Scored a new retro Loomis

[The_Natural]

I was making my weekly stop in Cabelas bargain cave, and made a pass through the rod section...and a Loomis caught my eye. It was a pre-'99 Loomis CR723. The kicker was it was new...brand new with the tags on it. I say pre-'99 because I believe Loomis used the weible reel seat into '99, even though Shimano bought them in '98. Who has a rod for 10yrs before they decide to return it?! My buddy Walt in the bargain cave said they don't carry the 723 anymore, and it couldn't be put out with the new Loomis rods because it 'looked different'. Hey...I'm down with the 'different'. Anyway, besides the Weible seat, the older Loomis rods seem to have a higher grade of cork. It's like it has no pits, and it's brighter (granted I cover the cork with rod wrap anyway). It's bitter sweet for me; I found an old Weible 784 at a tackle show in late '03 and sold it after I used it once because I thought I 'needed' a 7 footer. I was young and dumb and it represents my biggest regret of things I've sold. . Anyway...pics in a bit....

[fathom]

congrats on a classic find!

just be careful mounting an mg reel on the weibe.

[The_Natural]

[The_Natural]

congrats on a classic find!

just be careful mounting an mg reel on the weibe.

Yeah...thanks. I realize unless you have owned both an old weible and a current model with the Fuji seat my post might seem a little crazy. I'm sure some folks are like 'just because Loomis used to make their own reel seat?!' The weible seat puts the rod below the hand at a slight angle, and the metal locking ring is heavy duty and just....well...nice. Handling one will show you the difference; if you see one...buy it. There must be a couple sitting somewhere in a small ma and pa tackle store.

[Bassn Blvd]

Yep, theres one sitting right here next to me.  I got this 6'6 back in 1988.  I have caught 15 pound snook, sea trout, jack, and countless bass on it.  I don't use it much anymore because my ex-wife gave it to me when we were dating and I can't stand that piece of  .  Anyway, back to the rod.  I let my dad use it but it needs to be stripped down and rebuilt.  I was thinking of doing the expiditer service on it.  

As far as the reel seat goes, I like the ones they currently use better.  I don't care much for that metal locking ring.  The cork however is hard core bad to the bone.  

[The_Natural]

Yep, theres one sitting right here next to me. I got this 6'6 back in 1988. I have caught 15 pound snook, sea trout, jack, and countless bass on it. I don't use it much anymore because my ex-wife gave it to me when we were dating and I can't stand that piece of . Anyway, back to the rod. I let my dad use it but it needs to be stripped down and rebuilt. I was thinking of doing the expiditer service on it.

As far as the reel seat goes, I like the ones they currently use better. I don't care much for that metal locking ring. The cork however is hard core bad to the bone.

I like the ring, but I may be in the minority; I've heard people gripe about it before.  What's up with that cork?   I don't build rods, but I didn't know you could buy cork without 'knots' in it.  It's a shame I'm too contemporary to show it!   And 1988?  I thought Loomis only had the original IM6 out at that point.  I saw the IM6's in Okiebug in Tulsa when I was 12 and couldn't believe how expensive they were.  I was making $10 a week in allowance, and couldn't fathom buying something like that.  I thought it was crazy!  

[The_Natural]

Oh yeah...you can still use the expiditer on your '88 Loomis, and you will get the new Fuji seat.  

[SJex]

Very nice find there. Where did you get that black rod wrap from?

[burleytog]

Is that shrink wrap on the foregrip?

[Jimzee]

I like how you wrap the fore-grip in shrink wrap.  I guess that's what it is?  I have seen you do that to all your rods.  From that color it looks like there may be an Alphas going on that rod.

[burleytog]

Very nice find there. Where did you get that black rod wrap from?

Looks like a Prince tennis racket wrap to me.

[The_Natural]

It is indeed. It is 'overwrap'...not the thick adhesive stuff that tennis and raquetball rackets have as a base. It is literally identical to rod wrap, only better I think. Very thin and doesn't 'fray' or have fibers that start popping out like rod wrap does (I'm a long time user ). Yeah...the foregrip is just oversized colored heat shrink tubing that keeps the cork preserved. I thought I was going to sell it at one point, but ended up just handing a bunch out and letting people know where to get it. I dig it. The heat shrink does come in clear, but why wouldn't you want some color?!

Prince Overwrap ($3.99....will do 3 rods)

Cable Organizer Heat Shrink Tubing. 1" internal diameter. It had been so long since I ordered it...I forgot what I ordered the first time. I measured the heat shrink I had been using for 3 years, and it was 1.5" flat. So I ordered 1.5". It was waaay to big. Internal diameter is a lot different than flat length.  1" internal...remember that. The gray, magenta, and purple are my favorite colors, but the blue looks great as well.

Ooops! Waay to big. This is 1.5" internal diameter...you need 1".

Here are some pics from a couple of years ago....

Before shrinking...

Not permanent....

[burleytog]

Mmmmm, orange shrink wrap....

[TheBeast]

Mmmmm, orange shrink wrap....

Yeah got my attention with that too.  

[The_Natural]

I was actually disappointed in the orange (and green). The orange is lighter than it appears in my pic. Not as 'dark' as a daiwa Sol for instance. When I had my Sol's I ended up doing gray (which looks pretty badass on any rod). Anyway....it's kind of a washed out orange, but I'd be willing to send some to you if you had a foregrip to cover.  Honestly though...I don't think you'll like it. It is pretty simple to do; you just leave about 1/3" on both sides and use a hairdryer starting at the base. (if you have a heat gun...this is the best obviously). I will use a lighter to finish it...the lighter obviously gets hotter and tightens the ends. Just hold the flame low and rotate the rod. I've almost bought a heat gun numerous times...I need to just buy one.

[Dan:]

Wow. That is a really cool idea with the shrink wrap. Why do you prefer the shrink wrap for the front only? Is the tennis wrap more comfortable or have a better grip?

I've thought about using racket or bat grip tape for rods but I was worried it would leave sticky adhesive residue on the cork.

[The_Natural]

Wow. That is a really cool idea with the shrink wrap. Why do you prefer the shrink wrap for the front only? Is the tennis wrap more comfortable or have a better grip?

I've thought about using racket or bat grip tape for rods but I was worried it would leave sticky adhesive residue on the cork.

Somebody sells textured heat shrink for the trigger handle, but it is like $15 and doesn't look that great IMHO. Just get the prince overwrap and you will be good. I get it at Academy; it grips very well, is non-adhesive, and lasts forever. It's better than rod wrap, lasts longer, and is 1/3 cheaper. I wanted heat shrink for the foregrip because I was so picky about getting my cork dirty when I finally spent the money on Loomis rods back in '04. It was just a bonus the shrink came in a variety of colors....I thought it turned my Loomis rods from traditional to badass. Opinions vary though...I've received some funny looks

[Dan:]

So why don't you use the prince stuff on the foregrip? Or doesn't it fit on the foregrip well?

And what do you mean it isn't adhesive? How does it stick on the cork? It won't leave a tacky residue, will it?

[The_Natural]

So why don't you use the prince stuff on the foregrip? Or doesn't it fit on the foregrip well?

And what do you mean it isn't adhesive? How does it stick on the cork? It won't leave a tacky residue, will it?

Back in early '04...I used rod wrap on my handle and foregrip...that is what motivated me to seek something better. Trying to put rod wrap on the foregrip was ridiculous; it was clumsy and looked like crap. The heat shrink is significantly cleaner. As far as rod wrap or the prince overgrip, it has no adhesive on the backside at all. You start it and wrap it on top of itself, and I finish it at the handle with a drop of super glue (I super glue the wrap to itself...not the handle). If you try the prince overgrip...you won't go back, and if you sell your rod it will look unused. That is the biggest bonus of the wrap/shrink combo. When you take it off...you unveil a rod with brand new cork.

[Bassn Blvd]

[quote author=7C5F4D4D50617C52485A3E0 link=1234042394/4#4 date=123406036

I like the ring, but I may be in the minority; I've heard people gripe about it before. What's up with that cork? I don't build rods, but I didn't know you could buy cork without 'knots' in it. It's a shame I'm too contemporary to show it! And 1988? I thought Loomis only had the original IM6 out at that point. I saw the IM6's in Okiebug in Tulsa when I was 12 and couldn't believe how expensive they were. I was making $10 a week in allowance, and couldn't fathom buying something like that. I thought it was crazy!

It is the IM6 blank and it cost about as much back then as the GLX's do today.  

Don't yall think it qualifies for the expediter service?  Witch rod in their line up is comparable to the IM6?

[The_Natural]

[quote author=7C5F4D4D50617C52485A3E0 link=1234042394/4#4 date=123406036

I like the ring, but I may be in the minority; I've heard people gripe about it before. What's up with that cork? I don't build rods, but I didn't know you could buy cork without 'knots' in it. It's a shame I'm too contemporary to show it! And 1988? I thought Loomis only had the original IM6 out at that point. I saw the IM6's in Okiebug in Tulsa when I was 12 and couldn't believe how expensive they were. I was making $10 a week in allowance, and couldn't fathom buying something like that. I thought it was crazy!

It is the IM6 blank and it cost about as much back then as the GLX's do today.

Don't yall think it qualifies for the expediter service? Witch rod in their line up is comparable to the IM6?

The original Loomis IM6 started it all. There are very few of those around, and I would rather retire it versus trading it for a new model. Maybe you can have it restored? Do you have any pics? I haven't seen one in 20 years. I bet someone like fletchero could restore it and give it some new cork.

[Dan:]

So why don't you use the prince stuff on the foregrip? Or doesn't it fit on the foregrip well?

And what do you mean it isn't adhesive? How does it stick on the cork? It won't leave a tacky residue, will it?

Back in early '04...I used rod wrap on my handle and foregrip...that is what motivated me to seek something better. Trying to put rod wrap on the foregrip was ridiculous; it was clumsy and looked like crap. The heat shrink is significantly cleaner. As far as rod wrap or the prince overgrip, it has no adhesive on the backside at all. You start it and wrap it on top of itself, and I finish it at the handle with a drop of super glue (I super glue the wrap to itself...not the handle). If you try the prince overgrip...you won't go back, and if you sell your rod it will look unused. That is the biggest bonus of the wrap/shrink combo. When you take it off...you unveil a rod with brand new cork.

Ok, I gotcha. That's what I figured. I gotta tell ya, I think I'm going to go try to find that Prince stuff. It sure does look nice. None of my rods have foregrips so I can pass on the shrink wrapping. Even though it looks good, I'm glad I don't have to do the extra work.

[Cravin]

I think that is so funny at what length you've gone to preserve your rod, I too am a bit picky with my stuff. I always clean my cork with a light soap and a soft brush because I hate a dirty grip, I also cringe when I see someone toss a reel top down in a boat adding rash to a nice reel when just setting it down would have been better. I use the cheap bass pro shop covers because their CHEAP , easy to put on and can cover the whole reel and a lure giving better protection. I might have to try your wrapping system, seems thought out very well, looks very nice and tells alot about you ;D....but that's good!