G Loomis rods........would like an introduction to them

[The Rooster]

I was at a local tackle store today, just killing some time and looking to see anything I've never seen before. While there I picked up a G Loomis rod, a GL2, and this thing was so impressive holding it that I was nearly sold the minute I grabbed it. Then I saw a GL3 and it felt about 1/3 lighter weight still over the GL2. The thing that impressed me the most was that the GL2 was a 6'6" Heavy, with a lure weight range of 1/4 to 1. Felt nice and stout but also felt like it would still load up right for a 1/4 oz bait to cast well from it, which is a combination I've looked for in the past but never really found. While I love my Shimano Compre, it's a medium heavy and only rated for 3/8 oz. baits minimum and it definitely does not feel like a 1/4 bait would cast very far off of it. I can cast one but it's clearly not the distance I'm able to hit with a medium rod that will handle 1/4 oz baits. But this Loomis felt as though it truly might do it (as much as I'm able to judge just standing there anyway). And to beat it all, even though it felt like it might do this well, it also felt stout enough for a heavy 1 oz. bait (like it says it will), and did it all while feeling featherweight in overall weight.

So that got me thinking seriously about a Loomis rod. I'd like to know how far up the line the GL2 and GL3 are, near the bottom, middle, or what?? Based on prices I'd say they might be Loomis' entry level cause the GL2 was $165 which I think that's about the cheapest I've ever seen a Loomis. The GL3 was $215. Then I know there's the IMX and GLX and probably a few more. What order do they rank in as far as one being better than another??

I know this part doesn't make any difference to the fish, but I did like the GL2 better than the GL3 just cause of colors and overall appearance, to say nothing of it being $50 cheaper. I have a couple more rods still to get and if I went with a Loomis GL2, that would be more affordable than a GL3 and still be a lot better than I've ever been used to, even over the Compre I think, and I dearly love my Compres.

[Raul]

Gl2s are nice rods for the money, there are nicer rods in that price level.

GL3, well ..... being so close in price to an IMX I 'd rather go for an IMX.

IMX, "best bang for the buck" ( yeah a 230+ best bang for the buck  :  )  in the GLoomis line.

GLX, the crème of the crème of the GLoomis line.

Nowdays about half of my GLoomis rods are GL2s, good rods where being able to detect what the fish is thinking when watching a bait is not a must ( cranks, spinnerbaits, topwaters ), the other half are IMX where being able to detect what the fish is thinking when watching a bait is a must ( worms/ jigs ). Got a GLX and I swear I can 't feel difference sensitivity wise between it and an IMX .... but that 's me.

I 'm not familiar with the Mossyback so I can 't comment anything.

[The Rooster]

Wow, that is so nice, thank you very much for that explanation.  I like the idea of being able to read fish minds though , so you think the IMX would be about the best for what I'd be looking at??  $230 for a single rod, that's more than I've ever paid.  I just in the last year made the jump up to the $100 range from previously $50 and below.  What a difference that made though.  

Fortunately for me I still need a worm/jig rod.  Got a 7.1 reel earlier this year and it's still in the box cause I never got the rod for it.  I first got a Shimano Compre 6'6" MH/F for this, put a 6.4 reel on it and I do use it for worm/jigging, as well as spinnerbaits.  I could see it staying as my spinnerbait only rod though.  Especially since I have that other 7.1 I intended to use for a worm/jig only rod when I got it.  

Would you see anything wrong in putting a $80 reel (that I got for $50) on a $230 rod??   ;D  Already got the reel, it's a BPS Extreme and I really do like those.

[Hellbenderman]

I have an MBR843C IMX and a CBR 843. The MBR843C is significantly stiffer than the CBR843, and I use it for large cranks like a 900 series hellbender or a Rapala DT16, and big swimbaits. I think itm would be good for big jigs and spinner baits too. The CBR843 I use with smaller cranks like a Rapala DT10, Killer B1s and smaller, but even a Series 5 Strike King Sexy Shad is pushing it. The CBR843 simply cannot handle the back pressure of say a Rapala DT 16 or a DT 20. You will absolutely love the CBR843 for throwing smaller cranks, and while it may seem whimpy at the onset, it has great backbone and is very forgiving, but I don't see it as a jig or worm rod. The MBR843C is quite a bit stiffer and you may have to give it a bit more self imposed give at the strike on cranks. I love both rods and they both cast exceptionally well when matched with the right lure, etc. They are not inter-changeable, however. They are different rods. It all depends on what you are doing. I purchased the MBR843 first and was very pleased with it, but realized I needed something else to throw smaller baits. I also have an IMX MBR 784C Heavy which I use only for jigs and worms in heavy cover. I also still have and use the one that started it all, a GL3 MBR783C 6'6" Med-Heavy, and it has been a great worm/jig rod. I can't say enough about all these rods and no I don't work for Loomis The IMX is pricey, but I plan to have these rods a long time. I have had the GL3 for 4 or 5 years and it still looks brand new. So I take the long view. If I have a rod 10 years and it cost me $250, that's $25 a year. In my case that would be about fifty cents an outting. They do tend to be specialized, so know what you want it for and trust what it says about lines and weights. Stepping up to an IMX will be rewarding.  

     

[ArcticCat500]

I fish the BCR803 Mossyback, I got a great deal on it and absolutly love this rod for my jigs....I just picked up a Kistler Helium LTA, so we'll see where the Loomis sits when I mount up the LTA.  

[The Rooster]

I gotta do some more reading up on these rods. All these model numbers are confusing until I know what rods they refer to when I look at them. Only thing I could tell you at this moment is that after seeing a GL2 today, I plan on giving G Loomis more attention than what I have in the past. In the past my attitude on them was "aah, too expensive".

Now they still might end up impressing me that way in the long run. I'd like to directly compare them to rods of roughly equal price ranges to see how they stack up, such as a G-Loomis GL2 ($165) compared to a Shimano Crucial ($150). Do those compare apples to apples or are they apples to oranges?? And how far above the Shimano Compre rod that I know are any of the G-Loomis rods, if they are?? Do G-Loomis rods and Shimano rods even compare in any category, high or low??  I need some advice like that.  Granted, it's probably all just opinions I'll get.

Otherwise I don't have anything to go on to tell me if they are worth the money or not. I kind of think I know what to expect from different Shimano rods and know next to nothing about a Loomis.

[Raul]

I have an MBR843C IMX and a CBR 843. The MBR843C is significantly stiffer than the CBR843,      

As it should be, the CBR is a crankbait specific ( crankbait series ) rod with a moderate action ( regardless of the power ) while the MBR is a Fast action rod.

Rooster, for a worm/jig rod I would purchase no less than IMX ( all my "feel" rods are IMX and that single GLX ), for other stuff like I mentioned GL2 's do the trick, sensitive enough to do what I want them for and not too pricey. I don 't see anything wrong in sitting an 80 dollars reel on an IMX but don 't ever sit a Chronarch Mg cuz you 'll get spoiled beyond repair forever.  

GLoomis IMX + Chronarch Mg = match made in heaven.  

CR721IMX + Daiwa Liberto Pixy = 11 in the scale of 1 to 10 in the funometer scale.  

[Redsyn]

I would highly suggest you get an IMX line of rods if you are going to get a loomis and dont want to break the bank. My first bass rod is a imx 843 which I still have and it is a pleasure to fish. The sensitivity is great. I dont have the glx so I can't comment on that. I was looking at the gl2/3 series and was not impressed by the weigh/feel/$$$. I'm sure in that price range there are better rods out their. I would get it used or through ebay if I were you. I wouldn't pay retail just because I like to save $$ and the warranty is still valid as long as it is a loomis.

In terms of $80 reel on a $200+ rod, as long as you can get that lure out to where you want it and it has good drags, reels smoothly , then you have no problem.

I have a gloomis dropshot rod w/ a $40 8yr old jdm shimano spinning reel and it works great. I have always wanted to upgrade the reel but its still smooth. The drags work great. a little ugly but I just can't get myself to pay more then $100 on a fw spinning reel that I still have to pump and wind pump and wind to get the fish in. I'd rather spend that money on baitcasting reel or rod where I can feel the added performance.

Like raul said, dont mount a light weight high performing reel on the rod. When I first started these guys got me to get an Alphas ito as my first baitcaster. roughly 6oz. Now I have 2 of those and a td ito. I am going to sell my calcutta and calais because of the weight. But for some reason I love fishing the less expensive cardiff.  

[The Rooster]

Hey Raul, I just noticed that earlier you said there are nicer rods than the GL2 in that price range.  What are some of those, if you don't mind??

[Dan:]

Hey Raul, I just noticed that earlier you said there are nicer rods than the GL2 in that price range. What are some of those, if you don't mind??

There are plenty of great rods at that price range. Kistler (magnesium), Powell, St Croix (Avid), etc...

[flechero]

I would buy IMX if I were in your shoes.  

[Craiger12]

Go IMX. It will save you some $$ over the GLX and will certainly be the best rod you have ever fished. I know it was for me when I made the leap. And with the Loomis warranty and expeditor service the investment is totally worth it IMO.

[shimanogloomis man]

i wouldnt bother spending money on a gl2 or gl3 or mossyback.. If you want to buy a loomis get urself a imx or glx trust me theres other rods out their for under 200 better then loomis s   .. now if u dont have the moneyfor an imx or glx then go with a powell or shimano crucial  

[mikey16]

i just got a kistler magnisium rod yesterday with a revo s and went on a fishing marathon try 18 of the last 24 hours ive spent fishing and i honestly like it more than my jig n worm gl2 for shure and i LOVE my gl2 i just think that the kistler is alot more sensitive and my crystal ball says i will be seeing more kistlers in my near future i also think it was lighter than the loomis. when i went to bps last night i picked up every last rod between 100 and 200 dollars that was between 6'9 and 7'3 and and put a revo on it i suggest you do the same with the real you have in mind and rods in your price range

[steezy]

G.Loomis GLX and Shimano Core 50 MG is not a match made in heaven,

it IS heaven.

[The Rooster]

i wouldnt bother spending money on a gl2 or gl3 or mossyback.. If you want to buy a loomis get urself a imx or glx trust me theres other rods out their for under 200 better then loomis s .. now if u dont have the moneyfor an imx or glx then go with a powell or shimano crucial

I'm hearing a lot of feedback, thanks for it all by the way. However I'm pretty sure I won't be putting as much money into the rod as what an IMX or GLX will cost. Spent a long time last night and today looking at them online, in catalogs, and reviewing prices compared to rods. I've about decided that either a GL3 or GL2 would be as high as I would want to go, especially since I realized that the GL2 and GL3 I held yesterday were as light a rods as I had ever held to date. So even though they're not G-Loomis' top of the line, they're still worlds ahead of what I've ever owned so far. I hate to say they're better than my Compres cause I really love them, but they both did feel lighter, especially the GL3.

But, I also have not looked real hard at the Crucial yet either, just passingly so far. And if I'm going to consider a GL3 then I'd also be looking at the Shimano Cumara too. $200 would be the top price range I'd want to look at, and I'd make a quick run outside of that to stretch for a Cumara or GL3 if I thought it would warrant the extra $20. But IMX's I've seen start at $255 and up, I think they're just too high for me at this point. That's a good jump for me considering that I only just now in the last year made it to the $100 range with the Compres and I was previously only looking at Clarus's for $70 as an upgrade. I'm getting sucked in quick with the upgrading of rods it seems but I don't want to do too much too fast (though I did just change my signature yesterday in response to this new "rod craze" ;D).

So.........so far I have a working list of rods to look at and it's the.....

GL2

GL3

Crucial

Cumara

Powell (models??)

That's a pretty good amount for me to start with I think. Trouble is, around here I have no dealers of Powell rods.....that I know of. The two local shops don't keep them, and there is one more about 30 minutes away, small shop but does have a very few nicer rods so they might have one, but the one or two they have might not be enough to give me an overall idea. May be taking a trip to Bass Pro Shops soon to see what they have, which would be 3 1/2 hours away for me, same for Cabela's. Anybody know if Gander Mountain keeps the Powells?? They're a bit closer, maybe 1 1/2 hours away.

[Dan:]

I would add Kistler's Magnesium and Argon series, St Croix Avid, Dobyns, and the Daiwa Zillions to that list. They are all at or below the price range of the Cumara. If you want light, check out the Zillions. Seriously.

[The Rooster]

Duely noted.  Thanks.  Man this rod selection is going to take some time.  Anybody here ever spend weeks or months contemplating it??  I'll likely not make this purchase before January, mostly due to Christmas coming and preparations for the holiday will take priority money wise.  But also this purchase will require some serious thought.  I looked at the Compre for 3 months before taking the plunge (gotta remember, previous rods only costed $50 or less, really I think the only $50 rods I ever owned prior were bought on sale cheaper than that).

[Craiger12]

Remember to keep an eye on the flee market here. I picked up an SJR843 IMX in great shape for $175 from another member. And right now there are a few GLX's going for $255.

[uicdent11]

I do not think I would take time contemplating what rod to get. Instead, I would take time waiting until you found an IMX MBR online. I got a 783 new for $190 and I have seen most used from $130-175. Definitely worth it over any of the rods you picked. I will keep my eye open for ya.

[Redsyn]

You can definantly get a imx new for around $200 online or tackle shops if you know where to get them.

If $200 is your limit then I would set that money aside and dont touch it. Every week put in $5. By chirstmas time get yourself that Loomis!!!! :

I really hope you end up w/ a rod that you will like. I just know if you start lower end, you'd just end up paying more to upgrade later. Good luck.

[Jake.]

This guy sells IMXs for less than GL3 retail:

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/701nodaksports_Bass-Mag-Bass-MBR_W0QQ_fsubZ484653012QQ_sidZ862626522QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

[roadwarrior]

Opportunity knocks:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1252794105

Try to scrape up another $50 and buy the MBR844C.

You will not be disappointed.

8-)

[Grey Wolf]

IMX OR GLX. Forget the other rods on your list. You can find great deals on these rods right here if you really try.

[Raul]

Hey Raul, I just noticed that earlier you said there are nicer rods than the GL2 in that price range. What are some of those, if you don't mind??

Shimano 's Crucial

St Croix Avid

Those are nicer rods than a GL2 at that price range, but as I said, I don 't use my GL2s for fishing baits that require a lot of feel, I use them for cranking, spinnerbaiting and topwater fishing. The ammount of sensitivity they provide is enough for me to manuever a crank or spinnerbait through the standing timber in my everyday lake. If were to purchase a rod for worming/jigging not having ( or willing to spend a lot more ) GL2s would not be my first choice, I would rather purchase a Crucial or an Avid.