Gettin' a new rod. Opinions???

[QUOTE=R19;326095]I have also been thinking about buying a G Loomis (GL3). I want the rod for one reason and one reason only...pitchin to cover. 90% of the time it will be in 10 ft of water or less. My primary bait will be a texas rig 1/4 and 5/16 or a 1/4 and 3/8 jig. I spool up 20 lb floro line in water below 60* and 20 lb Big Game mono in warmer water with that being said... in your opinion which blank will be the best for that set up.

If my memory is correct the GL3 883 blank is 7' MH (1/4 - 3/4 or mabey 1oz?) with a line rating of 12-17 lbs...all I use is 20lb line. All of my other 7 ft MH rods have a line rating up to 20 lbs in fact Lommis is the only rod I can think of that has a line rating of 12-17 on a 7' MH pitchin rod.

The GL3 844 blank 7' H (1/4 -1 oz maybe 1 1/4?) but has a line rating 12-20.

I have never owned a Heavy action rod before but looking at the line rating on Lommis that is what I need? I was going to order the rod online. I might be better off going to a store and compare the two rods before I make an order 843 or 844?[/QUOTE]

I would definitely recommend going to a store. I had two rods in mind when I went looking today and I walked out with a totally different one because it had a better feel. You also might want to seriously take the small jump up to the IMX. I think it's only $50 more on the 844 and $40 on the 843. It would be worth every penny. The IMX is much more sensitive than the GL series.

I built 2 843 IMX's and love both of them. I went from a Falcon Cara rod and the Loomis blows them away. I will be hard pressed to get anything other than a Loomis from here on out. Ryan

in my own opinion the glx mbr 844c is the best 7 foot rod made,but those shimano cumara rods sure look nice as well...........

[QUOTE=Harley;326064]Thanks for the help guys. I went by Anglers Outpost since I was in NichVegas and looked at about four different models. I ended up going with the BCR853-GLX. You are right Chaser, the GLX's are stiffer than the other Med-Heavy ones. It is just as stiff as my Heavy action Lamiglass rod but it is 7 inches longer and has a faster tip. I figured it was time to stop drooling over the GLX's and just get one. I can't wait to try it out in the next few weeks. Thank you GW for the Tax rebate check. Isn't there something wrong about me thanking him for giving me back my money.[/QUOTE]

You made an outstanding and best joice for jigs and t-rigs. The BCR series GLX rods are faster actions then the MBR GLX series and more sensitive. They are not very good for anything but plastics and jigs but they do plastics to an incredible level. The 3 power BCR series is very close in actual power to the MBR 844. This was actually measured and posted on the tackletour.com site just last week in a rod review they did. I own the BCR803 and after three years am still smiling about this rod. I'd recommend a 17# pure FC line. Bass pro FC would be fine.

The MBR844 is a fine jig rod but my primary purpose is C-Rigs and Chatterbaits. The MBR843 is a more veritle rod but you already mentioned you had a bunch of 7MH rods. Loomis power ratings are consitant with Shimano, Daiwa and most BPS rods. The St. Croix is the rod where a MH is equivalent to a MBR844.

I have a custom version of the CBR847. Great deep cranking rod and heavy lipless crank rod. Anything fast moving above 1/2oz in weight weight works well with this rod.

Enjoy your new rod and try it with a C-Rig some day:)

I called Tim today and MAN what a GREAT GUY!! He said he has some non-coustom rods (at a price I can work with) for me to try out to see what "I like" and "fits my style of fishing" best, before I spend a money on one of his. I know, basically because he said so, that he doesn't make much if anything on these and he STILL suggested the idea. To me, it takes one heck of an honest guy to suggest going a route that he doesn't make money on to insure you get the "right" pole for you. I would suggest anyone looking give him a call, especially after talking to the man for over 1/2 hour on the phone, I can't believe you would not be happy with him or his services. Thanks for the contact.

Rob

R19
If you are getting one to pitch to cover I would get the GLX 855 J and W. If you are looking at GL3 price range rods get the same rod in a mossyback series. The MBR rods are lighter than the new J and W and mossyback rods of the same power but for pitching the action of this rod is perfect. The first foot of the rod is light enough for feel and the rest just doesnt bend. You can set the biggest hook you can buy without a worry. The 20 line would be perfect for this rod (17 to 25 line rating).

If you are seriously considering buying one I would definitley go to a store with several models and compare. You should also take your rod you use now and see how it compares to these so you get exactly what you want especially if you have never owned a loomis before. I would recomend Backwaters in Somerset. They have a large selection, are very friendly and should something happen very easy to deal with to rectify the situation.

Call them at (606) 415-1249 and see if they have this model in stock before you go. If they dont they will probably order it and then you can go look at it in a week and decide then if you want it without feeling you have to buy it. They stock alot of Loomis and I highly recomend them.

Best rod for the money and is very light would be the Shimano Crucial line, alot of people buy g-loomis because of the prestige around them. G-loomis are awesome rods but at 129-169 the crucial cant be beat.......

[QUOTE=Col Forbin;326080]You can't beat the Shimanon Cumara for bottom bouncing and jigs. They are more sensitive than the GLX loomis. I like the st. croix too. Although I have fished several times with the cumara and it is unbelieveable.[/QUOTE]

Man, the way you guys rave about the Cumara's I may have to try one someday. I guess since Shimano owns G.Loomis it is possible they could be better. They are much cheaper. What about the handles on it? I can't stand foam handles.

It is high quality foam - and I really like it - not the same stuff you would find on ugly sticks. The best part about it, is the amount of exposed blank that you hold on to. Not just an inch or so like most rods right above the trigger, but enough so your entire hand is touching the blank. The reel seat is raised on the casting rods - so the reel is about 1/4 of an inch off of the blank - that keeps the vibrations rolling through the blanks, where the conventional reel on the blank kind of muffles that. I have fished with several nice rods, but the feel of the cumara is uncomparable (it is the IMX blank). I have heard they have some weak tips, although I haven't noticed.

i just got the browning midas rod and reel and i love it. it is light weight and has good backbone and great sensitivity.

[QUOTE=Col Forbin;326404]It is high quality foam - and I really like it - not the same stuff you would find on ugly sticks. The best part about it, is the amount of exposed blank that you hold on to. Not just an inch or so like most rods right above the trigger, but enough so your entire hand is touching the blank. The reel seat is raised on the casting rods - so the reel is about 1/4 of an inch off of the blank - that keeps the vibrations rolling through the blanks, where the conventional reel on the blank kind of muffles that. I have fished with several nice rods, but the feel of the cumara is uncomparable (it is the IMX blank). I have heard they have some weak tips, although I haven't noticed.[/QUOTE]

Are you sure you're not a Shimano Rep? Your doing a good sell job on me. It may be time to retire the old BPS Bionic Blade rod that I never use. I got it free with a reel I bought years ago. Thank God I don't have a wife to nag when I buy way too much fishing stuff. If I could find a good looking woman with a bass boat I'd marry her. Oh yeah, her parents need to own an oil company too.

I help out, work part time at a tackle store, so I get to try out alot of nice rods. If I am going to spend a decent amount of money on something, I want to make sure I get familiar with it. I can say that the Cumara is my no.1 choice for jigs. When it comes to crankbaits and spinners, I like other rods better. The Cumara's are designed for bottom bouncin rigs, and not much else. If you want to look at a cheaper rod - Check out Airrus. I love my co-matrix one - very sensitive, and has done me good this year. You can find those for $100 or maybe even cheaper.