Loomis

[jmcarriere]

I know i have a post about IROD but am also curious about loomis what lines are worth the money.

[Hulkster]

I currently own several different Loomis rods (E6Xs, GL3s, Escape Travel series and Trout series rods) and have yet to find one that I thought wasn't worth the money. they have all been fantastic although each are different. They have all been very good at what their intended technique or target fish was. Even the three piece travel rods have been great.

 

some don't like the introductory E6X rod, others do. I own two (one spinning and one baitcasting) and like them both.

[kickerfish1]

I have only owned and fished rods from the classic IMX series, new GLX series, and NRX series. Only handled GL2/3 rods. With that said for the $ to performance I dont feel that the rods under the GLX line are worth it. For $250 and under there are better rod choices available IMO. However I have heard good things about the E6X rods so I would probably try one but just not a fan of the rods accent colors.

[jmcarriere]

19 minutes ago, kickerfish1 said:

I have only owned and fished rods from the classic IMX series, new GLX series, and NRX series. Only handled GL2/3 rods. With that said for the $ to performance I dont feel that the rods under the GLX line are worth it. For $250 and under there are better rod choices available IMO. However I have heard good things about the E6X rods so I would probably try one but just not a fan of the rods accent colors.

And for $250 and under what would you go with that is still made here in the USA

[NHBull]

I don't have a ton of experience with a lot of other brands but have demoed quite a few and see the GLX as today's "Mitchell" of the past. The e6x gets mixed reviews but for specific techniques they do a great job.......just 1 guys opinion...

[jmcarriere]

1 minute ago, NHBull said:

I don't have a ton of experience with a lot of other brands but have demoed quite a few and see the GLX as today's "Mitchell" of the past. The e6x gets mixed reviews but for specific techniques they do a great job.......just 1 guys opinion...

NHBull i am looking at getting 1 e6x a couple imx and then 1 from the fiber blend crankbait series.

[SMITTY0045]

I picked up an E6X last spring and it's a great rod. Very sensitive and has plenty of backbone. If you're trying to stay under $200 this rod is definitely the way to go

[jmcarriere]

5 minutes ago, SMITTY0045 said:

I picked up an E6X last spring and it's a great rod. Very sensitive and has plenty of backbone. If you're trying to stay under $200 this rod is definitely the way to go

Im trying to stay under 300 per rod and need some of them to pull double duty. I need to get a crankbait rod replace my ned rig/drop shot set up and replace my light jig set up. I also need to get a new frog rod but am looking at a different brand for that.

[padon]

To me and its only my opinion loomis doesn't separate themselves from the pack until you get to the glx. that doesn't mean the others are bad rods just that you can get other rods for the same or less money that are just as good.for ME again just my opinion some of the best rods under $300 are st.croix legend tournament.

[jmcarriere]

26 minutes ago, padon said:

To me and its only my opinion loomis doesn't separate themselves from the pack until you get to the glx. that doesn't mean the others are bad rods just that you can get other rods for the same or less money that are just as good.for ME again just my opinion some of the best rods under $300 are st.croix legend tournament.

Ok but are st croix still mad here in the USA 

[Scrapiron]

Re: St. the Avid/X and above series are made in the USA.

 

As far as Loomis- I've got rods in the E6X, IMX, and GLX series. In the store, I always thought the Avid X and LTB felt better than the E6X. Then I fished my E6Xs- they did great and put a smile on my face. These are the Inshore series, everyone who cast them came away very impressed. I've fished IMX and the sensitively was impressive. The GLX- just fantastic.. I can feel fish breathe on my line.

 

I sold my St. Croix baitcasters, but have my spinning rods (Avid X) from them. Another strong contender are ALX rods- they fish above their price tag IMHO.

[jmcarriere]

6 minutes ago, Scrapiron said:

Re: St. the Avid/X and above series are made in the USA.

 

As far as Loomis- I've got rods in the E6X, IMX, and GLX series. In the store, I always thought the Avid X and LTB felt better than the E6X. Then I fished my E6Xs- they did great and put a smile on my face. These are the Inshore series, everyone who cast them came away very impressed. I've fished IMX and the sensitively was impressive. The GLX- just fantastic.. I can feel fish breathe on my line.

 

I sold my St. Croix baitcasters, but have my spinning rods (Avid X) from them. Another strong contender are ALX rods- they fish above their price tag IMHO.

With loomis i dont know that i would spend the money on GLX with being a co angler so would get IMX and E6X the tackle shop i go to is a loomis dealer sp of course they say loomis is the best. But then i also saw a St Croix LTB that fits the bill for at least in rod with the specs that i want. Im pretty surethat my crankbait will end up being a loomis fiber blend crankbait unless i jear of a better one for the money.

[padon]

yes the better st.croix rods are made in the us.imx are nice rods at a good price. if I wasn't fishing ltb that's probably the rod line I would choose.glx are very nice and I wouldn't mind payimg that price for one or two but when I think about redoing my whole arsenal at 400 plus a rod I just cant come to grips with it.

[kickerfish1]

You can find the NRX line for around or under $400 and the GLX line between $300-350. The MBR rods are versatile rods so you can use them for different applications. Could get one or two of those and add in some cheaper rods for moving baits.

[NHBull]

1 hour ago, jmcarriere said:

With loomis i dont know that i would spend the money on GLX with being a co angler so would get IMX and E6X the tackle shop i go to is a loomis dealer sp of course they say loomis is the best. But then i also saw a St Croix LTB that fits the bill for at least in rod with the specs that i want. Im pretty surethat my crankbait will end up being a loomis fiber blend crankbait unless i jear of a better one for the money.

Jason, for CB, I tried the fiber blend and E6X MH......for me the fiver blend was a noodle and I am very happy with the e6x.....this summer, it caught my new PB

[fishindad]

7 hours ago, jmcarriere said:

Im trying to stay under 300 per rod and need some of them to pull double duty. I need to get a crankbait rod replace my ned rig/drop shot set up and replace my light jig set up. I also need to get a new frog rod but am looking at a different brand for that.

7 hours ago, jmcarriere said:

NHBull i am looking at getting 1 e6x a couple imx and then 1 from the fiber blend crankbait series.

 

6 hours ago, jmcarriere said:

Ok but are st croix still mad here in the USA 

Based on your replies, I would assume your two main criteria are 1) rods made in the US and 2) cost under $200 per rod. Hammer, ALX and Falcon come to mind and are all great companies. But, for a cranking rod and a frog rod you don't need a $200 rod. No one does, lol. Don't get me wrong I've got GLX, Legend Extremes, Caras, Envys and other >$200 rods. If I were in your shoes wanting to buy 4 rods at the same time, all made in the US, and under $200 - I would definitely get Falcon's Jason Christie rods at $100 each. The 6'8"MH, 7'MH, 7'3"H and 7'M spin would cover everything in your tackle arsenal that you mentioned. There, I just saved your 4 bills that you can put towards a giant TW order, lol.

 

[jmcarriere]

My criteria is made in the US and 300 or under unless it is for a rod that i need to spend more on. And all rods will not be purchased at one time they will be purchase through out the winter

[Jeff H]

8 hours ago, Scrapiron said:

Re: St. the Avid/X and above series are made in the USA.

 

 

Pretty sure the Premier is made here too.

[fishindad]

Got it. I see you live in MN where the winters are even longer than here in MI. If I were you, I'd not buy any rods over the winter since you won't be able to fish them until April. Trust me as I've made that goof because I was so impatient. Now if you're getting a smoking 50% off deal or something then go for it but I guarantee you'll most likely change your mind once you do get on the water and fish with whatever rod it is you choose.

 

There's still 3 months of great bass fishing remaining so get out there and fish and don't worry about a new rod lineup until you have a chance to thoroughly field test the new rods and decide if they're the ones for you.

[jmcarriere]

18 minutes ago, fishindad said:

Got it. I see you live in MN where the winters are even longer than here in MI. If I were you, I'd not buy any rods over the winter since you won't be able to fish them until April. Trust me as I've made that goof because I was so impatient. Now if you're getting a smoking 50% off deal or something then go for it but I guarantee you'll most likely change your mind once you do get on the water and fish with whatever rod it is you choose.

 

There's still 3 months of great bass fishing remaining so get out there and fish and don't worry about a new rod lineup until you have a chance to thoroughly field test the new rods and decide if they're the ones for you.

I habe no way to field test new rods thats part of the problem.

[KTinman86]

Do lots of research, the information is out there, especially on higher-end rods. Take what you learn and compare it against what you want and like in a rod, and that's as good as it'll get if you can't physically try a rod out. Nothing wrong with having too many rods on the deck...

[fishindad]

12 hours ago, jmcarriere said:

I habe no way to field test new rods thats part of the problem.

These days none of us have access to every rod company out there so we have to do what KTinman suggests and do our research. Best is to fish with some people who have different gear and fish it for an hour or so.

 

That said, look at it this way. Loomis (now Shimano) and St Croix are two of the bigger US rod companies that make more than just "bass" rods - and not all lines are made in the US. ALX, Hammer and Falcon (just to name three) are US rod companies that make rods geared primarily towards bass (inshore and salt fish too). I love and use Dobyns rods and would throw them in your mix of rods to consider but they aren't made in the US. All companies mentioned have excellent customer service IME. You're going to have to just choose a company that has the rods you want at the price point you can afford and just order one or two and compare what feels best to you. Every one of us has our own preferences and experiences when it comes to bass rods and are glad to share them, but will just further confuse you in making a selection. Each rod company has their plusses and minuses. I am not sponsored by any tackle company but have fished for almost 50 years and acquired more rods (and reels) than anyone should. IMHO, the Falcon Jason Christie rods at $99, made here in the US, are all one needs for bass fishing. Of course a GLX or LTB is going to outperform them for jigs and feel baits but for moving baits, save your money and put it towards a higher end rod for bottom contact stuff. There are pros on tour fishing NRX and Legend Elite but you rarely see them in the winner's circle compared to the pros using sub-$200 rods. Now excuse me while I go fish with my LEX70MLF, best smallie rod ever, lol. GL

[Tywithay]

I haven't found any Loomis that I felt was on par with other rods in the same price range, save for the GLX and NRX. If you can find either of those models on closeout, or demo special, they're 100% worth it. All the other lines, I feel like you can find something comparable, or better, for less money. I've seen numerous people compare rods like the Kistler KLX and 13 *** to the IMX line from Loomis and they're considerably less money. I'm all for made in the USA, but you're definitely paying for that as well as the name, while some of the lesser known companies have to put out a superior product (value-wise) to compete with the well-known companies. 

[Dtrombly]

On 9/5/2017 at 10:50 PM, Hulkster said:

some don't like the introductory E6X rod, others do. 

I've never fished it but I have held it in the store, it felt heavy and unbalanced. 

[Hulkster]

On ‎2017‎-‎09‎-‎08 at 8:17 AM, Dtrombly said:

I've never fished it but I have held it in the store, it felt heavy and unbalanced. 

the last generation of the IMX (not the pro ones) and the new E6X rods sometimes feel tip heavy or bottom heavy. But once you put a reel on them and cast it all seems to work. I believe this is because Loomis intentionally had balance points (depending on the technique eg. jig and worm rods vs crankbait rods etc) different than the old school rods which were balanced completely neutral.

 

Loomis mentions something about this on their website about swing weight if I recall.