Rod Advice(Mbr)

[Pettis]

I am looking for a rod for primarily paddle tail swimbaits. I usually throw them on swimbait jig heads or underspin heads. Generally throwing 1/4-3/4oz heads and anywhere from 3"-6" sb's. (Would also love to be able to use the same rod for weightless flukes, but am open to separating those applications)

 

Usually my fishing is done in deep, clear reservoirs with a lot of rock.. and some brushpiles. (Lanier, Hartwell) On occasion I go to Seminole or Eufala and others. 80% Im on Lanier.

 

I use Dobyns Champion series for nearly all moving baits, and I have tried my 734c for this application and it just doesn't feel right. Love it for spinnerbaits, but I just do not like it for the application I detailed above.

 

I am leaning toward a MBR, either 843 or 844, but just can't decide which would fit best. Also unsure if gL3 would be the ticket, or should I go IMX.. (or even GLX)? I use NRX for my bottom contact applications, and love them.. but I just can't justify that price point for a moving bait. Do the actions/power in loomis other lines generally match up with the NRX JWR? (I have 894 and 895JWR) 

 

I do love my Dobyns, I have 734c, 2 of the 705glass, a 704cb, and 806CB. I'd be open to a Dobyns, but if the 734 didn't feel right....

 

 

Thanks for any feedback.

[roadwarrior]

G.Loomis GLX MBR842C/ Core 50Mg/Tatsu #15 is my rig and might be my overall favorite.

This is the PERFECT set-up for small swimbaits and swim jigs. 

[Pettis]

G.Loomis GLX MBR842C/ Core 50Mg/Tatsu #15 is my rig and might be my overall favorite.

This is the PERFECT set-up for small swimbaits and swim jigs. 

I thought they no longer made the GLX MBR842..?

[roadwarrior]

Looks like you are correct:  http://www.gloomis.com/content/g-loomis/us/en/home/conventional/rods/classic-bass/CLASSIC_MAG_BASS.html

[kickerfish1]

Sounds like you own a nice stable of high quality rods already. I am guessing you want to walk the line before very fast action (stiff tip) bottom contact rods and a traditional crank bait rod? If the weights alone are 1/4 to 3/4 oz by the time your plastic is threaded on you will be closer to 3/16 to a full oz by the time you are done.

 

The BCR series from Loomis are very fast action rods that don't have a lot of give to them. Very powerful and light but not suited to moving baits in an ideal situation. The MBR series is their Mag Bass Series. I find them to be a better blend between a reaction bait rod and say an NRX/GLX BCR rod. The are Fast action rods but seem to have more versatility to them. If you are used to GLX/NRX feel I would encourage you to look at the "classic" MBR 844 which is rated up to 1 oz baits. I have the GLX rod I use for general bass apps when I am limited to one rod and need something versatile. It is a good rod for jigs, swimjigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, texas rigs, and even some frogs and weightless baits. It wouldn't be my first choice for flukes but I do like it for paddle tails style swimbaits and baits like the Big Hammer. I have fished both jigheads with a soft plastic swimbait trailer and keel weighted swimbaits like the Keitech fat impact. Rarely do I ever use a jig head size above 1/2 oz so most of my total weights are closer to 3/4 oz. The rod seems to be find for this.

 

Another option would be look at a Megabass rod from the Orichi XX line of rods. Their tapers are super versatile and have a great selection of rods. Not 100% sure which rod would best for your apps but I would email Gary at the Tackle Trap to see if a rod like the Perfect Pitch would work.

 

If you are looking at Loomis the IMX/GLX 844 MBR rod may be worth a look.

[kickerfish1]

http://www.meltontackle.com/index.php?act=models&url=g-loomis-classic-mag-bass-rods&total_items=1&wl=0

 

Not on sale but as far as I could tell there are some GLX/IMX MBR rods in stock. May be worth a look...

[Pettis]

Sounds like you own a nice stable of high quality rods already. I am guessing you want to walk the line before very fast action (stiff tip) bottom contact rods and a traditional crank bait rod? If the weights alone are 1/4 to 3/4 oz by the time your plastic is threaded on you will be closer to 3/16 to a full oz by the time you are done.

 

The BCR series from Loomis are very fast action rods that don't have a lot of give to them. Very powerful and light but not suited to moving baits in an ideal situation. The MBR series is their Mag Bass Series. I find them to be a better blend between a reaction bait rod and say an NRX/GLX BCR rod. The are Fast action rods but seem to have more versatility to them. If you are used to GLX/NRX feel I would encourage you to look at the "classic" MBR 844 which is rated up to 1 oz baits. I have the GLX rod I use for general bass apps when I am limited to one rod and need something versatile. It is a good rod for jigs, swimjigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, texas rigs, and even some frogs and weightless baits. It wouldn't be my first choice for flukes but I do like it for paddle tails style swimbaits and baits like the Big Hammer. I have fished both jigheads with a soft plastic swimbait trailer and keel weighted swimbaits like the Keitech fat impact. Rarely do I ever use a jig head size above 1/2 oz so most of my total weights are closer to 3/4 oz. The rod seems to be find for this.

 

Another option would be look at a Megabass rod from the Orichi XX line of rods. Their tapers are super versatile and have a great selection of rods. Not 100% sure which rod would best for your apps but I would email Gary at the Tackle Trap to see if a rod like the Perfect Pitch would work.

 

If you are looking at Loomis the IMX/GLX 844 MBR rod may be worth a look.

Kicker, Thanks for the reply. I have the megabass orochixx stinger shot spinning reel for dropshotting, and love it, so Id definitely be open to that line in casting.

As far as the classic mbr844, is the action the same as the IMX? The GLX? I do not own any from those lines, only the NRX and EX6- so I don't really have a point of reference.

I can live with having a separate stick for weightless flukes.. maybe an MBR843 or you think BCR?

 

Again, thanks for the reply- very helpful!

[kickerfish1]

The current line of GLX and IMX rods aren't as good as the previous generation of rods IMO, You would best off looking at prior generation of rods over what you can currently find at a place like TW for example.

 

The action on the previous Gen Loomis GLX rods will be a touch faster and offer more feel than the IMX series. The older GLX rods also feature recoil guides which many guys like too.

 

I would consider the 844 previous generation GLX/IMX rods and not the current versions of these. The link I posted in an above post appears to have these vary rods in stock.

 

As far as your fluke/weightless plastic rod you would be hard pressed to find a rod better than the NRX 893c. If length is a problem just drop down to something like 853 or 843.

 

Sadly Loomis rods only make up a fraction of my line up as I am not a brand loyal guy for all my rods. Hopefully there are some more Loomis guys on here that can help you select the best rod for your paddletails and soft body swimbaits.

[Pettis]

.

 

The action on the previous Gen Loomis GLX rods will be a touch faster and offer more feel than the IMX series. The older GLX rods also feature recoil guides which many guys like too.

 

 

 

 

Do any of the current generation Loomis have the recoil guides, aside from NRX?

[kickerfish1]

Do any of the current generation Loomis have the recoil guides, aside from NRX?

To my knowledge they do NOT. The older GLX rods DO have them as do the NRX rods as you noted. Another option for a recoil guide rod would be the *** *** series. Just note that their rods are pretty stout/powerful and more suited to bottom contact apps.

 

Hopefully we can get a few more opinions from other Looms guys on here. I know there are at least a handful of guys on here that fish their rods. They must be busy fishing!

[Mike2841]

I know you're looking at loomis, but the alx deputy has a lot of power and a nice taper. I use it for just about everything, but it's really good for jigs/swim jigs, chatterbaits, keitech fat impacts.

[John G]

If you go with a 3/4oz jig head and a 6" SB, you are more than likely going to have a total weight close to 1.5oz and IMHO, I would not throw that much weight with my 844GLX. I would stick with 1/2oz heads for the 844 and 1/4oz plus SB, the 843 would be fine. The 843 is a fantastic unweighted Super Fluke rod. If it were me, I would get a MBR GLX because it's the better rod than the GL3.

[Pettis]

If you go with a 3/4oz jig head and a 6" SB, you are more than likely going to have a total weight close to 1.5oz and IMHO, I would not throw that much weight with my 844GLX. I would stick with 1/2oz heads for the 844 and 1/4oz plus SB, the 843 would be fine. The 843 is a fantastic unweighted Super Fluke rod. If it were me, I would get a MBR GLX because it's the better rod than the GL3.

 

Good point. I do have a couple setups already that could handle the 3/4oz + 6". You guys have talked me into the NRX 843 for the flukes.

I have a 894JWR in the EX6 line, how do you guys think that would work for the paddle tails? I use it for t-rigs and creatures, but would rather have something a bit more sensitive for that application. If the EX6 I have would work for the swimbaits, I could instead upgrade the t-rig stick to either a GLX or NRX? Or am I reaching?

[Stapsy]

If you already have the E6X why don't you give it a try and see if it works for you? I have never fished that rod but I have been using a fast action heavy rod to fish 3/8oz swim jigs with a 5 inch swimbait trailer and it is working awesome in grass. I am sure it isn't the recommended use for the rod but it works perfectly for me.

[bigfruits]

a lot of the loomis rods are on sale below. IMXs come out to about $195, GLXs to about $275 and NRX to about $350 with free shipping. Most of the deals are on the newer JWR rods but they do have deals on IMX MBRs.... Click "email for best price" and also use code aug201511

 

http://www.*.com/G-Loomis-Bass-Rods-s/659.htm

[Pettis]

Thanks for all the help guys. I love the NRX 893, and my EX6 984 worked great for all my paddletail applications. The only downside is I'm officially hooked on NRX rods!

[kickerfish1]

Thanks for the follow up reply. Most people don't ever state one way or the other what they ended up with. Glad you seem to be liking the new acquisitions. I too am a big fan of the NRX rods just not the price tag even in Rep Sample/Dealer Demo form!

[Pettis]

I hear you, $500+ for a rod is steep. My local tackle shop will order NRX for me for $475.. but I took bigfruits suggestion is his post and ended up getting the NRX for $367. At that price I could not turn it down.

[kickerfish1]

Sure is tough to when Rep Samples are usually under $400. You will love that 893 NRX for anything under a 1/2 oz and any weightless plastics. I hope 984 IMX works well. That was a tough one for me gauge do to the weights you were using. Well enjoy the new rods!

[Pettis]

Actually I didn't buy an IMX, I just used the ex6 I had. Thanks again for the help.