ABU is overpriced Posted February 1 Posted February 1 Its 2025, and their rods look like something that was released between the early to mid 90s. Why is it that Loomis refreshes their rods, and one generation after the other, they all look extremely ugly and ancient? I would understand if they were sub $200 rods, but we're talking about the higher end rods there is, not some cheapo Walmart sticks. I never understood this, and i especially don't get it in 2025. You don't need to build a Megabass level rod that pops with the bling, but being this cheap looking at that price range doesn't make much sense. 1
Super User senile1 Posted February 1 Super User Posted February 1 Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I am fine with the understated look as long as the rod performs its stated function. I don't dislike more beautiful rods either, but functionality always rules. 4
Bigbox99 Posted February 1 Posted February 1 Some people like that. I used to think they were just incompetent but that this point is has to be intentional and there is clearly a market for it. There are quite a few older gentlemen in bass fishing and I am 100% sure Loomis uptake with 55+ is very high compared to other brands. Think of them as the Harley Davidson of fishing rods.
ABU is overpriced Posted February 1 Author Posted February 1 58 minutes ago, senile1 said: Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I am fine with the understated look as long as the rod performs its stated function. I don't dislike more beautiful rods either, but functionality always rules. That's the thing, at the price they're selling them, you shouldn't be choosing between performance and looks. Both should be a thing without a question. 22 minutes ago, Bigbox99 said: Some people like that. I used to think they were just incompetent but that this point is has to be intentional and there is clearly a market for it. There are quite a few older gentlemen in bass fishing and I am 100% sure Loomis uptake with 55+ is very high compared to other brands. Think of them as the Harley Davidson of fishing rods. I don't believe people are buying them for their looks, but more the Loomis's reputation, and warranty. If you let Megabass redesign the NRX, and sell it at the same price, i'd bet high buck that over 80% of people buying the NRX would choose the Megabass version. My best guess for this overly simplistic look is their lifetime warranty. When your only investment on a rod during production is the blank (which are great btw), it doesn't cost you much for a replacement. But if they put actual effort into the looks (reel seat, exotic materials on the blank like what Megabass has, torzine guides, etc), it'd be too expensive to have a great warranty they currently have.
Super User FishTank Posted February 1 Super User Posted February 1 And yet they are what all other rod companies aspire to. For the most part, when a new rod comes out the phrase, "It's nice but is it as sensitive as an NRX?" applies to everyones curiosity. 6
Maverick2017 Posted February 1 Posted February 1 This guy again? 🤦♂️ To each their own. Not only in end user rod selection, but also in how a brand decides how to manufacture and design rods. Some like bling, some like classy, straightforward, some like JDM looks. Freedom in design and innovation. Opinions never drive critical business decisions in a brand. If you don’t like the look, don’t buy them. Move on. 6
ABU is overpriced Posted February 1 Author Posted February 1 1 hour ago, FishTank said: And yet they are what all other rod companies aspire to. For the most part, when a new rod comes out the phrase, "It's nice but is it as sensitive as an NRX?" applies to everyones curiosity. What makes you think other rod companies aspire to be like them? 1 hour ago, Maverick2017 said: This guy again? 🤦♂️ To each their own. Not only in end user rod selection, but also in how a brand decides how to manufacture and design rods. Some like bling, some like classy, straightforward, some like JDM looks. Freedom in design and innovation. Opinions never drive critical business decisions in a brand. If you don’t like the look, don’t buy them. Move on. Your last sentense is what i could tell you when you see my threads, so i hope you move on.🤦♂️ And there's a difference between simplicity (rods from Olympic Graphiteleader is a good example of simplicity, while also not looking like some ancient relic from the 90s), and rods that charge a super premium, and use.... recoil guides in 2025. Simplicity isn't an issue, what is an issue is them taking the cheapo rout.
rangerjockey Posted February 1 Posted February 1 Since your opinion drives the industry I'm sure Shimano/Loomis will start the redesign immediately. 1 4
JN94 Posted February 1 Posted February 1 After my experience with the one and only Loomis I've bought (24 GLX), I've come to the conclusion that Loomis rods are the biggest scam in fishing. They're not light, not balanced, sloppily put together every step of the way, and their customer service is horrible. That being said, their general aesthetics are far and away the best in the industry. The NRX and GLX are the two prettiest rods on the mkt imo. I wish more manufacturers would copy their look
The Rooster Posted February 2 Posted February 2 I don’t buy rods at that price point (yet), as my current stopping point is the St. Croix Premier or Mojo lines. However, when I feel the need to go higher again, it would be the G Loomis GCX as my next stopping point, and it would be precisely because of how they look and feel. Old school handle designs are and always will be better. In the 90’s virtually all rods had a full cork grip with reel seats that were of comfortable, common sense designs. Spinning rods had a foregrip with enough room for a full hand grip. I don’t mind a split grip either, but not one where the handle is shaved away so much that my hand rides on the rod blank and is uncomfortable to hold onto. It’s when the manufacturer has used some ugly, uncomfortable reel seats or handle design in order to make their rod stand out and be attractive to the younger generation that they lose me. The Fuji ACS reel seat forever stands out as an example of this. That thing should never have existed. It’s painful to use. Designs just got worse from there. And spinning rods often don’t even have a foregrip at all now, which is a totally brainless design. So for me, if I needed to spend more to get the comfort I want, G Loomis would get my money based on old school designs alone. As for any other cosmetic details, a basic black rod with some other complementary secondary color for guide wraps and graphics is fine with me. Nothing else is necessary or desired. I guess I’m getting to be an old man now since I’ll be 51 this year but I’ve had this viewpoint since I was in my 30’s. Prior to that it wasn’t necessary. 1
Motoboss Posted February 2 Posted February 2 Apparently OP is a bling monster! He’s got too many post about “nobody got no style” bs. Troll bait Darn it, he got me to respond 2
Logan S Posted February 2 Posted February 2 A lot of people appreciate some consistency. Most normal fisherman will add a small number of rods to their lineup each season and not 20 at once. If someone likes to stay with Loomis it's nice that they generally keep the same aesthetics and ergonomics over a long period of time.
ABU is overpriced Posted February 2 Author Posted February 2 2 hours ago, Motoboss said: Apparently OP is a bling monster! He’s got too many post about “nobody got no style” bs. Troll bait Darn it, he got me to respond lol ain't not a troll post. Simply stating what most likely everyone has noticed for well over a decade, but are somehow afraid of saying it out loud, scared of being seen as a troll. Really funny how it is in the fishing industry, people are afraid of saying what they think. 1 hour ago, Logan S said: A lot of people appreciate some consistency. Most normal fisherman will add a small number of rods to their lineup each season and not 20 at once. If someone likes to stay with Loomis it's nice that they generally keep the same aesthetics and ergonomics over a long period of time. They're not even consistent, tho. You simply pay attention to the epoxy applied on guides thread, and its worse than what's seen on sub $100 Chinese noname rods.
Maverick2017 Posted February 2 Posted February 2 36 minutes ago, Motoboss said: OP’s favorite song…… Red Hot Chili Peppers….Under The Bridge 😎 2
Logan S Posted February 2 Posted February 2 2 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said: They're not even consistent, tho. You simply pay attention to the epoxy applied on guides thread, and its worse than what's seen on sub $100 Chinese noname rods This was originally about aesthetics, IE the overall look and style...Not about thread work or finish. The overall, general look of Loomis rods is fairly consistent and many people who use their rods appreciate that I'm sure. I'm a rod builder, I've repaired many Loomis rods. I'm aware of their issues with threadwork, but they are not alone in those issues...Most mass production rods have something or another you can nitpick at, just how it is with high volume products. 2
ABU is overpriced Posted February 2 Author Posted February 2 1 minute ago, Logan S said: This was originally about aesthetics, IE the overall look and style...Not about thread work or finish. The overall, general look of Loomis rods is fairly consistent and many people who use their rods appreciate that I'm sure. I'm a rod builder, I've repaired many Loomis rods. I'm aware of their issues with threadwork, but they are not alone in those issues...Most mass production rods have something or another you can nitpick at, just how it is with high volume products. I dunno about most mass produced rods having these kind of amateur mistakes. You never see this with megabass, shimano, daiwa, olymic, etc. And by never, i mean extremely rarely, not "literally" never, of course. Y'all are giving them a pass😊
MRQturbo Posted February 3 Posted February 3 Fit and finish on nrx can be hit or miss.. For a high end rod, their craftsmanship and attention to detail is far behind megabass and shimano... But fish with one on your hand and you see why they are the gold standard that every manufacturer is measured against... 1
ABU is overpriced Posted February 3 Author Posted February 3 3 hours ago, MRQturbo said: Fit and finish on nrx can be hit or miss.. For a high end rod, their craftsmanship and attention to detail is far behind megabass and shimano... But fish with one on your hand and you see why they are the gold standard that every manufacturer is measured against... And this is exactly my point. I am not trying to imply that the brand is bad, their rods (or should i say their blanks instead?) are excellent, and one of the better there is, but for the price they're charging, they should be significantly better speced (Torzite guides shouldn't even be a question for $600USD+ rods), and look like a $600+ rod. But its as if criticizing a quality beloved brand is forbidden, and those who own their rods, refuse to say anything negative about em because it makes them feel bad about their purchase.
padon Posted February 3 Posted February 3 idk? who cares ? i have some glx , wont buy nrx because i dont like recoil guides. i like the couple imx rods i have . they feel good in my hands are sensitive etc. i also like my megabass , shimano and st.croix. its just a fishing rod. if its the action i want and feels good in my hand ill buy it. 2
ABU is overpriced Posted February 3 Author Posted February 3 4 minutes ago, padon said: idk? who cares ? i have some glx , wont buy nrx because i dont like recoil guides. i like the couple imx rods i have . they feel good in my hands are sensitive etc. i also like my megabass , shimano and st.croix. its just a fishing rod. if its the action i want and feels good in my hand ill buy it. "Who cares" ain't an answer. We're not talking about a $10 item.
Logan S Posted February 3 Posted February 3 36 minutes ago, ABU is overpriced said: "Who cares" ain't an answer. We're not talking about a $10 item It's actually the most correct answer to this thread. 3
Rockhopper Posted February 3 Posted February 3 ^this Don't like it, buy something else. I always have and always will appreciate the simplistic, utilitarian look of Loomis rods. I don't do bling. 2
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