Alternative to G Loomis products

[Dan-K]

As the title says, I am looking for alternatives to replace my collection of loomis rods. I began purchasing higher end equipment this year and thought loomis was the way to go, I was wrong. I broke my first loomis rod Friday removing it from the rod locker. The last four inches or so snapped off when the tip got hung up on the lip of the locker. I called my two local loomis dealers and was informed that they no longer do over the counter exchanges via the expiditer service, no problem right? I went to loomis' web site and learned that they have doubled the price of the expiditer service to $100!!! That got me a bit upset, I purhased 5 IMX rods with the expectation that if I broke one I would be $50 to replace, not a bad investment. Now I learn they have increased the price, even to those who purchased their rods with the understanding that the replacement cost is $50. Seems it would be better business to mark the newer rods in some way and anything purchased before they raised their prices, the $50 service should be honored.

Sorry for the rant but I am a little upset with the situation. I will no longer purchase loomis rods and will be selling the IMX rods that I already own. Now I am in a quest for a new rod company. I want something comparable to IMX in sensitivity, weight, and fishability. I am also looking at price point, the less expensive the better. I was on tackle warehouse tonight and like the looks of the falcon caras, but I have neve fished one, let alone even seen one in person. I could not find anything on their warranty either. I have a dobyns champion, which is nice but doesn't match well with my curados. Please voice suggestions if you have experience with rods in this category. Thanks.

[BASSclary]

I believe one of the high end St.Croix rods has a nice green to match your Curado  8-)

[Whets Lines]

I am a firm believer in St. Croix products. They will still only charge you $50 for a replacement rod if you break one within the warranty period (lifetime on Avids & up). They have an excellent product and all the really good stuff is made here in the good ol' USA. Add to this their trade-up program, and you have the makings for a full line of replacements for your Loomises.

I think the Avids offer great bang for the buck. I know very little about G. Loomis rods; so, I can't say if this is similar to the IMX rods.

I have visited the factory and everyone I met who worked there made it fun and well worth the many hours I spent in a car to get there from Southern Wisconsin. I suggest you take some time to learn about St. Croix.

Whets

8-)

[Big Tom]

I may be alone in this, but I feel like GLoomis' rein as the rod company by which all others are judged is just about over.  I'm the first to admit that I haven't been fishing very long but based on my experiences, other rod companies have just about caught up to Loomis' higher end offerings.  (I say this loosely because I haven't spent a lot of actual fishing time with high end Loomis rods).  Rods are becoming lighter, better balanced, are full of high end components and although it is accepted that sensitivity is mostly subjective, it isn't hard to tell that even the cheap offerings are much more sensitive than the budget bass rod offerings of the past.  You can also currently get a whole lot of rod for a lot less money compared to the GLX and NRX lines.

I think you can do very well shopping in the 150-250 dollar range.  That range gives you a whole lot rod for the price.  You mentioned that you already have a Dobyns.  I hear nothing but good things about them and I plan on owning a few myself.  St. Croix is a great rod company.  I own a Premier spinning rod.  I know its more of a budget rod, but it definitely gets the job done. I have also fished the Avid and it is a very nice rod for the money.

I use Powell rods quite often.  These rods are relatively cheap considering the quality you are getting.  I own a 704C and it is pretty much my go to rod for just about any tip up/bottom contact technique.  I also own a 766 Flip/Pitch/Punching rod which is an absolute beastly stick.  Tackle Tour has a few reviews up.

Kistler makes a mighty fine product.  I have a friend that swears by them.  He could easily afford any rod out there but is quite comfortable with the Magnesium TS line.

I have fished Daiwa Zillion rods and I found them to be pretty amazing.  I found them to be light, sensitive and ridiculously strong.  A member here - KYNTUCKY WARMOUTH - has two of these sticks and he talks highly of them.  If they intrigue you, shoot him a PM and he will address any questions you may have.

Another manufacturer that sometimes gets overlooked is Damiki and their Dark Angel rods are superb.  I think they only have a three year warranty but they are decently priced so it wouldn't break the bank if you accidentally broke one.

I think the options you have are virtually endless.  Good luck in your endeavor and let us know how it is going.

[Dave T.]

Well, add another one to the list of St. Croix fans. Excellent rods, reasonable price, and a good warranty. I think the trade-up options is also very nice.

However, I'm still disappointed that the top of the line Legend Extreme comes with REC guides. Those guides just don't cut it for me (and a lot of rod builders). I think a $350 rod should come with TiSic guides... never mind the $450 NRX that also has those guides.

With that said, my Legend Extreme, and LTB are certainly excellent fishing tools.

[ww2farmer]

I am a Kistler and St Croix fan. I own A few Magnisum TS Kistlers, and the are a great rod for about $160, but I don't think there is a better sub $200 rod made by anyone, than the St Croix Avid. It is also MHO that Croix makes the "best" entry level rods as well. I'll take a SCII blanked rod (Triumph, Mojo, Premier) over any Abu/Shimano/Skeet Reese/BPS rod any day.

One of my regulr Tournament partners fishes with Loomis exclusivly, IMX's and GLX's. Yes they are super rods, and I have toyed with picking up a few MBR's in either line, but St Croix has rods on par with both and I am happy, so why rock the boat. 

[fathom]

glx and imx are full-carbon scrimmed...is part and parcel of what makes them the "gold standard".

afaik, the legend elites and the legend extremes are the only other full-carbon scrimmed rods on the domestic market.

[Grey Wolf]

If you are changing brands , St. Croix is an excellent way to go.

[bigtimfish]

American Rodsmith and Airrus

[WanderLust]

Dobyns Champion or Extereme would be my choice however many high end rods would fit your fancy.

I recently got a St. Croix Avid and I love it but as other members stated make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

[bilgerat]

St. Croix. Excellent rods and second to none customer service.

[trevor]

glx and imx are carbon scrimmed...is part and parcel of what makes them the "gold standard".

afaik, the legend elites and the legend extremes are the only other carbon scrimmed rods on the domestic market.

Supposedly Fenwick rods are carbon scrimmed. But then again all three could be lying and i wouldn't know.

[Bassn Blvd]

That sucks.  Let me ask you a question though.  What is the warranty specifications on your car?  Is it a lifetime warranty or can you replace your car if it breaks?

[TBendBassin]

dan i sent you a pm check it out

[Dan-K]

That sucks. Let me ask you a question though. What is the warranty specifications on your car? Is it a lifetime warranty or can you replace your car if it breaks?

My car is not a graphite fishing rod. Nor does Toyota offer/advertise a flat rate repair or replacement program for a set price. If they did and my car broke, I would expect them to replace it for the price they advertised as the replacement cost at the time of purchase. If I were building an arsenal of rods today, I would shy away from Loomis simply because of the $100 replacement cost. I will however call Loomis in the AM and express my concerns, in hopes of only having to pay $50 to replace it. I doubt I will get far but we will see.

[BASSclary]

I've never heard anything bad about the Falcon Cara T7's. I think Falcon is an undermentioned rod company who make great rods.

[RussBert]

I am a fan of St Croix rods. I have fished Triumph and Mojo spinning rods, and recently acquired a Legend Tournament along with a pair of Avid casting rods. I am very happy with all of them and will buy more

[dodgeguy]

glx and imx are carbon scrimmed...is part and parcel of what makes them the "gold standard".

afaik, the legend elites and the legend extremes are the only other carbon scrimmed rods on the domestic market.

fenwick and bass pro rods are also carbon scrimmed.

[rubba bubba]

That sucks. Let me ask you a question though. What is the warranty specifications on your car? Is it a lifetime warranty or can you replace your car if it breaks?

Let me ask you a question: when you bought your car and the warranty was a factor in the purchase, however the manufacturer decided to change the warranty conditions for the worse (to you, the better for them), would you be pleased?

[Micro]

If the replacement fee was $50 when you bought it, you should be grandfathered in. 

[Bassn Blvd]

I don 't buy a rod because of it's warranty. I buy it because of it's quality.  If you need a warranty because you're clumsy and break your rods then why should Loomis replace it, as they always have for 50 bucks

Loomis hasn't changed their warranty price for YEARS. 

I don't know why Loomis changed their warranty fee but I would imagine it's because of their new NRX series.  I see the NRX being what GLX used to be and GLX being what the IMX used to be.

The NRX is about $500 and GLX about $400.  I have no problem paying 100 bucks to replace my $500 rod.

[Dan-K]

If the replacement fee was $50 when you bought it, you should be grandfathered in.

that's my point. But even if they replace this rod for $50 what's going to happen if it breaks again? I have already invested in loomis gear with the intent to keep it for the long haul. I will call loomis/shimano tomorrow and request they replace it for $50. I will post the results.

On a side note, I really like the Falcon Caras from the looks and sounds of them, but I need to fish one to see if I will build my arsenal around them.

[Bassn Blvd]

Also, the warranty fee increase didn't happen over night.  There has been plenty of talk about the increase but yet you still went and bought one.  And then you went and broke it because YOU were careless and not paying attention to what you were doing.

How about instead of a warranty, you buy accidental fishing rod breakage insurance.   ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Bassn Blvd]

If the replacement fee was $50 when you bought it, you should be grandfathered in.

that's my point. But even if they replace this rod for $50 what's going to happen if it breaks again? I have already invested in loomis gear with the intent to keep it for the long haul. I will call loomis/shimano tomorrow and request they replace it for $50. I will post the results.

On a side note, I really like the Falcon Caras from the looks and sounds of them, but I need to fish one to see if I will build my arsenal around them.

IT didn't break.  YOU broke IT.

[Dan-K]

I don 't buy a rod because of it's warranty. I buy it because of it's quality. If you need a warranty because you're clumsy and break your rods then why should Loomis replace it, as they always have for 50 bucks

Loomis hasn't changed their warranty price for YEARS.

I don't know why Loomis changed their warranty fee but I would imagine it's because of their new NRX series. I see the NRX being what GLX used to be and GLX being what the IMX used to be.

The NRX is about $500 and GLX about $400. I have no problem paying 100 bucks to replace my $500 rod.

you are missing the point and I am not clumsy with my gear. I work too hard for my fishing equipment to be clumsy with it. This rod should NOT have broken the way it did. I broke a Dobyns rod trying to retrieve a snagged jig by pulling it up like you would fish. It broke just above the handle. The loomis broke at the last guide before the tip while I was removing it from the rod locker. The tip hung up on the inside lip of the locker and it snapped. The rod should have bent rather than broke, which leads me to beleive it was due to a manufuring defect. This rod was new, it had only been fished 4 times. The other rod I have broken was a berkley lighning rod and that was my fault, I sat on it.