G. Loomis vs. Rogue Rods

[traskriverhouse]

I posted this topic but in the wrong section. Since then I found an article on the net. What's your experience with Rogue rods.

traskriverhouse
Cutthroat
Member # 6335


posted 01-24-2004 10:49 PM

I love my G. Loomis rods but someone told me he has completely sold out to Shimano and has nothing to do with G. Loomis rods anymore( Say it ain't so Gary!). I'm also told that Rogue rods are being made by a rod builder from his former business. I have to admit, I bought a couple Rogue rods and I like'em a lot. Can anyone bring me up to speed?

Found on the internet:
MEDFORD, Ore. — When Craig Lausmann and friends went looking for what they needed in the perfect salmon and steelhead-fishing rod for Oregon's famed Rogue River, they chose instead to make it themselves.
Little did Lausmann know that what he wanted in a good steelhead rod three years ago would become the newest rage among America's serious anglers.
The graphite Rogue Rods that Lausmann's group makes in a small warehouse near Medford, Ore., are considered so strong and sensitive that they are drawing mass conversions from once-loyal Loomis anglers living on both coasts and in huge chunks of real estate in between.
When Lausmann took sole ownership of Rogue Rods less than a year ago, the company built on a $1 million investment had generated just $34,000 in sales during 2000.
Rogue Rods now beats that sales level every two weeks and is expecting to eclipse the $1 million mark this year, says General Manager Bill Adams.
Sales have grown by 20 percent each month this year, with the company now producing and shipping 1,000 rods monthly, Adams says. Ironically, Floridians and Pennsylvanians are buying more of the rods that were initially crafted with Oregonians in mind.
"Most people out here are oblivious to what you people do in Oregon," says Jack Montague, Rogue Rods' Florida sales representative. "But that doesn't matter. What matters is that we're putting a high-end rod in people's hands for about $100 less than what they're used to paying."
But Montague is part of perhaps an even more important trick Rogue Rods has pulled off in the past year.
Montague is one of several longtime Loomis sales reps who have jumped ship and are now peddling Rogue Rods to sporting goods stores that once bought Loomis rods en masse.
"I was tight with these dealers for 20 years," says Montague, who was once Loomis' top sales rep but fled when the company was sold to Japan-based Shimano in 1997. "So it's very easy for me to go in with this new product and get accepted."
Adams also has hired Bob Loomis, who learned rod design from his famous uncle, Gary Loomis. Bob Loomis has helped design 140 different all-tackle rods and is working on a new line of fly rods due out this fall.
Now Rogue Rods are in 120 stores in 40 states, thanks largely to muscles once flexed for Loomis.
"That's been part of the key to this whole thing — (dealers) buying Rogue Rods from reps who used to sell them Loomis," Adams, 57, says with a smile. "Bobby Loomis' name alone has a huge impact. Everybody knows us now."

[River Ranger]

The son of Gary Loomis is working for rogue rods now.I don't know if they totally sold out or not but I heard they are taking shortcuts in production now,Like removing one guide off a rod to save money on overall cost of building a particular model.
R.R.

[Will Fish For Food]

I have a Rogue now for 3 years and it has held up very well. It is a 9 1/2 4 to 8 lb and put a 25 nook on the bank with it.
Now for Loomis there not what they use to be.
WFFF
They need to spline there rods.

[tipndwater]

To clear the water on the Rogue/Loomis comparisons. To begin with there is no affiliation between the two. It is Gary's nephew who is the backbone of the Rogue company, not his son. When japan bought G.loomis they made a terrible mistake and let him get away. Now he has the ability to bring back to the market a fishing tool that is today what loomis used to be in the good ol' days, a fishing rod built buy fisherman for fishermen/women. basically the old IM6 red models is what you are getting in the rogue, they are still young and growing through some production issues, but keep your reel seats tight because it is just the begining of something great, There is something coming reel soon that will set the industry on fire from ROGUE! AMERICAN MADE AND OWNED!!!!

[First Bite]

I like the Rogue rods so much I sold my custom-made G Loomis rods and replaced them with similar Rogue models.

Mark

[skrimmy]

Ty, on what do you base your opinion, personal unfounded bias? (Kia vs Mercede? come on!!) I've got a nice Rogue drift rod that I'd put up against any Loomis. I've also got a Loomis too, I'm not BIASED either direction. They are both outstanding rods.

[Ty]

Nothin' against Rogue rods boy's. Sure they are great.

I have used my loomis's fer over 15 years. Other great rod companies have come and gone. Just the way I see it.

Maybe Rogue will be there in 5 years maybe not.

The comparison is accurate, just think about it, nothin to be taken personally. Surely, nothin against Rogue rods, sure they are great.

[Akuracy503]

Does anyone know if GI Joe's stock of Rogue rods are priced at full suggested retail the same as listed on the Rogue website..???

just wondering if its no different to buy direct, or maybe save at Gi joes.

[skrimmy]

Ty, and "surely" your comments and bias towards Loomis have nothing to do with your connection to a business who you've endorsed here and the fact that that business sells loomis but not Rogue!

Akuracy 503, based on the Rogue rod I recently bought at Joes, the price was about $5 lower than the Roguerods website. Maybe there was a price increase that hadn't caught up with Joe's inventory yet. I'm betting (gee, not to compare Rogue vs Loomis)that Rogue, just as Loomis rods, are priced the same wherever you can buy them and they don't get discounted.

And "surely" I give much more weight to Mark at First Cast's endorsement of what a fine product the Rogue rod is..... or anybody else who has actually tried them! I'm really happy with my Rogue Rod.

[Akuracy503]

Skrimmy thanks for the input...
I never stopped to look at the prices.

Seems whomever carries Rogue rods (GI Joes, Fishermans Marine) are always sold out for the most part...Therefore Ive never been able to take a serious look at these Rogue rods!

[RogueFisher]

The Laussman family that owns Rogue Rods has very deep pockets. I think they'll be around for a while. They've made a considerable investment and won't give up on it easily.

I fished a Rogue 7' drift rod with a Shimano Stradic 4000 today on the Smith River in Nor Cal. I landed 1 fish 9 lbs. The Smith was Gin Clear and somewhat low for this time of year.

I liked the 1 piece rod. I'll probably be purchasing a couple for my rod collection.

:grin:

[Ty]

Skimmey,

Nice to see u handle things in a very grown up manner. Hope I run into u on the river sometime and skunk your lil pathetic b... fishing, of course in a friendly way.

To clear the air and to set the record straight:

1) I have NO affiliation with Fishermans Shack or Don Greene.

2) I work for a federal fisheries conservation agency in Alaska in fisheries biology and fisheries research.

3) I have fished all over Oregon, Montana, and Alaska for a wide variety of salmonids using terminal gear and fly rods.

4) If u like Rogue rods. more power to u. Some liek to ride in Kia's and some like the feel of a luxury mercedes, I don't care. Rogue rods seem nice enough to me, just not nice enough fer me to own, my .02 cents worth.

5) I have 11 loomis casting rods, 3 loomis spinning rods, and one loomis fly rod. The only other brand of rods that I own 3 Thomas and Thomas fly rods.

6) I have owned many different rod brands ranging from Shakespear, Flueger, Shimano, Lamiglass, Sage, Fenwick, and Abu Garcia. Some of these above and other brands may be better than the loomis's that I fish with, but I don't think that any manufacture above would have treated me as good as Loomis through the years and considering the rods that I went through when I was guiding.

Most of all look, loomis is still there and going strong, they where there yesterday, today, and will be there tmw.

So, again skimmey I have checked out Rogue rods, they are great, more power to u, I will stick to Loomis, don't expect to have u blind side me again over something so stupid!!!
[img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

[ 01-26-2004, 10:37 AM: Message edited by: Ty ]

[Ty]

Not sure Rogue and Loomis are really in the same market?

Loomis will be there tmw and Rogue, u never know.

Quality in products is liek comparing a Kia to a Mercedes Benz.

[eggbouncer]

Rogue rods are like playing on the varsity basketball team in high school. Top notch rods.

Loomis rods are like playing junior varsity.....why would you want to play jv when you can step up and play Varsity.

[Rakkasan]

I was just trying to say that it is kind of strange. However differant companies have differant customer service. That is for sure. Rainshadow and Lamiglas is the best I have dealt with. Stripping the reel seat and cork just does not make sense to me. What a pain. That is all I am saying. I am not saying they do not build a new product. As mentioned we all have our own favorites..... My intentions were not to be attacking. As you know we all can construe black and white on a computer to pretty much anything

[Jimmy Carl Black]

I agree with Ty, Kia's are far superior to Mercedes.

[rola76]

I've got about 10 Loomis rods, ranging from a 6'6 ultralight to a 9' steelie rods....love 'em all!!

I have one 9'6" steelie casting rod, and love it.

Both are quality, and as I'm sure some Lamiglas guys would say, neither is as good as a Lami. Bottom line is, everyone has their own preference, and whether you're talking Loomis, Rogue, Lamiglas, Rogue, TH/Rainshadow, or St. Croix, all of these are top dogs in the industry. Some people feel we're stupid for spending so much...why not just use an Ugly-Stik?

Buy all of them!!

[traskriverhouse]

Looks like I will keep my Loomis rods as well as my Rogue rods. I still like them both. I don't think either one is a KIA and I didn't buy the argument that Loomis will be around when Rogue isn't. After all, isn't Rogue still in Oregon and Loomis/Shimano is now in Japan?

[superfly]

I have worked in the industry for a number of years Now, I am biased because I work for the largest manufacturer of fishing rods in the united states. Allstar, we produce over 800 rods a day with a majority of them being sold everywhere else except here in the Northwest.
I have brought sales of Allstar rods in the northwest from 0 to over 250 K in the last few years. We make an outstanding rod very similiar to the Loomis Gl-3 series for about half of the cost. We have the Best warranty of all the manufactures. A no questions asked over the counter exchange policy, you brake it, you take it back to the dealer where you purchased it and swap it out for a new one. Simple as that. Please keep in mind before you bad mouth Loomis that they are the ones who set the industry standard for all of the rest of us rod companies to follow. Granted Lamiglas and Fenwick and others where here before them, they took it to a new level and challenged the rest of us to follow. Gary is still involved with Loomis, but only as a mouthpiece. He has many other things he is involved in that take up his time like fish first, so if you have an old school loomis I suggest you hang on to it.
The rap on Rogue is that they have a terrible warranty policy and that there technology is old which does not work well with new materials. Just what I know from being in the industry.
Peace
Superfly

[ 01-26-2004, 07:43 PM: Message edited by: superfly ]

[Rakkasan]

Superfly,

Well said [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Look forward to talking to you tomorrow.

[ 01-26-2004, 09:52 PM: Message edited by: DSRods ]

[parker]

Or, you can just skip high school and go directly to the Pros.

TH Custom Rods.

You won't be disappointed.

[Rakkasan]

:whazzup:

Defective rods should be returned to Rogue, freight prepaid, with all guides, reel seat, and handle removed if possible. No allowances or return of components are permitted.

Wow! that would be fun to strip epoxied cork and graphite real seat off of a blank. Especially when the bottom section of the rod is still good and only needs a matched tip. I wonder if this is for only one piece rods?

I will stick to Rainshadow

[Nuttinbutnet]

Fifteen Loomis rods? For one guy? :shocked: I need to git me one of them ther Fedral Gubmint Jobs!
I have a 9' 6-10# side-drifter on order from Rogue, and I can't wait for my new KIA! I just hope nobody tells the fish it's a Rogue with them being spoiled by alll those Loomis rods out there! [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]

[Nuttinbutnet]

Hey DS
Let's be fair about this. Rogue Rods are warranteed as good as any other good rod. Your description is for a guy who buys a blank and builds his own. On complete rods the are a limited lifetime warranty.

[Hunter56787]

Ford, Chev, Dodge & so on
Loomis, Sage, & so on

We all have our likes & dislike, maybe that's what makes this ol world go round?

I like G.Loomis and use them, but also use meny other rods/pole. I think it all boils down to how it feels to you and how much money you have to spend at the time.

[blacktail]

superfly,

Are the Allstar blanks manufactured her in the US?

If so, are the rods assembled here as well?

Just curious as it seems more businesses are going overseas.

Mike

[onstep]

The allstar is a lot like the overseas made Lamiglas rods. I have both and the All Star does seem to be better feel and action than the oversea made Lamiglas. That being said I would find it hard to believe that the All Star is really an American made rod for right around 100.00 with the quality you are getting. Almost all the major manufacturers who build rods and assemble them in the states are having to sell their products in the $160.00 range in order to stay in business. I know All Star is very popular in the south and southeast US market however, the largest rod manufacturer in the US is St. Croix. The second largest is GLoomis and third the Lamiglas rods. From what I have seen some of the Rogue stuff is on par with the Loomis in action and taper but lacks the build quality and components to warrant my changing over from Loomis and St. Croix. Bottom line they all catch fish...

[ 01-27-2004, 11:03 AM: Message edited by: onstep ]

[blacktail]

onstep,

I have handled many Rogue rods and recently purchased several. I have had a much different experience than your's.

The Rogues I looked at had at least as good of build quality as the Loomis rods I looked at, and the components appear to be very similar if not the same as Loomis (Fuji guides, Fuji reel seats, good cork, etc..).

In hand, the Rogues felt lighter and crisper than all of the Loomis except the IMX.

I know several people on this board have posted very favorable experiences with Rogues on previous threads, with only a couple of complaints early on with breakage issues.

At about a hundred bucks cheaper than the Loomis rods, they look to be an excellent option.

After I give them a thorough wringing out, I'll be sure and post my experiences.

Mike

[parker]

Originally posted by onstep:
The allstar is a lot like the overseas made Lamiglas rods. I have both and the All Star does seem to be better feel and action than the oversea made Lamiglas. That being said I would find it hard to believe that the All Star is really an American made rod for right around 100.00 with the quality you are getting.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Believe it. Proudly made in the US of A. I don't have their retail price list off hand, but price of an Allstar depends on what rod you want. They range from around $100 up to at least $160.

I own quite a few Allstars and have been impressed with their rods. Not an ultra high-end rod, but a good enough rod for most of the fisherman out there.

I know Allstar is (or has) making the sportsman show rounds. Stop by their booth and see for yourself.

[eggbouncer]

Rogue rods proudly made in white city,or....The USA! Best feeling rods on the market!!

[ssteelheadsteve]

GLOOMIS GLOOMIS GLOOMIS GLOOMIS
MY CLIENTS INSIST ON AND EXPECT THE BEST
G LOOMIS G LOOMIS G LOOMIS G LOOMIS

[C 'n' D]

My vote goes to the Berkley IM-7.

Oops, I guess that wasn't an option. This thread is dedicated to "high-end" rods that must catch more fish.

My bad.

CnD

[SlamminKokes]

Im in the market for a new bank salmon rod and most likely will purchase at the Sportsmans show. Will All Star be there so i can check out the Allstar lineup?

[Trophy]

What confuses me is the Lamiglas warranty policy when it's implemented at the counter. It seems like some customers are taken well care of and others are not. I think I rather spend the extra $$ to have a piece of mind than to hope for the best as I drive up to Woodland. I hear a lot of good things about the Rainshadow blanks, but I don't understand what exactly "full warranty" means , so I won't bother with them.

I like what was said about the Allstar rods. Where can I buy them locally here in PDX?

[Rakkasan]

Do a search under "All Star Blanks"


Should I say it again?...what is up with this thing sometimes?

[ 01-27-2004, 05:31 PM: Message edited by: DSRods ]

[Rakkasan]

Do a search under "All Star Blanks"

[TH]

I'll answer the question regarding "full warranties" since I think it was directed at us..

Full warranties from TH Custom Rods means that any warranty passed on by the blank manufacture is pass on to the buyer, we also include a warranty for the life of the rod on all of our craftsmanship...

for example, if you break a TH Rod (rainshadow blank) say you step on it or it gets broken in the boat somehow.. we will replace the rod, regardless of how it is broken for a $50 fee. This is similar to the Loomis or Lamiglas warranty.

If you feel a TH Rod (Rainshdow blank) has failed due to defect, then we ask that you send it to Batson ent. and they will review the break and determine if it was due to a blank failure? They will then send it to us, we rebuild it for free and send it back to you!
Pretty painless and fair.

If you break a Loomis/Lamiglas/Sage/Rogue rod that we have built for you, you have two choices, deal directly with the blank mantfacture and again have them ship the rod to us, we rebuild it free of charge or you can send it to us and we'll send it in.


Thanks what full warranties mean to us.

We feel this is as competitive warranty policy as there is out there.
The downside is the wait, usually two weeks, the upside, and we feel the benifit to having a custom built rod is that it is custom built to your specs, and built at a much high level of care than any factory rod.

A side note
AlLStar rods are a good option for the money! We build them too :smile:

[superfly]

Allstar 100 % american made!!!
And they Just passed St. Croix as the number one manufacturer of fishing rods in the U.S.A with More units per day than any other U.S Manufacturer. St. Croix has been number on for many years until Now!!!
Peace
Superfly

[superfly]

On Step, you need to get your facts straight about manufactures.
To others, the Blanks are Made By Allstar at there Houston Factory.
Allstar also makes Blanks for many other rod companies as well, If you have ever fished a cabela's or Bass pro rod then you have fished an Allstar of some shape or form.
Peace
Superfly

[TheRogue]

Another vote for Rogue Rods!!!

Most of the complaints you heard were early on, very little lately. Like most any company, there's some hiccups starting out.

Love my three, personally feel that rod for rod, they're a better value than the Loomis rods.

Of course, buying rods is like buying cars, everyone's is better, and most all of them are really a lot more than anyone needs!

TR

[chinookie]

I think all the rods mentioned are great rods. If you spend that much money they typically are a great product and all are vary similar with minor details one could argue for or aginst either way. I personally used Rogue rods while I was guiding and found them to be a vary good product.

Superfly I am not sure I understand when you say they are old technology and have a terrible warranty policy. There as technologically up to date as Allstar, Lamiglass,Loomis or any other high end manufacturer if they were not, they would not be selling for near the same price as Loomis, St. Croix, Allstar or any other comparable rod. As far as the warranty policy I guess I have not seen the terrible service you mention. I have had vary fey broken rods, and when they do break I ship them directly to the factory here in Oregon and there back usually within a week's time, that is pretty quick, and they have never once told me the breakage was my fault or add extra fees.

[Tilla]

My Allstars (A great American Company) have worked quite well and take the abuse. I let my guests use these rods day in and day out and they stand up to the worst conditions. Not many are going to let people (some I hardly know)use their $200-400 Loomis/Rogues.
For a bit over $100 I get the confidence of a lifetime warranty.
The ones I really worry about are the ones I made!

[willametteriveroutlaw]

I have had great luck with my rogue rods, and the ones that have had problems (snapped the eye off one my fault) and a loose reel seat were both fixed for free (shipped them with gi joes) and at a resonable turn around time. IMHO they seem to land somewhere between a Gl3 and a IMX as far as feel. For the price of a GL2.

[hot wire]

Well I for one am a proud new owner of a Rogue rod!!

I handled both the GLOOMIS rod and the Rogue rod side by side @ the sportsmen show on Sunday. I gotta tell you, my hand and arm definetly loved the Rogue over the GLOOMIS rod. It felt lighter and more sensitive than the GLOOMIS GL-3 rod. I looked at the wrapps, the guides, and the rod seat too. I also loved the solid glass handle above and below the seat. I say hooey to the naysayers!

"Feel the bite".

Tom