Looking for info on the G. Loomis Classic Casting series

[fishwizzard]

Hi,

 

As a lover of short rods, factory offerings are few and far between.  I have recently come across the Loomis Classic Casting line, which are offerings in a 6' length with a short 7" full cork stock.   I am not familiar with the Loomis lines and most of the info online is about their higher-end offerings.  

 

Specifically, I am looking to put together a combo to use when bank fishing.  I want to fish medium weighted (3/16-3/8) t-rigged plastics, jigs in the 1/4-3/8 range, and 3/8 chatterbaits.  The water I have in mind varies from open surface with dense weeds below, to large snags/laydowns, to sparse pad fields.  The two rods I am looking at are as follows:

 

or

 

 

Not knowing how the Loomis rods fish I am not sure which one to go with. In addition, most of my current short rods are UL, L, or ML actions, and I don't know how well a stiffer short rod will cast. I am obviously not going for huge distance, but am looking for a rod that loads well across as much of it's range as possible.  

 

In terms of my general lineup, this combo will fit between a 6'3" ML/MF rod I use for senkos and jerkbaits and a 6'8" MH/F that I mainly used for inshore, but also doubles as my frog rod.  The MH/F now covers the applications I want the new rod for, but it is cumbersome to hike around with and I would like to move it to kayak/pier duty.  

 

I  am inclined to go with the heavier rod as my ML combo seems like it will cover the lower end of the weight range but does not handle jigs/t-rigs above 3/8-5/16 very well at all, and due to it being a MF, I want to only use it with thin/softer plastics.  

 

Any input or thoughts would be welcome.  

 

 

[fishnkamp]

Both rods are great rods. My wife and I fish six of the Classic series spinning rods. She owns two GL2 and 1 98% graphite specialty smallie rod.  I own a GL3 and 2 IMX rods. Love these rods. They are light and super sensitive. We use them mostly for bottom contact baits. I also have to mention VERY strong.  We were fishing Ned rigs on our SJR722s (classic series) this past April on Dale Hollow. The big females had just pulled off the spawning beds and were not eating ( just in time for my vacation oh boy)  While these rods handled smallies up to 7 pounds very well, it was my wife's 8 pound catfish that taxed our gear the most. I was rolling laughing as she fought that cat from both the front and back deck of our boat. She looked like Ike running around LOL.  She landed it after about ten minutes of battle, back reeling and hard work. No I would not pick any 6 foot light action rod to battle that big pig but it did it well.

 Those two rods you are looking at are available in GL3 and IMX graphite. The IMX is more sensitive and since you are thinking of this rod for bottom contact baits spend $45 more and go IMX definitely!  For the weight you specified either one will work. The mh will be more versatile for other baits. I guess i would go with the mh, but neither one is wrong given your original intention. I just believe once you have one of these in your hand you will end up loving it for other techniques. 

[EvanT123]

That's a tough one; based on fitting between your two other rods I'd go 722. Based on where your fishing I might go 723. 

 

I spent a majority of the fall throwing a 3/8 spinnerbait on a 783 and a 3/8 buzz bait on a 782 both with trailers. Both rods did a great job. I used the 782 more bc I was catching more fish on the buzz bait and love that bite. 

[fishnkamp]

EvanT123  These "old style" graphite rods sure feel good in your hand. My wallet can not afford a boat load of NRXs but that is okay these rods still fish beautifully. I trhink he will love either one pretty quickly.

[bigfruits]

if the 2 power CR rods are similar to the 2 power MBRs, you might not be happy with 3/8oz jigs plus trailer on the 722.

 

check out Loomis' bronzeback and walleye rods. you might find what you are looking for there.

[fishwizzard]

Thanks for the imput guys.  I am glad to know I am on the right track, but I still cannot decide on what power to get.  I tend to default to lighter rods, but if the CR723 will cast well at the lower end of it's range then I think it would be a better choice.

 

1 hour ago, fishnkamp said:

 

 Those two rods you are looking at are available in GL3 and IMX graphite. The IMX is more sensitive and since you are thinking of this rod for bottom contact baits spend $45 more and go IMX definitely!  

 

AmericanLegacy doesn't have the IMX version in stock, so I will be cooling my heels a bit if I go for the MH.  I was unsure about the real differences between the GL3 and the IMX blanks, but for $45 it seems like a good idea to spring for it.  

[fishnkamp]

I have both and prefer the IMX. I would not miss a deal over it. Check and see if they intend to get them in. I am sure with the rest of your arsenal the 723 is the way I would go. I think it will be more useful overall.

[fishwizzard]

Hah, that was easy.  Emailed AL to see when the CR723 IMX was coming back in stock.  Got a reply in like 5 min that they would be arriving later this week, but that the page was updated and I could order now.  Sure enough I reloaded the page and there it was.

 

Instock and on sale for $191.25, down from $255.  So that made up my mind for me! 

 

Thanks all for giving me the push I needed.  This is now by far the "nicest" rod I own and hopefully it doesn't ruin me for cheaper ones. 

[fishnkamp]

Sorry for that !!  You did ask for help not to talk you out of that! 

[fishwizzard]

And AL just sent me a "$25 off of a $100 purchase" coupon for signing up for their newsletter.  Today is going to be expensive I guess.  

[lonnie g]

I spoke with al as well they told me older g loomis that read  crainkbait series  was equal to what they now call fiber blend I agree with fishncamp  go imx for the few extra $   your gonna get spoiled!!

[Raul]

On 3/1/2017 at 10:26 AM, Bunnielab said:

Hi,

 

As a lover of short rods, factory offerings are few and far between.  I have recently come across the Loomis Classic Casting line, which are offerings in a 6' length with a short 7" full cork stock.   I am not familiar with the Loomis lines and most of the info online is about their higher-end offerings.  

 

Specifically, I am looking to put together a combo to use when bank fishing.  I want to fish medium weighted (3/16-3/8) t-rigged plastics, jigs in the 1/4-3/8 range, and 3/8 chatterbaits.  The water I have in mind varies from open surface with dense weeds below, to large snags/laydowns, to sparse pad fields.  The two rods I am looking at are as follows:

 

or

 

 

Not knowing how the Loomis rods fish I am not sure which one to go with. In addition, most of my current short rods are UL, L, or ML actions, and I don't know how well a stiffer short rod will cast. I am obviously not going for huge distance, but am looking for a rod that loads well across as much of it's range as possible.  

 

In terms of my general lineup, this combo will fit between a 6'3" ML/MF rod I use for senkos and jerkbaits and a 6'8" MH/F that I mainly used for inshore, but also doubles as my frog rod.  The MH/F now covers the applications I want the new rod for, but it is cumbersome to hike around with and I would like to move it to kayak/pier duty.  

 

I  am inclined to go with the heavier rod as my ML combo seems like it will cover the lower end of the weight range but does not handle jigs/t-rigs above 3/8-5/16 very well at all, and due to it being a MF, I want to only use it with thin/softer plastics.  

 

Any input or thoughts would be welcome.  

 

 

 

Go with the 3 power for the applications you mention. The power 2 are a lttlr bit on the soft side.

[fishwizzard]

The rod came in today and oh man is it nice.  With a 3/8oz tungsten weight tied onto 8lb YZH, I can feel each seam as I drag it across our brick floor.  Tried the same thing with a low end Abu rod and I can't really feel anything other than the really crooked ones.  

 

Spring cannot come soon enough!

[waymont]

I have both of those rods and I think both are great. I am also a big fan of 6' rods since I do most of my fishing from a canoe or small boat. The MH rod is very similar in action to a St Croix 6' Premier Medium action rod. Both are great all around bass rods for most situations and lure types and weights. You made the right decision on the MH. The medium action G Loomis really shine with medium crank and minnow baits. Also 3.5" and 5" soft swimbaits  are great with both.