which GLoomis?

[kc]

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

[Stevens]

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

[kc]

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

[bigrod]

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

[kc]

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

[MsgMills]

Dude, I'll swear by a Tim Tipton's Custom Rod's 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.....

[Col Forbin]

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

[R.BRUGH]

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 ...

[kc]

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.

[davidsa]

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.

[kc]

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

[davidsa]

KC-

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