G. Loomis Blank - BB 964GL2

[Silver Hilton]

I've got the itch to build myself a new springer rod, to be used for back bouncing kwickies for spring fish. I'm considering the G Loomis BB 964GL2, or possibly the BB 965GL2, which is one step heavier. I kind of want a rod that is bit lightish, to give me a bit more fun with the smaller fish. You know, the ones under 35 lbs.

Has anyone built this blank? Can you tell me how it handles with 6 ounces of weight and a K-15?

[David Johnson]

I've used the 964 for backbouncing. It can handle up the 16 oz. for that.

I don't like it for Kwikfish though. It doesn't have as soft a tip as I like.

For Kwikfish I prefer the HS 983. Nice tip action, plenty of strengh in the butt but is still fun to catch fish on. We've landed a couple oversize sturgeon with this rod. I like the light tip for Kwikfish action as well as letting a fish take the bait while backbouncing.

[Silver Hilton]

Thanks, David. It looks like the HS 983 is no longer available, or I can't find the blank on Loomis' site, anyway.

[David Johnson]

I checked and it's still in the '03 catolog. Look under "Salmon & Steelhead Hot Shot Rods"

[Silver Hilton]

I guess their site is just out of date. See?

[skrimmy]

Hmmm, that's too bad! You'd like that blank SH. It's 8'2" with extra fast action. A really sweet rod, I just bought one a couple weeks ago.

[Silver Hilton]

It seems like that one isn't available as a blank. I'm going to sniff around some more and see what I can find...

I don't really want too fast a blank. I like a more moderate action that allows the rod to bend down on the strike. That was what attracted me to the description of the bb 964, which is described as moderate/fast.

[willametteriveroutlaw]

I believe they only offer that rod premade.. (no blank offered)

[Silver Hilton]

Dog,

thanks for the info. Can you tell me more about why you like the HS?

[Silver Hilton]

Originally posted by willametteriveroutlaw:
I believe they only offer that rod premade.. (no blank offered)

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">That would explain it. Confirms what I'm hearing from the supply shops.

[Firedog]

SH, I like the HS because of the light tip and good backbone. Excellent for plugs. I have a few Loomis HS rods, my favorite is a HS1021 that I use to drift fish for springers with. I also have a couple Rainshadows, hard to beat for the quality and price.

The bb964's are great rods but the tip is a bit stiff for plugs. Other than that they are excellent rods.

[ 01-12-2004, 02:56 PM: Message edited by: firedog ]

[Silver Hilton]

Dog,

Thanks. I'm contemplating a rod that will probably never fish any thing smaller than a k-14. I've got one of the hotshot tapers, can't say I care much for it when fighting a fish, though I haven't tried any of the more recent editions.

Thanks, everyone for the help. Seems like the consensus is, good blank, possibly a bit tip heavy/stiff, and able to stand up to 6 to 8 ounce weights and a kwickie w/o problems. Sounds like the HS983 would be a better choice if it were available as a blank, but it doesn't seem to be. Since part of the goal is to make a rod, rather than buy one, I think I'm gonna give the 964 a whirl, and see how it turns out.

By means continue to chip in with advice, hints, recommendations, and outright demands.

Next up, "What happens when a colorblind man chooses thread colors." Pg-13 for abusive language.

[David Johnson]

Maybe check with TH to see if he has a rainshadow that's comparable to the 983.

I own 981's, 982's and 893's and a 964. You will be happiest wth the 983 for Kwikfish.

The HS rods start with a light tip and taper to a nice butt. The 964 has a stiffer tip and the taper is more in the middle of the rod and then the heavy butt.

[Firedog]

I have a couple of the bb964s, one is a GL3 and the other an older IM6. both excellent rods but for Kwikfifish I prefer my HS981. A tad light for heavy water but a lot of fun. You might check with D and E rods in Battleground they used to have a pretty good stock of Loomis blanks and always seemed to have a few from the previous year. TH might have some also. Or look into some of the Rainshadow Hot Shot blanks.

[Silver Hilton]

David, I went by a store and shook a 983 today. You're right, that's a nice rod. Now I'm gonna have to take a step back and figure out what to do.

[Tyeebuster]

Silver, I have a HSR983 (one piece) and an HSR 1023 (two piece) and the BBR 964& 965. If you are going to use this rod for Kwikfish for spring chinook, I would definatly recommend the HSR series. They are the way to go with plugs because they have a softer tip that allows you to see the plug action better and they have less resistance on the "takedown". Then the fish gets into the "meat" of the rod setting the hook. Both of the HSR rod above will handle 10 oz of lead from the boat no problem.

The BBR works better for Backbouncing and Wobblers for Fall Chinook. They will be to stiff for plugging in my opinion.

[ 01-14-2004, 06:19 PM: Message edited by: Tyeebuster ]

[Fish Hawg]

I like The 982 better then the 983. I find the 983 too stout , Just a personal preference. They are both great rods do get me wrong. The only thing that maters is that you like it. Let Us know on what you get....Ross

[Silver Hilton]

Yeah, I just can't get either of them in the blank. Kinda cramps my style a bit, but I'll find a way to manage. The HS 982 was definitely attracting my eye in the catalog. But again, you can't get it in a blank. I wonder why.

[Firedog]

You can't get a lot of Loomis stuff in blanks anymore. They switched a few years ago and started offering fewer blanks and more built rods :depressed: I used to only build my rods on loomis blanks but have switched to Rainshadow because I can find the blanks I want. Rainshadow does have a good line of HS blanks the HS962 would probably be exactly what your looking for. it is an 8' 12-20. BOE could give you more info on the Rainshadows.

[ 01-14-2004, 09:38 PM: Message edited by: firedog ]

[Silver Hilton]

For the recommendations for Rainshadow, I don't want anyone to think I'm dissing Rainshadow, or TH or BOE. I have one rainshadow rod, and it's great, but I don't see a blank in the Rainshadow line that looks like what I want. The HS 982 is described as Medium/Light, and I'm looking for somthing that is likely to be described as medium, or medium heavy. Of, course, I don't see a blank in the Loomis line that is exactly what I want, either. Time to dither for a while.

[slabhunter]

SH, you may take a look at the Lamiglas G 1380-T. 8' one piece 12-25lb line.

[TH]

Hey no problem
I would suggest the SW 967 though!
It is 8'2" 12-25#
It is a saltwater blank, nice taper, nice tip, a great rod for 4-7oz!
We have been selling a lot of them!

[Silver Hilton]

I'll take a look in the catalog.