G. Loomis Virgin

[Bassyak]

When I started seriously bass fishing several years ago, I fell into the "quantity vs quality" trap and ended up with almost 30 different combos, most of questionable quality.  Then I slowly started selling off some of my cheaper ones and getting some better equipment over the past year and a half or so.  But in the past 3 or 4 months, I've picked up the pace and managed to whittle my rod locker down to about 9 or 10 baitcasters and 5 spinning rigs (not counting my inshore saltwater stuff), all of them of pretty decent quality.  

As I've shopped around for better stuff, I've seen the G. Loomis rods sitting there taunting me with their $300 plus price tags and wondered what in the world could make these rods worth that much money.  I've seen several reviews in the forum on how good the rods are, sensitivity-wise, but I've never been able to try one out on the water.  After someone mentioned the great deal on the Mossybacks they saw on eBay, I started watching for a deal.  I ended up winning an IMX MBR843C for about $150, which I thought was a steal, based on the list prices I've seen.  Can't wait to get it and get it wet.  My question for those of you that have used this particular rod is, what techniques do you use it for?  I bought this model to replace a Shimano Clarus 7' MH/XF, which (by the ratings) has a bit heavier action.  I used it for jigs, Texas-rigs, Carolina rigs, and such, but I'm not sure if that's the ideal applications for the new rod.

If I'm as impressed with the MBR843C as I hope I'll be, my next target will be a CBR843 to fill a hole in my arsenal.  I've yet to have a true cranking rod (anything softer than a fast tip) and am anxious to find a good one.  Anyone use this model or have any experience with it?  I typically throw small to medium cranks, (1/2oz or less, diving 10 ft or less) on 10lb mono or flouro.  Thanks in advance.

[Redsyn]

Make sure you check it very carefully because I bought one on ebay once, it was a mbr844c glx and when I got it I checked it and the forth guide was bent and some of the epoxy broke. then upon further inspections the label had some air bubbles in it. ON A BRAND NEW ROD!!!!

I asked for a return got it and went to the local shop bought a mbr843c imx for $180 new. I got this instead because according the the shop owner it was more versatile. Plus I dont do much jigging anyways. You will love this rod and will only want to get more of them afterwards. Have fun. By the way what reel are you going to mount on it?

[ArcticCat500]

Bassyak,  it was I whom found the MossyBacks on ebay, after ordering & paying for them,  OhYaSales informed that they could only ship 1 out of 3. So I jumped back ebay and found SimmionsSportingGoods, I spoke with Peter and he matched the prices and had them all in stock.

I went with 2 MossyBacks & a Spinnerbait rod.  I fished with them for a couple hours yesterday and even though they're not the Loomis flagship GLX rods,  all I can say is WOW. The sensitivity was incredible and how light they were compared to my BPS's was amazing.

You're gonna love them.

[KevO]

I almost bought that same rod from a guy off craigslist for $100, but I passed on it because it was a light crankbait rod.  I needed something a little more stout for throwing large spinnerbaits.  It would have been my first Loomis rod, but it wasn't what i needed.  After handling it though, I think my next purchase may be an IMX or GLX.

[roadwarrior]

Alright, the rod you want is the MBR844C, IMX or GLX.

If I only owned one rod, this is the one.

8-)

[Bassyak]

Thanks for the input, guys...I looked at the 844, but I already had a heavy 7 footer and wanted something a little lighter for more versatility in my lineup.

Any input on the Loomis crankbait series?  Anyone use these with success?

[Bassn Blvd]

The CBR843 is an awesome crank bait rod.  It's light though.  I have my Diawa Sol on it with #10 mono.  I use it with small-med cranks and small top water.  Loomis just came out with a heavier crank rod witch I will be getting soon.

[Big Tom]

I too am a Loomis Virgin...one of these days I plan on changing that but right now I got lots of college to pay for.  Are they really THAT much better than most everything else???

[roadwarrior]

I too am a Loomis Virgin...one of these days I plan on changing that but right now I got lots of college to pay for. Are they really THAT much better than most everything else???

Geez...Let's start another food fight...

Everyone has a "favorite" brand of rods, reels and lures. Most guys

(which includes me) that fish G. Loomis IMX or GLX will tell you how much they like their equipment. Some of those same guys fish Kistler, Carrots and a number of other brands. I fish (5) St. Croix, (1)Lamiglas, (1) Fenwick Techna AV and two G. Loomis GLX.

I think the G. Loomis are that much better.

8-)

[Big Tom]

Hey, if you have seen my pictures you would know that I would rather eat my food than throw it...so I am not meaning to start anything here...fact is, if I could afford them, I would already have them...and one of these days, I am sure that will be the case.  I didn't mean to sound pissy towards G-Loomis.  As far as looking at them and handling them in stores, I never could figure out why they were three times as expensive as everything else...store testing isn't a fair trail anyway and I know that...but I guess I am saying that on my current budget I cannot justify spending 350 on each rod...But at the same time, its also like everything else with a big price tag...part of the reason people buy Ferrari's is to say they have a Ferrari...

[Raul]

But at the same time, its also like everything else with a big price tag...part of the reason people buy Ferrari's is to say they have a Ferrari...

Not necessarily, I like to fish with the absolute best I can afford, it can take me months of saving by the pennies but at the end it has been worth all the time and effort.

[Big Tom]

But at the same time, its also like everything else with a big price tag...part of the reason people buy Ferrari's is to say they have a Ferrari...

Not necessarily, I like to fish with the absolute best I can afford, it can take me months of saving by the pennies but at the end it has been worth all the time and effort.

I think I do understand where you are coming from.  And once again I am not trying to put down anyone who prefers fishing with G-Loomis gear.  We all experience different things at different levels of collecting our tackle.  While nobody technically needs expensive tackle its something that adds enjoyment to our hobby.  And enjoying what you are doing is the very foundation of fishing.

In the mean time, I am going to have to find me a buddy with some G-Loomis rods and see just how good they are.

[Aaron]

Loomis rods are nice, I have four of them and at least one more in my near future.

Big Tom, I am not sure where Morehead, KY is but I am from Calvert City, KY (real close to KY Dam) and if you are ever in the area we could get together and and do some fishing and you can see what a Loomis is like.

[mallardecho]

I just want to know where is there a store in eastern KY that carries G-Loomis rods?

[Aaron]

Go to loomis's website and look under the dealer section.  It listed stores in Ashland, Somerset, Winchester, and some others.

[ArcticCat500]

Loomy Virgin here till this year, out again Wednesday for a couple more hours and Im more amazed..I cant afford the $300+ GLX's but the Mossy"s n Spinnerbait rod met my expectations tenfold.

[joshmb1999]

I too am a Loomis Virgin...one of these days I plan on changing that but right now I got lots of college to pay for. Are they really THAT much better than most everything else???

Geez...Let's start another food fight...

Everyone has a "favorite" brand of rods, reels and lures. Most guys

(which includes me) that fish G. Loomis IMX or GLX will tell you how much they like their equipment. Some of those same guys fish Kistler, Carrots and a number of other brands. I fish (5) St. Croix, (1)Lamiglas, (1) Fenwick Techna AV and two G. Loomis GLX.

I think the G. Loomis are that much better.

8-)

RW - do you think that they are that much better than you st. croix's?  compare the imx's to the avids and the glx to the legend elite.

[Bassn Blvd]

lets see if I can shed some light on why I use Loomis.  First of all, people say they can't justify spending $300. for a rod.  Well, how do you justify spending $100 on junk?  Here's an example.  I took a fried fishing the other day and let him use my rods, which were all loomis.  HE was using my spinning outfit because he felt more comfortable using spin gear.  He asked how much I paid for the rod.  I told him 240 minus the reel.  He said he could never spend that much on a rod.  The following week we went fishing again.  This time he brought his own rod.  It was a combo from Bass Pro.  I kept catching fish and he complained of not getting any hits. I gave him on of my lomis' and he started feeling the hits.  So yes, there is a big difference in feel.  That's just one example  and there's plenty more.  It's not that you need to justify in buying it.  It's how do you justify in NOT buying it.  

[roadwarrior]

I too am a Loomis Virgin...one of these days I plan on changing that but right now I got lots of college to pay for. Are they really THAT much better than most everything else???

Geez...Let's start another food fight...

Everyone has a "favorite" brand of rods, reels and lures. Most guys

(which includes me) that fish G. Loomis IMX or GLX will tell you how much they like their equipment. Some of those same guys fish Kistler, Carrots and a number of other brands. I fish (5) St. Croix, (1)Lamiglas, (1) Fenwick Techna AV and two G. Loomis GLX.

I think the G. Loomis are that much better.

8-)

RW - do you think that they are that much better than you st. croix's? compare the imx's to the avids and the glx to the legend elite.

The Avid series is a great, moderately priced rod series. All but one of mine have been purchased on sale for around $100. I think $150 MSRP is about the range where manufactures price what might be considered the beginning of the "high end".

The Legend Elite series is priced to be a slight bargin vs. G.Loomis GLX series, but I have found these on super sales, too. Last fall I bought an EC70MHF for just over $200 from Reed's Outdoor Family Outfitters. I feel they are comparable to the Loomis IMX series, not the GLX.

St. Croix Avid and LE series use similar, high quality components on par with G. Loomis. Perhaps it's the blanks that make the difference. St. Croix continues to upgrade their offerings with technical improvements that may match or exceed G.Loomis. I have not seen the new Legend Elite in person, but here is what they introduced in Las Vegas:

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewicast08rodsstcroix.html

8-)