G Loomis Rods

[christianherc]

Hello 

im new to bass fishing and for the last year or so have been using some old equipment iv had laying around with some small crank baits, im looking to put together a good crank bait rod on a budget and someone near me is selling a CBR 903 7'6" rod really cheap, while im tempted to just grab it im wondering if thats right for the type of fishing thats near me and what i currently can do. Im in chester county PA and i can fish either the Schuylkill or Marsh creek but i have no boat. I like using crankbait since ive had some success on my small trout rods and junk reels and ive read about the cranking rods are pretty good for some jigs as well. I have a small Kayak that ive been using but im wondering if this CBR 903 is more suited for boat use and not shore or sit down kayaks. Any help ?

[Preytorien]

It's a moderate / medium-fast rod. Meaning, it'll have a bit more bend to it. Ideally this would be a very good crank, spinnerbait, etc rod - I'm not sure about jigs since those need a good bit of backbone to set the hook aggressively.
I've found with a true boat it would probably be fine for those lure types, but in my kayak I usually want more backbone. 
Overall this rod (in my arsenal) would be pretty technique specific as it might be too soft for things that need a good whacking hookset (frogs, topwaters, jigs). For me I'd use it with moving baits and *most* soft plastics. 

[christianherc]

8 minutes ago, Preytorien said:

It's a moderate / medium-fast rod. Meaning, it'll have a bit more bend to it. Ideally this would be a very good crank, spinnerbait, etc rod - I'm not sure about jigs since those need a good bit of backbone to set the hook aggressively.
I've found with a true boat it would probably be fine for those lure types, but in my kayak I usually want more backbone. 
Overall this rod (in my arsenal) would be pretty technique specific as it might be too soft for things that need a good whacking hookset (frogs, topwaters, jigs). For me I'd use it with moving baits and *most* soft plastics. 

Thank you for the feedback Preytorien, ive been using this website to familiarize myself with the differnet types of baits,im actually using jerk baits not cranks. https://bestbassfishinglures.com/jerkbaits/, that being said do you think this is suitable for kayak use ? 

[WRB]

7'6" 3 power Loomis crankbait rod isn't going to work good for jerk baits regardless what you are fishing out of, the rod is too long.

What reel do you plan to use and what specific jerk baits do you have? More info helps to suggest a rod, budget?

Tom

[christianherc]

4 minutes ago, WRB said:

7'6" 3 power Loomis crankbait rod isn't going to work good for jerk baits regardless what you are fishing out of, the rod is too long.

What reel do you plan to use and what specific jerk baits do you have? More info helps to suggest a rod, budget?

Tom

Not sure, like i said im trying to put together a decent rod/reel combo on the budget end, per my research at the moment it seems like G loomis rods are highly regarded, an id like to pick one up second hand. as far as lures go i have a j-5 and j-7 size that ive been using on my 6 lb trout rod. so im pretty much starting with a blank slate.

[waymont]

8 minutes ago, christianherc said:

Not sure, like i said im trying to put together a decent rod/reel combo on the budget end, per my research at the moment it seems like G loomis rods are highly regarded, an id like to pick one up second hand. as far as lures go i have a j-5 and j-7 size that ive been using on my 6 lb trout rod. so im pretty much starting with a blank slate.

Rapala J-5 and J-7 are very light lures, more suited for UL or light action rods. If you want a Loomis rod the SJR 721 is a 6' spinning rod that would handle lures like what you describe great. It would also be excellent for small jigs (1/16oz-1/4oz), top water, small X-Raps. The shorter length may suit you more that the 7-6" rod. the 903 is for much heavier lures than what you describe.

[WRB]

Your trout rod and spinning reel is a good match fit the small 1/8 oz jointed Rapala minnows you mentioned.

G. Loomis rods are highend of the price range and highly rated, not a budget rod when used unless you are looking at E6X series.

Let me try this again, spinning or casting, the CBR 903 I believe is a baitcasting rod, do you know how to cast a bait casting reel? Do you have a target budget; under $200 for the combo?

Tom

 

[christianherc]

14 minutes ago, waymont said:

Rapala J-5 and J-7 are very light lures, more suited for UL or light action rods. If you want a Loomis rod the SJR 721 is a 6' spinning rod that would handle lures like what you describe great. It would also be excellent for small jigs (1/16oz-1/4oz), top water, small X-Raps. The shorter length may suit you more that the 7-6" rod. the 903 is for much heavier lures than what you describe.

Im not stuck on those two lures, i would buy others, what about this G Loomis MBR 782C, is this more versatile then the CBR ? theres a guy near me thats looking to downsize his rod collection, he has one of those for about 100.00 Im becoming more and more aware that there no one rod, but if i were to have only one to start what would be a good starting point. 

3 minutes ago, WRB said:

Your trout rod and spinning reel is a good match fit the small 1/8 oz jointed Rapala minnows you mentioned.

G. Loomis rods are highend of the price range and highly rated, not a budget rod when used unless you are looking at E6X series.

Let me try this again, spinning or casting, the CBR 903 I believe is a baitcasting rod, do you know how to cast a bait casting reel? Do you have a target budget; under $200 for the combo?

Tom

 

Yes, the trout rod and spinning reel is fine, I'm just looking to move up. the CBR903 is a baitcasting rod,  I do not but wanted to get into it hence why im looking to get rod set up for baitcasting. Ive found a few Loomis rods for about $100.00 second hand, as well as some baitcasters for around 50-150 which is what id like to keep this build to price wise. 

 

appreciate all the information 

[WRB]

The bait casting rod I use for a variety of lighter weight lures from 1/4 oz to 5/8 poppers, jerk baits, smaller crankbaits and finesse shaky head jigs, 1/8 to 3/16 oz T-rigged worms is Iovino Major Craft Splash-It rod 6'8", wt is 3.7 oz,  $130 at TW.

Daiwa Tatula CT 100 size casting reel is a good choice around $100.

The MRB 782C is a 2 power 6'6" rod is a very specific application rod that may work for smaller 1/4 oz jerk baits. $100 price depends on how old the rod and condition, no warranty.

 

[islandbass]

4 hours ago, christianherc said:

Not sure, like i said im trying to put together a decent rod/reel combo on the budget end, per my research at the moment it seems like G loomis rods are highly regarded, an id like to pick one up second hand. as far as lures go i have a j-5 and j-7 size that ive been using on my 6 lb trout rod. so im pretty much starting with a blank slate.

Loomis rods definitely have a respectable reputation such that it is nearly a given, but what it probably more important is if the rod you are eyeing is going to suit your needs and do what you expect it to do.  Perhaps you can handle a 7'6" rod from your kayak as only you can say with any certainty.

 

With that said, if the price is too good to not let go, then get it. I'm sure you'll eventually for a place for it in your arsenal.  As a newbie angler, you have no idea how large your rod arsenal will grow, and it will. Trust us, lol. There is a creature that dwells in every angler, the bait monkey. Yours has been dormant, but will soon be waking up.

[christianherc]

I really do appreciate all the help here, Im going to meet with the guy selling the rods and talk to him, hes getting rid of them for about $100.00 a piece, id like to buy all three, but you know how it is. Im leaning towards his GL3 MBR803X, seems to be a better choice for soft baits, which is what i think im really gonna start out with. 

[waymont]

14 hours ago, christianherc said:

I really do appreciate all the help here, Im going to meet with the guy selling the rods and talk to him, hes getting rid of them for about $100.00 a piece, id like to buy all three, but you know how it is. Im leaning towards his GL3 MBR803X, seems to be a better choice for soft baits, which is what i think im really gonna start out with. 

There isn't a GL3 MBR 803, all of the MBR rods are 6'6", 7'  or 7'6" long. If you can get any MBR rod for $100  that's a great deal, as long as they are clean and all together.

[Spankey]

On 8/20/2019 at 8:42 AM, christianherc said:

Hello 

im new to bass fishing and for the last year or so have been using some old equipment iv had laying around with some small crank baits, im looking to put together a good crank bait rod on a budget and someone near me is selling a CBR 903 7'6" rod really cheap, while im tempted to just grab it im wondering if thats right for the type of fishing thats near me and what i currently can do. Im in chester county PA and i can fish either the Schuylkill or Marsh creek but i have no boat. I like using crankbait since ive had some success on my small trout rods and junk reels and ive read about the cranking rods are pretty good for some jigs as well. I have a small Kayak that ive been using but im wondering if this CBR 903 is more suited for boat use and not shore or sit down kayaks. Any help ?

Good luck on your find. There are a few threads like yours recently. A lot of options mentioned. Check them out. 

 

St. Croix make a yak rod that is cut shorter in the butt section and is various lengths. 

 

Must be popular but I’m not a yak guy. Seeing it around at a few shops. 

 

Good luck on the Skuke and over at Marsh. We are in the same neck of the woods. Have fun. 

[christianherc]

Picked up the GL3, its in great condition, now looking up some reels haha 

 

Guy had a cuardo 70 XG and a 200, might pick on up next pay period. 

[Hulkster]

nice whats the model number on the GL3?

[christianherc]

28 minutes ago, Hulkster said:

nice whats the model number on the GL3?

GL3 MBR803X/ 6'8" MEDIUM HEAVY CASTING 

[waymont]

1 hour ago, christianherc said:

GL3 MBR803X

Does that have a telescoping handle? 

[christianherc]

1 hour ago, waymont said:

Does that have a telescoping handle? 

Not sure, i dont think so though he would have showed me 

[WRB]

GL3 are glass composite not a high modulus graphite bottom contact material, more of a jerk bait rod IMO, I will yeild to the Loomis rod experts.

Tom

[Deleted account]

10 hours ago, WRB said:

GL3 are glass composite not a high modulus graphite bottom contact material, more of a jerk bait rod IMO, I will yeild to the Loomis rod experts.

Tom

I have a few older GL3s and to me they fish very similarly to my old St Croix Premiers, haven't used either in years for anything other than catching bait, ok all around "don't impress, don't offend" sticks IMNSHO.

[Hulkster]

i don't think the GL3s are glass composite. I have a few and they are great rods, sensitive, very similar to a St. Croix Avid.