which GLoomis?

I am a big GLoomis fan - I must have 15 of them and I have a dilema. My b-day is next week and I have some mad money and I kind of think I need a new Loomy casting rod. I already know about what I want in that I broke a St Croix 6'6" MH this spring and that is what I am looking to replace. I already have a MBR783 which is great but I was looking at either their spinnerbait series (SBR) or the bronzeback series (SMR). In both cases I am looking at either a 2 or 3 power rod. The bummer of the situation for me is now that Bullfrog creek is gone there are no dealers in the Louisville area and with that I can't hold any of these rods prior to comitting. On paper I don't think there is a great difference in these rods but I was wondering if anyone had any "hands on" experience to share. One of my prime intents for this rod would be fishing 1/2 oz or larger spinners at night and also for swimming big tubes. Have any of you guys had a similar situation?

kc

I love my 6'9' mh spinnerbait series. Its just perfect for spinnerbaits 3/8 to 3/4. But like you i hate buying rods without having them in my hand first, if you really wanted to get a feel for one first we have a dealer here in evansville, if there isnt one closer.. you might give them a call and see if they have any stock

I think the spinnerbait rod is the one I am leaning towards. I have also had a fascination with the bronzeback rods too and I suspect the are pretty similar (they are priced similar). It's hard to go wrong with a Loomy!

kc

Dude BassPro is right across the river. It's not a local tackle shop per say, but they do have what your looking for.

Now that you say that they do carry Loomies don't they? My mad money is with Cabelas so I am ordering online but I still would love to touch a rod before buying. I think I know where I will be headed one evening this week!

kc

Dude, I'll swear by a [B]Tim Tipton's Custom Rod's[/B] for the money in Shively, KY., if'n your willing to give one a chance....I know you like your Gloomis rods...But take a chance on a real nice custom made rod to fit your precise needs of the baits your wanting to use it for....I own 4 of his (Tim's) rods now and won't buy anything else again.....:)

The GLX's may cost a little more, but they are well worth it.

Dicks in Oxmoor Mall has a few Loomis rods in stock dont know if they have either of those but I agree with who said try the custom built rod ...

Could be a good option but in this case I have over $200 in Cabelas Club points money so that is my source of funds for this purchase. I have 5 custom made rods as is (all with Loomis blanks) and I like them pretty well. My dad made me 3 and I use all of them pretty regularly but I purchased the other two off Ebay and they are MH spinning rods but have very long handles which I don't prefer. I'll have to check out Tim's rods on another mad money situation. I appreciate the heads up though.

KC-

I'd avoid the 2 power spinnerbait rod and generally 2 power in any loomis rod if you start at 1/2oz and go up.

How fast are you working the blades? If I'm burning blades, I'd consider a crankbait series rod like the CBR845. I have a custom built 847 that is great for 3/4oz bladed burned just under the surface.

Loomis makes some very nice rods and I have fished or own many of them. A few standout in order of my preference.

BCR 803 GLX- best t-rig and jig rod I have ever fished hands down, good for slow rolling blades as well. Faster action and more power then a 3 power in the MBR series.

MBR842 GLX- a 2.5 power rod. Killer for shakey head worms, blades less then 5/8oz, buzzbaits and finesse jigs. A real standout and not in very wide distribution.

BSR 852 GLX- simply the best finesse rod. If something somewhere is better, I want to fish it. 4 and 5 inch senkos, drop shot, shakey head worm. Very light tip with lots of backbone. I have a few rods with equaly as light tips but they don't have 1/2 the backbone.

MBR 783- seems you know that one:)

MBR 844 GLX- Jigs, C-Rigs, Buzzbaits, Frogs, big blades. Much more versitle then one might select.

The bronzeback rod I want to fish is the 4 powered crankbait rod but I read a review saying it was a good medium depth crankbait rod which would likely make it lack power for say a 3/4oz blade.

Best of luck! Go Cabelas! Love that store and the points program.

I appreciate the detailed response. To answer your question I don't often burn spinnerbaits unless fishing shallow. I am pretty big into slow rolling them along the bottom -- ie night fishing this time of year. I would probably also use this rod some for buzz baits, tubes, and possibly jig fishing but slow rolling spinners would be the number uno. That 3 power SBR rod I think is the one I am leaning towards at this time. I know what you mean about 2 power and casting rods -- a little on the light side for most casting rod scenarios for me even though as fast as a 2 power GLX is that would be pretty sweet for smaller presentations.

You have a killer list with all of those GLXs -- so far I haven't stepped up to the GLXs just yet. My Loomy harem is mostly GL3 class rods with a couple of IMXs and GL2s sprinkled in. When I first started this lust for another Loomy rod I thought I might just buy another MBR783 but I have this thing about buying two of the same rod. The only 2 Loomies I have the same in my whole harem are 2 SJR700s -- awesome mag-light creek rod and crappie jig fish rod. When fishing with my son we would fight over the one so I had to buy another! That is also one of my future Loomy lusts - is one of those mag-light shakey head rods that are longer and a bit more stout than the SJR700. I tend to use spinning tackle for my finesse fishing rather than casting so most of my Loomy harem swings the reels below.

Well I am headed to BassPro tomorrow night to further confuse and tease myself and hold a few of the beauties if only for a while. In the end I will propose to one and add her to my harem (complements of Cabelas)! Thanks all for the info. It has been a while since I have gotten out on the lake and add a new Loomy to that thought I probably won't be able to sleep all week anticipating!!! I can't wait to feel that first "thump" on my new Loomy beauty!

kc

KC-

Check out the BCR803 in Mossyback! Rolling blades, jigs, tubes- outstanding. Not the ideal buzzbait rod but would work.