Loomis GL3 SJR700-18

[wet_dream]

Hey BassResource,

 

I’m looking to add a light power rod for panfish. Came across this rod for sale locally, but I cannot find much info on it. 

Does anyone on these boards own this specific rod? Would anyone know: what these rods retailed for new or when they were discontinued?

 

I’m pairing with a Stradic FL 1000, currently spooled with 8lb braid. Will probably use mostly from my kayak to target crappie, perch, and maybe pond-hopping for trout.

 

Any info would be appreciated!

 

Cy

[ATA]

These are special, fast-action rods designed to give warm-water spin fishermen the power and performance of a casting rod in a spinning configuration. While many of these rods are similar to their casting models in both actions and power-ratings, they are rated for slightly lighter line because spinning reels traditionally don't handle heavier line as well as a casting reel, even with oversized guides. These rods were originally developed for fishing soft plastics for bass, but have since been discovered by walleye anglers for vertical jigging as well as grubs and light bottom-bounce rigs. There are five different power “groups”, ranging from 2- to 17-pound test line. Many of these rods are suitable for light saltwater use. They are just what the doctor ordered for bass, walleye and pike on the freshwater side and you'll find a number of ways to use them in light saltwater applications. They are light, sensitive and extremely accurate. The more popular models are available in GLX, IMX and GL3.

Price $210

[wet_dream]

21 minutes ago, ATA said:

These are special, fast-action rods designed to give warm-water spin fishermen the power and performance of a casting rod in a spinning configuration. While many of these rods are similar to their casting models in both actions and power-ratings, they are rated for slightly lighter line because spinning reels traditionally don't handle heavier line as well as a casting reel, even with oversized guides. These rods were originally developed for fishing soft plastics for bass, but have since been discovered by walleye anglers for vertical jigging as well as grubs and light bottom-bounce rigs. There are five different power “groups”, ranging from 2- to 17-pound test line. Many of these rods are suitable for light saltwater use. They are just what the doctor ordered for bass, walleye and pike on the freshwater side and you'll find a number of ways to use them in light saltwater applications. They are light, sensitive and extremely accurate. The more popular models are available in GLX, IMX and GL3.

Price $210

Thanks for the info. What site did you find this on? Doesn’t really go into the specific rod I’m asking about, seems like a broad, general overview of Loomis’ “SJR” rods. Thanks nonetheless.

[ATA]

6 minutes ago, wet_dream said:

Thanks for the info. What site did you find this on? Doesn’t really go into the specific rod I’m asking about, seems like a broad, general overview of Loomis’ “SJR” rods. Thanks nonetheless.

https://www.glensoutdoors.com/g-loomis-sjr700-gl3-5-10-classic-spin-jig-mag-light-extra-fast-spinning-rod.html

 

[spoonplugger1]

That wasn't much info really and not the SJR700S specifically, I bought mine for $60 back close to 40 years ago an IM6, high tech back then. There was a trick caster, tournament angler, author of many books and articles everywhere, international bass ambassador, and in the Hall of Fame, by the name of Stan Fagerstrom, it was his all time favorite rod. I've caught LMB, SMB, trout of all sizes and species, panfish, bonefish, crappie (an awesome deepwater crappie rod), walleye, speckled trout, shad, steelhead, pink salmon,  and just about anything under 15 lbs. I've extended blanks to 6 1/2 ft with great success. A very neat rod, don't think anyone has ever replicated it. I think it could have been called a BFS rod decades before anyone knew what one was. I built a casting version back in the 80's for a retired gentleman who fished the water hazards on the golf course he lived on in Florida, using the first ultralight casting reel I'm aware of, the Shimano Bantam 100EX, he loved that rod combo.

[Hulkster]

I own the SJR700 GL3, its 5'10 Mag light power and one of the nicest rods I own. I have had it for 18 years. I have just put a new reel on the combo, a shimano  Nasci 1000FC. I use 6 pound sufix siege mono on the rod and its amazing for casting lighter baits for bass and trout. 

 

its killer to fish #3 Mepps spinners on, thats what I caught this huge brown trout on, casting the shoreline of lake ontario. 

 

the rod is discontinued, but I have been told that the IMX PRO SJR 721 is almost a twin of this rod, If it ever breaks on me, I will look to replace it with this particular rod. 

 

 

you can tell the rod is really showing its age, look at the handle and reel seat LOLOL

[Hulkster]

when I bought this rod 18 years ago from Bass Pro shops in Canada they were $240 Canadian but at the time the Loomis prices in Canada mirrored those in the States. Eg. the IMX I bought in the late 90s was $250 Canadian and I think they were $250 US in the States. This was probably because we had a Loomis production factory up here known as G. Loomis Canada. 

this rod has a very light tip. but has some backbone as well, but its still a light powered backbone. 

the guys at tackle tour talk about the GL3 SJR700 here: 

 

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewmbkirisamelimited.html

 

"Countless years ago, during my bass fishing youth, spinning gear was my mainstay. Overall, it was less expensive and easier to use than baitcasting gear, and the disparity between entry level, median, and top end gear wasn’t as wide when money was factored in. My combo of choice? A Shimano Symetre 2000 with QuickFire II matched up with a G.Loomis SJR700-21 GL3. Man how I loved that combo. Back then, the Stradic was Shimano’s top end freshwater spinning reel. It was white with a wooden knob, but right around $100. No way I could swing that, so instead, I went with second from the top in the Symetre and right around a $60 or $70 price tag. G.Loomis was still relatively young as a company and the GL3 replaced my five foot long LCI (Loomis Composites Inc) ultra light. The SJR700-21 was five foot ten inches, so I got a little more length out of it, and it also had this mean new taper Gary Loomis called “Mag-Light”. Essentially, it’s a light powered spinning rod with an extra-fast taper, but what it felt like was the tip of my 5’ LCI Ultralight fused onto a much more powerful blank. This was the ultimate combo for fishing four inch finesse worms on a #2 lightwire Gamakatsu worm hook and split shot. Six pound test Original PLine was the line of choice and I absolutely slayed them because I could feel everything.

Want to know what a sensitive rod really is? Fish with a quality ultra-light stick for a while and you will be spoiled. The SJR700-21 allowed me this luxury without the handicap of an ultra-light backbone.

But of course, times change, desires evolve and ultimately, that combo, really just the stick - was retired for reasons of nostalgia and the opportunity to try different gear. See, I discovered this thing called a job where I do what my manager asks, and they give me money to buy fishing gear! Can you believe it? As the income grew, so did my tackle arsenal, but still, I had yet to find a stick that duplicated the magic of my trusted SJR700-21 GL3. '