Magician]

Good post..... I have had most all rods on the market over the years, and as of right now all but a couple of rods I own are Loomis. That being said I got great deals on all my rods thru a custom builder that I do business with. I am at this point switching out my older rods and going to Rainshadow blanks instead of Loomis. I can buy 2 Rainshadows for the price of 1 loomis. The rainshadow blanks and the loomis GL3/IMX are so close in all ways that I dont want to spend the extra $$$ for a Name. If a rod feels good to you that is the most important thing. Plus my rod builder guarantees the workmanship for the life of the rod......period.
John

[rola76]

I agree with Fishin Magician..having a rod custom built using a blank of your choice is great, especially if the builder gives you a LIFETIME GUARANTEE!!

I had a rod built using a St. Croix fly blank, and man is it nice. Better than that is the fact that I've busted it twice and got a new one from the builder!!

[TH]

Many of the guides down here on the south coast are doing the same.. even w/ the guides program discount from the major rod companies.. we can beat their prices and provide you with a better built rod, in you color schemes.. and offer a lifetime warranty.
The days of paying top dollar for the best rods on the market are over.!
We'll even give you a TH Custom Rods decal for your boat so you can feel like the other bigtime guides... :grin:

[ 03-01-2003, 02:52 PM: Message edited by: TH ]

[Bob Barthlow]

TH, who are the guides on your rod program?